Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, recently demonstrated her affinity for countryside chic style through a series of public engagements that highlight her connection to rural life. Her fashion selections unapologetically reflect her very distinctive individual style. A nod to her origin, several pieces from her past are returned to her wardrobe.
In 2017, Kate took her country classroom charm to London on a visit to Robin Hood Primary School. On that occasion, she donned a Ralph Lauren skirt, which she had first showcased on September 18, 2017, while visiting Frogmore Gardens alongside US First Lady Melania Trump. This specific skirt has turned into the workhorse of her wardrobe. True to her trademark style, it’s just as elegant as it is rustic.
In the most recent year, 2020, the Princess doubled-down on her rural focus. She accompanied Prince William during his recent visit to the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research Centre in County Meath, Ireland. She donned an aviator-style belted khaki coat created by Friel. To finish off her look, she teamed it with knee high Penelep Chilvers boots and a check shirt – the ultimate farmer girl style. Only a few hours before that, to visit the UK Fire & Rescue Services, she had set aside a formal coat dress. She finished off her outfit with fashionable knee-high heeled boots while visiting the Learning and Development College in Cookstown.
On one of those historic days, Kate and Prince William, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited Mallon Farm in County Tyrone. The farm is at the leading edge of a flax renaissance to grow linen, a more sustainable farming alternative. This first in-person engagement was a great reminder about agriculture’s critical role. It further enabled Kate to bond with the farming community and emphasize her commitment to rural initiatives.
From a day spent in undulating green hills, she further developed her bucolic-meets-glammy aesthetic when she toured Dowlais Rugby Club in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, in 2023. She paired the Barbour x Alexa Chung ‘Elfie’ jacket, a quilted parka style, with the showstopper by draping glam over an all-grey getup. Her decision to don the embroidered duster echoed her unique vibe and style while doubling down on her support of local artisans and talent.
While touring Aros Hall, Scotland, Kate stepped out with simple elegance in a brown herringbone jacket by Holland Cooper. She really accentuated it well with a pale blue linen shirt from Boden. These garments are an example of her gifted hand at combining modern clothing and colors with classical detail. In doing so, she finds an alternative style that celebrates the traditions of her ancestors.
