This article contains spoilers for The Crown Season 6, Part 2, which debuted on Netflix on Dec. 14.
As Netflix's royal drama The Crown has moved its on-screen depiction of the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her family into the 21st century, viewers have been introduced to a number of new characters active in the royal orbit today.
Among these, the most highly anticipated character introduction has been that of Kate Middleton (now the Princess of Wales).
Played by actress Meg Bellamy, Kate is introduced as a teenager, with her college years and developing romance with Prince William (Ed McVey) providing a narrative thread followed through the final episodes of the popular show.
One of the key events in Kate and William's budding relationship, dramatized for the show, is a fashion show in which the future princess puts on a daring display in a revealing outfit, implied to have captured the imagination of her prince.
Here, Newsweek looks at the truth behind the event credited as the moment William and Kate's romance took off.
Why Did Kate Middleton Model in Fashion Show?
On March 26, 2002, Kate Middleton took part in a specially organized fashion show in the university town of St. Andrew's, Scotland.
The show was named "Don't Walk" and was organized by international students at the college to raise money for victims and families of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that had taken place just six months earlier.
The show gathered student designers from St. Andrew's and other local institutions, with members of the student body acting as the models. Among their number was Kate, who studied on the art history course.
In the audience on the night was Prince William who had bought a table with a group of friends near the runway. William and Kate had first met while studying on the art history course in the previous school term.
Over the holiday break in 2001, William decided to change his degree to Geography, reportedly at the encouragement of his classmate and new friend, Kate.
What Did Kate Wear?
The "Don't Walk" fashion show featured a number of student designers, one of which was Charlotte Todd.
The designer showcased highlights from a collection that she had created, called "The Art of Seduction."
Among the pieces was a finely knitted sheer effect skirt with turquoise waistband and hem details. This was modeled by Kate, though not as its intention as a skirt, but instead pulled up as a mini dress.
The effect on the runway, with strong lighting, highlighted the sheer nature of the textile, making the future princess' underwear clearly visible beneath.
The dress was eventually sold at auction in 2011 (the year William and Kate married) for £65,000 ($82,500).
The skirt-cum-dress is the most famous outfit modeled by Kate that evening, but it is not the only one.
She also walked the runway wearing an all black blouse and pant ensemble with an off-the-shoulder silhouette. Also modeled was a white bustier set with wrap around black skirt and large multi-colored knit sweater.
What Impact Did the Fashion Show Have?
For many royal commentators, the "Don't Walk" fashion show marks the beginning of William and Kate's romance.
In her book, The Palace Papers, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown wrote that during the show "everyone noticed" how William was "transfixed by the smoking-hot brunette who waltzed down the catwalk," taking a "double-take" at his friend from art history class.
Celebrity stylist and royal fashion expert, Miranda Holder, previously told Newsweek that the enduring legacy from the event, apart from the relationship it is said to have encouraged, is the knitted dress worn by Kate.
"The iconic dress—or what little there was of it—has become a key piece of recent royal history as it was so pivotal to Kate and William's romance," she said.
"There is no doubt that the garment, which was originally intended to be worn as a skirt, was highly provocative, being made of sheer fabric and allowing Kate's lingerie to show through, and is therefore aesthetically a million miles away from Kate's polished, regal image these days."
The Crown Season 6 Part 2 is available to stream now on Netflix.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
