The Most Expensive Outfits Kate Middleton Has Ever Worn
From the moment Catherine, Princess of Wales — then known as Kate Middleton – was first pictured with Prince William in the British press, the public has been seriously obsessed with her stunning wardrobe, and we totally understand why. From her famous see-through fashion show outfit to her stunning lace wedding dress, Catherine's clothes have always gotten people talking (via Marie Claire). One woman even spent over $5,000 trying to replicate her style (via Daily Mail).
In terms of fashion, the princess has generally preferred to keep her wardrobe classic, simple, and professional, much like her iconic bouncy blowout that we all love. But just because the princess of Wales likes classic styles doesn't mean that she's averse to dressing in some pretty pricey designer items every now and then. In fact, it turns out, Princess Catherine has a few go-to designers that she always comes back to, such as Alexander McQueen, Monica Vinader, Jenny Packham, and Jimmy Choo (via Marie Claire). And as any fashion-savvy royal fan will know, these designers don't come cheap! Here are some of Princess Catherine's most expensive outfits.
Her iconic wedding dress
It would be impossible to discuss Princess Catherine's priciest wardrobe pieces without delving into one of her most famous looks — her wedding dress! Catherine's marriage to Prince William in 2011 was a huge event that instantly became one of history's most iconic royal weddings. Catherine was marrying a man who could very well become king of England, after all. Therefore, she really went all out when it came to her big day, and she looked incredible.
It's no surprise that she pulled no punches on her wedding dress. For her big day, she chose to enlist the help of British designer Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen. The fairytale dress had a voluminous skirt, lace sleeves, and a stunning nine-foot-long train. As Burton told the Daily Mail, the design aimed to "look to the past, yet look to the future as well." She explained the dress had references to Victorian fashions along with the more modern arts and craft movement.
And how much did this unforgettable wedding dress cost? Well, according to The Sun, it was worth was estimated around £250,000 — around $323,732! Apparently, this makes it one of the most expensive dresses ever.
When she wore this pricey Walker & Co. dress to Wimbledon
One of Princess Catherine's favorite recurring royal engagements is attending Wimbledon, Britain's famous yearly outdoor tennis tournament (via BBC). The tournament welcomes plenty of familiar faces each year — from both the world of tennis and the world of celebrity. Celebrity-watching at Wimbledon has become almost as important as the sport itself (via Harper's Bazaar). So, it's no surprise that Catherine serves up some of her best looks while taking in the tennis from the stands.
In 2017, the royal stunned fans in a pretty white sundress with a delicate flower pattern decorating the hem — perfect for a sunny day at Wimbledon. According to Hello!, the dress was actually by designer Catherine Walker & Co. While it's unclear what the exact cost of the dress would have been, Quartz estimated that a Catherine Walker dress would cost at least $2,500. She paired the dress with a pair of gold Cassandra Goad earrings, which are reportedly worth £1,685 (or around $2,200).
Princess Catherine has worn this expensive $10,000 Alexander McQueen gown a few times
While most royals don't often recycle their outfits, we can hardly blame Princess Catherine for reusing a few — including this stunning Alexander McQueen dress. After all, it cost her $10,605, according to Harper's Bazaar. According to Insider, she first wore this jaw-dropping tiered, voluminous black and green floral gown to the BAFTA Awards in 2017. The dress featured a pattern of green and white floral bouquets that got larger as they went down the dress, creating a long, lean look.
She then re-wore the dress in 2019 to the Portrait Gala. On its first outing, the dress had small, off-the-shoulder sleeves that created a romantic look. However, when the princess wore the dress a second time, the dress had been reworked and now sported capped sleeves. Talk about some innovative clothing recycling! We love how Catherine managed to transform this dress for two separate occasions — and look stunning both times! She could definitely teach us a thing or two about fashion.
When she wore a classic Chanel tweed dress in Paris
Catherine, Princess of Wales made a decidedly smart fashion choice in Paris in 2017 by opting to wear an entire outfit comprised of pieces by the classic French designer, Coco Chanel. As Express reported at the time, she paired a multi-colored tweed coat dress with a simple black calfskin leather belt and a small burgundy handbag to complete the French look.
The handbag was priced at around £3,000 (or $3,875), and the dress, according to Showbiz CheatSheet, was worth a jaw-dropping $10,891!
