Kate Middleton Combined Three Fall Fashion Trends in One Stylish Dress

Kate Middleton is known for a classic style that rarely needs to be flashy to stand out. Instead of chasing fleeting trends, the Princess of Wales usually opts for timeless cuts, elegant colors, and the kind of pieces that will still work years later. She proves that a traditional outfit doesn’t have to look dated. In fact, one of her latest looks combined three of the biggest trends for fall 2026.

On September 8, 2026, Princess Catherine and Prince William accompanied their eldest son, George, to his first day of school at Eton College. For the 13-year-old, this marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life and, at the same time, a family tradition: Prince William also attended the British boarding school; he was accompanied by Princess Diana on his first day back in 1995.

For the special occasion, Kate Middleton chose a forest green dress by Emilia Wickstead, one of the royal’s favorite designers. The Princess of Wales paired the piece with dark-brown pumps by Gianvito Rossi and gold jewelry, which included a chunky link chain by Laura Lombardi and earrings by Cartier.

Incidentally, the dress isn’t a new purchase. Princess Catherine previously wore the design in 2022 during a trip to Boston. This is yet another example of how a special look doesn’t automatically require a new piece—and just how timeless the royal’s style is. And how could it be any other way?

Ironically, even though it is not a new piece, the princess’s look provides plenty of inspiration for the new season ahead. After all, the dress combines three fashion trends in one.

First, there’s the color: forest green. The fall-winter 2026–2027 season is characterized by numerous earth tones, which means this deep shade of green is now very much in fashion.

Secondly, Princess Catherine also gets the length absolutely right. She opts—as she so often does—for a length that falls between a midi and a maxi. The hem ends just above the ankles, giving it an elegant look without being too formal. It’s a cut the princess has regularly relied on for quite some time now, and one that’s ideal for the transition between seasons. Dresses and skirts with this hemline work just as well with pumps or ballerina heels as they do with knee-high boots.

The third trend lies in the overall aesthetic of the look. After several seasons of casual, oversized silhouettes, ladylike chic is making a comeback. Accentuated waists, feminine necklines, and flowing skirts create a deliberately polished and elegant vibe that you’ll be seeing everywhere in fall 2026. Princess Catherine’s dress has all these elements—proving, once again, that her signature classic style is more on trend now than it’s ever been.

Feeling inspired by Kate Middleton’s style? Us too. Here’s a similar look we shopped out, below.

A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Germany.