Winsor Castle, December 3, 2025. Kate Middleton walks alongside Claudia Schiffer, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne in the reception room of the royal residence. The Princess of Wales donned a fabulous gown to honor the state visit to the United Kingdom of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender: a Mayan blue dress by Jenny Packham, entirely embroidered with sequins, with a semi-sheer cape covering her shoulders and an asymmetrical neckline. The piece is as majestic as it is appropriate, at the beginning of this festive month.
The Princess of Wales' wardrobe is brimming with both classic and chic pieces, providing endless inspiration for every occasion. A year-end dinner with colleagues? Emulate her working-girl look in a pearl-grey suit from Knatchbull and a ruffled shirt, as seen at the Future Workforce Summit on November 18th. A gala evening planned for New Year's Eve? Her yellow silk crepe dress worn under a gold Chantilly lace coat by British designer Phillipa Lepley is a perfect example. With Christmas and New Year's Eve approaching, has delved into her collection of festive dresses to find three glamorous gems.
The black lace dress
It's rare to see Kate Middleton in lace dresses… and even rarer in midi-length styles. The only example to date is her long-sleeved Dolce & Gabbana gown in sheer black lace, featuring a removable silk-blend lining. The princess wore it on November 7, 2015, at the Royal Remembrance Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with a simple pair of black pumps, a black satin clutch, and her famous engagement ring. Seen on numerous runways for the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 shows (Dior, Saint Laurent, Chloé…), the lace dress is establishing itself as a key piece for the holidays.
The long velvet dress
On November 19, Kate Middleton returned to the red carpet, two years after her last photocall. She attended the Royal Variety Performance fundraising gala at the Royal Albert Hall, on the arm of Prince William. The mother of George, Charlotte, and Louis dazzled photographers in a long, off-the-shoulder, fir-green velvet gown with gathered details by Talbot Runhof. Soft to the touch, warm, comforting, luxurious… velvet ticks a lot of boxes for this season. Often mixed with lace, leather, fringe, and ruffles, it promises depth to a festive silhouette without being extravagant.
The red sequined dress
The red dress is one of this holiday season's must-haves. The piece has become a staple on the 2025 runways (Victoria Beckham, Balmain, Courrèges, and Coperni) and continues to add a touch of glamour to our New Year's Eve outfits. Kate Middleton was ahead of the curve on this trend: on January 20, 2020, she appeared in a red sequined dress with a shimmering tulle skirt by Needle & Thread for a reception at Buckingham Palace. The creation echoed that of Sophie, Princess of Edinburgh, who also wore a red dress, albeit in a more scarlet shade. The ultimate look to turn heads before the New Year's countdown.
