Princess Catherine hosted a tea party at Windsor Castle last week for people she met through the Three Peaks Challenge, wearing a new dark plum Burberry dress. The closest current style is the brand’s £1,790 Belted check wool dress in a dark, brown pelt, cut in a fit-and-flare silhouette.
The royal’s version appears to have been customised, with long sleeves and a matching fabric belt rather than the short sleeves and contrasting lambskin twist-lock belt seen on the off-the-rack design. It is the sort of quiet-luxury piece that does not shout for attention, but still manages to look expensive from across the room.
Burberry back in her wardrobe
Burberry is having a moment in Catherine’s wardrobe, with the Princess also spotted in one of the house’s chocolate-brown trenches on the Isle of Bute earlier this month. The dress is already showing signs of limited availability.
At £1,790, it is an investment, but the kind of piece that can move from smart daytime events to dinners, Christmas occasions and formal workwear without feeling tied to one trend. For those on a tighter budget, high-street alternatives capture the same rich plum tone, tailored waist and elegant midi shape for considerably less.
High-street alternatives
The Hobbs Aliza Jersey Dress is a softer, more relaxed alternative, swapping the defined waist and belt for fluid jersey and a flattering twist neckline. Available in sizes 6 to 22, it costs £99, reduced to £79.20. The Ghost Wendy Crepe Collared Midi Dress is another option, with a softly defined waist and collared shirt shape, available in sizes 8 to 20 for £149. The Jigsaw Stretch Crepe Godet Dress is the closest to Catherine’s streamlined silhouette, using seamwork through the waist and a softly flared godet skirt, available in sizes 6 to 18 for £199.
