Kate Middleton Wore the Same Polka Dot Dress as a Royal Wedding Guest

Publish date: 2024-04-20

Kate Middleton is a fan of a professional shift dress or a classic skirt suit, but the royal fashion icon also can't resist jumping onto a style trend.

In newly-unveiled portraits for her father-in-law Prince Charles' birthday, the Duchess of Cambridge wears a navy dress with white polka dots by Alessandra Rich. The pattern alone has been seemingly ubiquitous in the fashion world this year, but even the dress itself has been a hot item.

HRH The Prince of Wales Birthday Family Portrait

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Before the Duchess was seen wearing white-collared frock, actress and Suits star Abigail Spencer, wore it to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding in May. She dressed up the number with a belt, rosette-covered fascinator, a blank handbag, and white-ankle strap heels.

Prince Harry Marries Ms. Meghan Markle - Windsor Castle

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Spencer isn't the only other star to step out in the dotted Alessandra Rich design. Supermodel Christie Brinkley wore the number in April, and made the look spring-appropriate, layering it under a camel trench coat.

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That same month, style icon Sarah Jessica Parker wore the dress under a dark printed coat, with an embellished belt and white pumps.

Celebrities Visit Broadway - April 18, 2018

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Even last fall, Star Wars star Daisy Ridley wore the dress with a belt and nude heeled sandals for her appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan.

After making its rounds on movie stars and models, the dress has finally reached the royal style circuit. Kate ditched the belt for her version of the frock and wore dangling earrings with her hair down in big curls for the family photoshoot.

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The new images were released in honor of the Prince of Wales' 70th birthday, which is on November 14. Other royals in the photos include Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and six-month-old Prince Louis.

Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.