Autumn mornings seem to
have a pattern of their own, woven in crossing lines of green and
navy. Every October, tartan returns like an old friend wrapped in
wool, and this year the Princess of Wales became
its most elegant ambassador.
On October 9, she and Prince William landed in Belfast for an unannounced visit, their seventh to Northern Ireland. The day focused on homelessness prevention, with a stop at The Commons, a former church reborn as a community center.
For the occasion, Kate Middleton wove a Celtic knot braid into her half-updo. The looped design, a symbol of eternity, offered a graceful nod to Irish heritage. Yet all eyes soon drifted lower, toward a sweeping cascade of green tartan that moved with every step.
Pleats Meet Ruffles
Her pleated
Kensie skirt by Emilia Wickstead mixes
military green tartan with navy and white lines. A white ruffled
blouse by Knatchbull added a romantic touch, while
a long belted coat kept the silhouette sharp. A green
Mulberry Amberley satchel completed the
look.
A Royal Love Story With Plaid
Plaid and the royals go way back.
In the 1850s, Prince Albert designed the
Balmoral tartan, still reserved for royals with
the monarch’s permission. Tartan is said to be Kate’s most-worn
print after polka dots. In 2012, she even played field hockey in an
Alexander McQueen tartan coat dress.
From the Runway to Your Closet
On the pre-fall 2026 runways,
Etro paired tartan suits with pleated skirts. At the office, try a
tartan maxi with a white shirt and knee-high boots. On weekends, a
cable knit feels just right. However you style it, tartan carries a
little piece of the Highlands into every autumn day.
