Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, made a striking appearance on the evening of November 19, 2025, at the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, wearing a festive emerald green velvet gown that signals the start of the holiday season.
This appearance marks an important milestone in the Princess’s return to public life, following her announcement in January 2025 that she had achieved complete remission from cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January 2024, followed by precautionary chemotherapy. Prince William had described 2024 as “the hardest year” of his life due to his wife’s cancer diagnosis and his father King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis.
On Wednesday evening, this was the first time Kate appeared on the red carpet with Prince William in two years.
A Dress by German Designer—A First
Kate selected an emerald green velvet gown from German fashion house Talbot Runhof, marking the first time she has worn a design from this label. The dress features a fitted silhouette that accentuates the figure, with an off-the-shoulder neckline, a V-shaped neck opening, and draped fabric details on the chest that create the appearance of an attached shawl but are part of the design itself.
The dress expands below the knee into a flowing mermaid-style skirt. The label was founded in 2000 by designers Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof in Munich and is renowned for handcrafting luxury evening gowns using fine fabrics and geometric draping.
Historic Royal Jewels Complete the Ensemble
Kate completed her look with a green velvet Manolo Blahnik BB heel and a small silver Jenny Packham “Casa” clutch, alongside rare historic royal jewelry.
The Princess wore the famous Greville Chandelier diamond earrings, designed by French Maison Cartier and created in stages between 1918 and 1929 for Margaret Greville, a friend of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The earrings are characterized by Art Deco design and feature various cut diamond shapes including crescents, diamonds, baguettes, and pear cuts.
When Mrs. Greville passed away in 1942, she bequeathed her jewelry collection to the Queen Mother, and the earrings were subsequently given as a wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) in November 1947 by her parents King George VI and the Queen Mother. This is the fourth time Kate has worn these earrings publicly, after they appeared at the wedding of Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa in 2023, and at two other diplomatic occasions.
The diamond bracelet is a historic piece from Queen Mary’s jewelry collection, originally created in 1932 by Garrard as a necklace and worn by Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day in 1947; it now appears on Kate’s wrist at official royal occasions.
A Touching Family Message on the Red Carpet
As she arrived on the red carpet with Prince William, who wore traditional black tie, Kate greeted twin sisters Emilia and Olivia Edwards, aged nine, from a caregiving family at “Brinswood House,” a care home affiliated with the royal charity for diversity.
Kate asked the twins if they were fans of the bear character “Paddington,” then told them that her three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were “very sad” that they were not allowed to attend. Kate said with a smile: “My children were very sad indeed; we will have to keep it a big secret from them that I saw you… They were very sad about not joining us”.
A Festive Performance Supporting Entertainment Workers
The Royal Variety Performance, which began in 1912 under King George V and Queen Mary, is an annual event that raises funds for the Royal Variety Charity, currently patronized by King Charles III. The charity provides financial support, mental health treatment, income assistance, and healthcare for entertainment industry workers suffering from illness, poverty, or old age.
This year’s performance, hosted by comedian Jason Manford, featured an exclusive performance by the cast of the musical “Paddington,” with composer Tom Fletcher in attendance. British singer Jessie J performed “I Will Never Know Why” from her upcoming album; she herself underwent breast cancer surgery in June of last year.
The performance also included a closing act from the musical “Les Misérables” celebrating its 40th anniversary, featuring 400 artists including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, and Killian Donnelly, alongside cast members from London and Paris productions and local groups from across Britain. British band Madness performed their first appearance at the event, Grammy-winning artist Loyle performed, and actor Stephen Fry also performed.
Kate Middleton: Storied History of Royal Looks
This marks the sixth time Prince William and Kate have attended the Royal Variety Performance since their marriage. Each time, Kate has selected distinctive looks that reflect her refined taste and evolving style.
In 2023, she wore a petrol blue gown by Sophie with a dramatic cape design. In 2021, she chose a shimmering green sequined gown from Jenny Packham, which she had previously worn during the royal tour of Pakistan. In 2019, she dazzled in a bold sheer lace gown by Alexander McQueen.
In 2017, she selected an icy blue Jenny Packham gown while pregnant with Prince Louis. And at her first appearance at the performance in 2014, she wore a black lace gown by Diane von Furstenberg while pregnant with Princess Charlotte.
A Gradual Return to Royal Duties
Just one day before attending the Royal Variety Performance, Kate delivered her first live speech in two years at the Future Workforce Summit, where she urged business leaders to value “time and care as much as productivity and success”. She said: “Each of you engages with your own environment: home, family, work, the workforce, community… Imagine a world where each of these environments is built on valuing time and care as much as productivity and success”.
She added: “As business leaders, you will face the daily challenge of finding a balance between profitability and positive impact. But the two are not, nor should they be, incompatible”.
Kate continues her gradual return to official royal duties, focusing on participation in events that reflect her personal and charitable interests, particularly in the areas of mental health and early childhood.
