Kate Middleton has worn Rodarte for the first time at a royal engagement linked to a cause that has become especially significant in recent years.

The Princess of Wales attended a reception at St James’s Palace marking the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also attended the event, which recognised the contributions of researchers, clinicians, volunteers and supporters to cancer research and treatment.

The occasion held added significance as both Kate and King Charles have publicly shared their experiences with cancer in recent years.

Photo – Instagram

For the engagement, Kate wore a red Rodarte midi dress featuring a heart print, structured shoulders and contrasting white detailing at the collar and cuffs. The appearance marked the first known occasion on which she has worn the American fashion label in a public royal capacity.

The choice attracted attention because Rodarte is not among the designers most frequently associated with the Princess of Wales. Throughout the years, Kate has often favoured British fashion houses for major public appearances, making this a notable addition to her wardrobe.

Photo – Instagram

She completed the look with coordinated red accessories, including a clutch and matching pumps, along with ruby and diamond jewellery. Several publications noted the jewellery’s symbolic associations with strength and resilience, themes linked to the event’s focus on cancer research and support.

While the outfit drew attention across fashion publications, the reception remained focused on the work of Cancer Research UK. The event highlighted the organisation’s contribution to cancer treatment, prevention and scientific research, while recognising the researchers, staff and volunteers involved in its work.

Photo – Instagram

The appearance also marked a rare introduction of a new designer into Kate’s public wardrobe. While the outfit generated discussion among royal style watchers, it also brought additional attention to an event dedicated to advancing cancer research and supporting those affected by the disease.

For Rodarte, the engagement represented its first known appearance in Kate’s public wardrobe. For the Princess of Wales, it was an appearance tied to an event whose significance extended well beyond fashion.

Kate Middleton spoke about the challenges of raising children during a visit to East London this week, where she launched a new initiative focused on early childhood development.
The Princess of Wales visited the University of East London to introduce Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development, a programme from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood aimed at improving support for young children’s emotional wellbeing. During discussions with families and educators, Kate spoke about the difficulty many parents face when trying to build reliable support systems.

Photo – Instagram

While speaking with a mother at the event, she acknowledged how difficult it can be to “find that village” while raising children, adding that creating support networks often requires “energy and effort”. Her comments were widely shared following the engagement.
The initiative is designed to make information on child development more accessible through schools, healthcare services and community organisations.
The visit also reflected Kate’s continuing focus on early childhood development in her public work. Since launching the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, she has focused on emotional wellbeing, parent-child relationships and the impact early experiences can have on long-term development.

Photo – Instagram

During the engagement, Kate met researchers, university staff, students and families involved in child development studies. She also observed sessions examining how children respond emotionally to different interactions with parents and caregivers, including research monitoring stress responses and brain activity in early learning environments.
A separate interaction during the visit was also widely shared online when a young child unexpectedly ran toward the Princess and hugged her. Kate smiled and gently guided the child before continuing the engagement.

Photo – Instagram

For the visit, Kate wore a camel-toned suit paired with jewellery featuring the initials of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Several fashion and royal publications noted the personal detail following the appearance.
The East London engagement comes as the Princess of Wales continues returning to public duties following her recovery from cancer treatment. Kensington Palace has also confirmed that she will travel to Italy next week for a visit connected to early childhood education research.

Princess Eugenie is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that the couple are preparing to welcome another baby later this year.

The announcement was made through an official palace statement, which revealed that the couple’s sons, August and Ernest, are excited to become older brothers. King Charles III has also been informed of the news.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Eugenie later shared the announcement on Instagram alongside a family photograph featuring the couple with their children and an ultrasound scan. The post was captioned: “Baby Brooksbank due 2026!”

The news comes more than a decade after Eugenie and Brooksbank first met during a ski trip in 2010. The couple became engaged in Nicaragua in 2018 before marrying later that year at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Their first son, August, was born in February 2021, while Ernest arrived in 2023. Both Eugenie and Brooksbank have continued working outside senior royal roles. Eugenie remains involved in the art world through her work with London gallery Hauser & Wirth, while Brooksbank has worked in branding and property development.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The announcement also comes amid continued public attention surrounding Prince Andrew and the wider York family. Despite the scrutiny, Eugenie has continued participating in charity initiatives, environmental campaigns and selected public engagements in recent years.

For the couple, the arrival of a third child marks another milestone in the family life they have built outside the structure of senior royal duties.