The Princess of Wales rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion; however, certain styling choices are less about her preferences and more about protocol as she exercises her role as a senior working royal.
Take her coats, for instance. Kate’s stunningly tailored signature A-line coat collection frequently features as the centrepiece of her engagement outfits, and she all but never takes them off.
The reason for the mother-of-three’s perpetual coat-wearing is not because she is always cold. It has to do with royal protocol and long-standing tradition rooted in Victorian and Edwardian standards of modesty.
No matter the weather, Kate, 44, and other working royals are forbidden from removing the long woollen coats that must stretch below their knees so as not to be considered “unladylike”.
Each coat must be long enough and made of an appropriate material and design so it aligns with the vision of Buckingham Palace, meaning Kate has little choice in what she steps out in as her outer layer.
What does a stylist think of Kate’s coat rule?
Celebrity and royal stylist, Oriona Robb, exclusively told HELLO! how the royal coat rule affects Prince William’s wife’s ability to choose her outfits and how it influences her iconic style.
She said: “Kate’s preference for A-line coats is far less about personal habit and much more about royal discipline. Within royal etiquette, removing a coat in public can be perceived as informal or unpolished, particularly during official engagements where composure and consistency are key.”
She continued: “As a result, outerwear isn’t treated as an optional layer; it becomes the outfit itself, designed to be worn from arrival to departure.
“This directly shapes how she gets dressed. Every coat must function as a complete, standalone look that is impeccably tailored and photographs well from every angle. They need to maintain structure throughout hours of public appearances.
“The A-line silhouette is especially effective because it creates a clean, controlled shape that moves elegantly without clinging, ensuring she looks composed whether she’s walking, sitting or greeting guests,” the expert added.
Oriona concluded: “It’s also a strategic choice in building a recognisable royal uniform. By anchoring her wardrobe around these structured coats, Kate reinforces a sense of consistency, modesty and authority.
“There’s no reliance on outfit changes or reveals, just a disciplined, polished aesthetic that aligns perfectly with the expectations of a senior royal figure.”
© WireImageRoyal engagements
Princess Kate also wears a signature coat while out and about at engagements that mark varying occasions or openings across the UK.
For St. Patrick’s Day, she wore a forest green wool coat by Alexander McQueen featuring structured shoulders and double-breasted buttons that pulled in at her waist with a heavy black belt and square leather buckle.
© Getty ImagesChristmas coats
Each year, the public waits on tenterhooks to catch a glimpse of the royal family as they exit the church at Sandringham. Kate attends the annual occasion in one of her trendy coats; however, her Christmas outfits tend to be made of thicker material and sometimes feature added details like fur trims on her sleeves and collar.
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