At a Glance
- The Princess of Wales, 44, wore a paisley scarf first seen in 2007 for her Jan. 9 birthday video
- The same scarf debuted at the Cheltenham Festival when she and Prince William were dating
- She paired the vintage piece with knee-high boots possibly bought in 2004
- Why it matters: The reuse highlights Kate’s signature sustainable style and personal nostalgia
Princess Kate turned 44 on Jan. 9 and closed her “Mother Nature” video series with a walk in the woods-bundled in accessories pulled from the deepest corners of her closet.
The future queen stepped out in Berkshire wearing a dark paisley scarf she first sported 19 years ago while attending the Cheltenham Festival alongside Prince William, then her college boyfriend.
The Scarf That Bridged Two Decades
Photos from March 16, 2007, show Kate arriving at the festival in a brown beret, light blue blazer, brown skirt, and knee-high boots, the same patterned scarf knotted at her neck. Also present that day were Princess Anne, Zara Phillips, and Zara’s then-boyfriend Mike Tindall.
Fast-forward to January 2026 and the scarf reappeared, draped over a long coat as Kate crossed a frost-touched bridge, dipped her fingers into a cold stream, and paused in a quiet field. The video, titled “Winter,” served as the final installment of the year-long “Mother Nature” series she launched in 2025.
Boots Older Than Her Marriage
The accessories timeline stretched even further with her footwear. The tasseled knee-high boots appear to be the Penelope Chilvers pair she bought in 2004, two years before the scarf’s debut and seven years before her 2011 wedding.
Designer Penelope Chilvers told News Of Losangeles in 2023, “I’m delighted that these boots, designed to last a lifetime, have been worn by someone who lives by the same ethos as I do for my brand.”
A Pattern of Rewearing
Recycling longtime pieces has become a hallmark of the Princess’s wardrobe:
- Brown tweed jacket from 2007 worn again during a 2025 visit to Wales
- Patterned scarf on Christmas Day 2025
- Repeat appearances of Alexander McQueen coats, Seraphine dresses, and Cassandra Goad earrings
The approach aligns with both sustainable fashion principles and personal sentiment, allowing garments to serve as silent witnesses to major life chapters.
Nature as Therapy
In the video’s voiceover, Kate reflects on winter’s quieter gifts:
“Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration. Where the stream slows just enough for us to see our own reflection. To discover the deepest parts of ourselves, alongside the whispers and the pulse of every living thing.”
She closes with gratitude: “I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am.”
The Princess has credited nature with providing solace during her health journey. She revealed a cancer diagnosis in March 2024, announced completion of chemotherapy in September 2024, and confirmed remission in January 2025.
Key Takeaways
- One scarf, two eras: the paisley piece links Kate’s royal-girlfriend days to her current role as Princess of Wales
- The 2004 boots prove her commitment to buying quality and wearing it for decades
- Each reused item quietly documents milestones: dating, engagement, marriage, motherhood, illness, recovery
- The birthday video’s message pairs external stillness with internal resilience, mirroring the continuity of her wardrobe
