Since making her first appearance alongside the British royal family to attend the traditional Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2011, Kate Middleton has always brought elegant fashion with a festive twist to the event. Regularly choosing colours that nod to the holiday season – a chestnut-brown belted coat from Hobbs, say, or the jewel-toned greens and reds of her beloved Alexander McQueen coat dresses – it’s always an opportunity for the Princess of Wales to blend her quintessentially British style with a sense of Christmas spirit.
Arriving at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk this morning, the princess continued that formula in a hunter green Alexander McQueen coat designed by Sarah Burton (previously worn on a trip to Leeds in January 2023), along with a pair of black suede boots and a black handbag. As for that signature festive twist? Her green hat featured a playful bow detail, while sparkling earrings brought a cheery touch – but her cosy tartan scarf was the most charming detail of all. (The look also harked back to the tartan coat she wore while attending the service in 2013 – again designed by Burton for McQueen – and the fashion-forward Miu Miu plaid coat she sported in 2017.)
It goes without saying that 2024 has been a challenging year for Kate Middleton, with some royal watchers even describing it as the Wales family’s “annus horribilis”, in reference to a speech given by the late Queen Elizabeth II to describe the royals’ tumultuous year in 1992. The Princess underwent abdominal surgery in January during which cancerous cells were discovered, and she entered treatment – including chemotherapy – soon afterwards. After speculation around her lack of public appearances reached a fever pitch in March, she was forced to address some of the more far-fetched rumours by announcing her diagnosis with the world in an emotional video. Just one month earlier, her father-in-law, King Charles, shared news of his own cancer diagnosis with the world. (In November, the princess shared that she is now cancer-free in another poignant statement, while the king’s treatment is currently “on pause”, indicating that he has responded well to treatment thus far.)
It only seems fitting, then, that the Waleses are ending the year on a high note. On Christmas Eve, the princess shared her annual carol service, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, with the nation via ITV, and began the event with an emotional letter she wrote about love and empathy. “The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others,” she said. “It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.” (Just as delightful, however, were the reactions of the Wales children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who joined in a rambunctious singalong together to “O Come All Ye Faithful” and clapped with joy at Richard E Grant’s reading of an extract from A Christmas Carol.)
And today at Sandringham, the family once again put on a united front sartorially: George and Louis wore smart navy coats and ties to match their father, Prince William, while Charlotte wore a tartan coat and a green velvet ribbon in her hair to subtly coordinate with her mother. It was a welcome expression of familial togetherness at the end of a challenging year.
