Kate Middleton Embraces Maternity Elegance in Madderson London Shift Dress & Episode Pumps

In January 2015, during her second pregnancy, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visited Barlby Primary School in London wearing a vintage-inspired Madderson London shift dress.

The polished maternity look reflected her signature blend of elegance and practicality—and helped catapult the British label into the spotlight. As royal fashion watchers noted then, the Duchess’s support of smaller, sustainability-minded brands added meaningful depth to her style choices.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) at the Barlby Primary School in London on January 15, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Euan Cherry)

At the time, the 33-year-old Duchess was patron of The Art Room, a UK-based charity that offered art therapy to children aged 5 to 16 who were dealing with emotional or behavioral challenges. The organization closed its doors in March 2020 due to financial pressure.

Her visit to the school supported the launch of a new Clore Art Room, reinforcing her longstanding commitment to youth mental health and creative education.

Wearing her pink-accented Madderson London dress, the Duchess of Cambridge engages warmly with students and receives flowers during her visit to the Clore Art Room launch

Kate visited the newly-launched Clore Art Room at the school and interacted with some students.

The Duchess greets children in the newly opened Clore Art Room, wearing the Naomi dress by Madderson London, known for its eco-conscious design and refined British tailoring

For her school visit, the Duchess wore a French tweed and wool Naomi shift dress from sustainable British clothing brand Madderson London. The dress immediately sold out at retailers such as Pinstripe & Pearls.

She styled the vintage-inspired dress with a Mulberry “Bayswater” bag, a Cartier watch, and her favorite “Episode ‘Angel” pumps.

Kate completed her polished look with black Episode Angel pumps, a Mulberry Bayswater bag, and her go-to Cartier watch—accessories that underscore her classic, sustainable fashion sensibility

Kate’s 1960s-inspired Madderson London shift dress blended vintage charm with her signature polished maternity style—elegant, understated, and thoughtfully sustainable. But how would you have styled it?

Would bold heels or standout boots have transformed the look, or do you prefer her classic, pared-back approach? Either way, this moment is just one of many that define Kate’s evolving royal fashion—explore more of her most memorable shoe pairings and designer choices below.