Kate Middleton’s appearance at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 15 was a well-kept palace secret. The Princess of Wales knew she was going to show up to the day’s events if she felt good, but she also knew that her wardrobe for her return engagement was going to be a hot topic. That’s why she chose to recycle her white Jenny Packham dress.
Kate is already known for her royal rewears with outfits that make a second appearance with updated styling choices. However, she and her stylist, Natasha Archer, knew that this dress had to be a showstopper. The duo went into stealth mode and decided to “upcycle” the outfit she wore to a pre-coronation event for King Charles III in 2023. By taking something from her closet, the Princess of Wales knew that there would be no buzz from the fashion industry — they would have no clue that she was thinking of attending the high-profile royal event.
“Just by reworking what she already owns, it allowed Kate to keep this secret [of her appearance] within her very closest and most trusted team,” explained The Telegraph‘s fashion director Bethan Holt to Page Six. “We definitely know that Kate has tailors in-house to help make something fit her perfectly, and they could have easily added the new belt and that bow detail at the neckline, so Jenny Packham may not have even known Kate was going to re-wear the dress.” By keeping everything in-house, it prevented leaks to the press from happening and wearing a Packham design is “a natural decision” since the Princess of Wales has worn her creations for “very intimate, important moments,” including the post-birth photo-op with her three children at the hospital.
Archer has been one of Kate’s trusted advisers over the years, whom she has relied upon even more so after her cancer diagnosis. The Daily Mail pointed out that the stylist received a promotion recently that reflected how much she means to the royal family member. Her new title is Senior Private Executive. “Natasha deserves this boost — she’s unfailingly discreet and loyal to Kate. The salary boost will be welcome too. This appointment means we can expect to see Natasha by Kate’s side for years to come,” the insider shared with the outlet. “It seems to be Kate’s way of thanking her for her loyalty.”
With Kate taking an “under-promising and over-delivering” strategy with her summer schedule, fans may see more revisits from her closet. It’s a smart way to keep her personal business out of the headlines and make a splash in public when she’s feeling up to it.
Before you go, click here to see more of Kate Middleton’s best royal fashion moments.
