As the royal family’s foremost fashion icon, the Princess of Wales is often in the sartorial spotlight.

Aided by assistant Natasha Archer, Kate has continued to evolve her style in recent years, and has impressed royal watchers with her outfit choices in 2023.

Fashion writer Caroline Young says: “Over the last year Catherine, Princess of Wales, has proven she’s equally adept at showstopping glamour for state occasions and formal events, and casual elegance when carrying out charity engagements,”

She adds: “There may be rules for royal dressing, but Catherine’s style isn’t conservative she embraces fashion-forward garments from both the high street and haute couture in bursts of colour.”

“Rather than just keeping it muted with beiges and blues, she often favours warm tones, such as pinks, reds and yellows.”

And let’s not forget about her hair and make-up. Kate’s glam team always makes sure she looks perfect for every occasion.

Here, we look back at some of Kate’s most memorable fashion and beauty moments of 2023…

McQueen gown

At the Bafta awards in February, Kate wore a stunning white Alexander McQueen gown. It was a reworked version of a dress she wore to the 2019 awards, but this time it had a flowing cape detail instead of a corsage on the shoulder.

Kate paired the dress with black opera gloves and a clutch bag, adding a pair of £17.99 statement earrings from Zara that sold out instantly.

“Kate is keen to prove that you can wear the same dress twice,” Young says.

“She’s often described as the queen of recycling in the way she re-wears old favourites, which fits with the environmental ethos that she champions.”

Erdem suit

For the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March, Kate chose an elegant navy skirt suit with delicate floral embroidery from one of her favourite designers, Erdem.

She wore a midnight blue hat and styled her hair in a chic up-do that beautifully complemented the ladylike ensemble.

Coronation outfit

Kate was praised for her stunning outfit at King Charles’ Coronation.

She wore a deep blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet, over an Alexander McQueen embroidered ivory silk crepe dress.

In a break from tradition, she decided not to wear a tiara, instead choosing an intricate silver headpiece by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen, with her long brown locks twisted into a neat updo.

Spotty dress

Kate has worn trendy London-based designer Alessandra Rich several times in the past few years, including for her appearance at the Order of the Garter service in June.

Kate’s vintage-style white dress with spots, paired with a navy and white feather-trimmed hat, reminded many of Princess Diana’s similar outfit at Royal Ascot in 1988.

Pink dress

In June, Kate looked trendy in the blush ‘Ahana’ dress by Beulah when she opened the Young V&A. “With its tailored bodice and floaty skirt, it was the hit dress of the summer, but she got there first, having worn it two years before, at Wimbledon.” says Young.

Balmain blazer

For her first appearance at Wimbledon 2023, Kate chose an Eighties-style mint green blazer by glamorous French fashion house Balmain. She matched the double-breasted jacket with a white pleated maxi skirt and court heels.

Blazer and twisted braid

During a visit to the Orchard Centre in Sittingbourne in September, Kate wore a favourite Zara blazer again, but this time with a bold new hairstyle. Her hair was twisted into a braided bun which celebrity hairdresser Edward James described as a “polished Princess Leia” look.

Purple suit

For the Shaping Us National Symposium in November, Kate chose a bright purple two-piece suit by British designer Emilia Wickstead.

Young loves Kate’s trendy style, saying: “Throughout 2023 she’s particularly favoured block-coloured blazers and trousers in various hues, a look that is smart and on-point but also lends a more casual, approachable feel.”

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