Princess Kate’s 5 Iconic Trooping the Colour Looks — and What She Might Wear This Year

With Trooping the Colour just days away, attention is once again turning to Princess Kate's fashion choices. Royal commentator Nick Ede believes this year's look will feature “impeccable tailoring, a beautifully structured coat dress, and elegant millinery” as they are both “sophisticated and symbolic.” And also, they have become her trademark. Ahead of the parade, here's a look back at five Trooping the Colour outfits that chart her style evolution from newlywed duchess to future queen.

In 2011, Kate's first Trooping the Colour appearance took place just weeks after her wedding to Prince William. The then-Duchess of Cambridge stepped onto the Buckingham Palace balcony in a dramatic white Alexander McQueen coat. She created a monochrome appeal by pairing the dress with a striking black mesh hat. The appearance offered an early glimpse of the polished style that would later become her signature.

By 2017, Kate's confidence in royal dressing had been quite noticeable. As she appeared alongside Prince William and their young children, she wore a soft pink Alexander McQueen dress with a coordinating hat. Nick Ede praised the ensemble, and told the outlet, "Kate understands how to dress for history-making moments and rarely gets it wrong. In as early as 2017 she wore a delicious pink McQueen dress and hat that just elevated her style and sophistication to another level." The look marked one of the earliest examples of coordinated dressing with Princess Charlotte, which dominated many headlines.

Kate's 2022 appearance was special as it was for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. It showcased a future queen in waiting. Her white Alexander McQueen coat dress and Philip Treacy hat stood out, and Ede described it as "incredibly regal and modern at the same time.” The ensemble also carried special historical significance as it was the final Trooping the Colour honoring the late, longest-reigning Queen Elizabeth II.

The following year, in 2023, Kate embraced one of her boldest color choices yet. Her bold Andrew GN emerald-green outfit for King Charles's first Trooping the Colour as monarch led to widespread praise and appreciation. Nick called it an absolute favorite, explaining how the future Queen "showcased her confidence in using colour while remaining respectful of royal tradition."

No outfit captures Kate’s current role better than her aquamarine Catherine Walker ensemble for the 2025 Trooping the Colour. She coordinated it beautifully with Princess Charlotte, also in the same shade of blue. As per the expert, “The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte have mastered the art of coordinated dressing without it ever looking forced or contrived." He continued, “The reason this particular Trooping the Colour look worked so beautifully is because it projected a lovely family unit, which are all values at the heart of the monarchy.” With this year's Trooping the Colour approaching, royal watchers will be looking to see how Kate adds the next chapter to a fashion story that has evolved alongside her royal role.