How Kate Middleton's Style Has Transformed Since Her Cancer Diagnosis

In March 2024, Kate Middleton shocked the world with the announcement that she'd been diagnosed with cancer. The confirmation came after months of speculation following the princess' subtle withdrawal from public life, and it led to an even larger microscope zooming in on her every move. Fans the world over released a collective sigh of relief when Kate announced that she was in remission in January 2025, but the clean bill of health was far from an indication that things would go back to how they were before. Speaking candidly with members of the public in June, Kate revealed that there were still struggles to face post-treatment, and it wasn't a case of getting "back to normal again" (via ABC News). While she's adjusting to a new normal, a process which she described as "life-changing" and "a roller coaster," the royal has appeared to update her wardrobe, perhaps as a way to honor the changes elsewhere in her life. 

Of all the areas of Kate's life that are scrutinized, her style is perhaps the most closely monitored by the public. Kicking off "the Kate effect" with every garment and accessory she wears, Kate is now associated with her signature working-royal style. Through her years in the royal family, we've come to expect a certain look: monochrome or muted, royal-favored patterns, crisp tailoring, and an evening-wear rotation shaped by the likes of Jenny Packham and Alexander McQueen. But since jumping back into her busy schedule as the patron of multiple charities, Kate has appeared to swap out her go-to silhouettes for an aesthetic that is decidedly more relaxed. 

Several outfits that she's worn in 2025 lean more toward elevated street style than a palace mood, notably through her unprecedented mixing of colors and patterns, the embracing of casual footwear, and accessories that verge on fashion-forward rather than royal-approved. Whatever is driving the change, it's undoubtedly the dawn of a new fashion era for the Princess of Wales. 

The pinstripe is a classic that every fashion-conscious person should embrace in their wardrobe, particularly those who resonate with "boss babe" energy. This timeless pattern evokes many things, but royalty isn't one of them. So, Kate Middleton stepping out in a layered stripe look while visiting Colchester Hospital's RHS Wellbeing Garden in July 2025 is a clear indication that her style is morphing before our eyes. For the visit, Kate wore a wheat-colored Blazé Milano blazer with white pinstripes thrown over a neutral Ralph Lauren Collection shirt with thicker stripes. Her cuffs were casually rolled up, though that may have been more to do with the fact that she participated in some gardening rather than her move toward laid-back energy. She paired the striped top and blazer with ankle-length cigarette pants in an ultra-trendy mocha shade, finishing everything off with a pair of her adored Veja white sneakers. 

With regards to the princess' evolving look, a few things stand out here. She's worn sneakers before, but the teaming up of different shades (and different stripe patterns) along with the loose fit of her cigarette pants speaks to a move away from the rigid uniformity of Kensington Palace. It's also the fourth time that she's worn that pinstripe blazer, so clearly Kate Middleton's love of sustainable fashion isn't going anywhere. But previously, she's worn it with safer solid-color basics, as is more in line with a quieter royal aesthetic.

Mocha Mousse is Pantone's 2025 Color of the year, and celebs of all ages have embraced it, including the Princess of Wales. While visiting Tobermory, Scotland in April 2025, with her husband William, Prince of Wales, Catherine went for brown tones in multiple parts of her look. She wore an oversized light-chocolate herringbone blazer by Holland Cooper over a pale-blue cotton shirt from Boden that could have passed for light-wash denim. Maintaining the chocolate theme, she teamed it with dark-brown Massimo Dutti skinny jeans (a favorite for the millennial princess). Again, we saw the relaxed, rolled-up cuffs and the first few buttons of her shirt undone in a casual vibe that perfectly matched William's tie-free look. Kate Middleton's brond hair color transformation is also one of 2025's biggest trends. 

Kate has previously embraced both neutrals and color, though her go-to shades have typically been either pastels or bold and saturated (but not trendy) hues. "I think her style has definitely evolved throughout the years from being kind of in university where she has this kind of ... horse-girl aesthetic, and then when she becomes a royal, it's just very chic and elevated and elegant in so many ways," Meg Bellamy, who played Kate in "The Crown," confirmed for Vogue. But in this new era of her life, she seems to be prioritizing trends and balancing en-vogue hues with their ideal pairings. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the princess' love of symbolism, meaning, and tributes in her wardrobe. The herringbone was likely a nod to Scotland, where she and William are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, but wearing this tweed pattern with trendy colors was perhaps Kate's way of harmonizing tradition and duty with her newfound sense of style. 

