Kate Middleton’s Monochromatic Outfits Go Way Beyond Fashion: ‘Strategic and Symbolic’
Kate Middleton’s monochromatic outfits aren’t just a sartorial statement. They’re so much more, according to a royal fashion expert. Try a lesson in “the art of sartorial diplomacy” from the Princess of Wales, 43, as she goes about her royal duties. The meaning behind Kate’s monochromatic outfits, ahead.
Kate’s monochromatic outfits so far in 2025
As she ramps up her duties, Kate has made more and more public appearances, many of which have included her wearing one color head-to-tie. For the royal family’s annual Commonwealth Day Service on March 10, 2025, she opted for a bold red coat—and hat—she’d previously worn for Christmas. A week later, she wore all green to a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Other monochromatic ensembles from the future queen have included a navy look—with black accessories— for a soccer game and wearing a long, red coat to visit Wales. What’s behind it? An expert says it’s both “strategic and symbolic.”
Kate is following in Queen Elizabeth’s footsteps with ‘instantly recognizable’ looks
Breaking down Kate’s monochromatic looks, expert Lisa Talbot told the Daily Mail it goes back to “the art of sartorial diplomacy” and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s motto that “you have to be seen to be believed.”
“This philosophy, which shaped the Queen’s wardrobe for decades, ensured that she remained instantly recognizable in a crowd,” Talbot explained. “Now, the Princess of Wales is carrying this torch, embracing vibrant block colors that balance elegance with visibility, an approach that is both strategic and symbolic.”
“This wasn’t just a personal preference; it was a deliberate choice to connect with the public, ensuring that even those at the back of a vast crowd could catch a glimpse of their monarch,” she continued.
Kate doesn’t do a copy and paste of the queen’s outfits, but she does follow the “same formula” used by the late monarch. Take Kate’s aforementioned 2025 St. Patrick’s Day outfit, for example. Or her red look for Commonwealth Day. “Her tailored, monochrome outfits commanded attention without the need for embellishment,” Talbot said.
Kate balances honoring the queen while also putting her ‘own’ spin on royal style
Not only does wearing “head-to-toe block color” mean Kate will photograph well, but it also reinforces her “connection” to the late Queen Elizabeth. “She is subtly reinforcing a visual connection to the Queen, honoring her legacy while making the style her own,” Talbot said.
At the same time, the mother of three is walking the line between royal fashion and current trends. “Through carefully considered tailoring and contemporary accessories, she modernizes the look, making it relevant to today’s fashion landscape while maintaining the regal polish that royal watchers expect.”
Kate’s “ability to blend tradition with modernity” so well is, according to the expert, “a testament to her understanding of royal style as a tool for communication.”Needless to say, Kate’s likely to wear more and more monochromatic outfits as she gets closer to the throne. Wearing one color head-to-toe might even become her signature look, more so than wardrobe staples like outfit repeats and skinny jeans.
