5 times Kate Middleton rocked regal fashion at Royal Ascot: the Princess of Wales’s best looks, starring designer dresses by Dolce & Gabbana, and Alexander McQueen – and Queen Elizabeth’s earrings

Jul 3 , 2023

Kate Middleton’s Royal Ascot looks over the years. Photo: Getty Images; WireImage

Middleton stunned next to Prince William in a bright red Alexander McQueen dress at Royal Ascot last month – but it’s far from her first designer turn at the races

She debuted a white lace Dolce & Gabbana dress in 2016 and recycled her 2019 Elie Saab look at Buckingham Palace in March – but what meaning lies behind he heirloom jewellery?

It’s tradition, darling – every year, the well-heeled of Britain don their finest suits, dresses and hats for the Royal Ascot.

The Berkshire racecourse for which the event is named – founded in 1711 by Queen Anne – naturally always hosts members of the royal family for the event. But Kate Middleton had been married to Prince William for more than five years before she made her debut.

Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, arrive for the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting, at Ascot Racecourse on June 23. Photo: AP

Since her inaugural appearance in 2016, she’s been seen annually wearing elegant dresses, eye-catching hats and heirloom jewellery. For this year’s event, she stepped out in her boldest Ascot look to date with a vivid red dress by Alexander McQueen.

Here Style remembers Kate’s best race-day looks over the years.

1. White lace Dolce & Gabbana dress, 2016

Kate Middleton debuted at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, in June 2016. Photo: Getty Images

For her first Royal Ascot appearance, she wore an A-line dress by the Italian luxury label, which had a high neckline, long sleeves and a full skirt, with nude pumps by Gianvito Rossi, a woven clutch bag by LK Bennett and pearl drop earrings.

She previously wore the dress – which cost US$4,383, according to a 2016 Vanity Fair report – just a month earlier, at the Windsor Horse Race, where she paired it with a red coat from Zara.

Kate Middleton wore a Jane Taylor hat at Royal Ascot in 2016. Photo: Getty Images

For her hat – a Royal Ascot must – she wore a gold-hued number with a large cream rose. It was designed by one of her favourite milliners, Jane Taylor.