Photos show how Kate Middleton’s style has evolved over the years

When Kate Middleton first met Prince William, she was a college student enjoying everything that university life had to offer.

Over 20 years later, Kate is not only William’s wife and the mother of their three children but also the Princess of Wales, one of the most senior members of the royal family.

Kate’s style has changed with her position in the monarchy, going from simple streetwear to cohesive and elegant.

Take a look back at Kate’s style evolution.

Kate Middleton dressed like a typical college student when she entered the public eye.

Kate was on the public radar while she was in college at the University of St Andrews, as she and Prince William first became romantically involved when they were students there in 2002.

When she was spotted in public at the time, Kate dressed like an average college student, wearing casual looks like jeans or relaxed dresses.

For instance, at her college graduation in 2005, Kate wore a simple white blouse and black miniskirt with sheer, black tights and black heels. She carried a brown Longchamp bag, making the look feel casual.

Kate’s style was more relaxed and daring before she became a royal.

As she and William figured out their adult relationship, Kate lived a fairly normal life for a woman in her early 20s, wearing casual looks and slightly elevated outfits for nights out.

When she was out on the town in London in February 2017 with her sister Pippa Middleton, Kate wore a floral-patterned halter dress that hit her mid-calf and had a slightly open back.

The dress had a low neckline, which Kate emphasized with a beaded necklace. She carried a chunky black bag that didn’t exactly match the look.

Kate looked every bit the royal when she and William announced their engagement in 2010.

As Kate prepared to become a member of the royal family, her style became more professional and traditional.

For Kate and William’s engagement announcement, she wore an Issa dress with long sleeves, a V-neckline, and a knee-length skirt that flared slightly. It cinched at her waist with ruched fabric. Black, close-toed heels completed the look.

The dress also matched her sapphire engagement ring, which Princess Diana previously wore.

Kate mixed shades of brown at her first royal engagement in February 2011.

Kate’s first royal engagement as a future member of the royal family was a naming ceremony at the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station in Wales.

She arrived in a taupe Katherine Hooker coat, which she paired with brown accessories, including tights, ankle boots, gloves, and a clutch.

The ensemble already felt more cohesive than her pre-engagement looks, as all her accessories matched.

A feathered fascinator designed by Vivien Sheriff added a royal touch to the outfit, though it was a bit flashier than the headpieces she wore later in her royal career.

Kate’s 2011 wedding dress is arguably her most iconic look of all time.

Kate married Prince William on April 29, 2011, in a custom dress from Alexander McQueen, designed by Sarah Burton.

The form-fitting bodice had a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, overlaid with intricate, floral lace in a pattern that honored the United Kingdom.

Its full skirt formed a dramatic train that was nearly nine feet long. Kate also wore a tiara and a veil to the nuptials, looking every bit the princess.

The dress became iconic immediately, as brides around the world tried to emulate the look on their own wedding days.

She changed into a simpler dress for her reception.

Sarah Burton also designed Kate’s Alexander McQueen reception dress.

The gown had a similar silhouette to her ceremony dress, with its strapless, sweetheart neckline and full skirt. However, the satin dress didn’t feature any lace, creating a cleaner look, and it didn’t have a train either.

A fuzzy shrug with quarter-length sleeves and a sparkly belt brought some glamour to the look.

Kate wore another Alexander McQueen dress to the 2011 BAFTAs.

As she settled into her role as a royal, Kate seemed to have no problem elevating her wardrobe. Her glamorous dress for the BAFTAs was made of a pale-purple chiffon fabric, and a sparkly white belt cinched her waist.

Details like a boat neckline, short sleeves, and a subtle ruffle on the hem added a romantic feel to the gown.

She paid homage to Princess Diana during a royal tour of Malaysia in September 2012.

Since she married Prince William, Kate has occasionally nodded to Princess Diana with her fashion, highlighting their shared role in the royal family.

For instance, in 2012, Kate and William went on a royal tour of Southeast Asia as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. At a stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kate wore a pale-blue dress from Beulah London and a coordinating headscarf.

Princess Diana wore a similar headscarf in 1996 during a visit to Pakistan, and her ensemble also featured button detailing.

She honored Diana again after Prince George was born in July 2013.

