The Princess of Wales is firmly against wearing black unless she is dressed in full mourning attire or at memorial engagements. Kate, 42, often pays tribute to her late mother-in-law Lady Diana Spencer in the jewellery that she wears, but has refused to follow in her footsteps when it comes to the LBD rule.
Diana, who tragically died at the age of 36, was often causing a stir among onlookers thanks to adopting a unique dress sense. Over the years Dianna was seen in jaw-dropping styles which broke etiquette.
Being a member of the monarchy means that you must follow rules and protocolwhich has been passed down for generations. Kate and Prince William fall under the scrutiny of the public and will one day take over the reins becoming King and Queen.
At official engagements and events, royal women are expected to wear outfits that fall to at least knee-length or longer and are modest and respectful across their busts and arms. Meanwhile, they also have to wear tights, not bare legs.
It is essential that a hat is worn to all royal weddings accompanied by understated accessories, including their chosen nail polish. The late Queen Elizabeth II always wore a nude nail which Kate has since adopted and been told she can never wear red.
Kate has only been spotted on a handful of occasions donning the solemn colour black since being in the royal spotlight for over two decades.
Last year at the Remembrance Sunday Kate wore a stunning Catherine Walker and a Philip Treacy hat. The year before she attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, and wore a black Alexander McQueen coat dress, matching it with a saucer-shaped hat and veil.
Meanwhile, Princess Diana decided to ditch the no-black rule back in 1981. Shortly after her engagement to King Charles, she wore a stunning floor-length ballgown.
The off-the-shoulder taffeta raised a considerable amount of raised eyebrows at the time, none more so than with her future husband.
It was a bold choice considering it was her first public event after being named the wife of a future king.The breath-taking design which was created by David Emanuel, featured a satin material, and he went on to create her stunning wedding dress.
Ten years later in an interview for her biography, she allegedly recalled the fundraising event and claimed Charles was furious when she opted for the dark colour. She said when he saw her, he remarked: “Only people in mourning wear black!”
Although she was a force to be reckoned with that didn’t stop her from going on to wear it on a number of other occasions.
Not only did she opt to wear black dresses at glitzy events but she even wore it on informal occasions.
Back when William, 42, and Prince Harry were kids she donned a Chanel sailor-style dress to visit their father who was in hospital recovering from an operation.
