For the London premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick,” Catherine, Princess of Wales, opted for a modern gown. On May 19, 2022, Princess Kate stepped out at Leicester Square with Prince William at her side in a black and white, sleek gown by Roland Mouret. The dress featured an off-the-shoulder cut, and Catherine kept her accessories to a minimum. She carried a black clutch by Alexander McQueen and wore long, star-shaped earrings, with her hair in a middle part.
The look was a huge hit. The dress was form-fitting, and outlets like the Daily Mail called it one of Catherine’s more “sultry” looks. “It was a bold sartorial move, and the Duchess of Cambridge executed it to perfection,” celebrity stylist Miranda Holder told the outlet. “The dress was extremely fitted, highlighting Kate’s enviable curves which looked nothing short of sensational, and the Bardot-esque off-the-shoulder neckline exposing her décolletage,” Holder went on. The black and white gown marked a new moment in Catherine’s red carpet evolution, as it was decidedly more modern than most of her previous looks. The column shape was a distinct departure from the flowing gowns that she had previously favored. Arguably, Kate was modernizing the royal presence on the red carpet.