She was also wearing some pretty pricey French jewelry for the occasion. According to Express, she wore a £1,520 ($1,963) Cartier necklace, along with her £4,850 ($6,263) Ballon Bleu de Cartier 18-carat gold watch. Altogether, this brings the outfit to a staggering $22,992! Talk about an expensive holiday outfit! While Catherine's French girl outfit cost a hefty sum, she certainly succeeded in making an impression, with fashion critics and fans alike giving the outfit their seal of approval.
When Princess Catherine donned a gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana coat on Remembrance Day
For Remembrance Day in 2017, Catherine, Princess of Wales dressed to impress in a classic, chic Dolce and Gabbana coat. Even though she was pregnant at the time, under the slimming black coat with gold buttons, it was impossible to tell (via Vanity Fair). The coat retailed for £2,150 (or $2,781). According to What Kate Wore, the coat is made of a silk-wool blend.
Apparently, Catherine was also wearing a Philip Treacy hat that she had worn for two other ceremonies in 2006 and 2012. While we don't know the exact price of this hat, Philip Treacy hats seem to go on Net-a-Porter for between £1,000 and £2,000 — that's $1,293 to $2,587! At a price like that, it's no wonder the royal has pulled out this hat multiple times.
According to What Kate Wore, the outfit was completed with a pair of Cornelia James Beatrice gloves, worth $92, and a pair of Oscar de la Renta gold sun-shaped earrings, worth $175. Altogether, the outfit could easily come to around $5,500. And that's not even including the clothes she wore underneath the pricey coat.
Princess Catherine didn't hold back on the dress she wore to Pippa's wedding
For her own wedding, Princess Catherine certainly went all out when it came to her super-expensive dress. It turns out, she also spent a fair amount on her outfit for her sister's wedding too. Pippa Middleton was married in 2017, and even though she wasn't an official bridesmaid at the event, Catherine was praised for her stylish, pitch-perfect dress that didn't turn too many heads away from the bride (via Glamour).
According to Vogue, Catherine commissioned a dress from the same fashion house that created her famous wedding day dress — Alexander McQueen. The beautiful soft pink silky gown featured slight puff sleeves, a flattering v-neck, and a sophisticated midi-length cut. As Vogue noted, the dress also featured quite a few Middleton fashion staples, "including the peplum at the hip — tailored yet soft — and the figure-flattering drapey pleat work." According to The Telegraph, she accessorized with a pair of Kiki McDonough earrings. The princess also donned a matching pink hat by Jane Taylor for the occasion. According to Harper's Bazaar, the outfit clocked in at around $14,014!
She arrived in Canada in very expensive style in a Jenny Packham dress
For most of us, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean would mean throwing on our sweats, tossing our hair up into a messy bun, and grabbing a pair of very oversized sunglasses to hide the bags. Of course, for Princess Catherine, this wasn't an option. When the royals traveled to Canada in 2016, she stepped off the plane looking like a million bucks — or at least like several thousand bucks.
On her first day in Canada, the royal reportedly wore a stunning royal blue dress — no pun intended! — worth around $5,000 by Jenny Packham, according to E! News. The lovely, simple blue suit dress had a timeless, classic feel, perfect for the formality of the occasion. Her matching blue hat, embellished with maple leaves as a gesture toward Canada's national tree, was by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock and Company and cost around $4,000. She also wore Gianvito Rossi pumps worth $675, a maple leaf broach, and earrings by G. Collins & Sons worth $12,000, and she carried an LK Bennett clutch worth $240. Altogether, this means Catherine's plane outfit cost around $21,915.
Catherine, Princess of Wales wore a pricey floaty white lace dress to the Royal Ascot
When it comes to fancy British outings, it doesn't get more iconic than the Royal Ascot. The Royal Ascot is what W Magazine called "Kentucky Derby but extra fancy." Basically, it's all about big, ridiculous hats, champagne flutes, and very expensive dresses. You may remember it from that legendary scene in "My Fair Lady" when Audrey Hepburn debuts her posh accent in what may be the biggest hat ever.
