The Princess of Wales gracefully avoided a wardrobe issue during a recent historic event at Canterbury Cathedral. The royal looked meticulously dressed alongside her husband Prince William for the installation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally on Wednesday afternoon - but a statement accessory she wore threatened to be impractical in the windy weather.
Kate wore a grey coat dress and black stiletto heels for the special occasion, which she paired with a large hat from London-based milliner Juliette Botterill. However, the hat gave the royal some trouble as she and William battled the wind upon arrival outside the cathedral. Despite the unfavourable conditions, the Princess of Wales made the wind look like barely a breeze as she effortlessly held her hat in place while being greeted by Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain.
The royal's hat stayed perfectly positioned on her head and not a single hair from her tidy up-do looked out of place once she'd made it inside. The Prince and Princess of Wales then carried on with their formal introductions before making their way to their seats for the ceremony.
© Getty ImagesKate's elegant outfit
Kate's wide-brimmed straw boater hat featured an eye-catching swirling pattern around the sides with a single quill on the front for decoration. The hat appears to be a £690 black and ivory design from Juliette Botterill. According to the designer's site, the hat is worn on a headband with an elastic, which would have given Kate extra support in keeping it perfectly placed atop her bun.
The royal's fitted coat dress from Suzannah London matched the muted colours of her hat with a checkered pattern and statement black trim. The Princess of Wales finished off her formal ensemble with her pearl cluster earrings and soft makeup.
© AlamyKate kept her hat on inside the cathedral, where she was led down the aisle alongside William by the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Dr David Monteith. Her hat was still in place once seated and for singing the opening hymn, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, to begin the ceremony.
Kate's hat collection
Whether it's for the racetrack or a royal outing, wide-brim hats have become a popular accessory beloved by the Princess of Wales. Kate recently wore a gorgeous statement blue hat for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, which matched the colour of her Catherine Walker dress for the formal outing.
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesAlong with her statement hats, Kate has been known to be a fan of elaborate elevated headbands and fascinators - including several stunning headpieces from designer Jane Taylor over the years. The designer spoke to HELLO! exclusively in May 2025 about the return of oversized brimmed boater hats for the season, sharing that it was "a trend that gained traction last year and continues to complement structured suits and tailored dresses beautifully."
"For those who prefer a more understated elegance, timeless neutrals will continue to shine," she said of the endurance of neutral colours for headpieces. "Shades of nude, mocha, crisp white, and ivory create a refined, sophisticated look, ideal for effortless styling. When chosen carefully to complement your skin tone and overall outfit, these colours can enhance your look with a natural, flattering finish."
