The Princess of Wales is known for her impeccable sartorial tastes, and her shoe collection is as much an indicator of her fashion icon status as her evening gowns and stylish suits.
On this day in 2017, Kate, now 43, wore perhaps her highest heels to date as she stepped out to attend a reception at Claerchens Ballhaus, the last original dancehall in Berlin, on the second day of her and Prince William‘s visit to Germany.
The royal was seen sporting four-inch heels, a pair of scalloped suede sandals by Prada with a Markus Lupfer printed midi dress.
The gladiator-style shoe featured three straps that climbed up the foot and ankle, and the stiletto heel meant they were positioned on the more precarious end of Kate’s shoe spectrum when it came to the likelihood of them causing a stumble.
Fashion stylist, Angela Kyte, tells HELLO!: “The Princess of Wales is typically known for her polished, classic footwear, so the choice of strappy, nude gladiator-style heels here was a rare, unexpected shift.
© Getty“The shoes offer a breezy, bohemian edge to her otherwise demure, pastel-green and blue printed dress. While the soft neutral tone keeps them elegant and event-appropriate, the crisscross straps and exposed ankle bring a modern sensuality that we rarely see in her public style.”
She adds: “They work well in context for a summer garden setting, but feel a little informal compared to her usual court shoe polish. It’s a look that subtly nods to trend, but without fully embracing fashion risk.”
Kate’s re-wear
Though perhaps one of her more daring pairs of shoes, Kate has worn the Prada scalloped sandals on two other public occasions.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe day before, the then-Duchess of Cambridge attended a garden party in Berlin wearing an off-the-shoulder red Alexander McQueen dress with a tiered silhouette with the designer heels.
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the scalloped skyscraper heels formed part of her beautiful wedding guest outfit in 2023. Kate, along with William, attended Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan’s wedding in Amman.
© AlamyHere, Kate wore her Prada heels with a breathtaking Elie Saab gown from the Lebanese designer’s fall/winter 2017 collection. The scalloped detail on the shoes teamed nicely with the intricate embroidery on the gown.
