We can always count on Kate Middleton to serve up a memorable fashion moment — no matter the season. Even in winter, when a lot of us are bundled up in bulky black or gray coats (that we get so tired of wearing we're practically ready to burn them come springtime), the Princess of Wales still manages to shine.
It seems Kate has cracked the secret to winter style: having a killer coat collection. If you have to spend four long months covered up to keep warm, why not use your outerwear to make a statement? Over the years, Kate has stepped out in some truly striking coats, from military-inspired looks to styles in bright shades like pink and blue. And of course she's got all the chic cold-weather accessories to match, including hats, scarves, and lots and lots of boots.
Winter can be a fallow period for fashion inspiration, but not when we've got Kate to guide us. Scroll on while we take a mini tour of her royal coat closet. Seriously, if we had a few of these gorgeous styles, we might just wish that winter could last even longer …
Monochrome Moment
The monochrome trend has been huge in Hollywood in recent seasons, and Kate wasn't about to miss out on the fashion action. During a visit to the seaside town of Scarborough, England, in November 2022, the Princess of Wales went all in with a camel color scheme, wearing a classic Max & Co. coat layered over a turtleneck dress, accessorized with a matching belt, heels, and a chic DeMellier purse. Neutrals never looked so good!
Pretty in Pink
When it comes to winter coats, Kate has worn a veritable rainbow of colors over the years, and this bright bubblegum pink look is definitely a highlight. It's such a bold and unexpected shade from the princess, who tends to gravitate toward darker tones on the color wheel (think blues, purples, and greens). When it's paired with her black wide-leg pants, she looks so chic and modern.
Tartan Time
Kate wore this colorful double-breasted coat by Miu Miu on Christmas Day at Sandringham in 2017, and it's certainly a festive choice. What could be more on theme for the holiday than a red and green tartan? Pretty details including a black velvet collar and gold buttons give it that something special.
Buttoned Up
It's the buttons that really steal the show on this stylish red coat by Catherine Walker (a staple designer for Kate). Two long rows decorate the front, giving the coat a bit of a military feel and taking it from ordinary to striking. Kate must really like the design, too, because she's been spotted in it more than once. A coat this lovely should never languish in the back of the closet.
Blue Mood
The design of this coat, which Kate wore for a visit to a London preschool in January 2020, is actually pretty simple — it's the gorgeous blue color that really sells it. The bright shade is super striking and perfectly complements Kate's glossy brown hair. Sadly, royal fashion fans were never able to uncover the brand that made the coat — we would have loved to scoop one up in our size!
Fade Away
Kate is a big fan of red — she's worn quite a few dresses and coats in the attention-grabbing shade over the years (and it's certainly a very royal color). But this strawberry red coat by designer Jonathan Saunders, which Kate wore while visiting Scotland in 2014, was a bit of a departure for her. It featured an ombré effect that faded to a pale pink tone — a surprisingly edgy look for her.
Trendy in Tan
We're so used to seeing Kate in very feminine, slim-fitting clothing that this menswear-inspired winter look of hers really caught our attention. For a hospital opening ceremony in early 2021, she replaced her trusty skinny pants with trendy wide-leg trousers and topped off her outfit with an oversized camel wool coat by Spanish label Massimo Dutti. We love that she's so comfortable in her royal role that she's starting to experiment more with fashion.
Military Moment
This Alexander McQueen maxi-length coat has the streamlined, nipped-in waist silhouette that Kate favors — but the unique details really elevate it to something special. The design seems to draw inspiration from a classic military coat with its olive green hue, high collar, and flap pockets. Kate may not be commanding an army, but she's commanding our attention!
Princess Powered
Kate served up some serious Cinderella vibes in February 2019 when she stepped out in this powder blue coat by Mulberry — a brand that gets heavy rotation in her wardrobe. As if the eye-catching color wasn't enough, the coat featured an interesting cape-like detail, an oversized collar, and a wide belt. It's a typical Kate coat but with a fun fashion twist.
Check It Out
During this royal outing in October 2020, Kate was visiting the University of Derby — and it seems being back on a college campus again had her feeling a little nostalgic for the past. She slipped on a slouchy, drop-shoulder coat in a checked wool fabric (another Massimo Dutti find), giving her a charmingly retro look. We could totally picture her wearing a coat like this during her St. Andrews days years ago.
Mad for Plaid
When in Scotland, wear tartan. Kate definitely got that fashion memo because she rocked a lot of plaid prints during her and Prince William's mini tour of the country in early 2021. Among the highlights was this fab trench coat from Holland Cooper, which not only showcased a bold purple and green tartan but lots of interesting details such as shoulder epaulettes, buckled cuffs, and gold buttons. Keeping warm never looked so good!
Mod Squad
Kate looks like she stepped straight off the set of The Queen's Gambit in this delightfully retro Moschino mini coat, made from a red and white houndstooth tweed. It's such a surprising look for her. Perhaps she got the idea from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who wore a strikingly similar coat and matching skirt — also by Moschino — back in 1990.
All in the Details
In the UK, Remembrance Sunday is a somber holiday, so Kate and the rest of the royals typically don black for the day's commemorative events. But that doesn't mean there's no room for fashion. For the 2019 Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, Kate wore this chic dress coat. If you look closely, you can spot the gorgeous, military-inspired detailing on the front — complete with tiny tassels. Black definitely doesn't have to be boring.
Lady in Red
Kate pulled yet another red coat out of her closet for a stop in Wales during the Cambridges' train tour of the UK in December 2020. Although the bold color certainly made a statement on its own, Kate turned up the dial by throwing on a pretty plaid scarf. Talk about a festive look for Christmastime!
Country Girl
Guess this is Kate's take on country style? During a casual stroll near the Cambridges' Anmer Hall estate in Norfolk in January 2020, the princess wore a striking Roksanda funnel-neck coat that perfectly complemented the natural scenery around her with its rich brown shade mixed with flecks of copper and midnight blue. To top it off, Kate passed on her usual style of hat and instead donned a cool blue fedora decorated with a pheasant feather wrap. Nailed it!
Going Gray
This textured gray Catherine Walker coat that Kate wore on Christmas Day in 2019 gave off major Elizabethan vibes with its faux fur ruff around the neckline. We love that Kate accented the coat's neutral color with a pop of Christmasy green via her hat — which also happened to match Princess Charlotte's darling coat. They look like quite the stylish mother-daughter duo.
In Short
It's easy to see why Kate has been spotted in this white Reiss peacoat a number of times since she first debuted it in 2008 at William's graduation ceremony at the Central Flying School at RAF Cranwell. With its architectural collar and above-the-knee hemline (perfect for showing off all her legwork in the gym), the coat is a total statement piece. With outerwear that looks this good, does it even matter what you're wearing underneath?
Top It Off
This ruby red coat is so beautifully tailored and detailed, it almost could be a dress. The design is total perfection, from the flouncy skirt and double-breasted bodice to the velvet collar and decorative buttons. And of course Kate's matching rose- and ribbon-adorned hat is the icing on the cake. She may not be queen yet, but she certainly looks like one here.
