Not only was Queen Elizabeth II known for her unwavering sense of duty and devotion to a life of service – but she’s also more light-heartedly remembered for her vibrant style.
‘Imagine never getting it wrong. Ever. Stylistically, every day of your life, nailing it’ was the verdict of Vogue when looking back at Her late Majesty’s 70 years of outfits during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The reason for the Queen’s fashion success? She adored wearing colourful shades. From purple to pink to yellow and red, her colour-block ensembles stole the spotlight during every Buckingham Palace balcony appearance and cheered the nation.
Her late Majesty famously said ‘I have to be seen to be believed’ – and thanks to her rainbow attire, crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of their monarch would easily spot her, rain or shine.
Now, Kate appears to be adopting her grandmother-in-law’s winning style formula for major events; she wore a bright red Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat dress with a matching £450 hat from Gina Foster for the Commonwealth Day Service this month.
Making a triumphant return to the celebration for the first time in two years, the royal teamed her vibrant red ensemble with the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Japanese four-strand pearl choker.
On Monday, the Princess once again looked to Her late Majesty’s eye-catching and diplomatic approach – with the monarch often opting for shades that represented the flag of the nation she was celebrating at an event.
Attending the Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day parade, Kate dressed to impress in a lucky green Alexander McQueen coat dress which she paired with an elegantly matching percher hat.
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Queen Elizabeth II arriving in Dublin in 2011, pictured left. Pictured right, The Princess of Wales during the 2025 Irish Guards’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Wellington Barracks in London
The royal, who is colonel of the regiment after taking over from Prince William, made a triumphant solo return to the annual event at Wellington Barracks in London, after missing the occasion last year as she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
Speaking about Kate’s wardrobe for major royal engagements, fashion expert Lisa Talbot told FEMAIL: The Princess has mastered the art of sartorial diplomacy, often echoing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s signature style principle: “You have to be seen to be believed.”
‘This philosophy, which shaped the Queen’s wardrobe for decades, ensured that she remained instantly recognizable in a crowd.
‘Now, the Princess of Wales is carrying this torch, embracing vibrant block colours that balance elegance with visibility – an approach that is both strategic and symbolic.
‘Queen Elizabeth II understood that her role required presence as much as poise. Whether attending the Commonwealth Day Service or greeting well-wishers at Trooping the Colour, she opted for bold, single-colour ensembles that made her stand out from afar.
‘This wasn’t just a personal preference; it was a deliberate choice to connect with the public, ensuring that even those at the back of a vast crowd could catch a glimpse of their monarch.
‘Princess Kate has adopted the same formula, most recently seen at the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Commonwealth Day Service, where her tailored, monochrome outfits commanded attention without the need for embellishment.
‘Her ability to blend tradition with modernity is a testament to her understanding of royal style as a tool for communication.’
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Queen Elizabeth II attending Sunday service at the Church of St Peter & St Paul, West Newton on February 7, 2016, pictured left. Pictured right, Kate at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey in March
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Queen Elizabeth II attends the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials horse racing meet at Newbury Racecourse on April 13, 2019, pictured left. Pictured right, The Princess of Wales following the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, in 2024
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Queen Elizabeth II attends a traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham on December 25, 2015, pictured left. Pictured right, The Princess of Wales attends the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 06, 2024
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Queen Elizabeth II attends the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018, pictured left. Pictured right, Kate attends the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the UK on December 03, 2024
Lisa also explained why block colour ensembles work for a modern royal, saying: ‘In an era of high-definition photography and global media scrutiny, simplicity can be more striking than excess.
‘A head-to-toe block-colour outfit is not only elegant but also practical – it photographs well, exudes confidence, and allows the wearer to remain the focal point without distraction.
‘For Kate, this approach serves another purpose: continuity. As she steps into an increasingly prominent role within the monarchy, she is subtly reinforcing a visual connection to the Queen, honouring her legacy while making the style her own.
‘Through carefully considered tailoring and contemporary accessories, she modernizes the look, making it relevant to today’s fashion landscape while maintaining the regal polish that royal watchers expect.’
During the initial years of her reign, Her late Majesty was famed for her opulent gowns, primarily designed by Sir Norman Hartnell.
But it was her decision to wear a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours that defined Elizabeth II’s image as a modern-day monarch.
Candy floss pink, buttercup yellow, letterbox red, rich violet, lime green; there wasn’t a hue that the Queen didn’t wear.
However, she rarely deviated from a tailored dress and matching coat that fell to the shin.
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Queen Elizabeth II opens the Royal National ENT and Eastman Hospitals in London on February 19, 2020, pictured left. Pictured right, The Princess of Wales after the Gentlemen’s Singles final on day fourteen of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
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Queen Elizabeth II at St Pancras Station on June 5, 2014, pictured left. Pictured right, Kate at Trooping the Colour in 2024
While Kate is sticking to the late Queen’s style approach for major events, she is opting for quite a different wardrobe for her own royal engagements.
As she resumes her royal duties in 2025, the Princess is ditching pastel dresses and statement coats of previous years and instead opting for more muted, sophisticated and understated outfits.
This shift in style demonstrates that Kate is choosing to let her work take centre stage rather than her wardrobe, according to Eliza Scarborough, Fashion Editor at the Daily Mail.
Following the announcement from Kensington Palace regarding the focus needing to shift from her clothes to her work, fans are now seeing a new style for the Princess of Wales, one where her fashion choices blend into the background.
British designer Amanda Wakeley, host of the podcast Style DNA, believes Kate has always understood the power of fashion as a communicator, and her more muted wardrobe for 2025 reflects a considered shift in how she wishes to be perceived.
She says: ‘This approach speaks to her discipline and dedication, using fashion as a quiet amplifier rather than a distraction.’
