The Princess of Wales’s Wimbledon Style

As many readers know, Wimbledon is underway. This weekend, the Princess of Wales posted a message to Andy Murray on social media after it became evident the Scottish champion had played his last match at the All England Club.

More from this Vanity Fair story. 

On Thursday, he and brother Jamie were knocked out of the men’s doubles tournament by John Peers and Rinky Hijikata. He was scheduled to compete in the mixed doubles tournament alongside Emma Raducanu, but Raducanu announced that she would withdraw to prioritize her performance in the women’s singles event after dealing with wrist stiffness.

Murray, for his part, has said that the Paris Olympics will likely be his final matches, if he’s able to compete. “It is hard because I would love to keep playing, but I can’t. Physically, it’s just too tough now,” Murray said in an interview Thursday after receiving a standing ovation following a video tribute of career highlights. “I want to play forever, I love the sport. It’s given me so much, taught me loads of lessons over the years that I can use in the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it is hard.”

Here is the video tribute Wimbledon posted. 

You made us dream.
You made us believe.
You made us cry.
And you made us proud. pic.twitter.com/yNsnkEsEhc

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024

There has been no shortage of notable names and royals in the Royal Box. Today, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi watched Jannik Sinner of Italy play Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles quarterfinal. Behind the couple, you see comedian and presenter Michael McIntyre (navy jacket) and actor Stephen Fry (khaki jacket)

Also taking in today’s action, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband, Daniel Chatto. 
Embed from Getty Images

Yesterday, Prince Albert of Monaco was on hand to watch the competition on Day 8 of the Championships.

As was the Duchess of Gloucester. For anyone wondering about her pin, she is the honorary president of the Lawn Tennis Association. 

On Sunday, Dame Mary Berry was one of those watching from the royal box.

Actress and producer Salma Hayek was also there. 

On July 4, the Princess’s parents, Carole and Middleton, enjoyed a match. The gentleman on the left in the photo is Lord Sebastian Coe. 

We don’t know if the Princess will attend the Championships, but if she does, it will likely be at the Ladies’ Championship match on Saturday or the Gentlemen’s Final on Sunday. I thought it would be fun to look back at her Wimbledon style over the years.

We start in June 2011, when the Duke and Duchess watched Andy Murray outplay Richard Gasquet. Kate was in the Moraiah dress by Temperley London and she carried a brown jacket that remains unidentified.

The Duchess also carried a Stuart Weitzman Muse clutch and wore her LK Bennett Sledge pumps. She also wore her diamond and sapphire earrings and cipher bracelet believed to have been a gift from the then-Duchess of Cornwall. It is shown below as worn on another occasion.

When watching Roger Federer in 2012, the Duchess brought back an Alexander McQueen look first seen during the 2011 North American tour. She also wore her navy suede heels, carried her Jaeger ‘Kate’ bag, and wore her sapphire and diamond earrings.

The sailor-style dress was first worn on July 4, 2011, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, during the couple’s North American tour.

Kate was joined by her sister, Pippa, when watching Andy Murray take on Roger Federer in July 2012. She wore other repeated styles for this match: her Vanessa dress and Nessie Tweed jacket, both by Joseph.

The jacket was initially seen at the Epsom Derby in June 2011. The cropped design is 100% cotton with a modified Nehru collar, button front, and decorative pocket flaps. The Vanessa dress was first noted during the 2011 Canada tour. It is a sleeveless design that features grosgrain banding and ruching at the waist with serged edges at the neckline and arm openings.

The Duchess carried her Diane von Furstenberg Leopard Print Clutch, first noted in Los Angeles in 2011, and wore her LK Bennett Sledge pumps and an acorn necklace by Kristin Magnusson.

When expecting Prince George in 2013, the Duchess did not attend Wimbledon. When attending the Gentlemen’s Quarter Final match in 2014, she brought back the Roamer Day Dress by Australian label Zimmermann.

