Kate Middleton Brings Back a Past Look for Striking Remembrance Sunday Appearance

The Princess of Wales is known for adding a new ruffle or detail to spruce up her favorite past looks

Kate Middleton continued one of her go-to looks as she stepped out with the royal family for the Remembrance Sunday service on Nov. 9.

As King Charles, Prince William and Prince Edward laid wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial on Whitehall in London, Kate, Queen Camilla and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, watched on from a nearby balcony.

As is tradition, all the women were dressed in black ensembles to mark the somber occasion, which commemorates members of the military from Britain and the Commonwealth who have died in battle.

Kate, 43, wore an asymmetrical black coat by one of her favored designers, Catherine Walker, with a traditional red poppy pin and a matching hat. The coat was actually one that the Princess of Wales wore to a past Remembrance Day service, back in 2022.

Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on Nov. 13, 2022.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

As is her style, Kate gave the look an update for its second wear. She paired the coat with a blouse or dress that featured a higher, pie crust collar underneath and added a black lace jabot at the neckline.

She also wore pearl drop earrings on both occasions, as pearls are a royal tradition for occasions of mourning and remembrance. This year, Kate wore the Bahrain pearl drop earrings, which were made from pearls gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth and also previously worn by Princess Diana.

Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Nov. 9, 2025.Alastair Grant – WPA Pool/Getty

Some royal observers also noted that Kate’s poppy pin differed from the Queen’s. In previous years, she has worn three poppies, but this year the Princess of Wales opted for a single, special piece. Her poppy was handcrafted by Izzy Ager of Lock & Co., a recent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework, using silk, glass and other natural materials. All proceeds from the piece are donated to The Poppy Appeal.

The Prince and Princess of Wales’ social media account shared photos of Kate and William — whose military dress uniform featured a new cap badge with the Tudor crown — and a message in recognition of the holiday.

It read, “On Remembrance Sunday, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of all who have served – and continue to serve – in defence of our freedoms. We remember them, today and always.”

Kate’s habit of upcycling and rewearing past favorite outfits is, by now, practically a sartorial calling card. She’s frequently been known to add a statement bow to jackets and dresses in order to give them a completely new look.

In November 2024, PEOPLE spoke with Bethan Holt, fashion director at the Telegraph, about the princess’s habit, which may raise eyebrows with critics.

Kate Middleton during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London on Nov. 9, 2025.Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP

“I think she is trying a more sustainable way of dressing. She already has a vast and extensive wardrobe, so why shouldn’t she be looking for ways to take existing pieces and re-imagine them?” said Holt, who is also the author of The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style. “A bow is a very democratic, universal way to do that.”

Holt also pointed out that the practice ties in with William’s mission of global conservation. The Prince of Wales just returned from Rio for his 2025 Earthshot Prize and, in the past, has “really made a big point” of wearing sustainable clothes during the event.

“This is a really relatable way of sending the same message, ie: wear what you already own and add one small thing to transform the look,” she said. “I think [Kate] recognizes she has lots of beautiful pieces already in her wardrobe, which, with a few small tweaks, can look entirely new.”