Hidden messages in all of Kate Middleton’s 2024 outfits – nods to Diana, her ‘rebirth’ dress & £650 ‘security blanket’
IT'S been a tough year for Princess Kate who has had preventative cancer treatment following abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales has now delighted royal fans by making a triumphant return to official duties after finishing chemotherapy.
As we look back on 2024 and Kate's journey, one thing is for sure - everything the royal mum-of-two wears is intentional and meticulously planned out.
Fashion expert Amber Graafland told Fabulous: "There’s no disputing that the Princess of Wales has established herself as a global style icon.
"Fashion choices aside, during her years in the royal spotlight, she’s learned to echo the same tactics the late Queen adopted.
"From choosing block colours that ensure she stands out at public engagements, to wearing a national colour to show respect for a host country or opting for symbolic jewels to honour late loved ones, she’s mastered the art of sartorial symbolism.
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"The Princess uses her clothing to send coded messages and often weaves hidden tributes and powerful symbols into her dressing. "
Following a turbulent year, here, Amber looks back at Kate's 2024 style moments and what we can learn from them...
March 10
Mother's Day card outfit
Following planned surgery in January, Kate released a family photo on Mother’s Day.
Opting to go without her wedding rings, Kate chose a casual khaki zip-up jacket, which looked to be The Woodcock Advanced jacket from Seeland, her favourite style of skinny jeans and her faithful See by Chloe Combat boots.
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The image was designed to calm nerves and quell internet speculation about the Princess of Wales’s condition, following her absence after planned abdominal surgery.
However, following doubts as to the authenticity of the photo it didn’t have quite the desired effect.
Kate’s outfit choice however was clearly made to project the image of a happy, healthy family.
The decision to forgo jewellery for her first picture post-surgery, cuddling up to her children George, Charlotte and Louis, was orchestrated to show her down-to-earth parenting style.
The image was intended to show the family were united, strong and unaffected by recent health concerns.
March 22
Kate's cancer announcement
When Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis back in March she sent a very clear message. Dressed in a Breton-striped top her outfit was carefully chosen to convey to the world that in addition to being the future queen she is a mum, a wife and a homemaker.
The £650 stripy Erdem top is a personal favourite, worn before, on happier occasions.
Firstly, back in May 2019 for a trip to St Andrews where her relationship with Prince William blossomed, then in April last year for an official photograph with Prince Louis.
While a sense of continuity was an important part of the message, reaching for her favourite top may have felt like reaching for a security blanket at an uncertain time,
Wearing her hair long hair loose, without any noticeable makeup, Kate kept her look simple in order not to detract from the brave and earnest delivery.
Wearing minimal make-up and with her long hair loose, she kept her look very natural for the brave public announcement.
Seated on a park bench removed from all regal grandeur, and wearing her engagement ring, this was Kate reminding us that she’s a wife and a mother whose priorities must lie with her husband and children until her recovery is complete.
June 13
Trooping the Colour
For her first outing since taking an extended break from the spotlight during her cancer treatment, the Princess of Wales reached for one of her favourite, trusted go-to designers Jenny Packham gown.
Stepping on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the King's birthday parade Kate opted to wear the exact dress she had worn a year ago for the King's Coronation weekend.
The message was simple. It’s business as usual.
While a sense of continuity was an important part of the message, reaching for her favourite top may have felt like reaching for a security blanket at an uncertain time
Amber Graafland
With the eyes of the world upon her, Kate knew the importance of hitting the right note for the occasion.
The Jenny Packham dress, Philip Treacy hat, Jimmy Choo shoes, pearl earrings by Cassandra Goad pearl earrings and Mulberry bag offered a sense of continuity as well as ongoing support for homegrown talent.
The decision to wear white was also rife with meaning as it symbolises rebirth, purity and hope.
And in a subtle nod to the late Princess Diana, Kate added a striped belt and grosgrain bow detail to the dress.
This clever addition served to ground the subtext of new beginnings and progress in tradition.
July 14
Wimbledon with Charlotte
The Princess of Wales opted for a vibrant purple outfit as she attended Wimbledon in her first solo engagement of the year.
Her colour choice was imbued with historical significance as purple and green have become synonymous with Wimbledon, representing the events heritage and standing in the tennis community.
As patron of the club the Safiyaa midi dress was Kate’s homage to this legacy.
Adding her signature dark green and purple bow further signified her role and patronage of the club.
On a more personal level, her colour choice appeared to be particularly poignant as for many a lavender ribbon is seen as a sign of support for those living with all types of cancer.
Since revealing her diagnosis Kate has made it clear she hopes to support others within the cancer community.
Kate loves Wimbledon and was clearly thrilled to be back, her return gave hope, signifying her plans to ‘pick up where she left off’ as soon she is well enough.
August 11
Video to Team GB alongside Wills
Recording a special message of congratulations to the Team GB athletes to mark the end of the Paris Olympics, Kate reached for her trusty and familiar Breton stripe top and dainty gold necklace.
The boat neck horizontal Ralph Lauren cotton top, which originally retailed for £85, has been a staple in Kate's wardrobe since 2013. Kate was first seen wearing it while out food shopping in Anglesey, North Wales in August 2013. Then two months later to an official SportAid charity event at the Olympic Park in London.
The Princess was also seen wearing a new ring; however it was only a fleeting glimpse. Set with diamonds and sapphires, the gold ring, which speculated to have belonged to Princess Diana.
The ring in question was chosen by the late of Princess Diana when she presented with a selection of options by the then Crown jewellers, Garrard of Mayfair, upon her engagement to Prince Charles.
Opting for a familiar and approachable style was Kate’s way of sending a message of reassurance to the public. Also, by not trying too hard and dressing down she was showing the world that she was still on a journey.
While she was clearly doing well, there was still progress to be made.