For their April 2025 visit to Scotland, William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, hit all the right style notes, bringing together tradition and a new fashion era. The pair visited the remote Isle of Mull as part of their tour, where Kate Middleton continued with the modern updates to her Scottish-inspired look. Once more, she opted for a traditional herringbone blazer from the Ralph Lauren Collection, this time in olive, wearing it with a cashmere V-neck sweater in a similar green hue. The sweater was by the Scottish label Johnstons of Elgin, while the frilled blouse was by Boden. 

Much of this look feels familiar: the synchronized palette, the tributes to Scotland while she's visiting as the Duchess of Rothesay, and even the skinny style of the G-Star cargo pants. Aside from being practical for strolling through the forest, the Chloé combat boots are also a throwback to pre-royal Kate Middleton style. But still, there are hints in this look of the new Kate peeking through. 

The frilled collar of the Boden blouse is perhaps the closest this ensemble comes to the formerly more sophisticated aesthetic Kate preferred. Past trips to Scotland show her in tailored tartan midi dresses, full-length tartan coats, belted cigarette pants with high-neck blouses and monochromatic accessories, royal-favored polka dots, and matching black pantsuits. While the princess has always been practical as the occasion calls for it, previously going for puffer jackets and casual caps for outdoor activities, this latest Isle of Mull look marries understated practicality, a nod to tradition, and style-led touches to pave a new way forward for Kate. 

One of our favorite elements of Kate Middleton's style transformation is her continual embracing of pinstripes. Back in February 2025, she braved the dreary London winter to visit the National Portrait Gallery, of which she's been a patron since 2012, in timeless black pinstripe slacks from Max Mara. The baggy fit, both at the hem and through the leg itself, marks the biggest departure from the princess' signature style, which typically favors perfectly cropped cigarette pants and — for more casual affairs — skinny silhouettes. She carried through the oversized energy to the Petar Petrov blazer, again in an on-trend brown shade, which she wore over a super-relaxed black turtleneck sweater. This might not be one of Kate Middleton's most regal looks, but it's a clear statement pointing toward her latest cool and understated energy.

Altogether, this ensemble is far less cohesive than her usual tightly plotted looks, where every inch of fabric and accessory seem carefully planned. But the look still tells a story: The pinstripes, for one, show that Kate is empowered — she launched a new initiative for The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood at the gallery — and certainly testing the waters beyond the pre-approved royal style sheet. The mocha blazer reveals an understanding of trending tones, while the baggy fit suggests an ongoing move away from the curated public-walkabout aesthetic and toward cool and chic street style. Finally, the comfy turtleneck could hint at Kate's embracing of quieter, more subdued silhouettes. Brought together, these elements prove that you can still own the room without a monochromatic coat dress and matching top-handle Mulberry bag.

Though she may be adopting street-style looks into her wardrobe more and more, Kate Middleton still hasn't completely moved away from her go-to pantsuit. She still loves a monochrome moment, but as part of her new fashion aesthetic, she's breaking up those matching palettes with casual basics more and more. In June 2025, she visited the V&A East Storehouse in London, once again going for a repeat outfit. Her blue Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen pantsuit was paired with a low-key white T-shirt. Back in December 2023, on a visit to Evelina London Children's Hospital, she wore the suit with a blue knit that was tonally just a heartbeat from the shade of the blazer and pants. Bringing in the white T-shirt was one way to make this 'fit summer-appropriate, but it also dismantled some of the formality in needing to have every piece of the puzzle match the assigned palette. For her V&A visit, she finished off the look with pointed Prada pumps, a hint that her footwear choices probably won't drastically change in the near future.

Again, for her Evelina London visit, she opted for the more royal sapphire and diamond earrings and necklace set. But along with the quiet white T-shirt for the V&A visit a year and a half later, Kate mixed in jewelry that leaned less elegant and more street style, including a Laura Lombardi chain necklace and the Carousel Jewels Stella Earrings. The subtle changes here seem like small details, but they perfectly sum up Kate's post-cancer style journey. Without throwing in the royal towel completely, she's moving toward a vibe that is more relaxed and trend-forward bit by bit.

For more about the Princess of Wales' fashion, here's how Kate Middleton has proven over and over again that pantsuits are the ultimate power outfit.