Kate Middleton's Best BAFTA Style: All About the Gowns and Glittering Jewels

Kate Middleton made her BAFTAs debut as the Princess of Wales this weekend — see all of her awards show looks

01 of 07

Red Carpet Return

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales, attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023 in London, England. The Prince of Wales, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and The Princess will attend the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the BAFTAs 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate Middleton had quite the glamorous night! Princess Kate, 41, attended the BAFTA Film Awards alongside her husband Prince William on Sunday evening, making their event debut as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The outing marked a red carpet return for the royal couple, who were back at the BAFTAs for the first time in three years — where Kate's look was a style surprise!

02 of 07

So Nice, She Wore It Twice

Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 at The Royal Festival Hall
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The royal re-wore the white Alexander McQueen gown she attended the ceremony in in 2019, restyling the asymmetric neckline's corsage-style embellishment on left shoulder to a regal sweep of white chiffon. Kate embraced bold accessories for the dress' second spin, making a statement in oversized rose gold floral earrings from Zara and full-length black velvet opera gloves.

"Opera gloves are transformative; they have enormous leverage," Genevieve James, creative director at royal glove supplier Cornelia James, tells PEOPLE. "They turn any event into an occasion and a dress into a statement."

03 of 07

The Original Royal Rewear

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the BAFTAs 2020. Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate was glowing in white and gold at the BAFTAs in 2020, her first BAFTA fashion repeat. To heed the evening's sustainable dress code, the royal re-wore a glittering Alexander McQueen number she first sported for a state dinner in Malaysia in 2012.

Kate completed the look with earrings and a necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels (worth over $15,000), plus gold Jimmy Choo heels.

04 of 07

Bright in White

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive to attend the EE British Academy Film Awards at Royal Albert Hall on February 10, 2019 in London, England.
Tim Ireland - WPA Pool/Getty

The then-Duchess of Cambridge again turned to Alexander McQueen (the label behind her wedding gown) for the BAFTAs in 2019, pairing the white number with an updo and white clutch.

Accessorizing with gems straight from the royal vault, Kate wore Princess Diana's South Sea Pearl Earrings and Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Quatrefoil Bracelet. In a move Cinderella would approve of, she slipped into sparkling silver heels.

05 of 07

Maternity Moment

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)
Kate Middleton and Prince William at BAFTAs 2018. Karwai Tang/WireImage

Kate was seven months pregnant with Prince Louis when she attended the BAFTAs in 2018, memorably wearing green despite guidance from the Time's Up initiative to wear black. The campaign demanded an end to the harassment, assault, and mistreatment of women, and the color scheme created a visual stance.

While stars like Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong'o and Margot Robbie all matched in black, Kate did not, as members of the royal family traditionally avoid voicing political opinions.

Instead, the Duchess of Cambridge reached for a deep green cap-sleeved ensemble by Jenny Packham. Her baby bump was accentuated by a black sash below the bust, and she accessorized with a suite of enviable emerald jewelry, plus black Prada heels with a coordinating clutch.

06 of 07

Team McQueen

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive to attend the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall
Kate Middleton and Prince William at BAFTAs 2017. DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

Another BAFTA carpet, another McQueen creation! The Duchess of Cambridge was all smiles while attending the awards show for the first time in 2017. She opted for a bespoke, black, floral Alexander McQueen gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, fitted bodice and full, tiered skirt.

Kate wore her hair swept into an updo, keeping the attention on her chandelier pear-shaped earrings.

07 of 07

Before the BAFTAs

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023 in London, England. The Prince of Wales, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and The Princess will attend the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton. Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty

Practicing for the BAFTAs, perhaps? The newly-minted Duchess of Cambridge shined in lilac at a reception for the British film and television academy in Los Angeles in July 2011, three months after her royal wedding to Prince William.

Setting precedent for the years to come, the ethereal cap sleeve gown cinched with a glittering belt was designed by — you guessed it — Alexander McQueen.

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