Kate Wears Wickstead for Polo in Windsor

An unusually glitzy charity match.

On Wednesday, with Windsor Castle as a majestic backdrop, the Duke of Cambridge took to the Guards Polo Club field to play in the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup. Some years ago now, Prince William and Prince Harry announced they would play less polo in the future, and they would look to raise more money when they did play—at least £1 million a match. Although Harry has since contracted to play quite a bit of polo in the United States, William isn’t on horseback all that much anymore.

Some polo events are more relaxed than others. We usually see Kate enjoying polo less formally with her little ones in tow.

But Wednesday’s event clocked in on the fancier end of the spectrum. It reminded me a lot of the charity match William played in Santa Barbara when the Cambridges were visiting California at the tail-end of the tour of Canada in 2011.

Kate was a very calm and composed royal bride, but I always felt she looked a little shy at that glitzy California event.

More than ten years later, Kate looked in command at the match in Windsor…and absolutely glowing.

The Duchess was wearing a gorgeous Emilia Wickstead, which she must have had in her closet for a bit, because it is a past season style. She paired it with flats from Camilla Elphick and earrings from Sézane.

Because this was a more formal engagement style polo game, the Cambridges did not bring their children. But they did bring their new family dog, Orla, who seemed to enjoy the day immensely. According to People, William and Kate received Orla from James Middleton shortly after Lupo died in 2020. The outlet reports that Orla is a Celtic word for “golden princess.”

These more glamorous events are certainly fun, but I have to admit I prefer when Kate brings the kids and they picnic on the sidelines. Hopefully we get another match from William this year.

Kate is currently at Wimbledon watching the Ladies’ Final. She is recycling her Roksanda Ilincic from the Caribbean tour. The Duchess will be back in the royal box tomorrow where she and William will watch the Men’s Final together.