Kate Middleton's heritage tartan coat and knee-high boots are a cosy combination that Duchess Sophie just brought to mind
As soon as I saw pictures of the Duchess of Edinburgh playing hockey, it made me think of this elegant look from 2012
Just two days after attending the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance alongside the other senior royals, the Duchess of Edinburgh swapped grey London for the Bangladesh sunshine. Part of her schedule for Day 1 was a visit to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, where she heard more about how sport can create opportunities for young people.
Sophie also picked up a hockey stick herself and the pictures reminded me so much of the Princess of Wales at St Andrews School in 2012. Whilst the Duchess played hockey in the heat, Kate showed off her hockey prowess wearing a war more wintery combination of heeled knee-high boots and a deep blue and green tartan coat.
Shop the Princess of Wales's Style
This Zara coat has a lapel collar, long sleeves and shoulder pads which bring extra structure. There are practical front welt pockets, a vent at the back and a double-breasted button fastening. If you love the heritage trend of the moment, then this is a timeless way to wear it.
This luxurious tweed coat is discounted right now and it's made from 100% pure new wool for a breathable finish. The interior is lined and the buttoned cuff straps are a functionable and fashionable addition. The raglan sleeves create a flattering shoulder line whilst allowing for ease of movement.
This longline coat has a heritage-inspired check design featuring navy and green tones. The funnel neckline offers extra coverage and warmth on chilly days, while buttoned cuffs add a smart finishing touch. Complete with practical side pockets, it's an effortless layer that pairs beautifully with everything from knitwear and denim to dresses and boots.
Made from stretchy faux-suede that gently hugs your legs, these knee-high boots are a comfortable and chic option. The toes are rounded and the sturdy block heel offers stability as well as elevation. There is also Next's Forever Comfort technology offering cushioning for the feet.
Crafted from soft suede, these knee-high boots have a similar sleek shape to the Princess of Wales's shoes, but are a rich chocolate brown instead of black. The partial side zip is a handy detail and the stretchy fabric side panel ensures comfort and a perfect fit.
You can get these knee-high boots in grey as well as black and they're made from suede, with Next's Forever Comfort® cushioned inner lining. The chisel toe adds a contemporary feel and there's an inside zip fastening.
She looked incredibly chic and even though so much time has passed, these two staples are still very much in fashion. The heritage autumn/winter fashion trend is everywhere and alongside Argyle cashmere sweaters and tweed jackets are plenty of checked coats like hers.
Tartan designs instantly bring a traditional feel to an outfit and although you can find some which prominently feature bright colours, a lot are more muted. The Princess's coat was by British clothing brand Alexander McQueen and was Black Watch tartan, made up of dark blue and green.
Because navy is a neutral colour, it helped balance out the emerald checks and kept everything looking more understated. Alternatively, I'd recommend going for a checked coat that features a lot of black, camel or grey as these hues are also versatile and soften things.
Knowing that the checked pattern was going to draw the eye, Kate cleverly kept the rest of her ensemble very pared-back. Her knee-high Aquatalia boots and tights were both black and you could barely see where the footwear ended and the hosiery began.
This created an unbroken silhouette from her toes upwards which was particularly leg-lengthening. You still get a lovely elongating effect when you've got slightly sheerer tights or when you've got a longer hemline draped over the top, as they also enhance that flowing shape.
The future Queen used to wear knee-length frocks a lot back then but nowadays she usually styles her tall boots with midi skirts and dresses and a longer coat over the top. These boots were made of suede and had a high stiletto heel, though block heels provide more stability and tend to be comfier if you want a pair that'll take you from day to night.
By the end of her 2012 visit to St Andrew's School in Berkshire, Kate might have wished she'd gone for flats instead but she rose to the challenge of playing hockey on grass in these shoes. No matter the heel height, though, knee-highs are great for winter as they keep so much of your legs insulated and still look elegant.
Pair them with a checked coat and you've got yourself a sophisticated style that balances trendiness and timelessness. The Princess of Wales has worn both these pieces multiple times over the years and even though I didn't anticipate this, I'm glad that Duchess Sophie's hockey pictures in Bangladesh reminded me of it.
