This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Kate Middleton is known for her amazing style. Every outfit the Duchess of Cambridge wears looks effortlessly glamorous and exudes elegance and royalty. But, it looks like there are some weird rules that prevent Middleton and the rest of the royal family from wearing the color black. In fact, the color is only to be worn on certain occasions and it is against the royal wardrobe etiquette and protocol to wear it to public events. Seriously, this is mind-blowing!
When attending public events, the royal family is required to wear certain colors that are "befitting" to the occasion or location of the event. And unless they're attending a royal funeral or an event honoring a sad occasion, then they can't wear anything black.
"Members of the Royal Family may choose a color befitting the occasion or to honor the nation they are visiting – the Queen wore a jade green outfit on a 2011 state visit to Ireland, for example, while the Duchess of Cambridge wore red on a recent visit to Canada. Black is customary on Remembrance Day and other somber commemorative events," Marie Claire states.
And, it turns out that the royal family must always have an all-black outfit prepared when they're traveling in the event of an unexpected death. This is done to ensure that everyone will look put together and appropriate during their travels.
"This became a rule after Queen Elizabeth had to rush back from Kenya in 1952 after her father, King George VI, died and she had to wait on the landed plane a few hours until someone brought her a change of clothes. It wasn't seen as proper to emerge in London with her normal dress after the sitting king had died," according to Bustle.
Everyone is aware of the royal wardrobe protocol, which is why there was speculation regarding Middleton's BAFTAs dress this year. Attendees were asked to wear black to honor the #MeToo Movement and many wondered if the royal would break protocol and wear black to Sunday's ceremony.
But, the royals are discouraged from making political statements and many anticipated that the Duchess of Cambridge wouldn't wear black--even if she is an advocate of the movement. After all, she did attend the event on behalf of the queen...
Instead, Middleton stunned in a deep green Jenny Packham gown, but she was still able to make a subtle nod to feminism with her emerald accessories. "They nod to the power and creativity attributed to females since the dawn of time, and evoke the reverence with which women should be treated," designer Anna Sheffield tells the TODAY show.
Regardless of what Kate's allowed to wear and why, she always looks incredible and makes the most with what the protocol gives her to work with. We can't wait to see what other looks she has in store for us!
[Photos: Splash, @kensingtonroyal]
