Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has returned to royal duties with a brand new look this autumn — and we’re not just talking about her divisive “bronde” hair colour.
No, we’re talking about the artist formerly known as Kate Middleton’s big style switch-up following the summer break.
The Princess of Wales made a handful of public appearances over the summer, including the trophy presentation at Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the French state visit with Emmanuel Macron.
For these, she wore her trademark summer staples: dresses with strong, structured shoulders, the occasional skirt suit, and a host of pastels.
However, the Kate that has emerged from her autumn/winter wardrobe is an entirely different being. Bold new hair, Glen check suits, tartan dresses and darker colour palettes. It’s back-to-school style, without a doubt.
The Princess of Wales has also been embracing slightly more androgynous silhouettes. At a recent appearance for the England v Australia Women’s Rugby game on September 6, Kate wore a slim black trouser suit by Alexander McQueen with a Knatchbull white ruffle blouse and Chanel bag, her hair pulled back into a half-down, half-up do. It was the type of outfit that wouldn’t have looked out of place on Kate Moss (were she attending a more traditional event).
On Thursday, July 11, she appeared again in a trouser suit, this time a grey Glen check with a simple black T-shirt underneath, paired with gold jewellery. Understated, especially when you consider the bold colours we’re used to royals typically donning for public appearances. And while a trouser suit is nothing new for the Princess of Wales, it’s quite the departure from the blush pink look she wore to greet Macron this July.
Then, earlier this week, Kate looked positively Wednesday Addams-esque during her visit to the National Federation of Women's Institute in Sunningdale, wearing a grayscale tartan dress by Alessandra Rich with silver metalware and gently puffed shoulders.
Of course, the Princess is still interspersing some of these more interesting appearances with her more reliable brand of Cotswolds chic, so it’s not a total departure from type. But she has definitely embraced the changing of the seasons.
This is a lesson to us all, even those clinging onto summer by their fingertips. Put the sandals away, get the boots out, and dust off the autumn wardrobe. Pastels should be retired for another six months, minimum.
While Kate officially returned to royal duties earlier this year, she said she would be “listening to [her] body” when it came to her workload.
Now, with three appearances in under six days, it seems Kate’s officially “locking in” with her return to work — and she’s certainly dressing the part, too.
