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Kate Middleton’s Best Alexander McQueen Looks: From Her Wedding Gown to Her Return to Royal Duties

The Princess of Wales once again relied on one of her go-to designers — Alexander McQueen — as she returned to public engagements for the first time since she announced the end of her chemotherapy.

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Photo: Getty

Kate Middleton opted to wrap up in an Alexander McQueen coat as she and Prince William visited Southport to meet families who were impacted by the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in July.

Whether it is a family wedding, christening, or Trooping the Colour, Kate has worn McQueen on some of the most important occasions of her royal career, trusting the British fashion house to deliver the perfect balance of feminine silhouettes and impeccable tailoring that means she always looks elevated.

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Photo: Getty

The perfect fit for everything from royal walkabouts to the red carpet, Kate has proven the British designer is simply perfect for day-to-night. The most memorable collaboration between Kate and McQueen, however, is undoubtedly the Victorian-inspired lace wedding gown designed by creative director Sarah Burton, worn as Catherine Middleton became the then Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day.

It gave birth to a working relationship that has lasted more than a decade and surely has many more years to come. Here, a look back at Kate’s most memorable moments in McQueen…

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding day, April 2011

The dress that launched a thousand lookalikes, Kate’s wedding gown, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, featured Victorian-inspired corsetry, a lace bodice, and an 8ft train. Photo: Getty

Singapore state visit, October 2014

Alexander McQueen proved grey doesn’t need to be boring by crafting this sophisticated ensemble for Kate to wear for the official welcome at the Singapore state visit. Photo: Getty

Princess Charlotte’s christening, July 2015

Kate wore an Alexander McQueen ensemble she owns in several colours for the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in Sandringham. Photo: Getty

Anna Freud Family School Christmas Party, December 2015

The then Duchess of Cambridge kept things classic in a scarlet fit-and-flare Alexander McQueen dress for a charity engagement in London. Photo: Getty

State visit to Canada, September 2016

Nodding to the colours of the Canadian flag, Kate stepped out in a playful, ruffled frock on the royal tour in 2016. Photo: Getty

EE British Academy Film Awards, February 2017

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

This off-the-shoulder black ballgown is yet another example of how Kate and McQueen are a match made in red carpet fashion heaven. Photo: Getty

Royal Ascot, June 2017

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

The then Duchess of Cambridge won major style points in this white lace dress for a day with the Royal Family at Ascot. Photo: Getty

State visit to Norway, February 2018

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Arriving on the arm of King Harald V of Norway, Kate looked regal in this showstopping number constructed from layers of the softest pink fabric. Photo: Getty

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding, October 2018

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

A vibrant but classic berry dress with matching hat was the perfect choice for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, ensuring she did not draw attention from the bride. Photo: Getty

US state visit, June 2019

It was a white tie dress code for the US state visit in June 2019, and the then Duchess of Cambridge did not disappoint in this Alexander McQueen gown with capped sleeves and cascading ruffle skirt. Photo: Getty

Trooping The Colour, June 2019

Kate brought a splash of sunshine to Trooping the Colour in this lemon yellow Alexander McQueen dress with peplum detailing. Photo: Getty

The Royal Variety Performance, November 2019

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

With her big, bouncy blow dry and figure-hugging lace frock, Kate went for all out glamour for the Royal Variety Performance. Photo: Getty

EE British Academy Film Award, February 2020

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Golden girl Kate ‘recycled’ this gown from 2012 to walk the red carpet at BAFTA 2020, in keeping with the ‘sustainable fashion guide’. Photo: Getty

Windsor Castle reception, January 2023

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

The Princess of Wales looked perfectly polished in a McQueen blazer when she hosted a panel of early childhood experts at Windsor Castle. Photo: Getty

BAFTA headquarters, January 2023

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Putting her best fashion foot forward in a scarlet Alexander McQueen suit for a pre-launch event for her early childhood project, Shaping Us. Photo: Getty

Attending the BAFTAs, February 2023

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Wearing a white Alexander McQueen gown (formerly worn by the royal to the same event in 2019) re-worked with cascading shoulder details, as she dazzles on the red carpet for the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023. Photo: Getty

The Earthshot Prize, October 2021

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

In keeping with the eco-conscious theme of the evening, Kate re-wore an Alexander McQueen gown she first wore in 2011 to join Prince William at the Earthshot Prize 2021. Photo: Getty

Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, June 2022

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

The Platinum Jubilee saw the eyes of the world turn on the Royal Family. The then Duchess of Cambridge kept her look classic in a white Alexander McQueen ensemble. Photo: Getty

Arrival in Boston, December 2022

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Flying the flag for British fashion, Kate stepped off the plane in a navy Alexander McQueen suit at the start of the three-day state visit. Photo: Getty

Visit to Leeds, January 2023

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Wearing an emerald Alexander McQueen over a Victoria Beckham dress for an outing to promote the Shaping Us campaign. Photo: Getty

Visting Southport, October 2024

kate middleton alexander mcqueen

Wearing a berry Alexander McQueen coat for her first public engagement since announcing the end of her chemotherapy, and the first engagement of its kind of the year. Photo: Getty

Originally published in Tatler.com

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