Headline:Princess Kate brought a Polka Dot luxurious Dress which worth €38… see more details.

Headline:Princess Kate’s just brought a Polka Dot luxurious Dress which worth €38… see more details.

Few pieces of clothing have captured the public’s imagination quite like Princess Kate’s £38 polka dot Topshop dress. Worn in 2013 during a memorable royal engagement, this affordable high-street garment not only showcased the Princess of Wales’ relatable style but also cemented her influence as a global fashion icon. Over a decade later, on March 21, 2025, this dress continues to be celebrated as a pivotal moment in royal fashion history, blending accessibility with elegance in a way that resonates with admirers worldwide.

The Occasion: A Royal Trio at Warner Bros. Studios

On April 26, 2013, Kate Middleton, then the Duchess of Cambridge, joined Prince William and Prince Harry for a joint engagement at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. The trio was there to officially open “The Making of Harry Potter” tour, a popular attraction featuring sets, props, and costumes from the beloved film series. At the time, Kate was approximately six months pregnant with her first child, Prince George, adding an extra layer of significance to her appearance.
For this lighthearted and family-friendly event, Kate opted for a chic yet approachable outfit: a black-and-white polka dot skater dress from Topshop, a British high-street retailer known for its trendy, budget-friendly designs. Priced at just £38, the dress featured short sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a flared skater-style skirt with a zip closure at the back—perfectly accentuating her growing baby bump while maintaining a polished silhouette. She paired it with a simple black Ralph Lauren blazer and classic black pumps, keeping the look understated yet sophisticated.
The choice of attire was fitting for the occasion, which included playful moments like the royals wielding wands on the Hogwarts set and admiring the Batmobile from Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Kate’s ensemble struck a balance between her royal duties and her down-to-earth persona, endearing her to fans and fashion enthusiasts alike.

The Dress: A Closer Look

The Topshop polka dot dress was a masterclass in timeless design. The black-and-white color scheme and medium-sized polka dot print offered a nod to classic mid-century fashion, a style Kate has often embraced. The skater silhouette, with its cinched waist and flared skirt, flattered her pregnancy figure, proving that maternity wear could be both stylish and accessible. Made from a lightweight fabric, the dress was practical for a busy day of touring the studios, while its short sleeves and modest hemline kept it appropriate for a royal engagement.
At £38, the dress was a steal, even by 2013 standards. Topshop, at the height of its popularity as one of Britain’s most beloved high-street brands, was a go-to for fashion-forward shoppers seeking quality at an affordable price. Kate’s decision to wear it underscored her knack for mixing high-end and high-street pieces, a trait that has defined her wardrobe throughout her time in the royal spotlight.
The “Kate Effect”: A Sell-Out Sensation
The moment Kate stepped out in the polka dot dress, the “Kate Effect” kicked into high gear. Within hours of her appearance, the dress sold out on Topshop’s website, with bargain-hunting fashionistas rushing to emulate her look. This phenomenon—where items worn by Kate see a surge in demand—was already well-established by 2013, but the Topshop dress became one of its most iconic examples. Its affordability made it attainable for a wide audience, amplifying its impact and reinforcing Kate’s reputation as a relatable style icon.
The dress’s rapid sell-out was a testament to Kate’s influence on consumer behavior. Unlike bespoke designer pieces, which often carry hefty price tags, this £38 frock democratized royal fashion, allowing everyday shoppers to own a piece of her wardrobe. It also highlighted Topshop’s cultural prominence at the time, before the brand faced challenges following the Arcadia Group’s administration in 2020 and its eventual acquisition by ASOS in 2021.
A Milestone in Kate’s Polka Dot Legacy
Kate’s love affair with polka dots is well-documented, and the Topshop dress marked an early chapter in this ongoing style story. In 2013 alone, she wore the dress on multiple occasions, including the wedding of friends William van Cutsem and Rosie Ruck Keene in May, demonstrating its versatility. Later that year, she chose a bespoke cornflower blue polka dot dress by Jenny Packham to introduce Prince George to the world outside the Lindo Wing—a subtle nod to Princess Diana’s own polka-dotted maternity wear.
Over the years, Kate’s polka dot obsession has evolved, with the print appearing in more luxurious iterations from designers like Alessandra Rich and Emilia Wickstead. Her spots have shrunk from the larger, playful dots of the Topshop dress to the dainty, demure patterns of her recent royal ensembles, reflecting her growing stature within the monarchy. Yet the 2013 Topshop moment remains a fan favorite, symbolizing a time when Kate’s style was still finding its footing as she transitioned from commoner to future queen.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

The £38 polka dot dress is more than just a fashion statement—it’s a cultural artifact. It encapsulates a period when Kate was redefining royal style by embracing the high street, a move that contrasted with the more traditional, designer-heavy wardrobes of her predecessors. At a time when Topshop reigned supreme on Britain’s retail scene, her choice spotlighted the brand’s appeal and cemented its place in fashion history.
Moreover, the dress reflects Kate’s early years as a royal, when her pregnancy with Prince George brought her into a new phase of public life. It’s a snapshot of a young duchess balancing motherhood, duty, and personal style with grace and accessibility. As of March 21, 2025, retrospectives like those in HELLO! Magazine continue to hail it as a look that “will go down in fashion history,” a testament to its enduring appeal.

Legacy and Modern Relevance:

Though Topshop’s physical stores have largely vanished, the polka dot dress lives on in the collective memory of royal watchers and fashion lovers. Its legacy is twofold: it underscores Kate’s ability to make affordable fashion aspirational and highlights the timelessness of polka dots as a print that transcends trends. Today, shoppers can find similar styles at retailers like ASOS, where Topshop’s online presence persists, or opt for high-street alternatives from brands like Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, which Kate herself has championed in recent years.
In 2024, Kate revisited her polka dot roots with a burgundy Whistles dress for her first public engagement post-chemotherapy, proving the print’s lasting place in her wardrobe. While that piece cost £99 (down from £149), it echoed the spirit of the 2013 Topshop dress—elegant, approachable, and effortlessly chic. The contrast between the £38 frock and her later, pricier polka dot looks illustrates her style evolution, yet the original remains a touchstone of her early influence.
Conclusion: A Dress for the Ages
Princess Kate’s £38 polka dot Topshop dress is more than a garment—it’s a symbol of her unique ability to bridge the gap between royalty and reality. Worn during a joyous moment of her pregnancy and a playful royal outing, it captured her at her most relatable, sparking a frenzy that rippled through the fashion world. Twelve years later, on March 21, 2025, it stands as a reminder of her enduring impact, a piece that married affordability with elegance and left an indelible mark on fashion history. Whether revisited through vintage photos or reimagined in modern replicas, this dress will forever be a polka-dotted pinnacle of Kate’s sartorial legacy.