he Princess of Wales has a dress for every occasion and a wardrobe brimming full of beautiful styles that never go out of date. As temperatures around the UK soar, we’re taking a look back at Princess Kate’s warm weather choices from the past.

This gem from 2012 is a long-forgotten number that we would add to our 2026 heatwave wardrobe, and it’s a style Kate likely wouldn’t wear today. Kate, 44, was spotted during her and Prince William‘s 2012 Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East, enjoying a visit to Governor General Frank Kabui’s house in Honiara, Guadalcanal Island.

Kate’s beautiful sundress featured a strapless neckline (a rare sartorial choice for the princess) and a tiered silhouette. On this rare occasion, the royal also rocked print as her dress was covered in a pink floral design. She wore traditional island dress, but she chose to wear the unexpected neckline.

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For accessories, the royal, who married her prince just the year before, popped on a pair of heeled wedges and wore her long brunette locks in long waves. Kate rounded off her look with a pair of drop earrings and her go-to makeup look of 2012 – a black eyeliner blended across her top lash line.

Kate’s Far East tour wardrobe

Elsewhere during the tour, the royal swapped her daring strapless dress for a heatwave-ready above-the-knee number.

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The royal was photographed walking barefoot as she arrived on Tuvanipupu Island in the Solomon Islands. The navy A-line number featured a crew neckline and was belted at the waist.

Kate’s sunny yellow dress was also a memorable sartorial moment from the 2012 royal tour, offering inspiration for our summer wardrobes today.

During a visit to the Commonwealth Youth Programme in Honiara, the then-Duchess of Cambridge rocked another classic A-line piece, this time opting for a pair of nude platform heels.

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Kate’s shoulder-baring dresses

Though Kate hasn’t worn a totally strapless dress since 2012, she did wear a lovely shoulder-baring style to attend the late Queen’s birthday party at the British Ambassadorial Residence during her and William’s official visit to Poland and Germany in 2017.

The Alexander McQueen number featured an elasticated waistline, as well as puffed sleeves, and was styled with a pair of Prada heels with squiggly straps. Kate also bared her shoulders in 2022 when she and William headed to Boston for the Earthshot Prize ceremony. The green Solace number was brought to life with Princess Diana’s diamond and emerald choker.

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The Princess of Wales’ former right-hand woman, Natasha Archer, stepped down as her personal assistant and stylist last year. When launching her new business in April 2026, she shared an insight into the work she did with Kate over the years.

Natasha aims to “provide discreet, thoughtful guidance across wardrobe, personal presentation and creative direction, helping individuals and families present themselves with confidence and complete assurance.” She offers her clients “a discreet, trusted presence offering perspective, judgement and quiet guidance across both everyday life and more significant moments.”

It’s plain to see how closely personal styling and personal guidance were intertwined during her time working alongside the Princess of Wales. Acting more like a mentor and life coach than a stylist, Natasha was instrumental in shaping the royal into the global style icon she is today, synonymous with poise, grace and elegance.