Princess Kate narrowly sidesteps awkward Marilyn Monroe skirt moment


The Prince and Princess of Wales shared new pictures on Instagram of their Autumn 2026 recap


Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales visits the Grange Pavilion to meet with members of the Windrush Cymru Elders, Black History Cymru 365 and the Ethnic Minority Youth Forum for Wales as she celebrates the beginning of Black History Month on October 3, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales© Getty Images
Laura Sutcliffe
Laura SutcliffeFashion and Beauty News Editor
1 hour ago

On Sunday afternoon, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a fabulous photo album on their Instagram account, featuring some of their best-loved moments of the season. 

In one photo, the Wales family were pictured from the back, stylishly stepping out for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which took place in Glasgow.

"The Autumn Rewind," they penned, adding: "Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it!"

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We couldn't help but notice Catherine's outfit in the first snapshot. Looking as resplendent as ever, the 44-year-old donned one of her favourite fashion items, the Breton-striped sweater by La Ligne, and a racing green blazer by Ralph Lauren. 

She paired them with a Christopher Kane pleated midi skirt. As she walked into the venue, her white skirt gently blew in the wind, but thankfully, it didn't compromise her modesty. 

Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children in Glasgow© Getty Images
The Princess of Wales donned a white pleated skirt by Christopher Kane

It reminded us of the iconic time Marilyn Monroe's skirt hit headlines. Back in 1954, the actress famously stood over a New York City subway grate, holding down her white dress as it billowed around her while filming The Seven Year Itch.

Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch© Bettmann Archive
Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch

The Princess of Wales' 2016 billowing skirt moment

This isn't the first time the royal has almost experienced a windy fashion faux pas.

The Prince and Princess were visiting India Gate Memorial when the royal experienced unfortunate weather© Getty
Catherine visited the India Gate Memorial in 2016

Back in 2016, when she was known as the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine paid a visit to New Delhi's India Gate war memorial and the skirt of her Emilia Wickstead dress got caught in the wind. 

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit India Gate Memorial where they laid a wreath to honour the soldiers from Indian regiments who served in World War I, on April 11, 2016 in New Delhi, India.© Getty
The royal struggled to keep her skirt down when a gust of wind blew

Luckily, she was able to catch the hem of her gown just in time to save any embarrassment as she laid a wreath with her husband, Prince William. But the royal was plagued by a number of strong gusts that not only sent the skirt of her ivory outfit billowing into the air, but also wrapped her hair around her face.

Queen Elizabeth's skirt hack

According to the MailOnline, the late Queen Elizabeth II had the most ingenious hack to avoid such a fashion faux pas - and it cost very little.

queen elizabeth not looking happy in purple jacket and hat© Getty Images
The late Queen Elizabeth II had a fashion hack for combatting gusts of wind

The former monarch's personal couturier, Stewart Parvin, told the Daily Mail that he would sew circular lead curtain weights in the hemlines of her skirts and dresses to guard against particularly strong gusts of wind. 

He said: "I just pop a couple of weights into the hemline of her dresses and coats and it makes them hang beautifully. If there is a flap in the coat, then I will sew in one on each side of the split to even it up. And sometimes, if she is wearing a lightweight chiffon skirt, I will sew in a smaller lead weight the size of a pea or even a length of chain."

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