Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is known for her impeccable style. However, she once confessed to regretting her Christmas Day outfit choice in 2019 due to unseasonably warm weather. That year marked Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s debut at the annual Christmas Day walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate.
A Warm Christmas Day Leads to a Fashion Regret
On December 25, 2019, the then Duchess of Cambridge accompanied Prince William and their two eldest children, Prince George (6) and Princess Charlotte (4), to the traditional Christmas Day church service. The temperature that day reached an unseasonably warm 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Kate opted for a gray Catherine Walker coat with a faux fur collar, paired with forest green heels, a matching hat, and a clutch. While stylish, the outfit proved too warm for the mild weather. Kate confided in a royal fan, Rachel Anvil, saying, “I really shouldn’t have worn this.” The Princess of Wales admitted that the unexpected warmth made her uncomfortable in the heavy coat.
A Royal Encounter: Kate’s Down-to-Earth Conversation
Rachel’s mother, Karen Anvil, also witnessed the exchange. She described Kate as engaging in a genuine conversation with her daughter about clothes and the warm weather. Karen recounted to Metro, “Kate was talking to my daughter about clothes and how she was feeling too hot. I’m there talking to Charlotte about dolls and my daughter’s talking about fashion with Kate.”
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Karen emphasized the authenticity of the interaction, stating, “It wasn’t fake — it was a genuine discussion… It was like speaking to a friend.” This encounter highlighted Kate’s down-to-earth nature and her willingness to connect with the public.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte Charm the Crowd
The 2019 Christmas Day walk also showcased the charming personalities of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Charlotte, in a moment captured by cameras worldwide, performed a perfect curtsy for her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. Karen Anvil praised the children’s impeccable manners and their parents’ influence, telling Harper’s Bazaar, “You can tell they were raised well. They’re not stuffy, they’re not uptight… They’ve got fantastic parents. Their parents have been all about talking to the public and they are very empathetic.”
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Another woman who gifted Charlotte a doll shared her impressions with Sky News, describing the young princess as having “outstanding” manners while also being “cheeky.” She noted that George’s manners were equally “perfect.” Prince Louis, who was under two years old at the time, did not participate in the walk that year.
The Significance of the Royal Christmas Walk
The annual Christmas Day walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church is a cherished tradition for the Royal Family and the British public. It offers a glimpse into their family life and reinforces the connection between the monarchy and the people. Bethan Holt, fashion director at The Telegraph, highlighted the significance of Kate’s appearance, especially in light of health challenges she faced earlier that year.
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Holt told PEOPLE, “Seeing the royals on Christmas Day is synonymous with a really classic British Christmas… Just seeing those interactions as they walk, the cousins all together… there’s a real sense of them as a unit… It’s a glimpse into what they are like behind the scenes as a family. It’s a big moment for them in their year.” While Kate’s 2019 outfit choice might have been a personal regret, the day itself remains a memorable one for the Royal Family and the public alike.
