Why Kate Middleton has banned black from her wardrobe, except in one specific case
Within the British royal family, every sartorial detail follows precise rules. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, like Queen Consort Camilla and Princess Anne, must adhere to a strict colour code in her daily life. Among these rules, the ban on black outside of funeral ceremonies remains one of the least known to the general public.
Black: a colour reserved for mourning among the Windsors
For members of the British royal family, black is a colour reserved exclusively for funerals. As such, Kate Middleton, Camilla and Princess Anne have all banished the shade from their everyday wardrobes. This rule applies to all Windsors in their public appearances.
There is, however, one notable exception to this ban. Ceremonies such as Remembrance Sunday, which honours soldiers who died for their country, permit the wearing of black. Additionally, members of the royal family who hold military titles are required to wear their military uniform at funerals.
On 9 November 2025, Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton both wore the requisite black outfits at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London. This moment perfectly illustrates the one occasion on which black is fully accepted outside of a funeral context.
Since 1952, a black outfit has been mandatory in the royal luggage
Since 1952, the Windsors have been required to pack a black outfit whenever they travel. This tradition was established by Queen Elizabeth II following a deeply painful event.
“An appropriate outfit for the sad occasion was fortunately found at short notice, but the sovereign, shaken by the incident, decided to put a new rule in place to spare her descendants such difficulties.”
On 6 February 1952, while Elizabeth II was travelling in Kenya following an official visit to Australia, her father King George VI died in his sleep from a coronary thrombosis. His health had been notoriously fragile, yet no one had anticipated such a sudden death. The future sovereign had no black clothing in her luggage.
Deeply affected by the incident, Elizabeth II went on to impose this rule on all her descendants. As a result, every member of the royal family, wherever they may be in the world, now travels with a mourning outfit in their suitcase.
- Black is reserved for funerals and mourning ceremonies.
- Remembrance Sunday is the sole exception allowing black to be worn outside of a funeral setting.
- Members holding military titles wear their military uniform at funerals.
- Since 1952, a black outfit must be included in the luggage of every travelling Windsor.
- This rule was established by Queen Elizabeth II following the unexpected death of King George VI.
Kate Middleton and the royal dress code in everyday life
The royal dress code extends well beyond the colour black. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, must observe a comprehensive set of rules at every public appearance. These conventions govern not only the colours she wears but also the cut of her outfits and her choice of accessories.
The protocol thus shapes many aspects of life for heirs to the British Crown. Among these rules are also a ban on voting, signing autographs, and travelling together as a group. The dress code is therefore just one part of a far broader set of constraints.
In 2026, at Royal Ascot, Kate Middleton and Princess Anne once again honoured the dress code in the royal enclosure. These appearances serve as a reminder of just how carefully considered every royal outfit truly is.
Rules that apply on the road too
The rule requiring a black outfit in one’s luggage applies to all Windsors, including the Princess of Wales. Consequently, Kate Middleton always travels with a mourning outfit, regardless of the nature of her official engagements. This precaution, born out of a family tragedy, has become an inescapable norm.
Moreover, this rule illustrates how a personal event can permanently reshape the protocol of an institution. The death of King George VI has left a lasting and very tangible mark on the wardrobe habits of an entire royal lineage.
Lady Diana and the “revenge dress”: when black becomes an act of rebellion
On 29 June 1994, Lady Diana arrived at the Serpentine Gallery in London wearing an outfit that would go down in history. Separated from the future Charles III, who had just publicly admitted to his infidelity, the mother of Princes William and Harry chose a strikingly elegant black dress. Yet this choice represented a double act of defiance against protocol.
First, the dress was deemed too revealing, with its bare shoulders, fitted silhouette, short skirt and low neckline. Second, its black colour took on the air of a deliberate act of rebellion, as Princess Diana was perfectly well aware of the conventions in place. This double provocation went down in history as the “revenge dress”.
Today, the outfit has become a true cultural landmark. It serves as a reminder that royal protocol, however strict, can sometimes be wielded as a tool of personal expression. Seen in this light, Kate Middleton‘s consistent adherence to the dress code over the years takes on an even more significant dimension.
