Kate Middleton marked her first solo engagement of 2026 by welcoming England’s Red Roses rugby squad to Windsor Castle on January 15, pairing her recycled Alexander McQueen pantsuit with a birthstone necklace that quietly celebrated both the team and her own January birthday.
At a Glance
- Princess Kate hosted the World Cup-winning Red Roses at Windsor Castle
- She wore a $678 red garnet necklace, her January birthstone
- The royal recycled her 2023 Alexander McQueen red pantsuit
- Why it matters: The subtle nod to team colors and her birthday shows how the Princess uses fashion to honor occasions without words
The reception, her first official duty since turning 44 on January 9, saw the Princess greet players, pose with the trophy and receive a signed jersey. Kate, patron of the Rugby Football Union, has long supported the women’s game, putting her in friendly rivalry with husband Prince William, who backs Wales.
The Birthstone Necklace That Sparked Attention
Kate’s necklace, identified as the “Bali” birthstone style by London brand Auree, features a single red garnet set in gold. She has owned the piece for several years, first seen in a 2022 video baking with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the Platinum Jubilee.
The garnet choice was a quiet tribute:
- Matches the Red Roses’ iconic color
- References her own January birthday
- Continues her tradition of meaningful jewelry
Kate’s jewelry box holds other garnet pieces:
- A promise ring from Prince William dating to their St Andrews years
- The ring blends pearls (his June birthstone) with garnets (her January stone)
- She wore it in a 2024 video celebrating Great Britain’s Olympic athletes
A Recycled Look for a New Year
The Princess reached for her crimson Alexander McQueen pantsuit, an asymmetric jacket and wide-leg trouser set debuted in January 2023. Recycling high-profile pieces has become a hallmark of Kate’s wardrobe strategy, sending a sustainable message while honoring prior engagements.
She finished the outfit with pearl cluster earrings, letting the red tones dominate the palette against Windsor Castle’s grand backdrop.
Day of Celebration and Friendly Rivalry
Inside the castle, Kate toured the team’s World Cup trophy, laughed through jersey presentations and joined a group photograph. The Red Roses’ victory lap has included royal recognition before, but this reception gave players private time with the Princess, away from stadium crowds.
As patron, Kate has attended matches and training sessions, promoting women’s rugby at grassroots and elite levels. Her support intentionally contrasts with Prince William’s patronage of the Welsh Rugby Union, a split that fuels lighthearted marital banter whenever the nations compete.
Birthday Week in the Windsor Household
The engagement capped a low-key birthday week for the Princess:
- January 8: joint visit with William to Charing Cross Hospital to thank staff
- January 9: lunch at Berkshire’s Funghi Club with mother Carole Middleton and sister Pippa Matthews
- January 15: solo Windsor Castle reception
Marcus L. Bennett noted that the Princess appeared relaxed and energetic, signaling a steady return to public duties after a quieter end to 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Kate’s fashion choices continue to communicate layered messages-team support, personal milestones and sustainable style
- The garnet necklace illustrates how she uses subtle accessories to mark occasions without speeches
- The Red Roses visit reinforces her commitment to women’s sport and patron-driven engagement
- With one solo engagement logged, royal watchers expect a gradual ramp-up of appearances as winter schedules unfold
