Princess Kate has sparked a fashion debate by reviving the divisive baker boy hat during a recent outing with Scouts in the Lake District.
Kate, 43, was spotted wearing the distinctive headwear whilst highlighting the importance of spending time in nature.
The style, which is "part country gent, part Peaky Blinders", was ubiquitous in the early 2000s, adorning the heads of stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
It even featured prominently on Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada".
Princess Kate splits opinion with controversial choice during latest outing
Kensington Palace
Kate paired her green tweed baker boy hat, which is from Really Wild Clothing, with a matching green tweed bomber jacket from Bella Hoskyns.
The princess completed her countryside look with an Emilia Wickstead turtleneck jumper, G-Star cargo skinny jeans—a silhouette she has remained loyal to—and Berghaus hiking boots.
The bomber jacket is the same one she wore in the family's viral Mother's Day photo last year, which later sparked controversy over editing.
The princess's fashion choice has divided royal watchers on social media, with critics being particularly harsh about the revival.
Princess of Wales reveals 'intense emotional connection' on secret visitKensington Palace"NO ONE looks good in a baker boy hat," declared one Instagram user. Another critic simply stated: "Yeah, NO," whilst a third insisted: "She really isn't 'bringing it back.'"
However, supporters were quick to defend the royal's style, with several fans claiming Kate "could wear anything" and still look "graceful and elegant."
One admirer even suggested: "Kate could make a paperback look elegant."
Fashion experts have noted that Kate isn't alone in bringing back this polarising accessory in 2025.
The Princess of Wales spent time with the Scouts during a trip to the Lake DistrictKensington PalaceKendall Jenner was photographed sporting a "Bob Dylan-esque cap" while out in New York in February, suggesting fashion's It-girls may soon "embrace the baker hat en masse."
Keke Palmer has also been seen endorsing the trend this year.
The revival has been brewing for some time, with Katie Holmes spotted wearing one back in 2020, whilst Anne Hathaway appeared to pay homage to her character Andy Sachs when she wore the accessory in 2023.
Princess Kate is known for loving a baker boy cap
Kensington Palace
In the newly released film, Kate spoke about her connection to the outdoors, saying: "I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection I suppose, these environments."
She added: "Not everyone has that same relationship perhaps with nature, but it is so therefore meaningful for me as a place to balance and find a sort of sense of peace and reconnection in what is otherwise a very busy world."
Vogue suggested Kate's hat choice might be more practical than fashionable, possibly reflecting "a desire for a certain kind of anonymity."
