At Trooping the Colour 2026, Kate rode in a carriage with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, wearing a light blue Catherine Walker dress and Philip Treacy hat—then drew attention to Cassandra Goad pearl floral burst earrings tied to major mil
Kate Middleton stepped into Trooping the Colour 2026 with the kind of calm, ceremonial poise the day demands—then, in the small details, reminded everyone why the annual parade still feels personal.
She arrived riding in a carriage with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince William took a different route through the parade, riding on horseback.
For the occasion—the annual celebration of the monarch’s birthday—the Princess of Wales wore a light blue Catherine Walker dress with white piping and a large. statement Philip Treacy hat. The standout accessories came with her movement: she accessorized with Cassandra Goad pearl floral burst earrings.
The earrings weren’t chosen as a one-off. They had been worn earlier this year for the installation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. They were also seen again in 2018 when she debuted them for the christening of her youngest son, Prince Louis.
That continuity matters, especially on a day built around spectacle. Kate’s look did more than frame her in tradition—it brought the past into the present. At first glimpse, her outfit echoed Princess Diana’s styling in two separate years: 1992 and 1987—both featuring Catherine Walker pieces. Diana wore a blue-and-white Catherine Walker suit with a matching Philip Somerville hat in Dehli in 1992. and Diana and her sons at Easter in 1987.
Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has not missed Trooping the Colour. Across the years, her parade choices have primarily leaned on looks by Alexander McQueen and Catherine Walker, though she has also worn pieces from Jenny Packham, Erdem, and Andrew Gn.
Today’s Catherine Walker selection fits into that pattern. And it arrives after a quieter stretch. Following her two-day trip to Italy last month, she spent the next few weeks with less public visibility. She joined the rest of the royal family at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s wedding in the Cotswolds this past weekend. Earlier in June. she carried out two engagements related to cancer charities: she joined King Charles and Queen Camilla to host a reception at St. James’s Palace, and she then visited a holistic cancer center in Manchester.
Two years ago, Kate made her return to public life at Trooping the Colour following news of her cancer diagnosis. She spent much of that year out of the public eye. In September 2024, she announced she had finished chemotherapy treatment, and in January 2025 she said she was in remission.
In recent months, the Princess has not explicitly commented on her health or her recovery. But Prince William has offered insight. In an interview, he shared, “She’s an amazing mum, an amazing wife, and, literally, our family couldn’t cope without her, so, she’s been absolutely stunning, brilliant.”
Back on the parade route in 2026, with her children beside her in the carriage and a pair of earrings that have returned to the spotlight across different chapters of her family life, it’s the kind of symbolism that doesn’t need a statement to land.
Kate Middleton Trooping the Colour 2026 Cassandra Goad earrings Philip Treacy hat Catherine Walker dress Prince Louis christening Archbishop of Canterbury installation Prince William horseback
Earrings again? Like how many times can you wear the same pearls lol
Wait so the earrings were for an archbishop thing and then Trooping? I didn’t realize they reused jewelry like that, I assumed it was all brand new for every parade. Also I got distracted by the hat, it’s huge.
This is wild because I swear I saw a headline that said Prince William wore the blue dress too?? Maybe I’m mixing it up with something else. But either way, those Cassandra Goad earrings sound like they’re basically a family timeline, not just fashion.
The fact they showed up in 2018 for Louis’s christening and then again… is kind of sweet I guess. But also Trooping the Colour is supposed to be about the monarch’s birthday, not jewelry mementos?? Idk maybe that’s why they do the whole carriage thing with the kids so it looks more personal or whatever.