Princess Kate Steps Out With Braided Hair for St. Patrick’s Day — and It Has a Deeper Meaning
Kate Middleton's stunning braided hair on St. Patrick's Day paid a sweet tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
The moment Kate Middleton steps into the spotlight, her fashion sense does more than impress—it tells a story. Be it her luxe outfits, heirloom jewels, or her polished hairstyle, the Princess of Wales embodies a future queen who both listens and leads with style. At her latest appearance on St. Patrick's Day on March 17, it was her braided chestnut locks that caught everyone's eye. Fashion stylist Leanne Jones notes that the hairstyle carries a deeper symbolic meaning, subtly nodding to Irish heritage and Celtic folklore.
In a conversation with HELLO!, Jones opined that the braided twist brought a particularly elegant touch to her overall look. She said, "The braid could be interpreted as a nod to Irish heritage and Celtic folklore, where traditional hairstyles often featured intricate plaits symbolizing status and identity." Stressing that no part of Middleton's wardrobe has ever been 'unplanned,' she added, "So it wouldn't be surprising if the combination of rich green tones and this braided detail were a quiet tribute to Ireland today." The Princess paired her chic chignon with a forest green wool coat by Alexander McQueen with structured shoulders and double-breasted buttons.
As for her overall look, Jones gushed about Middleton's penchant for regularly wearing green, claiming that it also paid tribute to her 2012 St. Patrick's Day debut. She continued, "Where she [Middleton] opted for bare legs back then, she's now grounded the outfit with her signature suede boots – giving it a more refined, contemporary edge." Explaining how her hat complemented the occasion, she opined, "It's a hat shape that clearly works for her too – we've seen similar styles recently, including during the German President's visit in December, a black variation on Christmas Day 2025, and again at last year's St Patrick's Day appearance."
Middleton's 2026 look for St. Patrick's Day surely did not disappoint when it comes to her savvy fashion sense. Underneath her luxury coat, she wore a black pleated dress, pairing it with black boots and a skinny heel by Ralph Lauren. In 2012, she had opted for a similar green coat dress with a statement black belt over the top. The secret to her beauty this year was a brown eyeshadow paired with a 'my-lips-but-better' lipstick, keeping her makeup soft and refined. The side sections of her mane were swept behind her ears, creating a lifted look.
The Princess of Wales has a poignant relationship with the Irish Guards and has attended the annual parade since marrying Prince William in 2011. In 2022, King Charles named her the new honorary Colonel of the unit following his ascension to the throne. Since then, Middleton, aka 'Colonel Catherine,' has supported the regiment in her official capacity. On Tuesday, she, as usual, presented the shamrocks to the Officers and Guardsmen, accepted a salute, witnessed a march-past, sipped a Guinness, and smiled for official photos with the Guards.
