The Designer Kate Middleton Wears on Repeat
Kate Middleton always looked good in the clothes that she wore, but something very special happened on April 29, 2011 . . . Not only did she marry the man she loved and enter one of the most famous families in the world, but she also chose the occasion to wear her first Alexander McQueen gown. There had been speculation for months about who Kate would choose to design her wedding dress, and not only did she favor the design house for her big day, but she has for many, many significant occasions since.
Alexander McQueen was a British designer who won awards for his edgy creations, but following his suicide in 2010, the company was taken over by his longtime assistant Sarah Burton, and it wasn't long before a perfect pairing with the new duchess took shape. The label is one of Kate's go-to "super seven" of favorite designers, and she has worn McQueen for five Trooping the Colours, George's and Charlotte's christenings, two Diamond Jubilee events, at least twice on every royal tour, her sister Pippa Middleton's wedding, two Remembrance Sundays, Garter Day, Christmas, Ascot, Wimbledon, the annual Buckingham Palace Christmas diplomatic reception, and numerous regular engagements. Take a look at every time Kate has worn a fabulous McQueen outfit.
Wedding Day, April 29, 2011
Thanks to her McQueen veil and shoes, Kate literally wore the designer from head to toe on her wedding day.
Wedding Day Evening Reception, April 29, 2011
Kate teamed her evening wedding dress with a fluffy McQueen bolero.
Irish Guards Engagement, June 2011
Kate paired her navy military-themed coat with a matching Rachel Trevor Morgan cocktail hat, Prada pumps, and an Anya Hindmarch clutch.
Canadian Tour, July 2011
The classic nautical jumper dress was perfect with sapphire earrings and navy Prada pumps. Kate recycled the outfit for a trip to Wimbledon the following year.
BAFTAs Gala in Los Angeles, July 2011
Channeling a Cannes Film Festival dress of Princess Diana's 30 years before, Kate accessorized with silver glitter Jimmy Choo pumps and diamond earrings on loan from the queen.
Military Awards, December 2011
Kate teamed her black velvet gown with a Jaime Mascaro clutch and a suite of ruby and diamond jewelry.
Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, June 2012
The red skater dress was already a celebrity favorite by the time Kate wore it for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and it has become one of her favorites. She also wore it for royal engagements in 2014 and 2015.
Garter Day, June 2012
Kate had previously worn the ivory coat at Trooping the Colour 2011, but we got a better look when she wore it for a second time, teaming it with a Jane Corbett hat and L.K. Bennett clutch and pumps.
Singapore, September 2012
Stuart Weitzman wedges and clutch were the perfect accompaniment for the white eyelet two-piece, and Kate is such a fan of the outfit, she wore it again in Australia in 2014.
State Dinner in Malaysia, September 2012
Gold hibiscus detailing was a diplomatic nod to the host nation's flower, and Kate accessorized with a gold Wilbur & Gussie clutch and gold Catherine Zoraida earrings.
St. Andrews School, November 2012
Blue and green tartan was appropriate for the school's Scottish roots, and Kate loved the ensemble so much, she wore it again on Christmas Day in 2013.
Prince George's Christening, October 2013
The cream ruffled coat dress was in keeping with the historic royal christening gown worn by Prince George. Kate teamed it with a cream Jane Taylor cocktail hat and citrine Kiki McDonough drops — two of her other favorite designers.
Easter Sunday Church Service in Australia, April 2014
For her first time in Australia, Kate chose a Jane Taylor hat to complement her dove-gray coat.
Buckingham Palace Garden Party, May 2014
The nude lace sheath dress had previously been worn at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, but Kate brought it out again two years later, along with a Jane Taylor hat and pearl drops.
Trooping the Colour, June 2014
The ice-blue skirt suit was accentuated by Kate's intricate Jane Taylor headwear and worn with an abundance of pearls.
Bletchley Park, June 2014
Kate had previously worn the outfit in 2011 but this time teamed it with navy Prada pumps and her sapphire earrings.
First World War Centenary in Liege, August 2014
Kate accessorized her cream coat with a peach, nude, and cream Jane Taylor hat.
State Visit From the Pesident of Singapore, August 2014
The gray fine-check coat called for Kate's gray Jane Taylor cocktail hat that she'd worn on Easter Sunday in Australia, her pearls, a black Jenny Packham clutch, and black Prada pumps.
Remembrance Sunday, November 2014
Kate wore her coat with appropriate all-black accessories: a BCBG Max Azria blouse and Jane Corbett hat.
Commonwealth Service, March 2015
The pale pink maternity coat had preciously been worn to Trooping the Colour when Kate was pregnant with Prince George, and the duchess dug it out again when she was expecting Princess Charlotte, teaming it with a matching Jane Taylor hat, Kiki McDonough pink morganite earrings, and a Prada clutch.
Remembrance Sunday, November 2015
Another Remembrance Sunday and another black McQueen coat — this one made with velvet patches and worn with a Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co hat. Kate wore the coat again last year for a memorial service for the Duke of Westminster.
Royal Air Force Cadets Anniversary Service, February 2016
The sky-blue coat is clearly a favorite of Kate's as she also wore it in New Zealand and for D Day commemorations in 2014. In 2016, the duchess wore it with all-navy accessories: a Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co hat, a Stuart Weitzman clutch and pumps, and Cornelia James gloves.
Wreath-Laying in Mumbai, April 2016
In India, Kate wore her patterned silk pelmet dress with nude Gianvito Rossi pumps and gold Cassandra Goad earrings.
Vogue Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, April 2016
Kate had debuted the pale-pink two-piece in Australia two years earlier. She wore it in London with a tonal L.K. Bennett clutch and pumps and diamond Monica Vinader bib necklace and earrings.
Wimbledon, July 2016
The skull, lipstick, and butterfly print dress was a different look for Kate. She wore it with her new gold-plated Brora earrings.
Vancouver, September 2016
A scarlet Miu Miu clutch and matching Russell & Bromley pumps were the perfect accompaniment for Kate's red and white dress for her arrival to Vancouver.
Team GB Olympics Reception at Buckingham Palace, October 2016
Kate's red Miu Miu clutch and matching Gianvito Rossi pumps made her McQueen poppies really pop.
British Academy of Film and Television Awards, February 2017
Kate's first new McQueen of 2017 was debuted at the BAFTAs (William is president) and accessorized with whopping glittery unidentified earrings and a black McQueen clutch.
Paris Embassy Reception, March 2017
An afternoon in the French capital called for masses of pearls and black Gianvito Rossi heels.
Pippa Middleton's Wedding, May 2017
All Kate's favorite designers were out in force for her sister's big day: blush silk McQueen, matching Jane Taylor hat, and pink morganite Kiki McDonough earrings.
Trooping the Colour, June 2017
Pink on pink was appropriate at Trooping the Colour — Kate wore a Jane Taylor hat and diamond drop earrings on loan from the queen.
Royal Ascot, June 2017
Kate's ivory lace dress was offset by diamond and pearl earrings borrowed from the queen.
Warsaw, July 2017
Championing the British style brand overseas, Kate wore a new ivory McQueen coat with a burgundy Jenny Packham clutch, which set off the duchess's new suite of ruby and diamond jewelry.
Ambassador's Reception in Berlin, July 2017
Kate accessorized her scarlet maxi dress with red crystal Simone Rochas earrings and beige Prada sandals.
Battle of Passchendaele Centenery, July 2017
Kate first wore the ivory coat at Princess Charlotte's christening and again at Trooping the Colour in 2016. In 2017, she teamed it with a matching Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co hat, plentiful pearls, pale gray Anne Grand-Clément clutch, and matching Emmy London pumps.