Nothing seems to come between Kate Middleton and a perfectly tailored outfit.
During a visit to the V&A East Storehouse in East London on Tuesday—a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where she serves as patron—the Princess of Wales appeared to quietly sidestep the venue’s dress code.
Kate arrived looking polished in a blue tailored suit paired with chic heels, despite the museum’s official guidelines advising otherwise. According to V&A’s visitor instructions: “We recommend wearing practical clothing and flat shoes. The metal grid flooring is not suitable for stilettos or kitten heels.”
While her choice may not have followed the letter of the rules, it certainly followed the spirit of her style: elegant, composed, and unapologetically regal.
Kate’s decision to forgo the museum’s recommendation and wear heels drew enough attention that People magazine reached out to Tristram Hunt, the Director of the V&A, for comment. He kept it brief and light-hearted, saying, “She is a pro! She dealt with that!”
And while the museum typically advises practical footwear due to metal grid flooring, it appears the area Kate toured was laid with concrete—making her choice of shoes far less controversial than it seemed.
Either way, Tristram added, “It went really well. She was really focused on the objects — it was impressive. She had a super energy. She was very energetic and focused.”
He also noted, “We last saw her about two years ago. She retains this great passion and interest in creativity, making, and design. It was wonderful to be able to host her.”
Interestingly, Kate has a history of choosing heels even in less-than-ideal situations. People also pointed out that during a 2018 visit to an addiction treatment center in Wickford—while she was pregnant—her heel actually got stuck in a grate. Still, her preference for stylish footwear remains a consistent part of her royal presence, even when practicality takes a back seat.
