Kate Middleton’s 5 riskiest thigh-split dresses that bent royal rules

Just one year after joining the royal family, the Princess had retained her more rebellious style, which she showed off at a dinner hosted by The Thirty Club. Kate was pictured arm-in-arm with Prince William, wearing a cream Roland Mouret gown, upping the ante of her demure neckline and long sleeves with an Angelina-style split that revealed her sparkly Jimmy Choo heels.

In 2016, the royal looked ethereal in white as she attended the UK premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob. The lace gown by Self Portrait featured long sleeves and a daring hemline that was split to her thigh, which showcased her rich, burgundy heels from Gianvito Rossi.

During the royal tour of Bhutan during the same year, William and Kate opted for colour-drenched looks as they attended a private dinner with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. Kate opted for a heavily embroidered mesh column dress from American designer Tory Burch, complete with bright orange and white beading that alluded to the country’s flag. While Kate often embraces bright colour, she rarely opts for a keyhole neckline and two leg splits running up either side of the skirt.

Princess Kate proved the time of day doesn’t dictate your fashion rules. She opted for evening glamour when she visited the ‘D-Day: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion’ exhibition in 2019 in a navy and white polka dot dress from Alessandra Rich with a contrasting white colour, statement buttons and leg-baring button-up skirt.

Kate teased some skin with her Suzannah London tea dress as she visited the Anna Freud Centre for Mental Health Awareness Week in 2023. The emerald green Italian silk design featured a belted waist, cropped sleeves and a front leg split.