Naturally, Princess Catherine tends to go the extra mile — just like Audrey — when it comes to dressing up for the Royal Ascot. In 2018, she chose an ultra-elegant white lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana worth around £2,415 ($3,121), according to Hello! Magazine. She also donned a matching white lace fascinator, sparkly drop earrings, and a stylish beige clutch. Overall, the sophisticated, romantic look struck the perfect tone for Britain's fanciest summertime horse race.
She wowed in this garden party outfit
It's no secret that the Brits love a garden party. To celebrate the queen's 90th birthday, Princess Catherine and Prince William attended a garden party in Berlin in 2017. For the special occasion, Catherine chose to wear a bold red maxi dress by one of her favorite designers — Alexander McQueen. The beautiful, floaty dress featured a cinched waist and romantic off-the-shoulder sleeves. The princess wore the dress with a pair of Prada heels.
According to the Daily Mail, the stunning dress cost £2,075, around $2,678. The dress was definitely a hit amongst royals fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. Elle even said it "topped our list of best Bardot dresses this summer." And we have to agree! With its soft chiffon details, its flattering pleated effect, and its feminine lines, this head-turning dress is simply to die for. It's easy to imagine that all eyes would have been on the royal in red at this garden party.
Catherine poured pints wearing a $2,000 dress
As a member of the royal family, Princess Catherine has done some pretty odd public appearances in her day. In one of the strangest engagements, she ended up behind the bar of a local Irish pub pouring pints. Unlike most bartenders, Catherine was dressed to the nines for the occasion. This spot of bartending actually occurred during a party at the Empire Music Hall in Belfast, so it's no wonder Catherine and her husband Prince William were so dressed up.
According to Hola! magazine, the princess wore a stunning wrap V-neck dress with a cinched waistline in a sparkly, sheer, light teal fabric. The dress was designed by Missoni and reportedly cost around $2,115. To complete the outfit, the royal chose a pair of elegant nude heels by Gianvito Rossi worth $670, and a Mulberry clutch bag worth $730. In total, that brings the outfit to a staggering $3,515. We have to admit, that's probably the most expensive outfit to ever travel behind a sticky local pub bar.
Princess Catherine has pulled out this pricey Jenny Packham dress a few times
Anyone who follows Princess Catherine's fashion choices closely will know that the princess of Wales isn't averse to recycling a few of her most treasured pieces. It would seem that a certain Jenny Packham dress is one such special item. According to ET, Catherine was first seen wearing the beautiful pink gown in 2011, at the ARK Tenth Anniversary Gala Dinner in London. She then pulled out the same dress in 2016 for a charity gala in support of Children's Hospices. Apparently, the dress is worth around $4,500, so it's easy to see why Catherine thought it deserved a second outing.
Even though the dress had been worn to a previous function, Catherine looked breathtaking. The blush pink gown featured floaty, gauze sleeves, a slinky silhouette, and delicate silver details. On both occasions, the princess looked like — well — a princess!
She wore this super-expensive Gucci blouse — backward!
In one of Princess Catherine's most famous fashion moments, she actually wore a designer top back to front on an outing to visit the Henry Fawcett Children's Centre in London. As Insider reported in 2019, the creative look was pretty different from her usual royal style. She wore the long-sleeved purple Gucci blouse backward to show off the beautiful bow at the neck and the buttons. She then paired it with a pair of dark flared trousers from the more affordable high street brand Jigsaw. The top alone was worth $1,300 — pretty pricey for a casual look, if you ask us.
The princess' choice to spin the top around garnered plenty of media attention. Harper's Bazaar noted that it was unclear whether she had worn the shirt backward intentionally, but said that "she look[ed] smashing" either way. We totally agree! Good on Catherine for breaking a few fashion rules.
Catherine's plane outfit came to over $4,000
It seems that Catherine, Princess of Wales always goes big when it comes to traveling days. On her way home from Canada in 2016, the royal made sure she was looking her absolute best for all those pictures of her and the family waving goodbye as they stepped aboard the plane. According to Elle, the Catherine Walker cream coat she chose for the occasion cost a cool $4,000.
In fact, Catherine seemed to like the simple cream number so much that she pulled it out for a second outing in 2019. According to Insider, she picked the lovely coat for a surprise visit to a military concert. Even though the princess re-wore the coat, she updated the look by tying her hair back into a chic low bun and wearing a pair of striking pearl earrings — apparently, they actually cost more than the coat. As Express noted, the earrings were worth around £4,000, which is around $5,164.
