The Meaning Behind Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton’s Wimbledon Dresses
The Princess of Wales made her second public appearance since revealing her cancer diagnosis wearing a favorite designer among royal women

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, Pippa Middleton, Wimbledon 2024
Kate Middleton (left) and Pippa Middleton at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.

Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton looked stylish at their joint Wimbledon appearance, but there was a deeper meaning behind both of their outfit choices.

The Princess of Wales popped in purple for her rare public appearance at Wimbledon on July 14, where she made just her second outing since revealing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Princess Kate, 42, is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and the regal hue of her ensemble paid tribute to her role.

Since she took over the patronage from Queen Elizabeth in 2016, Kate has accessorized her Wimbledon outfits with a bow tie pin representing her role. The pin features the club’s official colors, purple and dark green, perhaps inspiring her to pick the shade for the gentlemen’s singles final. Kate has also adopted the late Queen’s practice of wearing bright, vibrant colors so she could easily be spotted in a crowd.

Catherine Princess of Wales court-side of Centre Court during the men’s final on day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England
Kate Middleton at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.

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Princess Kate stepped out at Wimbledon three times in 2023, wearing green (the club’s other color) for every appearance. But over the years, Kate has opted for a rainbow of different colors at the tennis tournament, from bold yellow to blue polka dots to baby pink.

Kate’s purple dress is by Safiyaa, a brand the Princess of Wales previously wore at the Royal Variety Performance in November 2023. She sported a fitted teal gown with a crystal-embellished neckline and floor-length split sleeves that created a cape effect for the event. The London-based label has also been worn by Meghan Markle and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte attending day fourteen of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, ahead of Kate presenting the trophy to the winner of the men’s final. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024. 7
Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton attend Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.

Pippa, 40, joined her big sister and niece, Princess Charlotte, in the front row of the Royal Box at Centre Court, proudly looking at Princess Kate as she received a standing ovation from the crowd gathered at Centre Court.

Pippa sported a pink floral dress that was already in her closet. She previously wore the garment by Beulah for another occasion to support another family member: her brother, James Middleton, at his 2021 wedding to Alizee Thevenet.

Kate’s family, including her parents and siblings, have been a strong support for her amid her cancer treatment. After his eldest sister’s health announcement, James shared a throwback photo of them on Instagram with the note, “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”

Pippa Middleton, Catherine Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte in the Royal Box on Centre Court Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Day 14, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, UK

Princess Charlotte, 9, had her own fashion moment at the Wimbledon championships, sporting a mini version of a blue polka dot dress that could have been pulled out of her mom’s closet. Princess Kate has previously stepped out in nearly identical prints, including her Alessandra Rich dress that she wore to Wimbledon in 2022!

Charlotte, who made her debut at the tennis tournament last year, wore her hair in her go-to style: two mini braids tied back with a bow while the rest of her hair hung loose. The young princess has worn her hair in a similar way for Christmas outings with the royal family and Trooping the Colour.

More recently, she sported a boho version of the style — two braids minus the bow — for the Taylor Swift concert in London on June 21.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Patron of The AELTC waves from the Royal Box as she is applauded ahead of the Gentlemen’s Singles Final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England.
Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.

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Just like last year, Princess Charlotte also made a style statement in sunglasses. During the match, she was spotted in pink shades by Ray Ban Kids.
Princess Charlotte of Wales court-side of Centre Court during the men’s final on day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England
Princess Charlotte at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.

The Wimbledon day marks Princess Kate’s second outing since sharing her cancer news. On June 15, she made her first public appearance with the royal family since Christmas for Trooping the Colour, King Charles’ annual birthday celebration.

However, palace aides emphasized that her outing did not signal a return to public life. No date is set for when she will return to work full-time, and any outings in the near future will be based on when she feels able and under the guidance of her medical team.

It’s likely that the members of the royal family will largely retreat from the spotlight in the coming months, as they traditionally spend their summer months out of the public eye. Some of that break may be spent on vacation at one of their favorite destinations, including Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where King Charles and the British royals gather each August.

Catherine Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England.
Kate Middleton attends Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.