Princess Kate upcycled her Remembrance Sunday coat in three incredible ways

The Princess of Wales looked radiant on Sunday, 10 November, as she joined the Royal Family at the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. 

Standing alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Kate paid her respects in an upcycled Catherine Walker coat dress that she had previously worn twice before, adapting the look for each occasion with thoughtful, elegant modifications.

The bespoke black coat dress, crafted in a military style, was first seen in 2020, when Kate attended the Remembrance Sunday service with the royals. In this original version, the coat dress featured prominent epaulettes and lighter, contrasting buttons that added a striking contrast. 

© Chris Jackson

However, when Kate revisited the coat dress for an appearance at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Guildford in 2022, she had made a few updates. The shoulder tassels on the epaulettes were removed, simplifying the coat's silhouette and lending it a sleeker, more streamlined look. 

© WPA Pool

For this year’s Remembrance Sunday, Kate continued to reimagine the coat dress with subtle but striking changes. She added a black velvet bow around the collar, enhancing the coat’s femininity and softening its military structure. The bow added a demure touch that perfectly complemented the sombre tone of the event. Furthermore, she replaced the black buttons with black velvet ones, refining the look with a rich texture that elevated the ensemble.

To complete her look, Kate added a veiled hat by Juliette Botterill Millinery, a delicate piece that added a graceful touch to her appearance. She accessorised with Queen Elizabeth II’s Bahrain pearl drop earrings, a fitting nod to royal tradition, and wore a regimental brooch along with three Remembrance poppies. 

© Chris Jackson / Getty

These thoughtful additions highlighted Kate’s commitment to honouring the past while subtly and frugally updating her style, proving once again that she is a master of royal style.

Kate often gives her outfits a new twist by altering details like hemlines or tailoring dresses to suit specific occasions. For example, she modified her Elie Saab dress for the wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan and Rajwa Al Saif, ensuring it adhered to the conservative dress code. 

© Royal Hashemite Court

Tailoring is a hallmark of Kate’s style; her outfits are always impeccably fitted, highlighting her silhouette in a way that looks polished yet comfortable. This focus on fit ensures her looks are elegant and timeless, regardless of how many times she wears them.

Kate’s commitment to re-wearing outfits has brought a fresh, influential approach to royal fashion. She frequently repeats outfits, showing that a thoughtfully curated wardrobe can be sustainable and stylish. By mixing up accessories and making subtle adjustments, she keeps her looks current and appropriate for different events.