September 9
End of chemo family video
In a video to announce her cancer recovery journey Kate looked radiant in two different dresses, and as always with the future queen, her outfit choices were worth a million words.
Enjoying a day in nature with her family, she alternated between two different blue dresses.
The first look was a £598 boho-chic white Castella floral print Veronica Beard ramie midi dress with a botanical pattern.
The princess also wears a blue dress tied at the waist. Both outfits were teamed with her go-to Veja trainers.
“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved,” she wrote alongside the video.
With her hair worn down in natural waves Kate looked relaxed, enjoying time with her family, as far as any dress can express that sentiment, Kate’s outfit choices did so perfectly.
Contemporary and elegant, with a romantic sophistication, both dresses were a subtle but deliberate nod to the princess’s commitment to her family.
October 10
Visit to families of the Southport stabbing victims
In her first official royal engagement since completing chemotherapy treatment, Kate opted to wear a £149 burgundy polka dot Whistle's dress, previously worn in 2018.
This time however she gave the dress a stylish twist, using the detachable belt to tie a stylish bow around her neck.
Putting a sleek update on an old dress was a smart sartorial move. Style icon Kate was keen to prove her style creativity, suggesting not only is back at work but she’s back in her fashion stride.
Kate teamed the dress with a long chocolate maroon coat by her wedding dress designer, Alexander McQueen, and a stylish pair of suede heels.
After a period of intense uncertainty, it was important for William and Kate to put on a display of unity.
With a question mark over the Kings health, the public are looking to William & Kate for stability. Therefore, William’s decision to coordinate with his wife by wearing a burgundy jumper and tie was no coincidence.
The Princess also acknowledged her challenging year by wearing a pair of Catherine Zoraida Gold Fern Drop Earrings. The Princess wore the same pair for a children's picnic at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023.
Kate's choice of fern earrings carried special significance. According to the brand, the fern is widely regarded as "a symbol of endurance, resilience and new beginnings," due to its ability to flourish in difficult conditions. Its unfurling leaves also represent new growth and renewal.
November 9
Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall
In appropriate style for the solemn service, Kate was determined to convey consistency, wearing an all-back ensemble complete with a buttoned, long-sleeve dress, sheer black tights, and a matching quilted Chanel clutch.
Kate accessorised with a delicate pearl necklace by Monica Vinader and her sapphire engagement ring. To complete the outfit, she fastened her Fleet Air Arm brooch next to a vibrant poppy flower on her dress lapel. In the past years, she has worn a trio of Remembrance Day poppies, but she opted for a single poppy, with a silver military badge underneath.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent abdominal surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside
JAN 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the Princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel's Review but pens letter to Irish Guards revealing: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon"
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attends the Wimbledon Men's Final with Princess Charlotte
August 11: Kate and William release video congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics
August 25: Kate is seen heading to church
September 9: Kate shares moving video revealing she has finished chemotherapy
October 15: Kate shares hand written note during Baby Loss Awareness Week
The Princess also paid a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law Prince Diana by opting to wear a pair of Collingwood diamond and pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana by the jeweller.
Diana often wore the pearl drop earrings to public events, such as a special performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express” at the Apollo Theatre in London in 1984. She also wore them to an evening at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. in November 1985, the day after her famous dance with John Travolta.
A favourite of Kate’s she has worn them on several occasions, first at the Spanish State Banquet in 2017, then a few weeks later at the Passchendaele Centenary commemorations in Belgium. Kate also wore them for the Queen’s Buckingham Palace garden party in 2019.
10 November
Remembrance Sunday
The princess appeared at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
For the Remembrance Day Service Kate reimagined her signature style, re-wearing a favourite military inspired coat by Catherine Walker and updating it with a velvet bow and replacing the black buttons with velvet ones.
Kate recognises she has lots of beautiful and timeless pieces already in her wardrobe, which, with a few adjustments, can look new.
The Catherine Walker design was initially worn with tasselled epaulets in 2020 for her balcony appearance at the Cenotaph.
In 2022 she had the tassels removed to greet Commonwealth troops at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in the days leading up to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Kate’s commitment to re-wearing outfits has brought a fresh, influential approach to royal fashion.
Kate completed the look with a veiled, floral embellished hat by Juliette Botterill Millinery, a delicate piece that added an elegant touch to the ensemble.
A fitting nod to tradition, the Princess wore Queen Elizabeth’s Bahrain pearl drop earrings, and a regimental brooch along with three Remembrance poppies.
December 3
Qatar Royal Family visit
Day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom marked a major appearance for Kate amid her gradual return to royal duties following cancer treatment.
Arriving by carriage, and dressed to combat the cold, Catherine Princess of Wales opted for a chic tonal outfit that not only championed the colour of the season but paid homage to the Qatar flag.
Comprised of items she already had in her closet, the long-fitted coat was by her go-to favourite British designer Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, It fell to her favourite midi length and had a smart collar, lapels and slightly angular shoulders that gave it beautiful structure. Inside the palace Kate removed the coat to reveal a coat dress by Eponine London that she first wore to her 2022 carol concert.
The princess wore it again in 2023 to mark the one year anniversary of the Queen’s passing, perhaps a sartorial reminder that this year’s carol concert will happen on Friday.
December 6
Together at Christmas concert
Arriving at Westminster for her annual Christmas carol concert the Princess of Wales’ colour choice was carefully considered.
For her biggest return to date, Kate’s festive red Alexander McQueen outfit was a poignant and heartfelt show of optimism.
Returning to public duties, after the most difficult year of her life, she opted for red as a symbol of excitement and energy.
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Kate is adept at using her clothing to convey subtle messages, and her vibrant red coat, featuring a statement black bow, struck the right chord.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Kate’s outfit spoke volumes.