The Princess of Wales' first official outing as a mother of two was a memorable one. Kate, now 44, made an appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade just one month after giving birth to Princess Charlotte, now 10, and chose one of her busiest prints to date.
The wife of Prince William opted for a pale blue floral coat dress by Catherine Walker with an understated Peter Pan collar. It featured buttons down the front and three-quarter-length sleeves. The knee-skimming number was paired with a percher hat from Lock & Co., and her brunette locks were worn down.
© Max Mumby/IndigoWhy was Kate's postpartum outfit one to remember?
Why was Kate's postpartum outfit one to remember?
It's a look that, for stylist Angela Kyte, will go down in the history books. "This was a very intentional post-partum choice. Rather than retreating into something safe or overly muted, Kate leaned into a bold, structured print, which does a lot of the work for her," Angela tells us.
© GettyThe stylist also says that there's a psychological element to this kind of dressing: "A fresh, uplifting colour like this blue, combined with a feminine, almost vintage-inspired print, projects confidence and composure. It signals a clear return to public life, but in a way that still feels gentle and considered, rather than overly sharp or severe."
© GettyShe continues: "Crucially, the structure of the piece is what anchors the look. The defined shoulders, neat collar and clean lines create a sense of order and control, which is often why coat dresses are such a go-to in post-partum dressing. It's a masterclass in using print and tailoring together; the print softens, the structure supports, and the overall effect is both reassuringly polished and quietly strategic."
© Getty ImagesKate reverts to bright colours
The dress was also significant as it marked the last time Kate wore a printed dress to the Trooping the Colour parade. The following year, she wore cream, and then in subsequent years chose bubblegum pink, mint green, lemon, white, emerald, and turquoise.
© GettyAt other events that summer, Kate reverted to block colour. A great example of this was her eye-catching tangerine midi dress by L.K.Bennett, worn to Wimbledon and styled with a tiny leopard print clutch bag.
