I’m a fashion expert and Princess Kate’s updated her signature style | Royal | News

Princess Catherine is known for refining her wardrobe with remarkable precision, but her visit to Castle Hill Academy in New Addington last week on February 12, felt like more than just another appearance. To me, it signalled a fresh wardrobe update – a subtle recalibration that reflects where she is right now, both personally and professionally. 

There was a quiet confidence in the way the royal look came together, suggesting a shift towards softer, more considered styling choices. It felt intentional, modern, and entirely in step with the evolving tone of her public role.

For the engagement, Catherine, 44, leaned into her trusted foundation of tailored separates, yet the styling revealed a renewed sense of ease. 

She re-wore her Petar Petrov Founder wool-blend jacket in chocolate, pairing it with Joseph’s Coleman trousers in cocoa – a rich tonal combination that felt grounded and quietly assured rather than overly formal. This was not about spectacle; it was about refinement.

What gave the look fresh energy was the thoughtful injection of colour. The sky blue shirt from With Nothing Underneath softened the deeper tones, while her Kiki McDonough blue topaz earrings echoed the shade, drawing light to the face and subtly lifting the ensemble.

This feels like a genuinely fresh shift. In recent months, Catherine has largely favoured muted, almost monochrome dressing, a deliberate choice that followed her decision last year to let her work speak louder than her wardrobe, alongside Kensington Palace stepping back from publicly detailing her outfits – something they had done for more than a decade. 

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Catherine has spent the past year honing a power dressing formula rooted in structure and restraint, which makes the return of colour feel like a decisive pivot – injecting warmth and signalling a new chapter in her style narrative.

Her choice of Boden’s oxblood Nya loafers reinforced that evolution. In recent years, she has gradually moved away from relying solely on classic courts, embracing loafers and flats that project practicality and modern ease. The oxblood tone added depth without distraction, grounding the look in quiet authority.

The warmth of the chocolate tailoring felt entirely appropriate for a school visit, projecting approachability, while the blue accents introduced a sense of optimism, a subtle visual cue that felt both thoughtful and uplifting.

Looking ahead, this wardrobe update may hint at what’s next. As spring approaches, it would not be surprising to see Catherine gradually reintroduce softer elements. 

After looking back through the archives, I would not be surprised to see Catherine step back into fluid silhouettes, painterly florals and lighter textures – the kind of pieces that soften her tailoring while reconnecting with the romantic sensibility that has always set her apart. 

What makes this moment compelling is the precision behind it. Catherine is not reinventing herself; she is curating, refining and quietly recalibrating a wardrobe that has evolved in lockstep with her role, using fashion with intention rather than impulse. 

To me, it reads as a thoughtful evolution, with considered updates that feel like they’re taking her into a new era without losing what makes her style so recognisable.