The Princess of Wales has worn an array of colours over the course of her 15-year-long royal career, but according to a colour expert, some suit her better than others. Susie Hasler, a colour expert and award-winning personal stylist who runs Styled By Susie, loves to keep up-to-date with Kate’s fashion moments, and says that she will soon have her best season in terms of the shades that suit her best.
The benefit for high-profile women like Kate knowing their colours, Susie says, is that it empowers them to find the shades that harmonise with their natural colouring to create a sense of balance, confidence, and consistency. “Stick to palettes that enhance your complexion, hair, and overall presence. The result? Outfits that never feel distracting or overwhelming, just calm, assured, and unmistakably regal,” she says.
Kate wore her most flattering look during Men’s Finals Day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2019
Shades of each colour fall into seasons, for example, someone who is a summer suits pastel shades. “Kate is a textbook summer, and she shines brightest in soft, cool tones that work with her natural, gentle colouring, rather than hues that try to compete with it,” Susie reveals.
Kate wore a similar shade while visiting the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum
“Think powder blue, muted pinks, lavender, and misty greys. My favourite Kate looks are the Emilia Wickstead dress she wore to Wimbledon in 2019, as well as the sleek baby blue coat and LK Bennett dress she wore to the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum in 2022.”
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: 5 times royals recycled their outfits
Queen Camilla’s petal pink coat dress from Prince Harry’s wedding suited her perfectly
Kate isn’t the only summer royal lady, as Susie says that Queen Camilla is also a woman of the warmer months. “She looks her best when she leans into a cool and refined elegance. I love her in icy blues, soft berry reds and gentle sage greens, shades that echo her cool undertones without demanding attention,” Susie explains.
“When she dresses in her summer palette, everything feels in balance. These lighter, cooler shades give her a polished, serene presence, proof that dressing with harmony rather than drama often creates the most powerful impression.”
Zara Tindall wore the pink dress to attend the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castle in April 2023
Zara Tindall, Princess Anne‘s 44-year-old daughter, is a fellow summer. Susie notes: “Her sporty, modern style is beautifully supported by her summer colouring. She consistently stands out in pinks, magenta and teal, colours that feel fresh and confident without overpowering her. I loved her in the bespoke pink dress she wore at Easter.”
Susie adds that Zara’s makeup choices reinforce this harmony. “A signature smoky eye (often in soft browns rather than harsh blacks) works perfectly with her softer colouring, adding definition while still feeling balanced,” she tells us. “Zara’s look shows how a summer palette can be dynamic and strong without relying on harsh contrasts. Effortless, confident, and unmistakably her.”
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh is firmly a spring. Susie explains: “She looks so radiant in clear, uplifting shades. Think zingy brights, fresh greens, coral, aqua and warm blues.
“They all mirror her warm, glowing complexion and bring a real sense of energy to her outfits.” According to the expert, Sophie’s greatest sartorial strength is her ability to balance vibrancy with softness.
Sophie wore flattering neutrals to the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in 2022
“While she excels in brighter hues, she can also wear the gentler end of her palette beautifully, colours like taupe, light camel and warm neutrals that still hold a hint of sunshine,” she says. “She looked amazing on Christmas Day 2022 in a cream coat and matching hat. These tones never drain her; instead, they enhance her natural freshness and optimism, making her one of the most quietly joyful dressers in the royal family.”