Kate Middleton has undergone personal and professional transformations in the past year. The Princess of Wales has embraced a stronger persona and that’s reflected in her wardrobe. Gone are the days of traditional and demure royal fashion, and in its place are styles that reflect a woman secure in her status within the House of Windsor and the United Kingdom’s future queen.
Kate Middleton’s Style Overhaul Declares She ‘Means Business’
Royal correspondent Daniela Elser of News.com.au reflected on how Kate Middleton has undergone a metamorphosis throughout her 13 years as an official royal family member. Initially insecure in her role, Kate followed the lead of the late Queen Elizabeth.
That meant following rules such as no bright nail polish, dresses and skirts over pants, appropriate skirt lengths (three inches above the knee), jeans only allowed at casual events, and required pantyhose.
But over the past year, Kate has shifted the royal rulebook. Kate’s undergone a style overhaul, and a royal commentator believes she “means business.”
“Day in and day out, when the princess was undertaking engagements she generally dressed in some sort of ickily demure frock with matching clutch bag, all worn with more nude heels or cork wedges than medically advisable. Basically, she dressed like a vicar’s wife having the Bishop round for tea, only less cool,” Elser wrote.
“And then, in the wake of the death of the late Queen in September 2022, something shifted. Those legs of Kate’s disappeared inside trim, tailored pants paired with co-ordinating blazers and a certain can-do businesslike verve.”
She concluded, “In the last three months of 2023 alone, this year has seen Kate off the official clock as she underwent chemotherapy, on the 17 occasions she undertook official outings (aside from State and black tie evening outings), she wore a suit, pants or jeans on 15 occasions. It has also been so long since we have seen Kate in nude hose that I think, whisper it, those days might now be past. The underlying message is clear: the princess means business.”
Kate Middleton’s style shift has rubbed off on Prince William
Prince William has also undergone a transformation of sorts in the past year. His role has taken on even more importance as his father, King Charles, battled cancer.
William also saw his wife, Kate, undergo chemotherapy for an undisclosed type of cancer. She publicly announced she had the disease in March 2024.
Therefore, William appears to have become even more grounded in his role. He has taken a more relaxed, yet professional look over the past 12 months.
Royal commentator Daniela Elser writes that William typically dressed “like a very nice boy.” Subsequently, those suits and ties have now, aside from more official outings, been neatly tucked away, replaced with chinos and open-necked shirts.”
This style shift is likely an attempt to make the monarchy more relatable as William readies to become the United Kingdom’s king. Elser claims William “wants to make the monarchy seem like a more relatable institution and not some haughty outfit of stiff-necked, overprivileged old Etonians.”
There are even more subtle changes by Kate and William
Historically, when monarchy members were formally greeted, it was by curtsy from a woman or a bow by a man. Today, Kate Middleton and Prince William appear to have sent a signal that deference is no longer needed.
The couple are now greeted by handshakes when they undertake public events. While it appears that informally that is now the norm, time will tell during more formal outings if the practice of deferring to their titles has been completely abolished.
William is not yet king, and he still has to abide by his father, King Charles, wishes. Consequently, Charles, while relaxing some royal rules, still abides by the standards set by Queen Elizabeth.
However, that doesn’t mean that in time, Kate and William will let go of all formality connected to the crown. It appears they are trying to become more approachable than in years past, starting with their wardrobe, and continuing by allowing the public into their personal struggles. This sets the groundwork for a more relatable future for Crown Inc.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are the Prince and Princess of Wales. They are parents to three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
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