The Princess of Wales has proved time and time again she's a royal style icon. Kate is a champion of sustainable fashion, frequently re-wearing timeless items from her closet. But more than a decade ago, she wore one of her most daring outfits to date that has never seen the light of day again.
On 10 August 2012, the then-Duchess of Cambridge was spotted at the Women's Hockey bronze medal match between New Zealand and Great Britain on day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Kate, now 44, was seen wearing the mini skirt, which was made from white denim and cinched at the waist with a woven leather belt.
© Getty ImagesIt was on this rare occasion that Kate stepped out in public in one of the pieces from her pre-royal wardrobe. In 2007, four years before she married into the royal family, the then-girlfriend of Prince William made an appearance at the Badminton Horse Trials in the same skirt, styled with knee-high boots and a navy jumper.
© Max Mumby/IndigoThe leg-lengthening number, featuring a shorter hemline than Prince William's wife wears now, was paired with a white Team GB sleeveless top with a V-shaped neckline and heeled wedges during her Olympic outing.
© Getty ImagesKate's Olympic attire
It was not the first time the royal was spotted at a match during the London 2012 Olympics, nor was it the first time she had been spotted rocking Team GB merchandise.
The royal watched on as Olympic torchbearer John Hulse took on the torch at Buckingham Palace on its route around Britain to the Olympic Stadium in July 2012.
© Getty ImagesShe was seen wearing the branded polo with cobalt skinny jeans and the same wedged heels by Stuart Weitzman.
Kate's fashion evolution
With Kate's white-skirt outing turning 13, it's clear how much her sense of style has evolved. In August last year, she was seen on an unannounced outing to the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Here, the mother-of-three rocked the 'Kona Dickey Jacket' by Veronica Beard with the label's 'Marbeau Pants', as well as a silk blend tank top by Joseph.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceIt was a look that celebrity fashion stylist, Oriona Robb, said conveyed "calm authority."
"It's a colour long associated with growth, renewal and a grounded sense of presence," the fashion expert told HELLO!. "Worn in a double-breasted silhouette with softly tailored lines, it speaks of both tradition and progression – a nod to heritage without feeling dated."
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceAs a Lifestyle Writer who keeps up with the Princess of Wales' fashion looks, looking back at her white skirt outfit shows how she has come into her own during her time as a working royal, but shows that she was always a budding fashionista.
Her Veronica Beard set speaks of her current role. "From a psychological point of view, green is one of the most emotionally intelligent choices a woman in the public eye can make," Oriona said.
© CameraSport via Getty Images"It's soothing, trustworthy, and quietly confident qualities that reflect her role beautifully."
The royal wore the colour more recently during the Men's Singles Final presentation at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships on 12 July. Kate stunned in a gorgeous green Emilia Wickstead dress with one-shoulder sash detail. She paired the "Tidus" dress with a DeMellier bag and Ralph Lauren pumps.