For St. Patrick's Day, she rocked a stunning Alexander McQueen coat worth a pretty penny
For special occasions, Princess Catherine often pulls out all the stops and shows up to official events looking her absolute best. St. Patrick's Day in 2019 was no different. The royal paid homage to the Irish with an all-green outfit that was apparently fairly costly. As reported by Insider, Catherine wore a beautiful fitted dark green coat worth £3,000, or around $3,976. According to the Daily Mail, the coat was designed by one of Catherine's favorites, Alexander McQueen. Apparently, she'd already been spotted wearing the designer that same week! She paired it with a pair of simple black Gianvito Rossi worth £510 ($659). That brings her outfit to well over $4,500.
The Daily Mail commented on the "military-inspired" look of the McQueen coat — and we have to say, the coat's fit and color really were perfect for the military occasion.
The princess wore a $1,884 dress and a $650 bag to Wimbledon
In 2021, Catherine, Princess of Wales wore a stunning emerald green dress to the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Although she always looks stunning at the event, this green look was one of her pricier outfits she has ever worn to watch tennis. As Express reported, the green dress by Emilia Wickstead featured a thick, textured fabric, cap sleeves, a full pleated midi skirt, and a subtly fitted waist. Apparently, the dress cost £1,380, which equates to roughly $1,882. Probably a little more than most of us would spend on a dress for an afternoon out!
Catherine paired the beautiful dress with a matching face mask covered in delicate blue and green flowers, along with silver drop earrings with dark green gemstones. She also carried a white crossbody bag by Mulberry (via Hello!), which is reportedly worth £675, or $920 (via Independent). With just the dress and the bag, the princess' outfit already comes to $2,802.
The royal donned a dress worth $2,075 and $791 shoes to a museum
For a casual trip to a museum, most of us would probably throw on a pair of jeans or a cute sundress. The Princess of Wales, unsurprisingly, got a little more dressed up when she visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, London in 2020. As Grazia reported, the royal chose a stunning midi-length red tartan dress with puffed sleeves, a drop waist, and a Peter Pan collar by Alessandra Rich, along with a pair of pricey Lorenzo black heels by Jennifer Chamandi.
It's hard to find an exact match for the dress, but a very similar style by the same designer costs £1,520, or $2,072. The shoes are currently selling for $796.95. Catherine also sported some cheaper jewelry, with a necklace from Spells of Love, worth £85 ($116) and earrings from & Other Stories, worth £17 ($23). Altogether, her outfit comes to roughly $3,007.
Princess Catherine wore a $2,191 dress and a Catherine Walker coat to Prince Philip's funeral
Princess Catherine has always been a fan of Catherine Walker, so it's no surprise that the royal chose a coat from the designer for her grandfather-in-law's funeral in 2021. Naturally, she wore all black to the somber event, with a black fascinator and a black mask. Her coat was definitely the star of the outfit. The stylish black coat featured a large, slightly tilted bow on the front, round fabric buttons down the center, a fitted waist, and structured shoulders. According to the Express, the Roland Mouret dress she wore beneath was alone worth £1,605, which is roughly $2,188. She also wore a pair of diamond drop earrings and a statement pearl necklace, which was likely loaned to her.
As Judi James, a body language expert, said, "Kate looked stylish in a way that a Vogue model might envy, with every angle, from the tilted hat to the asymmetric neckline with its stand-up bow and the jaw-dropping pearls, complementing one another perfectly." While her coat may have been quite pricey, it was clearly the perfect outfit for the occasion.
She stunned in a coat worth over $4,000 to visit Westminster Abbey
In 2021, Princess Catherine and Prince William visited the vaccination center at Westminster Abbey. While the princess looked suitably understated, her outfit definitely stole attention. And it's no wonder — she wore a gorgeous off-white Catherine Walker coat that, according to the Daily Mail, cost around £3,000, or $4,091. That's probably a little more expensive than the outfits most of us wore when we visited our local vaccination centers!
The wool coat featured a pretty lace pattern and a scalloped edge down the front, along with structured shoulders and a midi-length hem. She paired the coat with her baroque drop pearl earrings by Annoushka Ducas, which, according to Woman & Home, cost around $1,245. She also carried a Metier London suede clutch and wore a pair of brown heels by Jimmy Choo worth $675 (via Town & Country). Altogether, the outfit probably cost around $6,011.
