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Ever since Kate Middleton showed off her dazzling sapphire engagement ring back in 2010, her fashion choices have been under close scrutiny. Thrust into a world of black tie balls, international tours and centuries-old ceremonies, the Duchess of Cambridge had to quickly get up to speed and ensure that her wardrobe matched the demands of her new public-facing role.
In the years that have followed, Middleton has worn all manner of head-turning looks, but it’s undoubtedly her dress collection that has garnered the greatest attention. From Alexander McQueen and Erdem, to Roksanda and The Vampire’s Wife, Middleton’s high-fashion dress moments are among some of her most memorable—she has well and truly secured her position in the fashion hall of fame.
Because we never tire of gazing at Middleton’s fantasy frocks, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the 12 dresses that stand out to us across her 11 years as a member of the royal family. Scroll down to see the looks, and to shop Middleton’s favorite dress designers.
April 2016
Middleton loves a good high-street buy, especially when it comes from homegrown favorite, LK Bennett. For a meeting with the Obamas she chose an abstract print midi, which she styled with suede navy heels.
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September 2016
No stranger to diplomatic dressing, Middleton wore a dramatic Preen midi-dress with a maple-leaf brooch during her visit to Canada in 2016.
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May 2019
This polka dot Alessandra Rich number is one of our favorite looks from the line-up, with its ’80s-inspired pleats, drop waist and contrasting collar and cuffs.
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May 2019
A long-standing champion of British design, Middleton has been spotted in Erdem a number of times. For the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, she wore an ankle-grazing, tiered floral dress from the brand in a purple and yellow floral print.
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June 2019
Middleton broke away from her usual high-necked silhouette with this off-the-shoulder Barbara Casasola style back in June 2019, which she accessorized with glittering silver court shoes.
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January 2020
Middleton isn’t regularly seen in mid-range brands, but she makes an exception for Needle Thread. At Buckingham Palace in 2020, she stepped out in an incredible red beaded number which, naturally, sold out instantly.
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March 2020
The fashion crowd went into a frenzy when Middleton appeared in Dublin wearing cult red-carpet brand, The Vampire’s Wife. A favorite amongst the A-list crowd, the Duchess has gone on to wear the brand for a number of other formal occasions.
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September 2021
Kate emulated Bond-girl glamour at the premiere for No Time To Die. Her gold dress was from Jenny Packham—a recurring name for the Duchess—and featured cascading sequins and a head-turning cape.
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March 2022
British brand Roksanda is a natural fit for Kate, and we couldn’t get enough of this canary-yellow midi that she wore in Jamaica in March.
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March 2022
Kate came up roses with this pink swirl print shirt dress from Brit brand Rixo that she wore with beige espadrilles on the beach in the Bahamas.
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March 2022
Now a recurring theme within her dress capsule, Kate repped the off-the-shoulder look at a dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica. With its frou-frou tulle neckline and sequin-studded waistline, this Jenny Packham was a real show-stopper.
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May 2022
We love it when Kate champions a smaller brand, and it felt particularly fitting when she wore an Edeline Lee green midi-dress to The Design Museum to present the Queen Elizabeth II Award to Saul Nash.
