Kate's White Dress: A Royal Wedding Statement

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore a primrose yellow wool silk tailored coat by Alexander McQueen to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding in 2018. The dress was described as white in a viral TikTok video posted on the couple's fourth wedding anniversary, which sparked a debate about the appropriateness of her outfit choice. Some people considered it a deliberate faux pas, while others attributed the colour discrepancy to overexposed photographs.

The dress was primrose yellow, not white

The confusion over the colour of the dress arose because the bright sunlight on the day of the wedding made the pale yellow fabric appear white in some photographs. Images taken indoors, or in more muted light, clearly show that the dress is light yellow.

Some commentators have also pointed out that, even if the dress had been white, it would not have been a faux pas. It is becoming more common for bridal parties to wear white, and it is acceptable for guests to wear cream or white as long as the outfit does not resemble a wedding gown. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that Kate Middleton would have chosen her outfit without the approval of Meghan Markle and the Queen.

The bride approved the outfit

It is generally considered a major no-no for wedding guests to wear white, but there are exceptions to this rule. According to etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, author of "Modern Etiquette for a Better Life", it is acceptable to wear white with the bride's approval. Gottsman told TODAY Style that she is “certain” Meghan approved Kate's outfit, stating that "nothing is by mistake when it comes to decorum in the royal family".

Every moment of the royal wedding was meticulously planned, so it is highly likely that Kate cleared her wardrobe choice with Meghan and the Queen beforehand. It is also worth noting that Kate is famous for recycling outfits, and this particular coat dress had been worn on three previous important occasions: Charlotte's christening in 2015, the Queen's birthday the following year, and in Belgium in 2017. Kate's decision to re-wear this outfit could be interpreted as an act of deference to the bride, ensuring that the focus remained on Meghan.

Additionally, the dress in question was described by the palace as "primrose yellow wool silk". While the dress may have appeared white or cream in certain lighting and photographs, it is evident that Kate did not intend to upstage the bride by wearing a colour reserved for the wedding party.

It was a repeat outfit, a kind gesture

It is understandable that Kate's outfit choice at Meghan and Harry's wedding sparked debate. Wearing white to a wedding is a major no-no, and it is considered extremely inappropriate for a guest to wear anything that could be mistaken for white. However, it is important to note that Kate's dress was not white.

A press release from Buckingham Palace described the dress as "primrose yellow", and while this is a bit of a stretch, it was certainly not bright bridal white. The lighting conditions on the day of the wedding also played a part in how the dress was perceived; in the dim lighting of the church, the dress appeared much yellower, and in the bright sunlight outside, it looked more cream or off-white.

The fact that Kate chose to repeat an outfit she had worn multiple times before, including to her niece's christening, the Queen's birthday, and an event in Belgium, can be seen as a kind gesture. Kate is famous for recycling outfits, and this particular coat dress is clearly a favourite of hers. By wearing a dress that had already been widely photographed on three important occasions, Kate was ensuring that the focus remained firmly on the bride. She also kept a low profile throughout the wedding, arriving just moments before the ceremony as part of a whirlwind of children and rushing into the church.

In addition, it is worth considering that Kate had given birth to her third child just 26 days before the wedding. She likely chose an outfit that was comfortable and flattering, and the Alexander McQueen coat dress is a forgiving style. The fact that she attended the wedding at all, so soon after giving birth, and looked lovely in a recycled dress, is impressive.

While some may have interpreted Kate's outfit choice as a snub or a diss, it is more likely that it was a thoughtful decision to ensure she did not pull focus from the happy couple on their special day.

The bride's sister wore white to Kate's wedding

The bride's sister wearing white to Kate's wedding caused a media frenzy, with many speculating about the sister's intentions. Some saw it as a deliberate faux pas, an attempt to upstage the bride and a display of passive-aggressive behaviour. However, the dress was later confirmed to be "primrose yellow" by the palace, though it appeared white in certain lighting and photographs.

The sister's choice of outfit sparked intense debate, with some believing it was a thoughtful gesture to avoid outshining the bride, while others considered it a snub for not putting in the effort to wear something new. The sister's previous history with wearing white to weddings, including Kate's, added fuel to the fire.

The debate surrounding the colour of the dress raged on, with some insisting it was too close to white to be appropriate, while others argued that it was acceptable as long as the bride approved, which she likely would have done, given the scripted nature of royal weddings.

The sister's recent childbirth was also brought up as a possible explanation for her outfit choice, with speculation that she chose comfort and ease over making a fashion statement. Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the bride's sister's white dress at Kate's wedding highlighted the challenges of dressing as a wedding guest, especially when under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.

Kate had just given birth

Kate Middleton had just given birth to her third child, Prince Louis, 26 days before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding. This means that she was still in the postpartum recovery period, dealing with sleep deprivation and the physical toll of childbirth. As a hands-on mother, Kate prioritised comfort and practicality in her outfit choice, opting for a familiar, flattering, and forgiving style. The Alexander McQueen coat dress she wore was a trusted favourite, having been worn on three previous important occasions: Princess Charlotte's christening in 2015, the Queen's birthday in 2016, and an event in Belgium in 2017.

The pale primrose yellow wool silk tailored coat, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was a recycled choice, but this was intentional. Kate, a renowned style icon, is famous for rewearing outfits, making her relatable to the general public. By choosing a dress she already owned, Kate avoided upstaging the bride and ensured the spotlight remained on Meghan. This was a considerate decision, as wearing something new and extravagant could have been seen as an attempt to divert attention away from the happy couple.

The choice to rewear a dress that had been widely photographed also demonstrated Kate's awareness of her spotlight-stealing potential. She even avoided other weddings to prevent causing a stir. Her attendance at Meghan and Harry's wedding, so soon after giving birth, was a treat in itself, and her recycled outfit only added to the graciousness of her presence.

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