The dress is made of broderie anglaise material (often called “eyelet), with a round neck, elbow-length sleeves, and an exposed zipper. It was seen at several engagements during the 2014 Tour of New Zealand and Australia.

She accessorized with her Anya Hindmarch Fan Clutch (seen below) and LK Bennett Sledge pumps, as well as her Annoushka Pearl Drops suspended from her Kiki McDonough Hoops. 

A few days later, at the Men’s Final match, the Duchess showcased another tour repeat, the Evelyn dress by Jonathan Saunders. 

The cotton/viscose blend dress has a sheath silhouette in an aqua, forest-green, and white textured geometric print. Design elements include a modified boat neck when seen from the front, with a deep V on the back, short sleeves, and a self-belt. It was first worn during the 2012 Jubilee Tour.

The Duchess carried her LK Bennett Avona clutch and wore a necklace featuring charms from the Woodlands collection by Asprey, along with Kiki McDonough’s Oval Green Amethyst and Diamond Drop Earrings.

In July 2015, the Duchess chose LK Bennett’s Cayla dress to watch Scotland’s Andy Murray play Canadian Vasek Pospisil. The Cayla was a fit-and-flare style; its length hit well below the knee, and it had elbow-length sleeves and a hidden zipper.

She wore Jimmy Choo’s Gilbert pumps, carried the DVF Leopard Print Clutch by DVF seen above, and sported the Lolita Earrings by Mirabelle. 

In 2016, the Duchess of Cambridge was named Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. That year, we saw the return of another tour favorite in July when the Duchess watched a match between Serena Williams and Elena Vesnina.

The Duchess first wore a custom version of Roksanda Ilincic’s Ryedale dress in Sydney, Australia, during the 2014 tour. Made of 100% wool crepe, the dress incorporates many features Kate is fond of in a dress: the off-center slit at the hem on the front, an exposed back zipper, and a defined waistline.

Accessories included the Quincy Tote by Victoria Beckham, the Soru Baroque Pearl Earrings (which were first seen the previous evening), and Rupert Sanderson’s Malory pumps. 

We saw the Duchess in an Alexander McQueen design at the Gentlemen’s Final match a few days later. Her dress showcased the brand’s Obsessions Talisman print, with an A-line silhouette, the placed print, a jewel neckline, fitted waist, and hidden zipper.

The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi Praline Pumps, Brora’s Gold Charm Earrings (first worn in Bhutan), and her LK Bennett Natalie Clutch.

The Duchess chose a Dolce and Gabbana design when watching the opening round of Gentlemen’s Singles play in July 2017. The silk polka-dot silk design had a fitted bodice with a full skirt, three-quarter sleeves, a scoop neckline, and a concealed zipper

The Duchess carried the Victoria Beckham tote seen above, her Nina Block Heel Sandals, and Oscar de la Renta Gold-Plated Earrings with Faux Pearls.

When it was time for the 2017 Gentlemen’s Singles final, the Duchess was in a Catherine Walker design. The white frock was a classic fit-and-flare design with the Fleurs Sauvages, or “Wildflowers” pattern covering the skirt.

The Duchess carried her ‘Quincy’ tote by Victoria Beckham again, pairing it with Stuart Weitzman Nearly Nude Sandals and her Cassandra Goad Temple of Heaven earrings.

This was also one of the first times we saw the Duchess wearing a ribbon pin in the Wimbledon colors, purple and green.

More on its significance from this Today piece. 

A representative for the AELTC told TODAY Style the duchess’s bow is reserved for the club’s patron, president, committee of management, vice presidents and four members of their executive staff.

For the Duchess’s first Wimbledon visit in 2018, she wore a bespoke design by Jenny Packham. Done in a cream and black print that resembled tennis balls, the midi-length style featured distinctive ruching at the shoulder and hip.   

Accessories included the Gianvito 105 Praline Pumps and a new bag by Dolce and Gabbana, the Miss Sicily in Rose Pink. The Duchess’s earrings were first seen in Sweden during the January 2018 tour, the Baroque Pearl Drop Earrings by In2Design. 

