If the Princess of Wales knows anything, it’s how to put together a Christmas Day outfit. Not that we’d expect anything less from Kate, but ever since her first appearance in 2011 with the royals at their traditional Christmas morning church visit, she has been getting it right year after year, serving us some serious festive-dressing inspiration when we need it most.
Like any good winter outfit, her looks always centre around a statement coat that says cosy but refined. Sometimes she pairs her outerwear with suede boots or classic courts, and there’s nearly always a fabulous headpiece, her go-to drop earrings and a hint of faux fur. As the Princess settled into royal life, her Christmas Day outfits only got better and better. You only need to glimpse at her most recent ensemble, the outfit she wore this very morning in Sandringham, as proof.
Last year, the Princes of Wales did not disappoint when it came to her outfit, opting for a favourite Alexander McQueen coat in a timeless shade of forest green, which she styled with a matching, fedora-style hat finished with leather bow and feather. On her feet were a pair of suede, chocolate brown, knee boots; the winter shoe beloved by editors and influencers alike and that’s been more prevalent than ever this season.
This year, she has opted for an elegant and classic navy ensemble featuring one of 2024’s biggest dress trends—the knitted dress— in a deep blue hue, a tailored coat in a slightly brighter shade, and, of course, suede knee-high boots. The princess has finished her Christmas Day 2023 outfit off with a statement hat, as is tradition. We expect to see navy and other blue tones dominate the colour trends as we head into 2024, so props to the Princess of Wales for being ahead of the curve!
See Kate Middleton’s Christmas Day 2023 outfit below, then continue on to browse our edit of her best-ever festive looks, including but not limited to Diana-inspired checks, tonal ensembles and a rather apt nod to Mrs. Claus.
For her very first appearance at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, Kate came to prove she wasn’t messing around.
The funnel-neck aubergine coat was classically simple, but her matching Mulberry bag and Jane Corbett velvet hat had future fashion icon written all over it.
A serial outfit repeater (and all the better for it), the Princess of Wales repurposed her favourite Alexander McQueen tartan coat for Christmas Day and would go on to wear it for many winters to come. She paired it with classic black suede knee-high boots because when aren’t they appropriate?
As we know, Kate loves to support British fashion, and in 2014, she leaned in to the Christmas-in-the-countryside vibe with this tweed coat by Moloh, a Gloucestershire-based brand. It’s the silk-scarf detail and Lock & Co pillbox hat for us though.
For a rainy Christmas morning in 2015, the Princess opted for a festive green Sportmax coat.
She cinched the coat in place with a leather belt and her favourite Kiki McDonough drop earrings.
For Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s first Christmas morning appearance, the couple broke from tradition and spent the holidays with her family in Bucklebury. She brought out an old favourite for their morning church visit: the Hobbs Celeste coat, which the eagle-eyed of you will remember she also wore for a relaxed Christmas morning in Bucklebury in 2012 without the faux-fur lapel. We like to think she keeps this one in her childhood bedroom ready for such occasions.
This is where things start to get interesting. For Meghan Markle’s first Christmas morning appearance, the Kate stepped it up, covering her third baby bump with Diana-inspired Miu Miu checks. The velvet collar and furry hat scream Christmas and just might take this look to the top spot of Kate’s best festive looks so far.
By 2018, it’s clear Kate is coming into her own with her style and feeling much more confident at the traditional Sandringham appearance. Her statement Jane Taylor headband and Mrs. Claus–esque berry-red coat from Catherine Walker with a velvet collar and cuffs stood out next to Meghan’s pared-back navy ensemble, and we were here for it.
Another show-stopping Catherine Walker coat accompanied Kate for the children’s first Sandringham appearance in 2019. In a cute nod, she matched her holly-green accessories to Princess Charlotte’s outfit.
After a lockdown restrictions meant at-home Christmases in 2020 and 2021, we we eager to see what the Princess of Wales stepped out in in 2022. She opted for a forest green, tailored maxi coat and chocolate brown suede boots, finished off with matching accessories in the form of gloves, a clutch and statement hat.
Opening Image: Getty
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This story was previously published at an earlier date, and has since been updated.