
Update 5/19: For Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, Kate Middleton wore a primrose wool silk coat (opens in new tab) by Alexander McQueen. She matched her Philip Treacy fascinator to the pale yellow ensemble and walked up the church steps in Jimmy Choo heels. Kate's wedding guest look was noticeably different than the pink bridesmaid dress (opens in new tab) she wore to sister Pippa Middleton's wedding, which included a much smaller hat, but it was still breathtakingly sophisticated.
Original post 4/5:
Believe it or not, there was once a pre-Meghan Markle era when only the Duchess of Cambridge's "untraditional" royal fashion choices (opens in new tab) were in the spotlight. Since she married Prince William in 2011, Middleton has taken a more conservative approach with her style—a stark comparison (opens in new tab) to that of her future sister-in-law Meghan Markle. Harry and Meghan's wedding on May 19 is quickly approaching (opens in new tab), and we have a few ideas about what Middleton may choose to wear to the affair.
The Dress Style: Knee-Length
Middleton's pregnancy has been strongly influencing her fashion choices the last nine months. Since she's expected to give birth to her third child before the wedding, we're narrowing in on Middleton's pre-pregnancy wardrobe in which knee-length dresses dominated the royal's outfits. As you'll notice, the Duchess often chooses the same long-sleeve, a-line style in a mix of casual and formal varieties.
There's a slight chance the royal opts for a pantsuit instead of a dress, but considering she's worn a dress to almost every other wedding she's attended (like Pippa Middleton's wedding (opens in new tab) and the wedding of a friend of Prince William), we're betting on a knee-length one-piece.
The Shoe: A Low Pump
Even royals need their fair share of foot comfort—especially if Kate will be busy all day with wedding festivities. (No, she won't be Meghan's maid of honor (opens in new tab).) Harry and Meghan are set to have at least two different receptions, so there will be a lot of standing (and dancing (opens in new tab)...to Spice Girls (opens in new tab)...hopefully). We think the neutral two- or three-inch heels Kate tends to favor, like these L.K. Bennet fern pumps, below (opens in new tab) should work perfectly.
The Accessory: A Fascinator
The royals sure do love their fascinators (opens in new tab)—especially at major events like royal weddings, the Queen's annual birthday (opens in new tab) parade (known as Trouping the Colour), and holidays like Christmas (opens in new tab) and Easter (opens in new tab). It's a tradition that has transformed itself into a major staple—similar to big hats at the Kentucky Derby. Kate wears them often (particularly at weddings), which is why we'll likely see her in one again come May. Her fascinators typically match her dress, though she isn't afraid to make a bold statement. (opens in new tab)
The Handbag: A Clutch
This one is a no-brainer. Kate Middleton hasn't been spotted with any bag but a clutch since, basically, ever. She typically goes for a narrow envelope clutch like this one (opens in new tab) in the same color scheme as her outfit (but rarely matching the exact tone). If she doesn't choose a clutch, she'll probably go hands-free.
Until May 19...
WEDDING WATCH
Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
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