Kate Middleton vs Carole Middleton - their citrus yellow and blush Royal Ascot outfits seem different but they use the same chic style tricks
When you want to elevate a summer outfit look no further than this regal duo for inspiration
The Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton both put their best fashion foot forward as they attended 2026 Royal Ascot's second day. This was a big moment for Kate, who hasn't been to the races since 2023, and she travelled with Prince William in the carriage procession.
Even from a distance, her outfit was instantly recognisable as she re-wore her zesty citrus-yellow Roksanda dress. This vibrant ensemble couldn't have been more different from Carole's Ascot outfit, which was the most delicate blush-pink colour.
However, mother and daughter have a similar timeless approach to styling. Carole and Kate used the same clever tricks to enhance the elegance of their outfits and these are worth recreating with your summer capsule wardrobe staples.
Recreate Kate And Carole's Outfits
Also available in a fun cobalt blue, this satin clutch is sure to add some extra glamour to your summer occasionwear outfits. The sheen of the material catches the light beautifully and it's got pleats and a detachable strap.
You can get another 20% off this sunshine yellow dress with the code KMEXTRA20 and it's the perfect piece for summer weddings and events. The asymmetric fold around the neckline adds detail and the panelling creates a beautiful, flowing silhouette.
You can't really go wrong with a pair of neutral heels and these court shoes are affordable and classic. The toes are pointed and the stiletto heel is mid-height. There's a cushioned insole for comfort and a V-cut vamp.
Carole's luxurious slingbacks are an investment but are incredibly timeless and easy to style. They're crafted from pale pink suede and have pointed toes and a flattering low block heel. The strap is adjustable and has a covered buckle.
This refined midi dress is vintage-inspired and has an elegant collared neckline. The covered buttons add to the sophisticated feel and the skirt is bias-cut. Delicate pintucks and a covered buckle belt accentuate the waist and the puff sleeves are chic.
Emmy London is a royal favourite brand and Carole's bag is the Mabel design in the misty rose colourway. It's as practical as it is stylish, with plenty of room for your essentials and a detachable shoulder strap. It's crafted from soft grained leather.
The Princess of Wales has worn her bright yellow midi dress several times before, including to Wimbledon in 2022. It has a distinctive bow detail on one shoulder that adds a feminine flourish and subtle gathering on the bodice. Aside from this it's very timeless and has a fitted bodice, short sleeves and long, flowy skirt.
"The Princess of Wales picked the perfect colour for people to pick her out," says woman&home's Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "Even though it's a dress she's worn several times before, this yellow shade feels like an unexpected colour and she perfectly offset it with a matching hat and neutral accessories. We've all been loving butter yellow for a while, but we'll be leaning into bolder hues from now on."
The future Queen wore a matching yellow hat with netting decoration on the top. Carole also wore a bold hat that matched her dress, which was the same collared design she'd worn previously to Pippa Middleton's wedding.
Both women love getting maximum use out of their favourite frocks, switching up the accessories each time to make them feel refreshed. This is something we could probably all do more often to get wear out of our summer wedding guest dresses.
The high level of coordination is also classic Carole and Kate. It's such a simple tip to follow and makes a lot of difference. Every single part of Carole Middleton's outfit was the same shade of pink, right down to her Emmy London block heel slingbacks and her top handle bag.
The Princess did a pared-back amount of colour matching with her hat and dress and her accessories were neutral. Kate carried an Anya Hindmarch white satin clutch and wore her trusty beige suede Gianvito Rossi heels.
When you're styling a bold colour like yellow, I think it's easiest to go more minimal with the rest of your look. Perhaps introducing some tiny accents of yellow on your bag or even through your jewellery would be enough.
With a more delicate colour like blush you can embrace this approach bit more, like Carole did. Matching shades makes every part of your outfit feel intentionally chosen and this creates a sophisticated, polished feel even if the actual items are quite casual.
Both women also opted for suede heels and the soft texture complements summer dresses a bit better than smooth leather which can look a bit stark and severe next to pretty florals and floaty fabrics. Suede sandals, trainers or ballet flats would work just as well if you're not a fan of heels.
