On the lawn of the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, Kate Middleton attracted attention during the charity polo match on July 10, 2026. The Princess of Wales wore a summer dress in black and white checks, graphic but sober. A choice that seemed steeped in history.
The gingham pattern returns in force in 2026, to the point of being described as “”, observes Madame Figaro. Associated with tablecloths and retro silhouettes, it is also installed on the catwalks. Among the Windsors, it refers to another Princess of Wales.
Kate Middleton’s gingham dress at the Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026
For the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026, Kate Middleton chose a black and white gingham dress by Temperley London. This sleeveless midi model features wide straps, a square neckline and a tied waist, before opening onto a flowing mid-calf skirt.
She accessorized her Kate Middleton gingham dress with nude Lucia slingbacks by Camilla Elphick, cat-eye glasses and understated gold jewelry. While Prince William played his 15th match, the event aimed to raise more than 20 million dollars, or 18.5 million euros, for associations.
When Kate Middleton echoes Princess Diana’s gingham looks
In the 80s and 90s, Princess Diana regularly wore gingham. In 1986, in Highgrove then in Windsor, she wore pink and white pedal pushers and red checkered pants. In 1990 in Nigeria, she chose a black, white and blue gingham blouse with cream pencil skirt, before a pink and white Catherine Walker gingham coat-dress for Easter 1991.
Faced with these very bright colors, Kate Middleton chose a gingham with larger checks, limited to black and white and a refined cut. The nod remains obvious, but the look is more minimalist. In 2022, she already wore a Brora gingham shirt while cooking with her children.
Gingham trend 2026: how to adopt it like Kate Middleton and Diana
The current success of gingham is also part of a broader story. In 1959, Brigitte Bardot popularized it in the cinema with the film. Since then, this print has spanned the decades, reinterpreted by creators between nostalgia and graphic modernity.
For summer 2026, houses like Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Dôen and If Only If are banking on this checkerboard. Seen on the catwalks and then on Kate Middleton, black and white gingham is becoming an easy reference to adopt in everyday life. Some ideas for taming it according to your style:
- Use the polo formula: black and white gingham midi dress, thick straps, nude sandals or slingbacks, very fine gold jewelry.
- Play the Diana card: capri pants or colorful gingham skirt, bright cardigan, pumps, for an unapologetic 80s spirit.
- Choose a gingham blouse with raw jeans and white sneakers, in the spirit of Kate’s more casual look in 2022.
What brand is Kate Middleton’s gingham dress?
The black and white gingham midi dress worn at the Guards Polo Club is by Temperley London.
How does Kate Middleton’s gingham dress pay homage to Princess Diana?
Using the gingham dear to Diana, but in a refined and very modern black and white version.
How to adopt the gingham pattern in everyday life?
Choose a midi dress or a gingham blouse, combined with sober and contemporary accessories.
Sources
- Marie France
“Pippa Middleton: in a transparent dress, Kate Middleton’s sister caused a sensation in this light outfit”
