Kate Middleton makes rare appearance in shorts at sailing race
Kate Middleton is going off script.
On Sunday, the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, sported three very different nautical looks for a sailing race and children’s activity in Plymouth, England — including two pairs of shorts.
Wearing tailored white linen shorts from British heritage brand Holland Cooper ($243) and a striped navy sweater from Erdem, Middleton looked perfectly preppy — and showed off her super-toned legs — as she arrived at the event.
Shorts aren’t a typical part of her royal wardrobe; in fact, this is the third time ever Middleton’s worn the style since marrying Prince William in 2011.
The first time Middleton ever wore shorts on an official royal engagement was just a few years ago for a 2019 boat regatta — it marked the first time she was spotted in the style in public since 2008.
This time she didn’t let decades go by before opting for a khaki pair at another boating race during the family’s Caribbean tour earlier this year.
On Sunday, Middleton added her beloved white canvas Superga trainers ($65) and gold chain hoop earrings by Orelia London ($23) to her look, joining famed Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie on behalf of the athlete’s 1851 Trust charity, of which she serves as patron.
Later in the event, she donned a wetsuit, Adidas sneakers, a GBR Sail GP team cap ($40) and SunGod Sierra sunglasses in the limited-edition Great Britain Sail GP style ($110) to join athletes for a friendly race against New Zealand.
Middleton — who is an accomplished sailor herself — helped the Great Britain team to beat their Commonwealth rivals before the final day of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth.
She made a quick change after her team’s win, wearing a white tee and Team GB windbreaker — and even put on a second pair of shorts, this time opting for navy Helly Hanson hiking shorts ($53, originally $75).
The Duchess of Cambridge switched from her Adidas back into the Supergas and kept the hat, smiling as she accepted a bouquet of flowers from a young girl after the victorious race.
