When it comes to fashion: where Kate Middleton leads, the rest of us follow. We can pretty much all agree with this, right?

Earlier this year, Kate sparked the red-and-pink clash trend with her red headband and pink dress at baby Archie’s christening. It’s arguably no coincidence that red-and-pink was the colour clash of choice on the Emmy’s red carpet last week. 

The Duchess also caused a floral & Other Stories dress to sell out in the summer, after being photographed wearing it at the Chelsea Flower Show. 

And do we really need to point out that Kate is the reason why LK Bennett’s nude courts have been going strong since 2014? 

Knowing the influence her sartorial choices have, Kate used her outfit to support the fight against climate change this week. 

And she wore it when meeting with nature’s biggest friend and ally: Sir David Attenborough.  

Kate and her husband Prince William attended the naming ceremony of the RRS Sir David Attenborough (the ship that the public wanted to call Boaty McBoatface – yeah, that’s the one). Attenborough was also in attendance at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. 

In a speech, William said: “Through this state-art-of-the-art new ship, the British Antarctic Survey will help to expand global knowledge of the polar oceans, and the impact of climate change on this crucial region.”

He added: “As last week’s climate protests the world over, and yesterday’s report on our oceans and frozen regions demonstrated, there has never been a more important moment for this ship to get to work.”

Speaking afterwards, Attenborough echoed William’s words on the importance of research, saying: “The world at the moment is facing great, great problems. And the most aware of that are the young people of today who will inherit this world.”

And Kate’s blue Alexander McQueen coat symbolised the royal couple’s commitment to joining Attenborough in the fight against climate change. 

It was the fourth time that Kate has worn the coat to a royal engagement, showing she is a fan of sustainability. She first wore it in 2014 when she toured New Zealand. Kate then chose it again later that year when she travelled to France to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. And she wore it for a third time in 2016 when she joined the Air Cadets to mark their 75th anniversary in London.

Of course, wearing the same outfit more than once isn’t going to change the world overnight. But, considering that celebrities and high profile figures have long been shamed for wearing an outfit more than once at events, it is encouraging to see that the Duchess is a fan of recycling clothes. And it may very well influence others to get the most out of their clothes before buying new items. 

And Kate wasn’t the only royal to fly the flag for ethical fashion choices this week.

Her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, has also been recycling her outfits during her tour of South Africa with Prince Harry and their son Archie. 

Meghan recycled the striped maxi dress by Martin Grant that she wore in 2018 during the couple’s royal tour of Australia. 

And she also wore the sky blue wrap dress that she previously wore on a visit to Tonga’s Tupou College.

If it’s good enough for the Duchesses…

Images: Getty