Garter Day is one of the staple events in the royal family’s annual calendar, where members of the Order of the Garter and their spouses gather at Windsor Castle for a number of celebratory events.
The Order of the Garter is England’s most senior and oldest chivalric order, with those admitted being exclusively appointed by the monarch who serves as its head.
Several members of the royal family have been given the order making them knights companion or ladies of the garter. And while Princess Kate may not yet be among them, she has attended the event over several years in support of her husband, Prince William, who was made the 1,000th knight by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
With Kate’s attendance comes increased press attention, with a large focus directed at her celebrated style.
Though this year, the princess has stepped back from her regular royal commitments following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, here, Newsweek takes a look at five of her most stylish Garter Day fashion moments to date, from her classic coat dresses to retro-inspired looks.
First Garter Day—2008
Kate’s first Garter Day appearance was made before her marriage into the royal family. She attended in 2008 as Prince William’s girlfriend to watch him be installed as a knight of the order.
For what was one of her first major royal appearances, Kate wore a conservative skirt suit in black with a small-scale print giving the illusion of texture. The future princess paired the suit with an asymmetric saucer hat with feather embellishment.
Classic Coat Dress—2014
Kate attended the day of celebrations in 2014 wearing a classic coat dress, sharply tailored with a cinched belted waist in ice blue silk, created by London-based designer Christopher Kane.
The princess paired the look with nude accessories and a pale blue sculpted felt hat.
Princess Piping—2019
2019 saw the princess stand alongside European as well as British royals at the Garter Day celebrations, with the kings and queens of Spain and the Netherlands invited to take part in the festivities.
Kate was photographed speaking to Queen Letizia of Spain during the events, wearing a chic white coat dress with black piping along the collar and running down the princess seams of the front bust panels.
The coat dress was made by one of Princess Diana‘s favorite design houses, Catherine Walker & Co. in London.
Bold in Hydrangea—2022
For the events in 2022, Kate introduced a vibrant pop of color into her Garter Day wardrobe, wearing a hydrangea blue coat dress with standing neckline and padded shoulders from Alexander McQueen.
The princess paired the look with matching blue accessories and floral embellished hat. Blue is the color of the sashes and cloaks worn by members of the Order of the Garter.
’80s Chic—2023
The princess’ most recent Garter Day appearance was made in 2023 and saw her turn to a modern twist on a 1980s fashion aesthetic for the occasion.
Kate wore a high-necked long-sleeved day dress by designer Alessandra Rich, featuring a delicate black polka dot print against a crisp white ground.
The dress was paired with an asymmetric black hat with speckled feather embellishment.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about Charles and Camilla, William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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