The Surprising Etiquette Behind Kate Middleton’s Coats

This is why we never see her take them off

Kate Middleton's Coats

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Updated on

It can’t have escaped the notice of any dedicated follower of royal style that the Duchess of Cambridge is partial to a colour-block coat (or coat dress) when it comes to dressing for public events.

When the Duchess is out and about she certainly commits to the look. What we’re trying to say is, if the coat is on, you won’t see her taking it off – just as you wouldn’t see her grandmother-in-law, the Queen, doing a quick outfit change in the middle of an engagement, orMeghan Markle doing the same.

According to Australian site Honey, this very formal tradition stems from a simple matter of etiquette: it’s not considered ladylike for a woman of the Duchess’s status to remove their clothing in public, regardless of how smart or situation-appropriate the outfit underneath might be.

Should the royals’ schedule require a change-up of layers, they’ll make the change away from the cameras.

This is just one of the royal style rules that Kate, as a senior member of the House of Windsor, must follow while carrying out public engagements.

The Duchess typically eschews a colourful manicure in favour of pale pink nails in the Queen’s go-to Essie shade, Ballet Slippers, and opts for either a smart blow dry or carefully groomed up do.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton's Best Fashion Moments So Far

Gallery

Kate Middleton's Best Fashion Moments

Kate Middleton1 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

When Kate and William announced their engagement in 2010, Kate wore a sapphire blue Issa dress.

Kate Middleton2 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

During the President's visit in 2011, Kate greeted the First Lady, Michelle Obama, wearing a nude Reiss dress.

Kate Middleton3 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate wowed in a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels when she attended the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) gala dinner in 2011.

Kate Middleton4 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

On April 29th 2011, Kate married Prince William and became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an Alexander McQueen dress, designed by Sarah Burton.

Kate Middleton5 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

The couple visited Belfast in 2011, and Kate wore a Burberry coat and Marvin K boots.

Kate Middleton6 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

At the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2011, Kate opted for an Alexander McQueen coat.

Kate Middleton7 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

At Wimbledon in 2011 Kate wore a dress by Temperley London.

Kate Middleton8 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate looked stunning during the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, wearing a white Reiss dress.

Kate Middleton9 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

During the Royal Tour in Canada, 2011, the Duchess wore an Alice by Temperley blouse with Goldsign jeans.

Kate Middleton10 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

During their Canadian Royal Tour, Kate boarded a plane in a pale yellow Jenny Packham dress.

Kate Middleton11 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

On the final day of the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, Kate wore a Catherine Walker dress with LK Bennett heels.

Kate Middleton12 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

in 2011 Kate visited Copenhagen's Unicef centre wearing a red coat by LK Bennett.

Kate Middleton13 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

On Remembrance Day in 2011, Kate wore a Diane von Furstenberg coat.

Kate Middleton14 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate was stunning when she attended the premiere of War Horse in 2012, wearing a Temperley London black lace gown.

kate Middleton15 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

in 2012 Kate boarded the Diamond Jubilee flotilla wearing a scarlet red Alexander McQueen dress.

Kate Middleton16 of 80
CREDIT: getty

Kate Middleton

In 2012 Kate wore Zara jeans with a Burberry shirt to visit the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House.

Kate Middleton17 of 80
CREDIT: getty

Kate Middleton

Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead coat dress at the Thistle Service in Edinburgh in 2012.

kate Middleton18 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

During the Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia, Kate wore a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels to visit Singapore's Botanical Gardens.

kate Middleton19 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

Pregnant Kate was glowing at the National Review of the Queen's Scouts in 2013, wearing a Mulberry mint green coat and LK Bennett heels.

kate Middleton20 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

Pregnant Kate attended the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in June 2013, wearing a bespoke Jenny Packham lace dress with a peach jacket.

kate Middleton21 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

On July 23rd 2013 Kate and William introduced their son, Prince George, to the world's press. Kate looked lovely in a blue polka dot Jenny Packham dress.

Kate Middleton22 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

At the christening of Prince George in October 2013, Kate wore a pale Alexander McQueen dress.

Kate Middleton23 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

In April 2013 Kate, along with William and George, landed in Wellington Airport, New Zealand. Kate looked amazing in a scarlet red Catherine Walker coat.

kate Middleton24 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

When visiting Whenuapai, near Auckland, Kate wore a striped Breton top with a Zara blazer and J Brand jeans.

Kate Middleton25 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate arrived at Dunedin International Airport wearing an Emilia Wickstead pleated dress.

Kate Middleton26 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

The couple visited Winmalee in 2014 to meet victims of the bush fires in the area, and Kate wore a DVF printed dress.

kate Middleton27 of 80
CREDIT: getty

kate Middleton

At the Queen's Garden Party in 2014 Kate looked stunning in a lace Alexander McQueen dress.

Kate Middleton28 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Whilst pregnant with Princess Charlotte, Kate visited Portsmouth in 2015, wearing a MaxMara coat, Jimmy Choo heels and a clutch by L.K. Bennett.

