The Princess of Wales often reflects the cause she is supporting through her fashion choices, a trend known as literal dressing.
Whether it’s the event she’s attending or the country she’s visiting, Kate regularly incorporates subtle thematic elements into her outfits, embracing the occasion wholeheartedly.
The festive season is no different, and she frequently chooses shades of red, green or white for key events, staying true to the Christmas spirit.
Celebrity stylist Martine Alexander believes the Princess’ decision to follow a set fashion formula deserves praise.
She told MailOnline: ‘Kate takes on a very traditional British style with a contemporary twist.
‘She dresses very respectfully for this time of year. And the fact that she has a colour palette and always sticks to it is quite commendable.’
Kate’s distinctive white outfit, chosen for the 2023 Together at Christmas carol concert, particularly impressed Martine.
She said: ‘I love the fact that she took on winter white. Not many people would think to do that. It was very refreshing.’
Here, we take a closer look at this and other examples of Kate’s literal dressing at Christmas.
Bowtastic
At this year’s Together at Christmas carol service, Kate embraced a festive and familiar ensemble with a fresh twist.
The standout piece was a £20 black velvet bow from Jigsaw, showcasing her flair for literal dressing.
She paired the bow with her previously worn red Alexander McQueen coat, Emilia Wickstead pleated tartan skirt and Ralph Lauren suede knee-high boots, blending elegance with sustainability.
At this year’s Together at Christmas carol service, Kate embraced the season in a festive red Alexander McQueen coat, updated with a black velvet bow
Winter whites
Monochromatic white is a winter classic, as the Princess demonstrated at the 2023 carol service.
Avoiding festive clichés, Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey in an ivory coat, layered over a coordinating Kiltane jumper and Holland Cooper trousers.
In a surprising twist, Kensington Palace revealed that her coat was crafted by Chris Kerr, a menswear tailor based in Savile Row.
Kate elevated her luxurious look with a Strathberry Mosaic Nano bag and Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Monochromatic white is a winter classic, as the Princess of Wales demonstrated at the 2023 Together At Christmas carol service
Grand entrance
Kate looked stunning in one of the season’s signature shades – green – during the Wales family’s Christmas Day debut in 2022.
Accompanied by Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, she participated in the traditional walk to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
Kate’s military-inspired olive green Alexander McQueen coat, a favourite she had previously worn three times in 2020, took centre stage.
She accessorised with a custom Philip Treacy fedora, suede knee-high boots and leather gloves, creating a timeless country chic aesthetic.
Kate looked stunning in one of the season’s signature shades – green – during the Wales family’s Christmas Day debut in 2022
Maximum sparkle
For a commercial promoting her second annual Christmas concert, Kate dazzled in a glittering red gown by Needle & Thread.
The floor-length Aurora frock, made from tulle, featured sheer sleeves, an A-line silhouette and a cascade of shimmering sequins.
Kate had previously worn the gown in 2020 at a Buckingham Palace reception for the UK-Africa Investment Summit.
For a commercial promoting her second annual Christmas concert, Kate dazzled in a glittering red gown by Needle & Thread
Snow Princess
Kate radiated elegance in a white Self-Portrait jacket, adorned with pearls and sequins, during a television advert promoting her third annual carol service.
The luxurious bouclé jacket was accented with delicately placed pearl embellishments on its Peter Pan collar, front placket and sleeve cuffs.
Sequins added an extra touch of sparkle and created a look reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, perfectly suited to the festive season.
Kate radiated elegance in a white Self-Portrait jacket, adorned with pearls and sequins, during a television advert promoting her third annual carol service
Christmas jumper
Kate has showcased festive knitwear, in the form of a Miu Miu cardigan, on two occasions linked to her annual Westminster Abbey concert.
She first wore the design in a promotional video for the 2021 concert and reprised it in 2023 for a Together at Christmas tea party.
The deluxe cashmere jacquard knit features a diamond pattern and rose motifs, complemented by a removable cotton collar.
Kate’s deluxe cashmere cardigan by Miu Miu features a diamond pattern and rose motifs, complemented by a removable cotton collar
Regal in red
Kate chose the striking Beau Tie coat dress by Catherine Walker for her first Together at Christmas carol service in 2021.
She added a Miu Miu clutch, first seen during her 2016 Canada tour, and Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
The look also included a glamorous touch – a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings once owned by the Queen Mother.
Earlier that year, Kate had worn a black version of the coat dress to Prince Philip’s funeral.
Kate chose the striking Beau Tie coat dress by Catherine Walker for her first Together at Christmas carol service in 2021
Festive tartan
During the Royal Train tour of the UK in December 2020, Kate fully embraced the festive spirit in a striking outfit.
She chose an Alexander McQueen postbox-red coat, worn over an Emilia Wickstead tartan skirt, with a matching scarf positioned neatly over one shoulder.
Completing her ensemble with Ralph Lauren knee-high boots, the result was stylish and cosy.
During the Royal Train tour of the UK in December 2020, Kate fully embraced the festive spirit in an all-red outfit
Christmassy flourish
For an outdoor Christmas carol performance at Windsor Castle in 2020, Kate kept the cold at bay in a forest green Catherine Walker coat with a Troy London faux fur stole.
The contrasting collar provided a festive flourish to her outerwear, without outshining Queen Elizabeth, who looked resplendent in a bright scarlet coat and hat.
Kate expertly accessorised with suede Ralph Lauren boots, leather gloves and an Alexander McQueen clutch.
In 2020, Kate kept the cold at bay in a forest green Catherine Walker coat with a Troy London faux fur stole
Tonal elegance
In 2018, Kate led the Royal Family to St Mary Magdalene Church in a seasonally appropriate coat dress.
Eagle-eyed followers would have recognised it as a variation of the Catherine Walker design worn to a Remembrance Day Service the previous month.
It mirrored the same sumptuous features, including a double-breasted front and velvet trim, as well as a graceful fit-and-flare silhouette.
The updated berry hue fitted the occasion perfectly and accentuated Kate’s accessories: a Jane Taylor headband, Gianvito Rossi court shoes and Mulberry clutch.
In 2018, Kate led the fashion pack to St Mary Magdalene Church in a seasonally appropriate coat dress by Catherine Walker
Spot on
Kate chose a special LK Bennett Mortimer dress to celebrate Christmas with patients at Evelina Children’s Hospital.
Aptly created in forest green, the luxurious silk dress was characterised by a polka dot print, pussybow neckline and pearl buttons.
Kate teamed the ladylike design with a suede clutch, also by the High-Street brand, and Gianvito Rossi court shoes.
Kate chose a special LK Bennett Mortimer dress to celebrate Christmas with patients at Evelina Children’s Hospital in 2018
Perfect plaid
While pregnant with Louis in 2017, Kate was the definition of merry in a Miu Miu plaid coat as she attended the Christmas Day church service.
Featuring the colours of the season, the royal’s outerwear boasted an A-line silhouette, elevated by gleaming gold buttons and a black velvet collar.
Kate added a cosy faux fur hat, Tod’s suede pumps and a Mulberry clutch.
While pregnant with Louis in 2017, Kate was the definition of merry in a Miu Miu plaid coat as she attended the Christmas Day church service
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