8 of Kate Middleton's most iconic Jenny Packham dresses
A match made in fashion heaven (Picture: Getty)
Kate Middleton made a triumphant return to the public eye yesterday, attending Trooping the Colour with her family.
And the beautiful 42-year-old did so in style.
The Princess of Wales wore a white Jenny Packham dress, with black piping and bow detail.
It’s believed to be an upgraded version of the same dress she wore to the Prime Minister’s Lunch in 2023, ahead of King Charles’ coronation – but with new and improved details.
Kate looked stunning in black and white (Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
A striking monochrome ensemble (Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
A champion of British design, Kate favours creators such as Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham, Erdem and more. Meanwhile, she also dips into the high street world and is a keen advocate for longevity and re-wearing pieces.
A British luxury designer, Jenny Packham, who launched her brand in 1988, doesn’t just dress royalty.
Her gowns have also been used in James Bond films, and TV hits, including Sex and the City, and Gossip Girl.
Here are our favourite Jenny Packham dresses, worn by the Princess.
First event as a married couple, 2011
The then newly-weds looked super glam (Picture: Arthur Edwards – WPA/Getty Images)
After tying the knot in April 2011, Kate and her new husband, Prince William, stepped out together for a gala dinner hosted by ARK, a children’s charity.
Kate opted for one of her most iconic looks to date: a pink sequin dress with floaty sleeves.
At the time, Jenny Packham released a statement on her Facebook page which read: ‘The Duchess of Cambridge attended the Annual Ark Charity Gala tonight wearing an ethereal gown by Jenny Packham. The Duchess selected the pearlescent rose sequin gown with Swarovski crystal from the SS11 catwalk collection.’
We love thisone (Picture: Indigo/Getty Images)
It’s probably still on of our favourites – and we can see why Kate would have wanted to rewear the piece again, in 2016.
James Bond premiere, 2021
Obsessed (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Then the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton wore this show-stopping gown to the World Premier of the 007 film, No Time To Die, in September 2021, at the Royal Albert Hall.
The dress was actually part of the 007 capsule collection was perhaps unsurprisingly named the Goldfinger.
The original dress was a little more risqué with a plunging neckline – which Kate had modified to make it more appropriate for a Royal.
Golden girl (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Olympic Gala dinner, 2012
Another swanky event at the Royal Albert Hall called for another stunning gown from Kate.
This Jenny Packham teal gown featured an ornate lace back, and was actually originally part of the designer’s bridal collection.
A teal moment (Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
While the dress, known as the Aspen, is no longer available, it originally retailed for an eye watering £2,875.
Caribbean tour, 2022
The Wales’ trip to the Caribbean as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations was controversial – but one thing that Kate did get right was her fashion.
It’s not often we see the royal shoulder (scandalous) – perhaps it was inspired by the Jamaican heat – but in 2022, Kate had a bardot green tulle moment.
Every inch the Princess (Picture: Samir Hussein – Pool/WireImage)
The gown was strapless, with ruffled neckline, subtle boning around the waist and a smattering of sequins around the bodice and skirt.
The Duchess accessorised with an updo, plus some rather fancy jewellery.
Spot those earrings and the matching bracelet? Those actually belonged to The Queen, who lent the pieces to Kate for the evening.
An off the shoulder moment (Picture: Samir Hussein – Pool/WireImage)
The birth of Prince Louis, 2018
When news broke that Kate was in labour with her third child, crowds waited outside St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for that now-traditional sighting of the new mum on the steps with her new baby.
Despite having only just given birth, Kate managed to look elegant in a red Jenny Packham gown, with a white lace collar.
It’s a boy! (Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
The Royal Variety Performance, 2017
Well you can’t attend the Royal Variety and not wear sparkles, can you?
For the event at the London Palladium, Kate wore a duck egg blue dress embellished with crystals and sequins.
The occasion calls for sparkles (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Wimbledon, 2018
Back when things were a little less frosty between the sister-in-laws, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle attended the Ladies Wimbledon final together back in July 2018.
Understated but elegant (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage )
At the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Meghan opted for a wide leg trouser and striped shirt. Meanwhile, Kate dresses slightly more on theme, in a Jenny Packham dress with a polka dot design (or could they be tennis balls?).
Okay, it might not be a glitzy gown, but Kate (and Jenny Packham) can do subtle and elegant too.
A cute summer look (Picture:Karwai Tang/WireImage )
Royal Variety Performance, 2021
This glittering green custom-made gown is yet another sparkling stand out from Jenny Packham.
In fact, Kate clearly loves this one, as she actually wore it previously in Pakistan, in 2019.
But we prefer the way she styled the gown for the Royal Variety Performance in 2021.
Another gorgeous green (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The first time she donned the green number, she went for a straight, smooth, half-up hairdo, strappy heels, and ornate earrings.
For her visit to the Royal Albert Hall, Kate’s hair was a serious departure from her norm, with a deeper side part and tumbling waves.
For accessories, another pair of gold dangling earrings, her engagement and wedding rings, matching green shoes, and a custom Jenny Packham clutch bag.
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