Kate Middleton Returned to Her ‘Princess Uniform’ at Wimbledon
Wimbledon didn’t go by without an appearance from Kate Middleton. The Princess of Wales attended the final day of the two-week tennis tournament amid her ongoing cancer treatment. Highlights included a standing ovation and, of course, a dose of Kate’s fashion the public hasn’t seen due to her time out of the spotlight.
Kate’s 2024 Wimbledon outfit
On July 14, 2024, Kate—with her and Prince William’s 9-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte, in tow—headed to Wimbledon. The mother and daughter sat in the Royal Box at Centre Court to watch Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeat Serbia’s Novak Djokovic for the Men’s Singles title.
Kate, whose attendance at the annual London, England, tennis tournament had become the source of much speculation in the days leading up to the finals, wore a purple midi dress from designer Safiyaa for the occasion.
She accessorized with a tan bag from LK Bennett, one of her most worn brands, and coordinating slingbacks by designer Camilla Elphick.
Speaking to People about Kate’s Wimbledon look, Elphick called it something of a throwback to a tried-and-true way of dressing for the 42-year-old royal.
“It was very much Kate’s princess uniform in a shape that really works for her, and it all felt very familiar,” the British shoe designer said. “Although the earrings [from By Pariah] were a little edgier than usual, it was a really beautiful look.”
Kate highlighted ‘how important’ Wimbledon is to her by wearing purple
Wearing purple proved to be a significant move on Kate’s part. It’s one of the two official colors of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The organization, of which Kate’s patron, hosts Wimbledon. (The other’s green, which Kate wore three times to the tennis tournament in 2023.)
It’s also commonly associated with royalty. As Bethan Holt, The Daily Telegraph’s fashion director noted, it’s “the color of courage. Which could be a nod to what she is going through.”
“Kate has a history of choosing clever, whimsical themes for her Wimbledon looks,” Holt, who authored a 2021 book on Kate’s style, added. “Wearing purple underlines how important that role is to her. And why she chose this event to make her second public appearance of the year.”
The last time Kate sported a similar shade of purple came in November 2023. (Two months before she underwent abdominal surgery that would lead to her cancer diagnosis). She wore a purple pantsuit to deliver the keynote speech at the Shaping Us National Symposium.
Her style has changed in recent years
Fashion experts previously noted a shift in Kate’s style when she became the Princess of Wales in 2022. One even described the future queen’s choice of gown for a state dinner in the months following King Charles’s ascension as a form of “power dressing.”
Feminine styles in Kate’s wardrobe have taken a backseat to more business-like attire. Ahem, lots of pantsuits, and fewer polka dots, a print she wore often as the Duchess of Cambridge.
Now, with only two official public appearances under her belt—err, crown?—only time will tell how Kate’s health challenges of 2024 will, if at all, be reflected in her outfits when she returns to royal duties.