Her beautiful white coat at a G7 reception cost thousands
In June 2021, Princess Catherine and Prince William appeared alongside Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles, King Charles, and the late Queen Elizabeth at a G7 reception and banquet. Catherine wore a beautiful white coat dress by Alexander McQueen to the event. The chic coat featured a full knee-length pleated skirt, long sleeves, a double-breasted crossover neckline, and a structured blazer-like fit. The princess brought along a colorful envelope clutch bag and wore a pair of light tan heels and a pair of pear-shaped silver hoops earrings. According to the Express, the coat alone was worth around £3,000, or $4,091.
Apparently, royal fans were blown away by the simple yet sophisticated look. One fan even wrote on social media, "She's been blessing us with her outfits today." Sounds like this outfit was a hit, even if it was a little on the pricey side.
The white Suzannah London dress she wore to a memorial service in June 2022 cost $4,000
For this somber affair, the Princess of Wales decided to go for a white dress. In June 2022, Catherine showed up at the memorial service for the Grenfell Tower fire in a beautiful midi-length white button down dress by Suzannah London. According to Yahoo! Style, the double breasted dress featured half-length puff sleeves and a collared v-neck, and cost around $4,000.
The princess also wore two-ton pumps by Alessandra Rich worth $900, simple pearl earrings, and a pale beige clutch by Emmy London worth $595. Altogether, the outfit would have cost her around $5,495.
While this may seem extravagant, especially at a memorial service for a fire that occurred in an underfunded tower block, Catherine did actually repurpose the dress. According to Metro, she first wore the outfit at Wimbledon in 2020, although she had originally paired the dress with black accessories.
The green Laura Green London coat she wore for St. Patrick's Day in 2022
As fans of Catherine, Princess of Wales will know, St. Patrick's Day calls for green. And for the St. Patrick's Day ceremony in 2022 at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, the princess splurged on a brand new coat. Similar to her 2019 green coat, this dark green midi-length wool coat featured a high-neck dagger collar, large found buttons, a slightly tapered waistline, and a gentle flare in the skirt. The coat, by London-based designer Laura Green, known as the Emilia coat, is reportedly worth £3,200 (or $3,652), according to Metro.
She accessorized with a very appropriate gold shamrock brooch, UFO diamond earrings with oval emeralds, and a green woolen fascinator, which, according to the Express, was worth £545 (or $623). Catherine's shoes were the Rebecca stilettos from Emmy London in green (of course), which are worth £395 (or $451). This brings her outfit for the day to a staggering $4,726.
The $1,112 plaid skirt she wore to a royal Christmas party in 2018 was pretty pricey
Nothing screams "holiday festivities" like a good old fashioned plaid print. On December 4, 2018, Princess Catherine dressed on theme when she wore a flared midi pleated plaid skirt to a royal Christmas party for families of military personnel in Cyprus held at Kensington Palace. The skirt by Emilia Wickstead retails at $1,345. The Duchess also wore a fitted cropped black cardigan buttoned to the neck by Brora, worth £259 (or $296) along with a pair of black suede knee-high boots. According to PopSugar, Catherine also wore Mappin & Webb earrings and a watch by Cartier, along with her engagement ring and wedding band to finish off the look.
According to Elle, the outfit was the perfect pick for the fun, family-friendly daytime event — apparently, there was even a snowball fight, and a visit from Santa himself!
Her yellow outfit for the 2013 Buckingham Palace garden party was like a ray of sunshine
One thing's for sure: Princess Catherine always knows how to dress for the occasion, and her 2013 garden party outfit is the perfect example. The springtime party took place in May, so while she couldn't wear a dress, she brought the sunshine with her bright yellow mini coat. The Marella silk coat by Emilia Wickstead reportedly cost around £1,285 (or $1,468). Apparently, Catherine wore a bespoke version of the coat to fit around her baby bump at the time. The coat featured a round neckline, a modern abstract white print and an invisible fastening line down the middle. Apparently, the coat looked so good that one guest even shouted out, "You look lovely in yellow!" (via Daily Mail).
According to the Mirror, the princess also wore a recycled white Jane Corbett headpiece, a nude clutch, matching court shoes, and drop earrings.