Kate Middleton’s Latest Tiara Wear Wasn’t What Anyone Expected

The Princess of Wales sported an unexpected accessory while meeting up with the English women’s rugby team

Kate Middleton.Credit : 

Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram; AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty

Kate Middleton has sported a tiara and a cowboy hat before — but usually not at the same time.

The Princess of Wales, 43, shared her well-wishes for England amid the final of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup over the weekend as patron of the Rugby Football Union, which governs the game in England.

Accompanying her note, Kate shared a never-before-seen photo from Sept. 6 when she visited with the team, in which she wore an unexpected accessory: a red cowboy hat with a bedazzled brim and a tiara adornment.

Princess Kate smiled widely for the behind-the-scenes snap alongside rugby team members, two of whom wore similar cowboy hats featuring their red rose symbol.

Kate Middleton with English women’s rugby team members.Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

The Princess of Wales’ costume tiara came just a few days before she wore the real deal for the state banquet held in honor of President Donald Trump’s U.K. state visit. The Windsor Castle gala saw Kate go full glam in a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown. She topped her look with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, which is her most frequently worn tiara.

Meanwhile, her cowboy hat look was a reminder of when she donned a similar look at the Calgary Stampede Parade in Canada. The event was part of Kate and Prince William’s 2011 royal tour, which took place just months after their royal wedding.

Kate Middleton visits the Calgary Stampede Parade in Canada on July 8, 2011.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Both William and Kate sported white cowboy hats for the rodeo outing.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton visit the Calgary Stampede Parade in Canada on July 8, 2011.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Princess Kate’s locker room photo was taken after she watched the Red Roses win their Sept. 6 game. In a video shared to X, she addressed the team by saying, “What an amazing game, well done everybody. It was a bit nerve-racking, I’m not going to lie, to start off,” making them laugh. “But no, incredible.”

“I would have loved to have been here during the half-time chat, whatever the half-time chat was about,” she added. “You did brilliantly, so fantastic. Amazing to have the crowds that you’ve had. You must really feel the energy from everybody, so hope you’ve felt the support.”

On Saturday, England beat Canada at Twickenham Stadium in London in the championship game, making them the Rugby World Cup winners.