Princess Kate Is in Her Pantsuit Era—and Is “Living Her Best Life”
Being Princess of Wales “has given her more confidence to be who she wants to be and not apologize for it.”
![Kate Middleton at an engagement](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rbNNaPN7GTAZojuQYz6fRf-415-80.jpg)
Princess Kate is 41, a successful professional, and a devoted wife and mother of three. Over the summer, she let her hair down at her very first rave, where Marie Claire reported she drank spicy margaritas, wore an off-the-shoulder top, and left a huge tip to wait staff while there. She is perhaps more confident than ever, and her style is evolving—she seems to have firmly entered her pantsuit era, wearing the look for all of her engagements the past two weeks.
“Kate has always been fiercely private, but she’s been letting her guard down and going out more lately,” a source told OK. “Being next in line for the throne with [Prince] William has given her more confidence to be who she wants to be and not apologize for it. Kate’s living her best life.”
Kate and her friends, the source said, “talk about fashion and text each other beauty advice. She’s down-to-earth.” We are seeing a more relatable Kate than maybe we ever have, with cousin-in-law Mike Tindall revealing on a recent episode of his podcast, “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby,” that Kate, at least at one point, played beer pong: “She wouldn’t tell people that herself,” the OK source said, “but she’s not mad the info is out there now.”
She is also in what we are calling her pantsuit era, swapping Emilia Wickstead and Jenny Packham dresses and Catherine Walker coat dresses for separates. There’s a reason for this, The Daily Express reports, as Kate’s personal brand is apparently getting a “tweak”: “Since we first ‘met’ Kate, as the young, fresh-faced girlfriend of Prince William, we have witnessed her confidence blossom and her style transform, from the pretty girl next door to the elegant wife of our future king, to the infinitely more regal and refined Princess of Wales,” said fashion expert Miranda Holder. “Her wardrobe has adjusted to suit her ever-evolving role within the family, and its latest incarnation has garnered much attention, but perhaps not for the reasons you would expect. It was announced earlier this year that the Palace would no longer release details of what and who Kate is wearing, most probably in an attempt to focus the world’s media on the important work the royals conduct rather than their fashion choices, but, despite this recent lack of information, Kate is still hailed as a fashion icon globally, with the ‘Kate effect’ bringing good fortune to the brands she champions. Perhaps this is why Kate’s image seems to have evolved yet again, with the princess wearing more and more suits in her latest role and wearing them exclusively for royal appointments since she returned from summer break.”
It seems Kate’s “best life” includes tailored suits—take a look at her outfits from this new chapter in fashion for the Princess of Wales.
Tuesday, September 19: The last time we saw Kate at work—visiting Streets of Growth—she wore a tan Rouland Mouret suit, the brand’s Single-Breasted Wool and Silk Blazer in camel and the Wide-Leg Wool-Blend Pants, also in camel. She paired the suit with a plain white t-shirt underneath and Gianvito Rossi 105 Bisque Suede Pumps.
Monday, September 18: For a visit to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Kate wore the Black Twill Double Breasted Blazer by Holland Cooper with yet again, matching trousers, a white t-shirt, and Gianvito Rossi shoes.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Thursday, September 14: For engagements alongside Prince William—including Madley Primary School’s Forest School and Kings Pitt Farm—Kate chose Maje’s Vincio Fitted Check Blazer and See by Chloé Liegi Ankle Boots, What Kate Wore reports.
Tuesday, September 12: For her first ever visit to a men’s prison (HMP High Down), Kate wore an Alexander McQueen suit, perhaps a nod to the fashion house’s creative director Sarah Burton, who the day before announced she would be leaving the house after 26 years. (Burton famously designed Kate’s 2011 wedding dress.) Per What Kate Wore, Kate’s look was the line’s Leaf Crepe Jacket and High-Waisted Cigarette Trouser in the amethyst colorway.
Saturday, September 9: Kate wore all-white for the Rugby World Cup France match between England and Argentina in Marseille, wearing Alexander McQueen. Kate is patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, and England emerged victorious in the day’s match, winning 27-10.
In a video accompanying Kate’s appearance on “The Good, The Bad & the Rugby” podcast, recorded in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, she wore a Catherine Walker Prince of Wales Check Blazer; What Kate Wore reported that it’s possible she’s wearing her Holland Cooper Bodysuit beneath the jacket and, while the site isn’t sure of what trousers she had on, reported that she is wearing her Hugo Boss Staple P90-L heel.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Prince George Looks So Grown Up in 11th Birthday Portrait Taken by Mom Kate
Also, he looks so much like his dad.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Pippa Middleton Matthews Has Been “An Angel and Backbone” for Princess Kate During This Difficult Season
Pippa—who accompanied Kate and Princess Charlotte to Wimbledon this week—has drawn comparisons to Princess Margaret and her support of the late Queen Elizabeth.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Attending Sporting Events with Their Kids Is a “Much Needed Distraction” from Kate’s Ongoing Cancer Battle, Royal Biographer Says
“To say sports play a huge part in the lives of the royals is a massive understatement.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
After Appearances at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, We Can Expect Princess Kate to Return to Living “Below the Radar” for the Foreseeable Future
Prince William, for his part, “will be breathing a sigh of relief” as his own summer break begins.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
As She Continues Cancer Treatment, This Is What Is Giving Princess Kate “Sustenance” Right Now
“She has gone through something awful and stressful, and it is crucial to have little wins to look forward to.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Kate Reveals the Latest Way Her Only Daughter Princess Charlotte Is Following In Her Footsteps
Like mother, like daughter indeed.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Was Reportedly Advised to Sign a Prenup When He Married Kate Middleton 13 Years Ago—But He Refused
Thirteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage seems stronger than ever.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published