The Princess of Wales looked so polished as she stepped out at Buckingham Palace on 21 April to attend a reception on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth. Kate, 44, surprised onlookers as she stepped out in lilac, a colour that she rarely wears, and her dress felt reminiscent of an outfit from 2017 – but with a range of tweaks to reflect her 2026 style.
Her look from nine years ago was an Emilia Wickstead number worn in Hamburg on the last leg of her and Prince William’s Germany visit. It featured a thick waistband to create a tapered silhouette, as well as an A-line knee-skimming skirt and high crew neckline. It also featured long sleeves and structured shoulders to flatter the figure perfectly.Â
Updating the Emilia Wickstead look for 2026, Kate was seen at the palace, having given the dress three-quarter-length sleeves, subtle ruching detail on the bodice in the place of a heavy waistband, and a longer skirt that skimmed her shins.
© WireImageKate’s differing accessories also show how her style has evolved. For the German outing, the then-Duchess of Cambridge tied the lilac of her dress in with Kiki McDonough’s ‘Lavender Amethyst Pear and Oval Drop Earrings’, as well as nude suede heels.Â
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesMeanwhile, for the Buckingham Palace reception, the royal used the lilac dress as a base to layer tributes to the late Queen (most literally seen in how she wore not only one of the late monarch’s favourite colours, but also her string of pearls and Bahrain Pearl Earrings).
Kate’s best purple outfits
Purple isn’t a colour that Kate usually wears, with the royal often favouring primary colours or neutrals. That said, she has occasionally branched out, and it’s certainly a colour that suits her well. Keep scrolling to see our top picks of the princess rocking purple…
© Karwai Tang2024
Kate made a statement in Safiyaa while attending the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2024. The fit-and-flare number featured capped sleeves and twist detailing on the bodice, with a midi-length skirt that moved perfectly in the breeze.
© Chris Jackson2023
The princess blended a bright colour with a classic workwear moment in 2023 while arriving at The Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum in London, wearing an Emilia Wickstead double-breasted suit.
© Getty Images2019
Stunning in grape, the royal visited The Royal Opera House to learn more about their use of textiles, commissioning of fabrics, and supply chain. She opted for a look by iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. Her pleated jacket and skirt had a fun preppy feel, taken to the next level with her small Aspinal of London ‘Mayfair’ bag.Â
© WireImage2011
All the way back in 2011, Kate joined Prince William at the National Canada Day Celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. She chose an iris-hued Issa jersey dress – a far slinkier look than what Kate would wear today.
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