What’s black, white, and red all over? Kate Middleton and Prince William on the 2023 BAFTAs red carpet. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Royal Festival Hall in London on Feb. 19 to attend the prestigious award show having a monochrome moment. Kate’s ethereal one-shoulder dress by Alexander McQueen was undoubtedly enchanting, but it was her black opera gloves that really added kudos to the ensemble.
Kate has long been a devotee of short leather gloves teamed with frock coats for day-to-day outings, but for the red carpet, she jumped on the long-length armwear trend that has dominated celebrity style of late. The black gloves were a stark contrast to the white gathered fabric that was knotted at the shoulder with extra material falling down her left arm. While she might have chosen the British designer for her outfit, she proved she really is the queen of high-low dressing by teaming the look with $20 statement earrings from affordable retailer Zara. Prince William was by her side wearing a suave suit, with a double-breasted black velvet jacket and bow tie, coordinating perfectly with Kate’s black-and-white look.
Royals fans were quick to compliment Kate’s accessories, with one tweeting, “She did her magic again. I have always loved long gloves!” Other eagle-eyed fashion fans noticed that Kate wore the exact same McQueen gown to the BAFTAs in 2019. Often dubbed the “royal recycler,” she gave the dress a fresh feel by amending the shoulder detail from appliqué flowers to a pleated, draped train. This sustainable approach to red carpet dressing proves rewearing old outfits really can still have an impact.
Kate kept her hair long and straight for the occasion and finished the look with smudged eyeliner and a glossy pale-pink lip. It might have only been a month since Prince Harry’s revelations in his memoir, “Spare,” but Kate and Will were all smiles walking the red carpet together. Read ahead to see all angles of their 2023 BAFTAs looks, and then don’t forget to see what other stars wore for the ceremony this year.
