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HERE COMES THE SUN

Princess Kate Channels Queen Elizabeth at Her First Royal Ascot in Years

It was her first appearance at the annual event since her cancer diagnosis.

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

PublishedJun 17, 2026, 2:28 PM EDT

UpdatedJun 17, 2026, 3:38 PM EDT

Updated Jun 17, 2026, 3:38 PM EDTPublished Jun 17, 2026, 2:28 PM EDT

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Kate Middleton made a triumphant return to Royal Ascot in a dress and jewelry that nodded to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

On Wednesday, Princess Kate, 44, and her husband, Prince William, 43, attended the second day of the five-day horse race at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England.

The couple arrived in style in a horse and carriage as part of the daily opening event, the Royal Procession. William and Kate’s transport followed that of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Kate wore a bright yellow A-line Roksanda dress, which was custom-made for her by the Serbian-born, London-based designer. The frock featured a light, flowy hem, structured shoulders, and an asymmetrical shoulder detail.

Middleton paired the look with a yellow Jane Taylor saucer hat that included a net detail.

With a moderate neckline, short sleeves, and a hem reaching her ankles, her outfit perfectly aligned with the morning dress attire of the Royal Enclosure.

The distinguished invite-only viewing area has a strict dress code that differs from the other sections at the event.

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For example, women who follow the race from the Royal Enclosure are not allowed to wear fascinators but must wear a hat.

Other spectators, however, can acceptably wear fascinators. (We’re partial to the batty design Kelly Osbourne wore for her late father, Ozzy Osbourne, on Day 1 of Royal Ascot.)

Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared to nod to Queen Elizabeth II with her mood-boosting outfit.

The late Queen, an avid racing enthusiast, often wore yellow at Royal Ascot.

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The beloved royal was spotted in head-to-toe lemon yellow at the event as early as 1985. Decades later, her affinity for monochromatic looks in the sunny shade cropped up at the 2017 and 2018 races.

Queen Elizabeth II last attended the event in 2021, before her death in 2022.

It was not only the color of Middleton’s dress that honored the late queen, but also her choice of accessories.

On her wrist, Kate wore a layered pearl-and-diamond bracelet that Prince William inherited from his mother, Princess Diana, after her death.

The precious adornment, worn often by Diana, was designed by British jeweler Nigel Milne.

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The most notable accessory, however, was her pair of delicate diamond chandelier earrings. The pieces reportedly belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess of Wales finished her outfit with classic beige suede heels by Italian designer Gianvito Rossi.

She last attended Royal Ascot, the historic event which began in 1711 under Queen Anne, in 2023.

That year, she wore a bright red long-sleeved Alexander McQueen dress with a V-neckline and paired it with a floral Philip Treacy hat.

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In 2024 and 2025, Prince William attended the event solo amid Middleton’s cancer treatment. She is now in remission.

Princess Kate is known for making multiple appearances in the dresses she favors, and Wednesday’s yellow dress was no exception.

Middleton first wore the dress on a royal tour in Jamaica in March 2022.

In July of the same year, she attended Wimbledon wearing the colorful piece.

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Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

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