On Saturday, Kate Middleton made her long-awaited return to public life, after stepping back from the spotlight earlier this year while undergoing treatment for cancer. The event at which the Princess of Wales chose to make her first appearance? Trooping the Colour, the annual ceremonial parade held every June that honors the birthday of the reigning monarch and attracts millions of viewers from all around the world.
For the princess, Trooping the Colour also holds a special significance. After her wedding to Prince William in 2011, it was one of the first major public events she attended as a royal—and for the event, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit by Sarah Burton, the same designer who had crafted her breathtaking bridal gown just months before.
Over the years since, the princess has used Trooping the Colour to showcase her sharp sartorial instincts, often returning to Alexander McQueen for separates and dresses befitting of the high-profile event. That’s not to say there haven’t been some curveballs in the mix, though: just take the delicate gray floral Erdem dress she wore for her second appearance at the ceremony in 2012, or the emerald green coat dress by Andrew Gn in 2023. (And that’s without even mentioning the dazzling hats.)
Here, take a look back at all of Middleton’s best Trooping the Colour outfits from across the years.