On Saturday, the Princess of Wales made her annual appearance at Trooping the Colour, the ceremonial parade held every June that honours the birthday of the reigning monarch and attracts millions of viewers from all around the world. Of course, the Princess always dresses up for the occasion. And this year? Kate opted for an icy blue Catherine Walker Lafayette coat dress with white piped lapels, a nipped-in waist and strong shoulders, paired with a wide-brimmed, sculptural bow-topped Philip Treacy hat in a similar shade.
For the Princess, Trooping the Colour has always held a special significance. After her wedding to Prince William in 2011, it was one of the first major public events she attended as a royal – and for the event, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit by Sarah Burton, the same designer who had crafted her breathtaking bridal gown just months before.
In the years since, the Princess has used Trooping the Colour to showcase her sharp sartorial instincts, often returning to Alexander McQueen for separates and dresses befitting of the high-profile event. That’s not to say there haven’t been some curveballs in the mix, though: just take the delicate grey floral Erdem dress she wore for her second appearance at the ceremony in 2012, or the emerald green coat dress by Andrew Gn in 2023. (And that’s without even mentioning the dazzling hats.)
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Here, take a look back at all of Kate’s best Trooping the Colour outfits from across the years.
