Kate Middleton Embraces Her Inner Cowgirl For the First Time in 14 Years

There’s a big difference between British equestrian style and the country-western aesthetic, and Kate Middleton rarely embodies the latter.

Earlier this month, however, the Princess of Wales was graciously gifted a sparkly red cowgirl hat by England’s Red Roses rugby team after their victory against Australia in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. But while the hat was first spotted during her post-game chat with the team, we didn’t actually see the princess put it on her head until now.

Kate Middleton speaks with rugby players rugby players Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, and Jessica Breach on September 06, 2025.

Alex Davidson – World Rugby/Getty Images

On September 27, Middleton showed off the hat in an Instagram post while wishing the team good luck in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Though it didn’t quite match her ruffled white blouse and tailored black suit, she looked happy and confident in the festive accessory, which featured a rhinestone tiara design befitting a member of the royal family.

“Good luck England! 🌹🤠 Wishing the very best of luck to the @redrosesrugby in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham today,” she captioned the group photo. “We’re so proud of you! C”

While this hat is not exactly authentic rodeo fare, it marks the first time Kate Middleton has publicly donned a cowboy hat in quite some time: over 14 years to be exact. The last time the princess embraced the Western aesthetic this hard was during a visit to Canada in July 2011, when she was still the Duchess of Cambridge.

For two days in a row, Middleton went full cowgirl in a white cowboy hat and chocolate suede cowboy boots by the London brand R.Soles, going all-out for the Calgary Stampede in bootcut denim and a Western-inspired belt buckle. Prince William was right there with her, pairing a matching hat with his own cowboy boots, jeans, and a plaid button-up shirt.

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Calgary, Canada on July 7, 2011.

Samir Hussein

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Calgary, Canada on July 8, 2011.

Pool/Getty Images

Funny enough, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Bella Hadid’s rodeo romance pushed the Western aesthetic to the forefront of trend cycles in 2024, while bootcut jeans are making a strong comeback at this very moment. All this to say, everything Kate Middleton wore in 2011 is completely relevant today, especially her chocolate suede boots.

We all know the Princess of Wales is a sustainable queen, so perhaps it’s time for her to dig these pieces out of her archives.