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Kate Middleton rocks a daring Christian Dior outfit at the start of President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte’s official state visit from France. Royal women across generations have been recognized as notable fashion icons, their outfit choices sparking trends, becoming fashion standards, or elevating brands thanks to the power of the royal effect. While the late Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, stands out as one of the most fashionable royals years after her death, her predecessor, Middleton, has cemented her place as a global fashion icon in her own right, rocking some memorable looks over the years.
The princess made a shocking appearance on Tuesday, July 8, in an iconic Dior outfit, marking her first time wearing the French brand in public. Joining the royal welcome party at RAF Northolt, Kate Middleton looked chic in a blush-pink skirt paired with the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket from Christian Dior’s 2024 collection. Notably, the outfit, inspired by the label’s iconic 1947 Bar jacket designed by the legendary French designer Christian Dior himself, was a bold fashion statement paying tribute to France while recognizing her royal heritage.
She added a royal touch to her look with a Jess Collet-designed hat and carefully curated accessories, including her mother-in-law Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings, and a three-layered pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection. While Kate Middleton’s monochrome look has racked up praise from royal fans acknowledging her deep show of diplomacy as a most befitting welcome to the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, critics had a mouthful to spew.
Kate Middleton’s Christian Dior Outfit Leaves the Internet Divided
Middleton’s appearance in the get-up has especially stirred mixed reactions across the web, with critics slamming everything, from her hat to her choice of color, deeming the ensemble unflattering. Many have also accused the royal of pushing the fashion barriers and deviating from her usual colorful hues and coat dresses in a deliberate attempt to mirror the late Princess Diana. Criticizing the intentional retro style, one critic wrote,
“It looks like my grandmother’s outfit to my mother’s wedding in the late 80s.”
Another noted,
“She is so stuffy and dowdy. Less is more. The pearls and the bow were unnecessary. Pick one. Her sense of style is basically doll dress up.”
A third fired,
“Love Dior, but she looks like a giant Band-Aid.”
Another chimed in,
“This entire look is a disaster. The skirt is ok, but the pieces she’s wearing with it are so mismatched that it’s giving a little girl playing dress up in her mother’s closet. The color is dreadful on her, and the hair is awful. Her stylist hates her.”
One critic suggested that “a shorter jacket with a more defined waist would look ten times better,” adding that “the outfit is so blah in style and color.” A second cited her wavy hairdo as the culprit, noting that it looked “like a bad wig.” Many also accused the princess of imitating her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle’s fashion choices, with no care about whether or not it complemented her skin tone.
More critics nit-picked the outfit, sparking an ensuing debate about what exactly felt “off” about Kate Middleton’s Christian Dior ensemble. Comments attributing the oddity to specific details like Middleton’s skin tone, not being curvy enough, the proportions, the smaller-sized hat, and her hairstyle recurred as critics shared their varying opinions.
Middleton Praised for Iconic Fashion First
Meanwhile, several royal fans saw no issues with Kate Middleton’s Christian Dior Outfit at her meeting with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, the President and First Lady of France. Many complimented the daring choice, agreeing they would indeed rock the retro look in similar colors, as it offered a much-desired toned-down effect, a stark contrast from the Princess’ usual royal wardrobe. One fan quipped,
“I love everything about this, honestly. Skirt, blazer, hat, hair, shoes, jewellery, all a hit for me. What can I say, I’m a millennial, I love me a beige/millennial pink/barely blush.”
Another fan praised,
“The Princess of Wales looks très chic 🇨🇵, diplomatic dressing is her super power 🤎. I am so happy to see her out and about.”
A third wrote,
“I really like this look! It’s refreshingly different from her usual, more structured choices. And I don’t remember the last time I saw her in anything semi-nude. Tres chic.”
A fourth noted,
“HRH The Princess of Wales always looks very beautiful in everything she wears, but she is simply stunning in this ensemble.”
While Kate Middleton’s diplomatic outfit choice marks a fashion first for her, other royal women have explored designs from the French label Christian Dior. Meghan Markle, who infamously donned softer tones during her brief stint as a working royal, has rocked Dior pieces on occasions, including her second Buckingham Palace balcony appearance in 2018, the 2019 Christening of her son, Prince Archie, and the national service of Thanksgiving in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Princess Diana also rocked several Dior pieces in her lifetime, including the Lady Dior bag, which the label eventually named after her.
Surprisingly, Queen Camilla, who has also sported the French brand on occasions, owns a Lady Dior bag and has rocked it on several outings regardless of its connection to her historic love rival. With Kate Middleton joining the unofficial royal Christian Dior club in the most diplomatic way, it comes as no surprise that her look would grab the attention of admirers and critics alike. As for whether or not her choice of outfit was fitting, the Princess’ elegance, grace, and confidence in the Dior ensemble speak volumes.
