Kate Middleton Wears Rodarte at Cancer Research UK 125th Anniversary — Kate Middleton Unexpected Designer Outfit
Kate Middleton unexpected designer outfit: Catherine, the Princess of Wales, wore a Rodarte dress to a Cancer Research UK reception at St. James’s Palace in London on Tuesday, June 2. The appearance came as the charity marked its 125th anniversary and placed her alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The princess wore a red printed silk twill midi dress by Rodarte, a Pasadena-based label overseen by sisters Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy. She paired it with a Miu Miu purse, red Gianvito Rossi pumps, and a ruby pendant necklace with matching diamond earrings.
St. James’s Palace reception
The reception was organized to commemorate Cancer Research UK’s 125th anniversary and to highlight the charity’s impact and the work of its researchers, doctors, and volunteers. The event also marked the first time the Princess of Wales and King Charles stepped out together in support of a cause that is personal to both of them.
That detail is tied to 2024, when both announced within weeks of each other that they had been diagnosed with cancer. Charles had spent decades as a patron of various cancer research charities before his diagnosis, and after it he became the primary patron of Cancer Research UK.
Kate Middleton and King Charles III
Kate announced the news in a public message that said, “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.” She later said in 2025 that she was in remission after completing preventative chemotherapy treatment in the fall of 2024.
For readers following the royal appearance, the immediate takeaway is simple: the Princess of Wales used a charity milestone to make a public return in a dress choice that diverged from the usual expectation for her wardrobe. The setting at St. James’s Palace, the shared cause, and the joint appearance with Charles gave the reception a significance that went beyond the clothing itself.
Rodarte for Cancer Research UK
Rodarte is known for romantic silhouettes and deeply researched art historical references, which fits the formal setting of the reception. The label’s placement in a royal charity appearance gives the event a sharper fashion note, but the central fact remains the cause: Cancer Research UK’s 125th anniversary and the public work of the organization’s researchers, doctors, and volunteers.
