From elevated prints to timeless rewears: how the Princess of Wales perfected RHS Chelsea Flower Show dressing
Kate has a knack for delivering perfectly balanced springtime looks.
Who doesn’t love RHS Chelsea Flower Show? The Royal Family are certainly firm fans of the horticultural extravaganza, with at least one member attending a special tour each year. After the Princess stepped back from public duties and appearances to prioritise her health in early 2024, we didn’t see her attend last year’s event. Now she’s returned to her usual schedule, we’re hoping we’ll see her making an appearance this year.
One thing for certain if she does visit, however, is that her style will be perfectly on point. Over the years, the Princess has perfected RHS Chelsea Flower Show dressing. Whether opting for fresh, springtime hues, elevated floral prints or rewearing her fail-safe favourites, Kate has it covered. The Princess expertly balances each look, for example, choosing refined hair-ups to dress up a more relaxed ensemble and loosening her waves or ditching the heels to offset a more structured look.
The Princess of Wales made her first official visit in 2016 then, in 2019, Kate got her hands dirty and co-designed her own garden with landscape architects Andrée Davies and Adam White. Their RHS Back To Nature garden aimed to encourage people to get outside and explore the outdoors and was inspired by childhood memories. This meant the display included fun interactive features, such as a treehouse, a rope swing and even a stream running through the garden for paddling in.
In 2023, the Princess made a surprise appearance at the show, popping up quietly during the preview day to join a special picnic with local children. Usually, The Royal Family visit after closing hours on the eve of the first official show day, to take a tour of the gardens and exhibits. Will she attend the formal tour this year, or sneak in for an impromptu visit again? We’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, here are all the looks the Princess of Wales has worn to RHS Chelsea Flower Show so far, ahead of (what we hope will be!) her return visit this year...
The Princess of Wales’ RHS Chelsea Flower Show fashion
Kate’s first visit, 2016
The Princess of Wales’ (then Duchess of Cambridge) first official visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was in 2016. For the occasion, she wore a statement coat-dress by Catherine Walker featuring an oversized belt. Kate paired her look with simple LK Bennett heels in nude and a matching clutch bag.
The bright, fresh green was the perfect choice for a spring horticultural event and her loose waves balanced the otherwise more formal structure of her look.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 2017
The following year, Kate attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show wearing a forest-green dress with a fern print and court shoe heels. The Princess swept her trademark brunette locks up into a stylish ponytail to dress up the more relaxed midi dress.
She finished the look with some beautiful Monica Vinader jewellery pieces, a brand frequently worn by the Princess.
Creating her own garden, 2019
In 2019, the Princess of Wales got involved with the show in a big way, getting her hands dirty as she collaborated on her own garden design. The then Duchess is pictured here taking a walk through her Back To Nature garden with Sir Nicholas Bacon, chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
During her solo visit to her garden, Kate looked like she meant business in a crisp white broderie anglaise shirt and wide-legged trousers that cropped at the ankle. Sticking to flats instead of heels on this occasion, Kate opted for a pair of white Superga trainers.
A visit with the late Queen, 2019
The year Kate created her own garden at the show, she made two trips – once alone, and another alongside Prince William and the late Queen Elizabeth II. For her visit with other members of the royal family, the Princess of Wales wore a tiered midi dress with an inky blue floral print and lace detailing.
This time, swapping trainers for a little extra height, Kate chose a pair of raffia wedges. Prince William co-ordinated with his wife, choosing a deep-blue tie, while the former monarch chose a zesty lime green coat, worn over a purple floral dress.
A surprise appearance, 2023
In 2023, the Princess of Wales unexpectedly popped up during the preview day of RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and Kate joined a children’s picnic before receiving a tour of the grounds.
This time, the Princess chose a floating midi shirt dress in dual-tone pink by ME +EM, rewearing a favourite she’s been snapped in before. Kate paired her look with heeled espadrille wedges, adding a summery edge to her midi look.
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