For her next Wimbledon engagement in 2018, the Duchess chose another Dolce and Gabbana piece for the Gentlemen’s Final match. The knee-length design in a vibrant yellow hue had a fitted bodice, round neck, and ruffled sleeves.

The Duchess carried her Miss Sicily handbag again and wore the Aspey Woodland Charms necklace shown above. Her earrings were the Oak Leaf Hoop Earrings, also by Asprey.

July 2019 brought a dress by Suzannah London, the brand’s Flippy Wiggle Dress. The style is made of Italian silk crepe with pintucks at the front yoke and waist, half-sleeves with a button cuff, and contrasting silk-covered buttons.

The Duchess carried a new bag, the Wicca style by Alexander McQueen. Her belt was also an Alexander McQueen design, and she brought back her trusty Piper 85 Suede Pumps by Gianvito Rossi, along with her Catherine Zoraida Fern Hoop Earrings.

When attending the 2019 Women’s Finals, the Duchess repeated a Dolce and Gabbana design with a fitted bodice, flared skirt, goldtone buttons, and ruffles at the upper shoulder seam. 

This was another tour design, a dress first worn in September 2016 during the Canada tour (photo on the right). In the center, you see the off-the-rack version of the dress. 

The Duchess wore her Asprey Oak Leaf Hoop Earrings and her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps and carried her Miss Sicily handbag again. 

At her final 2019 Wimbledon match, the Gentlemen’s Finals, the Duchess chose an Emilia Wickstead design. This was the first year the Duchess presented trophies at the historic tournament.

Her dress was a custom version of the brand’s Jordin style featuring a classic fit-and-flare design, one of Kate’s favorite silhouettes. It also had a fitted bodice with a squared neckline, twisted strap detail, a midi-length hem, and a full, pleated skirt.

Accessories included the Duchess’s vintage Josef handbag and a new pair of ALDO shoes, the Nichole style. Her earrings were the In2Design pair shown above.

The pandemic meant there was no Wimbledon in 2020. However, the Duchess of Cambridge sported a tennis-themed dress for a July Zoom call with tennis students. 

She was in the ‘Maria’ dress by HVN, a label founded by British model and DJ Harley Viera-Newton.

The Championships returned in 2021, and the Duchess wore a mix of separates for her first visit of the year to the All England Club. Her midi-length pleated skirt was a silk design by Alessandra Rich featuring a drop waist and knife pleats. Her blazer was a familiar piece dating back to 2011, the Duchess One-Button Blazer by Canadian label Smythe.

Among the day’s accessories were a new Mulberry Amberley Crossbody Bag, new Jimmy Choo Romy 85 pumps, and the return of the Simone Rocha Faux Pearl Curb Chain Earrings.

For the 2021 Ladies’ Singles Final, the Duchess was in a dress by Emilia Wickstead, a modified version of the designer’s Denver dress. It was made of cloqué fabric, a textured crepe material, with a round neck, cap sleeves, and concealed back zipper.

She repeated the Mulberry Amberley bag and the Jimmy Choo Romy 85 pumps shown above. She brought back her Kiki McDonough Green Tourmaline, Green Amethyst, and Diamond Earrings and wore a Halcyon Days bangle seen a week earlier at the Championships.

When attending that year’s Gentlemen’s Final, the Duchess opted for a soft pink dress by Beulah London. The Ahana Blush Short-Sleeve dress showcases that fit-and-flare silhouette we see so often on the Princess, with a stand collar, puffed short sleeves, a darted bodice featuring a loop and button front closure, self-belt, and a keyhole opening at the sleeve hems.

The Duchess carried the vintage Josef ‘Point de Beauvais’ Beaded Clutch shown above, as well as the ALDO Nichole block heel sandals. She also wore her ‘Empress’ earrings from British jeweler Mappin and Webb.

The Duchess wore an Alessandra Rich design for her first engagement at Wimbledon 2022.

