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Carole Middleton turned heads on March 11 as she made her debut appearance at the Cheltenham Festival 2026.
The 71-year-old mother of the Princess of Wales was seen chatting with Prince William’s cousin, Zara Tindall, while showcasing two standout accessories.
One of them will be instantly recognizable to long-time followers of Kate’s style. Carole wore her daughter’s blue Hicks & Brown fedora, complete with a feather detail around the brim.
Princess Kate previously wore the hat in 2020 while attending a Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate.
At the festival, Carole also showed off her fashion credentials by carrying a Hermès Birkin bag, widely regarded as one of the most iconic luxury accessories. Prices for Birkin bags vary significantly, but a comparable model is currently listed on Vestiaire Collective for £50,237.
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Carole’s spacious designer handbag coordinated beautifully with her chocolate-brown suede boots and matching leather gloves.
For the main outfit, the royal mother chose a long, blue-toned grey check coat, which she kept buttoned up to stay warm in the breezy Gloucestershire weather.
The wife of British businessman Michael Middleton finished the look with a caramel-colored faux fur scarf and delicate floral drop earrings.
Her makeup complemented her bronzed complexion, featuring softly smoky eyes paired with a rosy pink lipstick.
A stylist’s vеrdict on Carole’s 2026 debut
Fashion stylist Leanne Jones praised Carole’s choice of designer accessories. “Nothing says class and high fashion quite like a Hermès ‘Birkin’ bag, so who better to carry one than the mother of the future queen?” she said.
“It’s the most coveted handbag in the world, embraced by everyone from Victoria Beckham and the Hilton family to Kate Moss and, of course, the original muse herself, Jane Birkin. Owning one is a statement, and carrying one is a power move, instantly elevating any outfit.”
Leanne also highlighted Carole’s overall styling. “Carole delivers a flawless head-to-toe look, balancing elegance with youthful energy. Her impeccable style is clearly a family trait, passed down to her daughters. The outfit is perfectly accessorised with the suede boots and blue fedora, beautifully complementing the bag, if not the whole ensemble.”
Carole’s lаst public sighting
Carole’s appearance at the Cheltenham Festival marked her first public outing of 2026. Her previous public appearance had been on December 5, 2025, when she attended Kate’s Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
“Carole delivers a flawless head-to-toe look, balancing elegance with youthful energy.”
For the festive occasion, she appeared elegant in a tartan coat from House of Bruar. She paired the look with Emmy London’s ‘Josie’ heels and a ‘Muse Clutch in Navy Suede’ by Stuart Weitzman.
It’s easy to see where the Princess of Wales inherited her impeccable sense of style.
