Kate Middleton’s stylist is switching things up.
Arriving at the National Portrait Gallery with a group of excited kindergarten childrenon Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Princess of Wales showcased a very different style than usual.
Wearing a fitted brown wool-blend blazer from the Ukrainian designerPetar Petrovover a black fine knit turtleneck with black pinstripe trousers from Maxmara, the royal’s understated look seemingly underscoreda recent reportthat claimed the royal was increasingly concerned that focus on her style was overshadowing her charity work.
Stating that Kensington Palace would no longer be releasing details of her outfits except “for the most important family and state events,” theSunday Timesarticle quoted a palace source as saying that Kate “wants the focus to be on the really important issues, the people and the causes she is spotlighting.” Despite the new report, this is not a new policy, and the palace doesn’t always share the royal’s outfit details for outings.
“It’s understandable that the Princess would like the emphasis to be on her work and not her fashion, and that’s a conundrum many women face, especially women in high profile positions,” Susan Kelley, founder of the original Kate style blogWhat Kate Wore, tells PEOPLE.
Kate Middleton at the National Portrait Gallery on February 4, 2025.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Shifting the focus away from what Princess Kate wears and firmly on what she does is a strategy the palace has been working on for some time. While they confirmed the details of her maroon ensemble at the recentQatar state visitand sent a nine-page document detailing everything from floral embroidery details toheadpiecesand fabrics for King Charles’ 2023 coronation, style credits when it comes to her royal engagements are increasingly rare.
Kate Middleton at the coronation of King Charles on May 6, 2023.Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty
Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty
“Most of us have never relied on the palace for fashion information,” states Kelley.
“We identify the styles ourselves, along with a cadre of very talented people on social media who are terrific at discovering specific designers and styles,” adds the royal style expert, who launched the successful website in 2011 and has been tracking her style choices whilst detailing all her charity work ever since.
The much-discussed “Kate Effect” also has the ability to launch small brands from obscurity and keep luxury brands relevant during economically challenging times.
Kate Middleton visits the Corgi factory in Wales on January 30, 2025.WPA Pool / Getty Images
WPA Pool / Getty Images
There’s also the symbolism that the Princess of Wales manages to silently but powerfully portray in her fashion choices, like the pearl necklace she bought fromSusan Caplan, a Jewish-owned brand that shepurposefully chose to wearat last month’s Holocaust Memorial Service, a gesture that the jewelry curator said touched her soul.
“She’s so sensitive and I think she’s able to convey just the right message with the right outfit or the right piece of jewelry for the right occasion,” Caplan said at the time.
Kate Middleton at the Holocaust Memorial Day service on January 27, 2025.ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty
ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty
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Every time she wearsPrincess Diana’s earrings or a piece of jewelry that once belonged to the lateQueen Elizabeth, it’s a reminder of the royal lineage and all the emotions that come with it.
Her style statements run much deeper than simply choosing an appropriate outfit. Kelley sees no signs of enthusiasm waning, either in the style blogging community or with the general public.
“The reality is that people have an interest in the Princess’ style and that is not something that Kensington Palace can control,” she says, adding: “I think the Princess very much understands the impact her style choices have on the fashion industry but as far as understanding the delight people find in seeing photos of her or reading about her style choices, I don’t know if this is something she thinks about.”
source: people.com
