The Princess of Wales‘s 44th birthday today does not mark not a milestone year. Little in the way of fanfare is expected, but there is a lot for Kate to celebrate.
It is almost two years to the day since the bombshell announcement of her abdominal surgery. That was followed by her shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
Having undergone treatment and recovery away from the public eye, she started 2025 riding high on the hopeful news that she was in remission.
In recent months the future Queen has resurfaced not only on the British stage but in international public life. She is, without doubt, a more confident and powerful figure than ever, wowing with her elegance and easy manner at a series of state visits, proving that she is the monarchy’s most valuable asset.
As always, fashion was key for a year that was, to my mind, one of her most consequential.
She has attempted to downplay the ‘Kate effect’ – insisting her office would not provide briefings on the clothing she wore on engagements. Yet, her wardrobe has remained one of her most powerful tools, an effective way of communicating to a public that increasingly looks to her as the future of the British monarchy.
Royal Marsden Hospital Visit – January 14, 2025
Kate kicked off the new year and news that she was now in remission from cancer with a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London, place where she herself had received treatment.
Kate wore a full-length burgundy tartan double breasted coat by the Italian brand Blaze Milano to visit the Royal Marsden Hospital where she herself received treatment for cancer
While fashion was not meant to be the focus, it was impossible not to note the razor-sharp chic that she embraced for what was surely an emotional visit.
A world away from the floaty knee-length coat dresses that were the hallmark of her early royal career, Kate wore a full-length burgundy tartan double breasted coat by the Italian brand Blaze Milano.
Paired with a simple red turtleneck and matching skirt, it screamed quiet sophistication whilst ensuring that the patients she met were not over-awed by their VIP visitor.
That she chose to re-wear the same coat for the Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham was perhaps a nod to the fact that year had truly come full circle.
Queen Elizabeth II British Design Award – May 13, 2025
Stepping out to present the Queen Elizabeth II British Design Award to Patrick McDowell, Kate paid homage to two female fashion designers.
Opting for an olive green patch pocket blazer with matching trousers from Victoria Beckham’s Spring 2025 collection, she paired it with a flowing cream silk blouse by the newly launched Knatchbull, a women’s tailoring shop on Saville Row owned by royal-cousin Daisy Knatchbull (a great granddaughter of Earl Mountbatten – great uncle and mentor to King Charles III).
Catherine opted for an olive green patch pocket blazer with matching trousers from Victoria Beckham’s Spring 2025 to present the Queen Elizabeth II British Design Award
The look not only highlighted Kate’s sartorial sensibility, her choice of designers reminded onlookers that every fashion choice she makes is calculated.
Trooping the Colour – June 14, 2025
Kate’s attendance at the Trooping the Colour was a celebrated return to the center of British royal life.
Wearing a deep aquamarine wool coat dress with ivory contrast lapels and cuffs by British couturier Catherine Walker and a coordinating wide-brim hat by Juliette Botterill, Kate’s ensemble looked remarkably like something her late mother-in law, Princess Diana, might have worn – not to mention that it was made by one of Diana’s most trusted fashion houses.
Wearing a deep aquamarine wool coat dress with ivory contrast lapels and cuffs by British couturier Catherine Walker Kate’s ensemble looked remarkably like something her late mother-in law, Princess Diana, might have worn
In this look Kate was channeling the sophistication and show-stopping success that the last Princess of Wales made a hallmark of her ‘princess’ style.
French State Visit – July 8 2025
Kate dropped a fashion bombshell when she stepped out to greet the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, in head-to-toe Dior.
It was the first outing for Kate in the iconic French brand. She wowed in the brand’s iconic bar jacket paired with a past season matching tulle skirt. First created by Christian Dior in 1947, it’s a look that has gained a cult following in recent years, and has been repeatedly worn by First Lady Melania Trump.
Later that night Kate wore a floor length red evening gown by Givenchy – designed by Kate’s former wedding dress designer Sarah Burton (then at the helm of McQueen). Kate turned to the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara.
Kate wore head-to-toe Dior to greet the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte
Previously worn by Princess Diana, it has become Kate’s trademark for white tie royal events – an indicator of the continuity she sees between the two. She also added Diana’s three strand pearl bracelet to ensure no one missed that point.
Wimbledon Finals – July 13th, 2025
Accompanied by her husband and two oldest children, Kate, as Wimbledon patron, appeared for the Men’s Single’s Final in a striking royal cobalt dress by the British label Roksanda.
A bespoke design, the V-neck midi-length dress with a sweeping flared skirt featured a statement bow on the left shoulder.
Kate, as Wimbledon patron, appeared for the Men’s Single’s Final in a striking royal cobalt dress by the British label Roksanda
Accessorized with a bag from the British designer Anya Hindmarch and her often repeated suede Ralph Lauren pumps, Kate appeared a polished princess – ready to take to center court to present the finalists their prizes.
US State Visit – September 2025
All eyes were on the British Royal Family as they played hosts to the unprecedented second state visit accorded to President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.
While she flew an understated British flag in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead coatdress, Kate wowed the room when she sauntered forth later that evening in a floor-length gold evening gown by the British couturier Phillipa Lepley.
Featuring a hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown, Kate shimmered as she made her way to sit by President Trump’s side at the seated dinner.
Kate wowed the room when she sauntered forth later that evening in a floor-length gold evening gown by the British couturier Phillipa Lepley
Pairing the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara with a pair of earrings once owned by Queen Elizabeth II, Kate not only wielded her diplomatic muscle by playing up to the American leader’s love of all things gilded but proved that as a hostess of world leaders her charm was unmatched.
Royal Variety Performance – November 19 2025
Freed from the restrictions of either tiaras or ceremonial orders, Kate appeared in full glamour date-night mode as she and William attended the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Wearing an off-the-shoulder floor length emerald, green evening dress whose mermaid silhouette flared out into a short but elegant train, Kate proved once more that she is the Queen of the red carpet – if not the country (yet).
Her hair down and swept behind, she showed off the dazzling diamond Greville Chandelier Earrings that formed part of a collection left to the Queen Mother in 1942 by Dame Margaret Greville.
Kate wore an off-the-shoulder floor length emerald, green evening dress whose mermaid silhouette flared out into a short but elegant train to the Royal Variety Performance
Paired with a bracelet that was once owned by Queen Mary (her husband’s great-great-grandmother), Kate appeared the epitome of a princess whose feet are squarely in the modern fashion world.
German State Visit Banquet – December 3, 2025
For the final of her three state banquet appearances in 2025, Kate stole headlines by delving deep into British royal jewel collection and resurrecting a tiara that not only had gone unseen for twenty years.
Kate stole headlines by delving deep into British royal jewel collection and resurrecting a tiara that not only had gone unseen for twenty years and only ever been worn by a reigning monarch
Last worn by Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Malta in 2005, the Oriental Circlet was created for Queen Victoria by Garrard in 1858 and designated as Crown Property.
Until it arrived on Kate’s head, it had only ever been worn by reigning queens.
Paired with a floor length sequin caped evening gown by Jenny Packham, Kate delivered not just jaw-dropping dazzle but the clearest announcement yet that she is a Queen-In-Waiting.
It was the crowning one for a woman who over the preceding twelve months not only overcame a great personal challenge but has risen to the very top of what the royals like to call ‘the Firm.’
