Kate Middleton wears Rodarte dress at cancer research event

Duchess Kate channeled Rodarte’s vintage glamor at Tuesday’s Cancer Research UK reception to mark the charity’s 125th anniversary at St James’s Palace in London.

The Princess of Wales wore a heart-print silk twill collared dress from the American luxury fashion brand, which featured a rich red hue with small white hearts and polka dots flowing throughout the fabric. The dress included a white crepe de chine collar with sinuous lines and statement shoulders, transitioning to short sleeves with statement white fabric at the cuffs.

A belt cinched the frock’s waist to define the silhouette, and the dress’ midi skirt was designed with movement in mind. Floral appliqués added a whimsical touch to the dress, resulting in an overall look that evokes a classic approach to playful prints.

Middleton continued the red motif of her dress and paired it with suede point-toe Gianvito Rossi pumps. She also carried a ribbon-embellished suede bag by Miu Miu and accessorized with earrings and a necklace by British family-owned jewelry brand G. Collins & Sons.

Although Mr. Rodarte is not the regular designer of the Princess of Wales’ royal wardrobe, the American brand has continued to rise in profile since its official launch in 2005. On Saturday, Michelle Pfeiffer wore a Rodarte midi dress with a pattern inspired by the label’s fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection.

Rodarte founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s designs have been worn by Oscar nominees and winners Florence Pugh and Davin Joy Randolph, among others. “We’re in Los Angeles…how film and fashion meet is something we’ve always cared about since our first presentation with a Criterion DVD in a gift bag, and it’s always been part of what we do,” Laura Mulleavy told WWD in March 2024.

“It’s our property to do things on our own terms. If you’re making a movie, you don’t have to do a show every season, and you don’t have to do a show every season unless you feel creatively inspired. I think the reason we’re still in business is because we were smart about these decisions,” added Kate Mulleavy.

Tuesday’s Cancer Research UK reception, which marked the charity’s 125th anniversary, was a special event for Ms Middleton, who announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. She has since been treated and is in remission. King Charles III also attended Tuesday’s event at St. James’s Palace in London, where he also revealed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024.