After William was born on June 21, 1982, Diana and then-Prince Charles posed outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London with their newborn son.

Kate and William did the same after Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, and they went on to do the same after the births of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Like her mother-in-law, Kate wore a polka-dot dress for her first photo call as a mother.

Jenny Packham designed the blue-and-white dress, which had a shift silhouette and short sleeves.

Kate sometimes coordinates her looks with her kids’ outfits, as she did during a 2016 royal tour.

Jenny Packham designed the structured, knee-length dress Kate wore when she and her family arrived in Canada in September 2016.

The blue dress had quarter-length sleeves, puffy shoulders, and a folded collar. Her matching hat from Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. featured maple leaves, as did her diamond brooch, nodding to the Canadian flag.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte also wore blue ensembles, so Kate had a sweet matching moment with her family.

On the same trip, Kate put a subtle, modern spin on a classic silhouette.

Preen designed Kate’s tea-length dress, which had a slightly flared, pleated skirt and was cinched at her waist.

The square neckline was subtly asymmetrical, making the dress feel modern. Kate completed her look with red, pointed-toe shoes, a red purse, and the same diamond brooch.

Kate’s floral dress for the 2017 BAFTAs had a daring neckline for a royal.

The black, floral Alexander McQueen gown had an off-the-shoulder, scooped neckline.

It cinched at Kate’s waist and flowed into a dropped-waist, tiered skirt. She later rewore the dress in 2019, adding sleeves to make the look feel new.

Kate’s coatdress for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s May 2018 wedding embodied her style.

Coatdresses are a staple of Kate’s royal wardrobe, so it wasn’t surprising that she wore one to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding at Windsor Castle.

Alexander McQueen designed the white dress, which Kate first wore to Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015. She paired the dress with a large, floral hat designed by Philip Treacy.

The simple silhouette and recycled nature of the garment are hallmarks of Kate’s style.

In March 2019, Kate experimented with trousers.

When she visited the Henry Fawcett Children’s Centre in London, Kate wore a blouse and trousers, a marked departure from her usual style.

Her purple Gucci top had bow detailing on the collar, and she paired it with black, wide-legged pants from Jigsaw and black pumps.

The outfit could have been a business-casual look in an office.

Kate recycled a dress she first wore in 2012 at the 2020 BAFTAs.

The 2020 BAFTAs had a “sustainable fashion” theme, so Kate pulled out a dress she first wore to a state dinner during her 2012 visit to Malaysia for the occasion.

The white dress had an empire waistline and was overlaid with sheer fabric adorned with gold embellishments. Kate’s sparkly gold shoes and clutch added to the glamorous ensemble.

Some of Kate’s best looks are monochromatic, like an all-red outfit she wore in October 2021.

Kate often pairs modern touches with familiar silhouettes for her royal looks, as she did with an all-red look for the Forward Trust in October 2021.

She wore a form-fitting Ralph Lauren turtleneck with a midi-length skirt by Christopher Kane, which she paired with a beige clutch and coordinating heels. The top was tucked into the skirt, so the ensemble almost looked like a dress at first glance.

The tea-length dress worked perfectly for a modern royal.

She also embraces regal touches, like the cape on a dress she wore in September 2021.

Jenny Packham designed Kate’s glittering gown for the premiere of “No Time to Die.” The gown was form-fitting and covered in reflective sequins.

A cape was built into the back of the dress, trailing behind Kate as she walked. Kate wore her hair up, spotlighting the regal detail.

Kate’s dress for another film premiere in May 2022 was among her most daring looks to date.

Kate arrived at the premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick” in a black Roland Mouret gown. A stripe of white fabric created an off-the-shoulder neckline, and the figure-hugging dress cinched at Kate’s waist.

The tight silhouette and sleeveless neckline brought a sexy edge to Kate’s look.

Kate looked effortlessly chic as she became the Princess of Wales in September 2022.

After King Charles III ascended the throne in September 2022, he made William and Kate the Prince and Princess of Wales. Kate is the first person to hold the title Princess of Wales since Princess Diana.

Kate’s first appearances with her new title came amid Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral services, and she opted for structured, chic outfits at the events that subtly honored the late Queen.

