Kate Middleton's favourite summer shoe style is perfect for heel lovers and flats fans - and they're perfect with breezy dresses
The Princess of Wales loves neutral slingbacks this time of year and her collection has stood the test of time
Comfortable sandals and flipflops are great for a heatwave but the Princess of Wales's go-to shoes right now are more elegant and work beautifully with summer dresses. Kate reaches for her slingbacks more anything else when it's sunny and she owns both flat and heeled versions.
Unlike court heels which can feel a bit formal for everyday wear, slingbacks are more understated and chic no matter the heel height. The Princess tends to wear hers during visits that are more smart-casual, like when she went to watch Prince William compete in the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026 on 10th July.
She styled a gingham midi dress with beige-pink Camilla Elphick slingbacks and added statement brown resin Sezane earrings for a modern touch. The frock made such a statement that neutral shoes were the perfect choice to balance things out.
Shop Slingback Flats
You can't go wrong with an affordable pair of chic flats and these slingbacks come in tan and black. They're made from soft suede and have a chisel toe which adds a contemporary edge. The elasticated strap helps to keep them secure.
You can get these classic slingback flats in a variety of different colours as well as slightly different styles. This design includes a gold-toned buckle on the strap and an anti-slip rubber outsole. The neutral white colour will go with pretty much any outfit.
Made from leather, these affordable black slingbacks are part of Next's Forever Comfort range. They've got a neat toe cap that gives them an extra luxurious feel and the slingback strap is elasticated.
Shop Slingback Heels
These slingbacks are great if you want some elevation without compromising on comfort. They come in several different hues and the tan suede ones would work for summer and autumn. Throw on with jeans and a shirt or with an elegant dress.
These timeless slingbacks from Dune are easy to style with so many different looks. Crafted from smooth leather, they have a refined pointed toe and mid-height block heel. The ankle stap is adjustable thanks to the dainty buckle.
These simple slingback shoes from Carvela feature a mid-height stiletto heel. The neat pointed toe creates a sleek profile, while the adjustable slingback strap ensures they're comfy and fitted. Kate has worn black slingbacks in the summer with a monochrome ensemble.
These Lucia heels are pointed and have a patent toecap for a touch of contrast. The buckle means the Princess of Wales could secure them as tightly or loosely as she liked for the sweltering weather and the angled heel was mid-height.
Kate also has these exact shoes in black and had worn them to visit Evelina's Children's Hospital just a few days before. On that occasion her entire outfit was monochrome and the black heels tied everything together. Her slingback collection is primarily either black or beige and her favourite flats feature both tones in one design.
At the polo in 2022, Kate styled Camilla Elphick toe cap slingbacks with a white and black sleeveless dress and a month later re-wore them with a white tailored suit. White seems to be her preferred colour to go with these flats as she wore this tone with them again in Italy in May.
The Princess also owns Gianvito Rossi beige suede slingback heels which have been her choice for Wimbledon a lot. If you're looking to add some sleek new shoes to your summer capsule wardrobe it makes sense to copy the Princess and stick to colours that are easy to incorporate into a range of outfits.
As she's proved, slingbacks look especially stunning with dresses and they are great if you want a leg-elongating effect too. Strappy sandals and heels can cut off your frame at a tricky point but since slingbacks fasten at the back you've essentially got the openness of a mule with extra security.
All of the future Queen's slingbacks have a buckle on the strap, though you can get designs with elasticated straps instead if you find that comfier.
Slingback flats like Kate's beige and black shoes are always going to be more relaxed than heels and yet they're a step up from most flat sandals or even ballet flats. Pointed or chisel toes enhance their elegance and heeled slingbacks are sleeker compared to court shoes or wedges.
The Princess of Wales is getting to wear all her different slingbacks during the hot weather and the black heels are her latest purchase. The others have been in her wardrobe for a long time so you know that Kate finds them comfortable, versatile and timeless.