Kate Middleton29 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Charlotte at the Trooping of the Colour in June 2015, wearing a Catherine Walker coat.

Kate Middleton30 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

For the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in July 2015, Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen dress.

Kate Middleton31 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

In November 2015 Kate visited Caernarfon in North Wales, and kept warm in a Reiss coat.

Kate Middleton32 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

During the 2016 tour to India and Bhutan, Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead dress in Mumbai.

Kate Middleton33 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

Kate wore a pale yellow Emilia Wickstead dress when she arrived in Bhutan in April 2016.

Kate Middleton34 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

Kate Middleton

During the Canadian Royal Tour in 2016 Kate wore a scarlet Preen by Thornton Bregazzi gown at the Government of British Columbia reception.

kate middleton catherine walker suit netherlands35 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

kate middleton catherine walker suit netherlands

Kate chose a powder blue suit for by Catherine Walker for her visit to the Netherlands - her first solo overseas engagement.

kate middleton kate spade36 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

kate middleton kate spade

For an event marking World Mental Health Day in 2016, Kate chose a floral patterned dress with pleated front by Kate Spade.

kate middleton erdem coat manchester37 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

kate middleton erdem coat manchester

Kate wore a checked Erdem coat for a visit to Manchester in October 2016

alexander mcqueen olympic reception38 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

alexander mcqueen olympic reception

For a reception of Team GB athletes at Buckingham Palace, Kate chose a poppy print tea dress by Alexander McQueen

kate middleton39 of 80

kate middleton

Kate Middleton wearing a £320 white Self Portrait dress at the Recovery Street Film Festival

kate-middleton-outfit40 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate-middleton-outfit

The Duchess donned a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress to the Place2Be Wellbeing In Schools Awards.

kate middleton41 of 80
CREDIT: rex features

kate middleton

In December 2016 Kate attended the Christmas party for volunteers at The Mix youth service.

kate middleton42 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton

On St. Patricks day Kate wore a green coat by Catherine Walker. She didn't have time to to change, though, as she had to board a plane to Paris that same day to meet with President Hollande.

kate middleton43 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton

Kate dazzled on the Paris royal tour in March 2017. She wore a sparkling Jenny Packham gown to the gala dinner.

kate middleton44 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton

When in Paris on the royal tour, Kate wore a pillarbox-red Carolina Herrera coat to watch the Six Nations rugby game.

kate middleton45 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton

When visiting the National Portrait Gallery in March 2017, Kate wowed in a forest green lace dress by Temperley London.

kate middleton46 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton

During the Paris royal tour, Kate wore a black Alexander McQueen gown at the British Embassy reception.

kate middleton47 of 80

kate middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge made a day trip to Luxembourg, amid reports the royal family are becoming Britain's "Brexit ambassadors", opting for a chic baby blue dress coat by Emilia Wickstead.

kate middleton ascot48 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton ascot

On the first day of Royal Ascot, Kate wore a white lace dress by Alexander McQueen with a matching fascinator.

kate-middleton49 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate-middleton

On 29 June, the Duchess of Cambridge opted for a Gucci dress to the opening of a new exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

kate middleton wimbledon50 of 80
CREDIT: Getty

kate middleton wimbledon

At day one of Wimbledon 2017, wearing a pretty polka dot dress.

The Duchess wore a pussybow Prada dress in scribbled poppy print for a visit to Kensington Palace's Sunken Gardens, marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death51 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

The Duchess wore a pussybow Prada dress in scribbled poppy print for a visit to Kensington Palace's Sunken Gardens, marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death

The Duchess wore a pussybow Prada dress in scribbled poppy print for a visit to Kensington Palace's Sunken Gardens, marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death

Kate Middleton tour of Sweden and Norway January 201852 of 80

Kate Middleton tour of Sweden and Norway January 2018

Check-out Kate in this stunning houndstooth coat by Catherine Walker, which she accessorised with a Chanel bag. The Duchess donned this outfit for a royal visit to Sweden and Norway with her husband in January 2018.

Jenny Packham, 2018 BAFTAs53 of 80

Jenny Packham, 2018 BAFTAs

Nailing BAFTA pregnancy style (always a tricky category) Kate was radiant in a Jenny Packham gown for the 2018 BAFTAs.

Alexander McQueen, Norway 201854 of 80

Alexander McQueen, Norway 2018

Who's the queen of Alexander McQueen? Kate Middleton is (obviously). The Duchess showed us all how to go about meeting Norwegian dignitaries in style in this show-stopping embellished dress.

Commonwealth Day Service 201855 of 80

Commonwealth Day Service 2018

Once again Kate delved into her limitless archive of chic coat dress for the 2018 Commonwealth Day service.

