It is not uncommon for the Princess of Wales to be spotted in the same outfit multiple times as she attends glittering galas and important gatherings with members of the royal family from around the world.
And that has proven to be overwhelming as Kate Middleton gradually returned to public life after it was revealed she had cancer.
The mother of three was seen today with her husband Prince William, the King and Queen, and the disgraced Prince Andrew, at Crathie Kirk church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
This was only her third public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, having previously attended the Wimbledon Grand Slam final in July and Trooping the Colour in June.
The 42-year-old Princess of Wales also recorded a video celebrate Team GB‘s success at the Olympic Games earlier in August.
Kate has shown a certain trend so far this year: her clothing choices are familiar and she’s opting for comfortable pieces to celebrate her return.
The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William, the King and Queen, and the disgraced Prince Andrew today at Crathie Kirk church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Today was no exception, with the Princess of Wales attending Crathie Kirk in a beige tartan Marlborough trench coat by Holland Cooper and a dark brown wool felt hat.
The £99 Hicks & Brown hat is a favourite of the mum-of-three, who wore it almost a year ago when she and her family visited Crathie Kirk.
Additionally, Kate brought out her old favourites when she recorded a video with Prince William to congratulate Team GB on their success at the Olympics earlier in August.
In the clip, the Princess of Wales debuts a slightly new look: a side parting with caramel-colored stripes and a new ring next to her wedding band.
Earlier this summer, the Princess of Wales attended the men’s singles final at Wimbledon in London with Princess Charlotte
Today was only her third public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, having attended the Wimbledon Grand Slam final in July and Trooping the Colour in June.
There’s a trend emerging in all of Kate’s appearances so far this year: her fashion choices are familiar — and she’s sticking to comfortable wardrobe classics to mark her return
But the top she chose was very typical of the princess: a navy blue Breton sailor shirt.
The £139 Ralph Lauren Breton in the video is new, but several in her possession are more than 11 years old. Each has a subtle tweak – a navy scoop neck, a higher neckline, a slim or square cut, in wool, cotton or cashmere.
Interestingly, Kate wore a very similar ensemble when she braved the camera to tell the nation about her cancer diagnosis. This time it was cashmere, £160, and from her friend and favourite designer, Erdem.
The hat, from Hicks & Brown, costs £99 and is a favourite of the mum-of-three, who wore it almost a year ago (above) – at Crathie Kirk with her family
Pictured: The Princess of Wales wore minimal jewellery and an £85 striped Ralph Lauren T-shirt for a congratulatory message to Team GB this month
Pictured: The Princess of Wales wears her £85 Ralph Lauren striped T-shirt at a SportsAid Athlete Workshop at London Olympic Park in 2013.
Kate wore different versions of the Breton striped top while grocery shopping, sailing, playing with her children and raising money for various charities.
When she revisited the University of St Andrews, where she fell in love with William, it came back. And it came back during the pandemic, when she and William spoke over Zoom about lockdown and mental health.
But alongside her love of stripes, Kate is now also opting for other familiar garments as she slowly returns to public life.
Pictured: The Princess of Wales announced in an emotional video message that she was undergoing cancer treatment in March
The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis at Trooping the Colour in June
The royal carried the simple nude bag throughout the pandemic, choosing to carry it with her for part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022
At Wimbledon, the Princess of Wales brought along a 122 Milly Nude leather bag by LK Bennett, which she had worn before.
The royal carried the simple nude bag throughout the pandemic, choosing to carry it with her during part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
The bag goes well with Kate’s often brightly colored dresses and its presence at Wimbledon, where she attended with Princess Charlotte, was no coincidence.
Kate’s first public appearance of the year was at the Trooping of the Colour in June.
Here too, she opted for an essential piece of clothing: this time a classic white dress by one of her favourite designers.
The knee-length, fitted dress may have never been seen before, but designer Jenny Packham is a firm favourite of the Princess of Wales.
She has been spotted in dresses by the designer since 2011.
The dresses she wore to introduce her three children to the world outside King Edward VII’s Hospital were all by Packham.
The bag goes well with Kate’s often brightly colored dresses, and its appearance at Wimbledon – which she attended with Princess Charlotte – was far from coincidental