15 Photos Showing How Kate Middleton's Style Is Evolving as Princess of Wales

This photo was the first portrait of the senior royals after the Queen's death meant that Charles became king, and Kate absolutely looks the part here. She kept it on the conservative side, wearing all black during the mourning period, complete with heels and tights (something Queen Elizabeth was said to require of royals if they were wearing a dress or skirt that showed their legs).

The mourning period continued on well into September — according to royal tradition, it's supposed to last until seven days after the late monarch's funeral. That meant that Kate's first weeks as a princess included a lot of black outfits and dresses, including this one that featured gold buttons.

We've seen Kate wear a pantsuit a few times during her royal life (though she does seem to prefer dresses), but something felt different about this outfit. A darker color and a monochromatic look at the same time? We don't doubt that this lady wants to be taken seriously!

When the time came for William and Kate to host their first state dinner as Prince and Princess of Wales in November, Kate did not come to play. She wore a white Jenny Packham cape gown with the Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, looking more regal than she ever has before.

Some people believe that Kate recently embracing more neutral colors is a sign that she's copying Meghan Markle's style, but it might also be part of her evolution into a more prominent royal role. Neutrals do look good on her after all, even if she's been more known to wear brighter hues.

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The first Christmas after the Queen's death couldn't have been easy for anyone in the family, but we'd never know it by the cheerful appearance they made at Sandringham, per tradition. Kate arrived with Charlotte, George, and Louis in tow, looking a bit more buttoned-up than usual (but still pretty festive in her green military-inspired coat).

When Kate attended a diplomatic reception hosted at Buckingham Palace, she teased her hair to the high heavens, which is certainly not a typical style for her. Look at that volume! She also wore the Lotus Flower Tiara for the first time since 2015, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Just as we've seen Kate wear more neutrals, we've also seen her show up to events in different colors from what she's ever worn before. At the 2022 Earthshot Prize gala in Boston in December, Kate arrived on the red carpet in this lime green Solace London dress, which she rented instead of purchased in order to choose a more sustainable fashion option.

During the Wales' trip to Boston, Kate looked prim and proper in this Emilia Wickstead houndstooth dress — and even a little bit retro — when she visited Harvard University. It was her first solo gig on the tour (something we imagine she'll be doing much more often in the coming years), and she definitely looked ready to face her busy schedule that day.

Is it just us, or is Kate wearing a lot more blazers recently? It seems like we've seen her in them on a regular basis now more than ever before, and she often pairs them with trendy wide-leg pants. We can't blame her for loving them — it's such a put-together look.

Kate has worn bright red outfits, suits, and dresses on several occasions over the last few months, and we can't help but feel that maybe she's attempting to send a message. After all, the color is thought to symbolize passion and power, so maybe she wants to make sure that she's making an impact, even when it comes to her clothes.

It doesn't seem likely that Kate's signature blowout is going anywhere, but she has been rocking straighter hairstyles lately. In fact, that seems to be something she did lot of in 2022 in general, and now she's carrying that look into 2023. It does really suit her!

Kate has long been known for her impressive coatdress collection, but lately, when it comes to winter styles, she's been knocking it out of the park with her outerwear. This tartan coat is so stylish, and goes together well with a more low-key outfit underneath.

Kate's definitely never been one to show a ton of skin — at least, not after she married William and officially became a royal — but it seems like she's been dressing even more conservatively recently. That could be another sign of her preparing for her impending queendom.

Love it or hate it, Kate seems to be increasingly comfortable taking fashion risks these days. Case in point: this look she wore on the red carpet at the 2023 BAFTAs. Those black elbow-length gloves definitely aren't something we'd normally see her wear, but maybe she wants to start breaking the rules before that crown is on her husband's head.