Kate Middleton pairs Boden belt with pink dress for a modern princess look
Kate Middleton chose a Boden belt to modernize her pink princess dress during a recent tea party with a young royal fan


Kate Middleton took color coordination to the next level during her latest public engagement, pairing a pink Boden belt with a pink tea-length dress.
- Kate Middleton added a slim Boden belt to freshen up her classic pink princess dress during her recent tea party meeting with a young royal fan at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- The Duchess of Cambridge had promised she would wear a pink costume to meet Mila, a little girl with leukemia whose photograph was chosen for Hold Still: A Portrait of our Nation in 2020.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton and Prince William get competitive on the tennis court in Edinburgh and it’s adorable.
The Duchess of Cambridge looked every inch the modern-day princess when she arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to meet Mila, a little girl with leukemia whose portrait was chosen for her Hold Still photography book.
As one of the final duties on her week-long Royal Scotland tour with Prince William, Kate fulfilled the magical promise she made to the young girl that she would wear a princess costume when they met in person.
Wearing a Boden belt with a bubblegum pink ME+EM shirt dress, the duchess joined five-year-old Mila and her family at the Queen's official residence in Scotland for a very special socially distanced tea party.
Color Block Silk Shirt Dress + Belt, $695/£450 | ME+EM
The exact beautiful bubblegum pink shirt dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, made from 100% silk.
Skinny Belt in Lollipop, $55/£38 | Boden
The duchess offset her pink silk dress with yet more pink, using this skinny belt by popular British brand Boden.
Mini Pyramid Charm Hoop Earrings, $110/£85| Missoma
A jewelry brand that's popular with both the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex, these drop charm earrings are elegant and timeless.
Rebecca Makeup Pink Courts, $425/£395 | Emmy London
The final element of Kate's head-to-toe pink ensemble is these classic and chic pink pointed court shoes by Emmy London.
The waist-cinching accessory added a fresh twist to a classic gown, reminding us all just how forward-thinking the future Queen of England is when it comes to her wardrobe.
Kate also wore drop earrings from Missoma and rose pumps from Emmy London, as well an Amaia Kids flowery mask to polish the ensemble off. Her chocolate brown hair was swept off her face to trail down her back in perfect waves, giving the already romantic outfit some serious Rapunzel vibes.
It was so lovely to host Mila in her beautiful pink dress👸 for tea at the Palace of Holyroodhouse today #HoldStill2020 pic.twitter.com/ilnx32MxlYMay 27, 2021
Mila dressed up for the occasion too, wearing an adorable princess costume complete with a bejeweled tiara and floaty gown. Kate immediately took note of the little girl's impeccable style, complimenting her dress and asking her to a twirl.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
The Duchess had first spoken to Mila over the phone, after a poignant image of the young girl was chosen to feature in Hold Still, her photography book about the coronavirus pandemic. In the emotional conversation, Kate told her 'cuddles are very very important' and chatted to her about playing dress-up. When asked by Mila if she was wearing a princess costume, the duchess regrettably admitted she wasn't at the time, but promised to do so when they met in person.
"OK, well I have to make sure I go and try and find myself a pink dress so that hopefully, when one day hopefully, Mila we’ll get to meet, and then I’ll remember to wear my pink dress for you," she said.
It looks like Kate doesn't make promises lightly. The duchess stayed true to word, arranging to meet Mila less than a month after the phone call—and showing up in the perfect pink dress. Now that's what we call a princess.

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Halle Berry just made a case for the return of ripped jeans - her blazer and sandals brought this denim up to date
Distressed denim is back
-
‘Would going make-up free empower me?’ ponders our columnist Kathy Lette
Women suffer from facial prejudice; we’re judged on our looks in a way that men aren’t, argues our woman&home columnist – who recently tried going to a party bare-faced
-
Kate Middleton's sad four-word admission after Princess Lilibet's birth
Princess Lilibet just marked her fourth birthday - and it may have been a reminder of sadness for Kate and William
-
Kate Middleton's favourite flats are trending again in 2025 - I predict she'll wear them again soon
Boat shoes are set to be a hot trend in summer 2025, and the Princess of Wales has been a fan for a long time
-
Kate Middleton's 'commitment to self-improvement' has helped her balance royal and family life, royal expert says
The Princess of Wales has a 'regimented daily routine' that helps her divide and manage her time, a royal expert has said
-
Prince George 'absolutely loves' this unusual hobby - and he's following in his parents footsteps
Prince George is a huge fan of a hobby that Prince William and Kate Middleton also love
-
This rare glimpse inside Kate Middleton’s living room highlights her favorite affordable home touch
The Princess of Wales uses an affordable accessory to transform her living room into a cozy, welcoming space
-
Carole and Michael Middleton were 'hugely dedicated' parents and 'sacrificed' a lot for their children growing up, Kate remembers
Carole and Michael Middleton's sacrifices to support their children are something the Princess of Wales once spoke about on a podcast
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton's controversial sleeping habit revealed
The Prince of Wales reportedly let slip something about his and Kate Middleton's sleeping arrangements - and it might divide opinion
-
Remember Kate Middleton's casual denim midi dress? It's a breezy option for days where jeans just won't do
I'd forgotten all about this piece the Princess wore in 2020 but I'm glad I've rediscovered it as denim dresses are great for summer.