The Crown’s Princess in Waiting: Kate Middleton’s Early Royal Style Recreated
“The Crown” has dazzled viewers with its depictions of glamor, from the regal elegance of the young Queen Elizabeth touring the Commonwealth, to the jet-set chic of Princess Margaret and Princess Diana’s parade of iconic looks. But with sixth and final season spanning the late ’90s and early 2000s — a period that coincides with the deaths of Diana (played in this season by Elizabeth Debicki), Margaret (Leslie Manville), and Mary, the Queen Mother — the show’s Emmy-winning costume department has readjusted its focus, as the old guard gives way to the new generation of royals.
Meg Bellamy may be the breakout star of The Crown’s final season, stepping into the sensible sneakers of none other than Kate Middleton, the now-Princess of Wales. Though the Netflix drama concludes before Kate and Prince William tie the knot, her early royal style still plays a pivotal role. Fans get a glimpse at the beginnings of her fashionable reign through recreated versions of the princess’ real-life looks from her university days and early romance with William.
“Catherine Middleton in uni didn’t have perfectly coiffed curls, and wasn’t stepping out for sex appeal,” notes royal expert Christine Ross. “The narrative has always been that William noticed Kate as ‘more than a friend’ at this fashion show, but the historical photos show a young woman confidently having fun with her friends.”
While the costumes aim to capture the overall era more than Kate’s exact outfits, there are a few standouts. Audiences see Bellamy strut down the runway in a sheer, sleek recreation of the now-iconic dress Kate allegedly wore to catch William’s eye. The teen princess-in-waiting pairs the racy frock with tousled locks and artfully smudged eyeliner.
Costume designer Sidonie Roberts even managed to dig up some of Kate’s genuine pieces online to incorporate. “I just put into eBay ‘Kate Middleton,’ and there were original things she was seen in,” Roberts told Town & Country. “I’m not saying we did that for everything, but there are moments in it where she is wearing stuff that actually Kate did [in real life].”
Beyond the see-through showstopper, Bellamy wears other Kate classics, like her Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel riding boots. The $695 equestrian-inspired shoes have been a staple in the princess’ closet since her 2004 public debut at Blenheim Palace. She continues to wear the same trusted pair nearly 20 years later.
“We feel so lucky that HRH Catherine is a loyal customer of ours, and a wonderful ambassador for the brand,” Chilvers tells Harper’s Bazaar. “I admire the princess for promoting ‘not new’ by wearing the same Long Tassel Boots all these years.” The designer notes that the boots were carefully crafted “to last, no corners cut.”
Between basics like tanks and jeans to dressier pieces like chiffon party frocks, The Crown captures Middleton’s effortless early aughts aesthetic. The unfussy hair, minimal makeup and sporty style paint an authentic picture of an average college girl, relatable to audiences.
“You have to acknowledge how accurately they portrayed Catherine’s early style because it was so important to season 6,” points out royal commentator Kinsey Schofield. “She dressed modestly, a drop-everything-and-go sporty girl. Her effortless hair and makeup paired with her simple style was very relatable to everyone back then. We could all see ourselves in Kate.”
The final season of The Crown may conclude before William gets down on one knee, but we get more than a glimpse of the princess-in-waiting’s chic and charming style origins.
