Fashion
What Kate Middleton Wearing Fashion’s New Favorite Color Means
Mar
On St. Patrick’s Day, Kate Middleton returned to duty as colonel of the Irish Guards. The Princess of Wales missed last year’s parade due to her cancer diagnosis but has returned to the event at Wellington Barracks in London wearing a look packed with subtle takeaways.
In her time as a royal, Kate has become a skilled diplomatic dresser, often giving a subtle nod through her fashion choices to the countries and situations she finds herself in. She continued that practice today, opting for a dark green ensemble that pays homage to Ireland’s national shade.
The princess wore an Alexander McQueen tailored coat, a matching hat decorated with floral details, and knee-high boots. She accessorized with a scarf and gloves.
Kate also gave a subtle, sentimental nod to her late mother-in-law by wearing a brooch by one of Diana’s preferred jewelry brands, Cartier. The style has long been worn by the royal family. It was first spotted in 1961, pinned to the shoulder of Princess Mary, King Charles III’s great aunt.
Kate Middleton on St. Patrick’s Day
While the Princess of Wales’ choice of green was expected for the occasion, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Green is not only the color of the season, as seen on the runways, but it has a deeper meaning, too.
Green—whether jade, emerald, or Kate’s choice of a dark hue—is known as a shade of renewal and regrowth thanks to its connection with the natural world. It is also known as the color most associated with pursuing luck. Here, worn by the Princess of Wales who is slowly returning to her royal duties after a year of recovery, the color and its connotations have special resonance.
Separate from these sentiments, the color is also big in fashion circles right now. A spectrum of greens populated the spring/summer 2025 shows at brands from Prada to Ahluwalia. Victoria Beckham even created a silky green dress that quickly went viral after Gigi Hadid debuted it on the runway.
Gigi Hadid in green during Victoria Beckham’s show
Put together, these references make Kate’s outfit among her most meaningful.
