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Kate Middleton has arrived at Trooping the Colour, riding in a carriage with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince William, meanwhile, rode on horseback in the parade. For the occasion—Trooping the Colour is the annual celebration of the monarch’s birthday—the Princess of Wales chose a light blue Catherine Walker dress with white piping, and a large, statement Philip Treacy hat.

Trooping The Colour 2026Chris Jackson//Getty Images

Kate and Prince Louis in a carriage during Trooping the Colour.

Trooping the ColourAaron Chown – PA Images//Getty Images

Another view of her hat.

She accessorized with Cassandra Goad pearl floral burst earrings, which she wore earlier this year for the installation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury and debuted back in 2018 for the christening of her youngest son, Prince Louis.

Trooping The Colour 2026Samir Hussein//Getty Images

The Princess of Wales arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of the parade.

Trooping the ColourYui Mok – PA Images//Getty Images

A full look at Kate’s outfit today.

At a first glimpse, her outfit evoked two Princess Diana outfits, also Catherine Walker, from 1992 and 1987:

Royal Visit To India, 1992Tim Graham//Getty Images

Princess Diana wearing a blue-and-white Catherine Walker suit with a matching Philip Somerville hat in Dehli, 1992.

Diana William Peter PhillipsTim Graham//Getty Images

Diana and her sons at Easter 1987.

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has not missed Trooping the Colour Through the years, Kate has primarily worn looks by Alexander McQueen and Catherine Walker to parade (she’s also worn pieces from Jenny Packham, Erdem, and Andrew Gn). Her choice today, then, of Catherine Walker is fitting.

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In a bespoke emerald green coat dress by Andrew Gn.

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In Alexander McQueen and a hat by Philip Treacy.

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In Alexander McQueen and a hat by Philip Treacy.

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In Alexander McQueen, and a hat by Juliette Botterill.

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In a pink Alexander McQueen dress and matching Jane Taylor fascinator.

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In a blue floral Catherine Walker coatdress.

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In Erdem and a Jane Corbett hat.

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Following her two-day trip to Italy last month, it has been a quiet few weeks for Kate. She joined the rest of the royal family at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s wedding in the Cotswolds this past weekend, and earlier in June, she carried out two engagements related to cancer charities: she joined King Charles and Queen Camilla to host a reception at St. James’s Palace, she then visited a holistic cancer center in Manchester.

Two years ago, Kate made her return to public life at Trooping the Colour following news of her cancer diagnosis. She spent much of that year out of the public eye, announcing in September 2024 she had finished chemotherapy treatment and January 2025 that she was in remission. The Princess has not explicitly commented on her health, or her recovery, in recent months, but in an interview, Prince William revealed insight into her cancer journey, sharing, “She’s an amazing mum, an amazing wife, and, literally, our family couldn’t cope without her, so, she’s been absolutely stunning, brilliant.”

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Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.