In the almost fifteen years since Catherine Middleton married Prince William, she truly has become a style icon. We all went out and bought nude court heels in the early years of the Kate Effect, and even now, whenever she adds a new piece to her carefully curated wardrobe, we sit up and listen.
In her role as the Princess of Wales, we see her wearing a lot of formal outfits like coat dresses and trouser suits. But what does the mother of three wear for more relaxed days?
We do know she's a fan of Breton tops, neat blazers and floral midi dresses, and she loves to champion British clothing brands. We also know high street stalwart M&S is really on a roll right now, so when I was doing my daily scroll of what's new-in at M&S, I couldn't help but imagine Kate snapping up some key pieces in particular.
As soon as I saw this blue striped summer dress, it immediately reminded me of a Zara dress that Kate wore to a charity polo match back in 2018. It's 100% cotton to keep you cool, and it's available in petite, regular or tall lengths.
A wedge heel is a sophisticated option when you need to walk on grass - or sand, as the then Duchess of Cambridge did in Australia back in 2014. These will elevate any outfit, and they're a great designer lookalike, too. Doesn't the shape of the front remind you of Hermes?
Kate has several blazers like this tweed-textured style in her collection. It's a great layer to throw on with everything from denim to tailoring, and it's also available in black.
,It's light jacket weather at the moment (at least some days anyway!) and this utility-inspired design is something I can see Kate wearing. The belted waist creates a flattering shape, and the pockets are perfect for carrying your essentials.
Up there with the best M&S jeans, this cropped slim fit style really reminds me of Kate's & Other Stories denim. These will quickly become your go-to.
For a fresh take on the classic Breton stripe, opt for a style with shorter T-shirt sleeves. For just £22, this will work seriously hard in your spring capsule wardrobe.
Kate owns a very elegant Gabriela Hearst denim shirt dress, which is the perfect blend of smart casual. I love the curved hem, dark blue wash and adjustable waistband on this M&S option - and I'm sure Kate would, too.
The Princess of Wales recently wore a pair of brown suede loafers from Boden, which are really similar to these. I actually have these shoes in two colours - caramel suede and black leather, and they're some of the most comfortable footwear I own.
This azure blue is a great match for a lightweight knit that Kate owns. When the sun comes out, tie it round your shoulders over a crisp white T-shirt or linen shirt.
Kate famously has a penchant for polka dots, and this is exactly the sort of dress she might wear to Wimbledon. The bow detailing is simply beautiful.
Speaking of Wimbledon, I'm still thinking about Kate's unexpected choice of earrings at the tennis in 2024. They were by a brand called By Pariah, but M&S has taken note of the chunky hoop style.
We don't see Kate in as many easy breezy floral midi dresses as we used to, but I've no doubt they're still in her wardrobe. This butter yellow tea dress will come into its own in the summer months, plus one customer noted the fabric is crease-free.
I'm certainly not alone in manifesting a Middleton shopping spree at M&S. woman&home's Royal Editor Emma Shacklock tells me: "She might not be rushing to buy armfuls of new-in clothes every month but the Princess of Wales is still a fan of British high street stores and every so often we get a glimpse of a new addition or old favourite from one of them.
"Kate owns multiple items from M&S, ranging from ribbon-lace trainers to a gorgeous rose-pink tailored suit and a floral midi dress. It’s not hard to see why she’s drawn to this high-street giant, as the brand is known for their reliable, high-quality and timeless pieces. This fits the Princess’s signature style to a tee and even though she’s not debuted a new M&S purchase for a while, looking at their 2026 designs it’s so easy to spot which ones tie in with her fashion preferences.
"Kate’s mum Carole and sister Pippa have similar styles, and because they’re not members of the Royal Family, they aren’t having to ensure their wardrobes have a ready supply of formal gowns and coat dresses. I can imagine them browsing the shelves together on a mother-daughter day out, perhaps with Kate too, in Berkshire."