For instance, on September 16, 2022, when she and William met with soldiers who would participate in the Queen’s state funeral, Kate wore a black coatdress designed by Catherine Walker. The silhouette looked similar to a military uniform with buttons down the center and shoulder detailing, making it a fitting ensemble for the occasion.

Kate completed the outfit with a hat with subtle swirled detailing and pearl earrings that belonged to the Queen.

She showed off a new side of her style during a visit to Boston in December 2022.

Just a few months after becoming the Princess of Wales, Kate struck a new tone with her style, donning a suit instead of a dress or skirt during a trip to Boston.

Designed by Roland Mouret, the burgundy suit included a slim jacket and flared trousers. The suit had a professional vibe, while the pale-pink blouse Kate wore added a feminine touch thanks to the bow on its collar.

Burgundy, pointed-toe heels completed the look.

Kate continued to blend traditional royal styles with modernity in May 2023.

Kate wore a pale-blue dress designed by Elie Saab to a garden party at Buckingham Palace ahead of King Charles’ coronation.

The dress had a classic tea-length silhouette, but it was overlaid with semi-sheer fabric covered in sequins that made it feel fresh. Lace detailing embroidered the bodice, and a bow adorned the collared neckline.

She paired the dress with matching shoes and a coordinating hat from Philip Treacy with a large flower on it.

The outfit was also among Kate’s recycled ensembles, as she first wore it to the Royal Ascot in 2019.

She wore one of her best looks to date, a monochromatic set, in October 2023.

For a visit to Nottingham Trent University, Kate wore a cream sweater and matching, midi-length skirt designed by Sézane.

Button detailing on the sleeves added a touch of color to the outfit, which Kate paired with a matching clutch and heels.

The outfit felt cohesive and effortlessly chic.

However, Kate also wore more traditional royal looks in 2023, like a red coatdress in November.

Kate donned the Catherine Walker coatdress for a ceremonial welcome at Buckingham Palace when the president and first lady of the Republic of Korea arrived in the UK.

The loose-fitting garment featured an oversize bow on the neckline for a fashion-forward touch, and Kate paired the garment with a matching hat and heels.

It was a timeless royal ensemble.

Kate’s white dress for Trooping the Colour was a stylish choice for her first appearance of 2024.

Kate was absent from the public eye for the first six months of 2024, quietly undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for cancer. After public scrutiny reached a fever pitch, Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, but she didn’t attend a royal engagement until Trooping the Colour in June.

For the event, Kate turned to familiar designers. She wore a white Jenny Packham dress with a navy belt at the waist and a matching bow on the neckline. Her Philip Treacy hat coordinated with the look.

Jimmy Choo designed her white pumps, and she carried a navy clutch from Mulberry. The look was stylish and subtly festive, striking the right tone for the Princess of Wales’ first event after her diagnosis.

She attended her first solo royal engagement of 2024 in a purple dress with ruching.

In July 2024, Kate continued her return to royal engagements by attending Wimbledon with Princess Charlotte.

For the occasion, she wore a short-sleeved purple dress from Safiyaa London. It had ruching on the bodice and a flared, midi-length skirt. A bow-shaped brooch made the dress pop, and Kate paired the colorful dress with nude heels.

Kate continued to recycle looks in 2025, wearing a jacket she’s had since 2007 in February.

When she and William visited the Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland in Wales, Kate dove into the recesses of her closet, pulling out a brown Ralph Lauren jacket she was first photographed wearing in 2007.

She paired the vintage jacket with a brown turtleneck, a plaid Gucci skirt, and knee-high brown boots.

Thanks to the neutral tones, the look felt both elevated and outdoorsy, which was ideal for the garden visit.

The princess highlighted how her style has evolved with a green suit in May 2025.

In May 2025, Kate visited London’s British Fashion Council to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, which the late monarch first presented in 2018.

Kate wore an olive-toned Victoria Beckham suit, including an oversize jacket and wide-legged pants, for the occasion. Her white Knatchbull blouse with ruffle detailing on the front brought a retro touch to the modern look, which the princess completed with nude heels.

The well-fitted suit felt both professional and elegant, summing up Kate’s modern approach to royal style.

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