Princess Catherine's Royal Ascot wardrobe
The Royal Shopper pays tribute to a masterclass in modern regal dressing
Royal Ascot is just over a week away and let’s face it, no one quite nails the equine brief like the Princess of Wales. From her first appearance in 2016 to her most recent outings, Catherine has turned the famous British racecourse into her own personal runway.
Ascot style is famously traditional (read: strict dress code, hats compulsory, no shortcuts allowed), but Princess Kate manages to keep things fresh, feminine, and oh-so-elegant every single time.
Her outfits strike that sweet spot between timeless and trend-aware, and she always comes with just the right amount of royal polish.
Let’s rewind to her debut in 2016 shall we? She wore a dreamy white lace Dolce & Gabbana number with a Jane Taylor hat perched just so. It was romantic, demure and very “new duchess” at the time.
In 2017, she stayed with the lace theme (this time McQueen), and some would say the outfits were nearly identical.
Fast forward to 2019, and we saw what might be peak Ascot Catherine: a cornflower blue Elie Saab blouse and skirt combo with intricate embroidery and a dramatic Philip Treacy hat. It was floaty, fairytale-like, and had just the right amount of fashion edge. For many royal watchers, it’s still the Ascot look to beat.
What stood out? Her growing confidence in accessorising – her hat was bolder, her clutch a little more modern. You could feel her style was evolving.
In more recent appearances, Catherine has embraced softer tailoring and more understated accessories.
Her palette has also shifted – we’re seeing prints, and subtle plays with texture. The message she’s trying to give? That she’s confident and completely in control of her fashion narrative.
Hats off to Catherine
Of course, it wouldn’t be Ascot without the hats – and Catherine’s millinery game has never disappointed. Whether she’s wearing wide-brimmed wonders or intricate fascinators, her hat choices are always in harmony with the overall look. It’s part art, part strategy.
I love following the Instagram account Royal Fashion Daily (formerly the Royal Fashion Police) and I’m often in awe of Samantha and her speedy royal fashion IDs. She really is incredible at what she does, so I couldn’t resist reaching out to her to chat about Princess Kate’s Ascot wardrobe and her predictions for a 2025 look.
Samantha said: “If Catherine goes to Ascot this year (fingers crossed!), I’d expect her to stick with her elegant, classic style. She does wear a lot of repeats lately, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she chooses something she’s worn before – a safe and sustainable choice she seems to favour this year.
“That said, I’m also hoping for a fresh look, maybe from a designer she hasn’t worn before, like when she stunned us with that blue Elie Saab lace ensemble back in 2019.”
She continued: “Whatever she picks, I agree she’ll probably go for something flowy and feminine - those ‘My Fair Lady’ vibes she’s nailed so well at Ascot before. Think soft fabrics, delicate detailing, and a graceful silhouette, paired with a stylish hat or fascinator to complete the look.”
I’m all for a repliKate moment, but as your Royal Shopper, I’ve looked at the virtual aisles for a dress I could imagine Catherine wearing this year. I’ve started with the brands she’s worn to Royal Ascot before, and then delved into the slightly more affordable brands she loves.
Please share in the comments if you agree or your predictions for what she might wear. I’ve also added a poll at the bottom, I would love to hear your verdict!
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Option 1: Alessandra Rich
If Catherine opts for Alessandra Rich again (one of her go-to designers), I could imagine her in this pink floral dress with delicate bow detail. It’s a style she likes, and florals are so perfect for this occasion.
Alessandra Rich floral dress, £1,685 / $1,729
Option 2: McQueen
We all know Catherine is a huge fan of McQueen, and the only dress I’ve found that matches her aesthetic is this pink twist-front dress. Having said that, this dress might not be structured enough for an Ascot look.
McQueen twist front pink dress, £1,850
Option 3: Elie Saab
I can see Catherine in this formal but sweet and frothy Elie Saab dress – just imagine the twinkling sequins bouncing off the sunshine.
Elie Saab tiered sequin midi dress, £4,250 / $2,945
Option 4: Dolce & Gabbana
If she goes back to her roots and wears Dolce & Gabbana again, I could imagine that she might opt for one of her favourite prints – the polka dot. A maxi length could be a risky move for Ascot.
Dolce & Gabbana polka dot dress, £3,800 / $4,995
Option 5: Rixo
Looking at some of her other go-to brands, let’s look at the more affordable options. She may well go for Rixo, especially if she wants to impress fashion fans.
Rixo polka dot dress, £245 / $380
Option 6: Needle & Thread
Catherine has worn a magical Needle & Thread dress in the past, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she rocked one of the new designs to Ascot in 2025.
Needle & Thread sequin ruffle dress, £625 / $1,050
Option 7: LK Bennett
We haven’t see Catherine in LK Bennett for a while, perhaps Ascot could be the perfect time to return to her roots and step out in one of the special Ascot collections. I love this ‘Ellen’ dress - Kate loves a spotty print and she loves green, it could be a perfect choice.
LK Bennett ‘Ellen’ dress, £239 / $475
Option 8: Reiss
I think there’s a good chance she might shock us all with a suit. I know she loves Reiss and I could seriously imagine her in this blush pink two-piece suit.
Reiss ‘Darcie’ suit, £478 / $810
Now, let’s all keep our fingers crossed for an appearance from the Princess of Wales at Royal Ascot this year.
She looks fabulous no matter what she wears
I really hope she goes to Ascot this year! Fingers crossed