But it was Kate’s wedding dress that truly introduced her as a fashion force to be reckoned with. The gown—made of ivory and white satin gazar with a 2.7m long train—is arguably the most famous wedding dress of the 21st century. Made by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the commission also arrived at a poignant time for the house, following the passing of Lee McQueen the previous year, and marked the beginning of a lasting partnership between Kate and the brand.
Over the years, Kate has established a distinctive personal style that incorporates signatures she stays fiercely loyal to, from coat dresses to neat blazers. As Sarah Harris, British Vogue’s editor-at-large, previously wrote: “She has carefully honed a silhouette that works for her—narrow tailored shoulders, cinched at the waist, fitted through the torso—but there is a common denominator in all of these looks: the hemline is long; always falling demurely below the knee, hitting midi length or more.”
The Princess of Wales is all too aware of how painstakingly her public outfits are parsed for messages and meaning, particularly following the health challenges she has faced in the past year, and always dresses accordingly. She frequently nods to the tradition and history of the royal family with archival references, mixes in some high-street pieces to remain approachable, while often re-wearing and renting to promote an ethical engagement with fashion. “First and foremost, and yes, it’s a boring one, but what she wears has to be practical,” Harris added. “Working royals endure long days and so the clothes have to work, from being comfortable, to weather appropriate, to magically immune to wrinkling. Nothing can be too fussy, so forget a slit that’s tricky to navigate, or a collar that needs tending to.”
As the princess celebrates her 43rd birthday, revisit her life in style, below.