Prince Louis Lindo Wing, April 201856 of 80

Prince Louis Lindo Wing, April 2018

For the first pictures of Prince Louis outside of the Lindo wing on April the 23rd, Kate selected a pillar-box red Jenny Packham dress.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Wedding, May 201857 of 80

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Wedding, May 2018

Kate (almost) twins with Princess Charlotte For Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, in the palest yellow Alexander McQueen coat dress.

Mental Health Summit, 201858 of 80

Mental Health Summit, 2018

Tapping into the Lavender trend (as well as the extra-millennial matching tiny bag trend), Kate Middleton wears Lavender Emilia Wickstead for the Mental Health summit.

Evelina Children's Hospital, December 201859 of 80

Evelina Children's Hospital, December 2018

Kate wore another signature dainty polka-dot dress for a visit to the Evelina Children's hospital.

Kate Middleton, January 201960 of 80

Kate Middleton, January 2019

PSA: Kate Middleton has re-introduced us to the hiking boot. If this look wasn't brilliant enough already - her jeans are reportedly from Zara.

Oscar De La Renta, January 201961 of 80

Oscar De La Renta, January 2019

The Duchess won over fashion-editor's nationwide in this peplum Oscar De La Rent skirted suit.

BAFTAs 201962 of 80

BAFTAs 2019

For the 2019 BAFTAs Kate wore a floor-sweeping chiffon ballgown made by British designer Jenny Packham.

February 201963 of 80

February 2019

This delicate rose-hued gown by Gucci was another major style win for the Duchess of Cambridge as she attended the Women In Finance Gala at the V&A in February.

Norther Ireland, February 201964 of 80

Norther Ireland, February 2019

For her arrival in Northern Ireland Kate Middleton changed up her usual coat-dress ensemble by finishing the look with jeans and heeled boots.

Norther Ireland, February 201965 of 80

Norther Ireland, February 2019

Marking to first day of the Northern Ireland tour, Kate Middleton wore a periwinkle-blue caped Mulberry coat dress.

50th anniversary of Prince Charles's investiture, March 201966 of 80

50th anniversary of Prince Charles's investiture, March 2019

A pale blue dress was worn with her signature nude heels and a clutch as Kate attended the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles's investiture as the Prince of Wales.

Commonwealth Day services, March 201967 of 80

Commonwealth Day services, March 2019

Wearing a red double-breasted coat dress and matching hat for the 2019 Commonwealth Day services in March.

St. Patrick's Day, March 201968 of 80

St. Patrick's Day, March 2019

Kate paid tribute to the Irish for the annual visit to the Irish Guards for St. Patrick's Day. Her green coat dress marked another of the Duchess's Alexander McQueen moments.

Kate Middleton Horse Guards Parade salute69 of 80

Kate Middleton Horse Guards Parade salute

The Duchess of Cambridge attended the Horse Guards Parade in order to take the salute at the Beating Retreat military pageant for the first time. She wore a Catherine Walker cream coat and a Mulberry clutch bag for the occasion.

kate middelton70 of 80

kate middelton

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Pakistan ahead of their tour of the country. Kate wore a version of the shalwar kameez - a traditional dress and trouser outfit - in beautiful aqua shades, which had been made for her by Catherine Walker.

kate middleton71 of 80

kate middleton

To visit the Islamabad Model College in Pakistan, the Duchess of Cambridge wore traditional blue kurta and asymmetric dupatta by local designer Maheen Khan with shoes from – wait for it – New Look.

kate middleton72 of 80

kate middleton

For a visit to meet the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, Kate wore a green tunic by Catherine Walker, white trousers by Maheen Khan, a scarf by Satrangi and earrings by Zeen.

Kate Middleton73 of 80
CREDIT: Getty Images

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton wears Emilia Wickstead for a visit to St Martins in the Fields to meet victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze in November 2019

Kate Middleton74 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton wears Missoni for a reception in Belfast. The occasion was a party in Belfast Empire Music Hall, where both Duke and Duchess celebrated the youth and their achievements in Northern Ireland.

Kate Middleton75 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton in an Alexander McQueen gown, Erdem earrings and a Jimmy Choo clutch at the Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre in November 2019.

Kate Middleton76 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton attended SHOUT's crisis volunteer celebration at Troubadour White City Theatre in London, November 2019. She was wearing a Jacket by Smythson, Trousers from Joseph Fashion and heels by Gianvito Rossi.

Kate Middleton77 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate attended the 2017 Royal Variety performance in a sheer Alexander McQueen gown, a Jenny Packham clutch with pumps by Oscar de la Renta.

Kate Middleton78 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate attended the BBC Radio 1 Teen Hero Awards wearing a £395 LK Bennett dress in October 2019

Kate Middleton79 of 80

Kate Middleton

Kate mixes traditional attire with her Asprey earrings and Hampton Canvas trainers.

Kate Middleton80 of 80

Kate Middleton

Whilst attending the National Monument in Pakistan for an event celebrating the best in Pakistan's culture, Kate wore a shimmering green Jenny Packham own and Silver Jimmy Choo heels.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us