It was a modified version of the azure blue Alessandra Rich Pleated Embellished Silk Crepe de Chine dress. Crafted in silk crepe de chine, the midi-length design features pleating, gathered sleeves with button cuffs, shoulder pads, a hidden side zipper, and a self-belt with crystal embellishments. The dress worn by the Duchess has fabric-covered shoulder buttons instead of crystals, and her belt does not have crystals on the buckle.

The design was first seen in photos from the Big Jubilee Lunch in early June. 

She accessorized with a new pair of shoes by Alessandra Rich, the Fab Two-Tone pumps, her Mulberry Amberley Crossbody bag, and the In2design Earrings seen above.  

The Duchess attended the 2022 Ladies’ Singles Final in a sunny yellow dress by Roksanda Ilincic. Her custom version of the Brigitte dress showcases a bow-effect bodice and neckline, short sleeves, a fitted waist, a full skirt, and a hidden back zipper.

The dress was first worn during the 2022 Caribbean tour. 

The Duchess debuted a new hat by LK Bennett.

It was the British label’s Saffron Straw Hat. She also wore her Kiki McDonough Eden Citrine Drops and her Gianvito 105 pumps in white leather.

The next day saw a return to polka dots for the 2022 Gentlemen’s Final.

This was the first time Prince George joined his parents at the Championships. 

The Duchess’s dress was another Alessandra Rich design. The silk dress had a wide collar, puffed and gathered sleeves, a peplum waist, and a bow at the neckline.

The Duchess carried her Victoria Beckham tote again and repeated her Alessandra Rich two-tone heels, sapphire/diamond earrings, and pendant. 

For Day Two of the 2023 Championships, her first appearance at the All England Club as Princess of Wales, the Princess chose a minty green ensemble.

Her ensemble featured a piece by Balmain, a brand she hadn’t worn previously. The Princess was in the Two-Tone Crepe Blazer (no longer available), a style showcasing the French fashion house’s signature double-breasted silhouette. The 100% viscose jacket features contrasting white satin lapels and buttons, flap front pockets, a welted chest pocket, princess seams, and a row of five buttons at the cuff. The skirt hasn’t been identified.

The Princess repeated her white Mulberry Amberley Crossbody Bag and Gianvito 105 pumps in white leather. She also brought back a bracelet by Sézane that was first noted in July 2020 at a Sandringham Royal Foundation meeting, the Stéphanie Cuff style. And she repeated her Shyla London Chunky Knot Baroque Pearl Earrings.

It was a Self-Portrait design at last year’s Ladies’ Singles Final.  

The Lime Boucle Collared Chiffon Midi Dress by Self-Portrait includes design elements seen in other Self-Portrait designs worn by the Princess, including a tailored top with a full, floaty skirt and the appearance of wearing separates when it is just one piece, a dress. The fabric for the upper portion of the garment is a blend of wool, acrylic, and polyester. The skirt and lining of the dress are polyester.

A closer look at some of the details.

The Princess carried her Emmy London blush suede Natasha handbag by the chain handle, something she doesn’t often do. It was paired with Gianvito Rossi’s Ribbon Sling Pumps in the 85mm heel height. (I show them below right in another color and fabric.)

We saw a new Halcyon Days bracelet, the Salamander Torque Aquamarine and Gold Bangle (also available with a hinge), and repeated earrings, the Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Studs.

Our final ensemble was worn at the Gentlemen’s Singles Final last year. It was the first time Princess Charlotte attended the event.

The Princess wore a rich green design by Roland Mouret. 

The designer’s Ruffle-Detail Asymmetrical Midi Dress is made of a viscose/elastane blend. It features draped fabric at the shoulder, short sleeves, a lined bodice, a concealed back zipper, and a back vent.

The Princess repeated her Emmy London Natasha handbag and Gianvito 105 Bisque Suede Pumps. She wore a new Halcyon Days bracelet, the Salamander Torque Bangle in Forget Me Not. Her Milina London earrings were also new, the Green Onyx Gemstone style.