Kate Middleton is going off script.
On Sunday, the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, wore three very different nautical looks for a yacht race and children’s activity in Plymouth, England – including two pairs of shorts.
Wearing custom white linen shorts from British heritage brand Holland Cooper ($243) and a striped navy sweater from Erdem, Middleton looked perfectly preppy — and showed off her super-toned legs — when she arrived at the event.
Shorts are not a typical part of her royal wardrobe; in fact, this marks the third time Middleton has ever worn the style since he married Prince William in 2011.
The first time Middleton ever wore shorts to an official royal engagement was just a few years ago for a boat regatta in 2019 — it was the first time she’d been seen in the style in public since 2008.
This time, she didn’t let decades go by before opting for a khaki pair at another yacht race on the family’s Caribbean tour earlier this year.
On Sunday, Middleton added her beloved white canvas Superga sneakers ($65) and gold Orelia London chain earrings ($23) to her look, joining famed Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie on behalf of the athlete’s charity 1851 Trust, of which she acts as a patron.
Later at the event, she donned a wetsuit, Adidas sneakers, a GBR Sail GP team cap ($40) and SunGod Sierra limited-edition Great Britain Sail GP style sunglasses ($110) to compete with athletes in a friendly race against New Zealand.
Middleton – who is an accomplished sailor himself – helped Britain’s team beat their Commonwealth rivals for the final day of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth.
She made a quick change after her team’s win, wearing a white t-shirt and Team GB windbreaker — and even donning a second pair of shorts, this time opting for navy blue Helly Hanson hiking shorts ($53, originally $75). ).
The Duchess of Cambridge switched from her Adidas back to the Supergas and kept the hat, smiling as she accepted a bouquet of flowers from a young girl after the victorious race.