The Prince and Princess of Wales match in this season’s most stylish colour

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out in coordinating autumnal outfits on Thursday – his and hers looks centred around one particular shade of burgundy. The pair visited a community centre in Southport, on the first working engagement with a public walkabout that the Princess has undertaken since completing her chemotherapy.

As ever, the Princess looked impeccable. They are both wearing what fashion-forward folk have swiftly identified as the colour of the season: a rich shade of red that pairs well with brown, grey and black. Kate’s dress is thought to be a Whistles dress which she has worn before, although this time she has turned the waist belt into a pussy-bow neck tie.

It’s not the first time this month that the Princess has opted for the hue. For a meeting last week with 16-year-old Liz Hatton, who has a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and who was invited to Windsor as part of her ‘bucket wish list’, the Princess donned a smart suit from Roland Mouret, cast in deeply on-trend dark red.

It’s a colour that dominated the AW24 catwalks, with designers at Gucci, Miu Miu and Saint Laurent all looking towards the wine rack for inspiration. Of course, merlot tones are always popular as autumn draws in, along with forest greens, chocolate browns and heathery greys. Indeed, Kate previously wore the same single-breasted blazer and wide-leg trousers to a reception for the England Wheelchair Rugby League Team in January 2023, and in 2022 for a visit to Boston before that. But this season, deliciously dark purple shades are more prevalent than ever – and worn top-to-toe, just like Kate. Clearly, the Princess has been taking note of the trends.

“Burgundy is incredibly wearable and works for the office or more special occasions. It has become the new autumnal neutral,” says Polly McMaster, founder and CEO of ready-to-wear British brand, The Fold. “I’ve never met a person it doesn’t suit.

“Whether in tailoring, dresses or accessories, it’s a colour that brings warmth and depth to any wardrobe.”

She recommends following the Princess’s lead with tailoring, and opting for the brand’s ‘Collingham’ jacket and ‘Tavira’ trousers, which are “smart for the office, yet sophisticated enough for after-work drinks – it’s the type of suit that’s easy to dress up or down”. The Fold’s dresses are also wonderfully versatile; try the ‘Andorra’ style in plum, which is both timeless and flattering with its full skirt and three-quarter-length sleeves.

A little more unusual than navy and much more flattering than black, the joy of burgundy is that it really does work for everyone. The easiest way to wear the trend is to simply choose the shapes and styles that normally work for you, reimagined in this season’s new, juicy shades.

For example, consider swapping your favourite little black dress for one in deep plum (Nobody’s Child has released its bestseller ‘Starlight’ midi in dark red corduroy) or shelving your usual denim for Tresse’s perfectly puce, wide-leg jeans. You needn’t alter the rest of your wardrobe, either: burgundy pairs effortlessly with all the usual neutrals, from cream and beige to white, grey and navy blue.

Denim trousers, £240, Tressé 

For maximum style points, however, wear the shade head to toe. The key to making this work is to introduce contrast by mixing different textures, which will stop you looking too monochrome: try pairing a plum-hued silk slip skirt with a dark red cashmere jumper, for example. Rise & Fall has a beautiful turtleneck, which would look incredibly elegant with Arket’s drapey maxi skirt.

Cashmere wool jumper, £165, Rise & Fall 

Draped skirt, £87, Arket 

“It’s such a chic way to wear this colour,” says Leeanne Hundleby, co-founder of Scottish accessories brand, Strathberry, which has recently introduced an entire range of delectable bordeaux bags.

“I highly recommend mixing fabrics and materials – our ‘Osette’ style in oxblood shearing works perfectly for this. It’s made from 100 per cent European merino sheepskin, and the luxurious texture adds a fun and playful element to every outfit. As for the colour, you really can’t go wrong – I see it as a contemporary alternative to black in the winter.”

Of course, if you aren’t wholly convinced you won’t be mistaken for a bottle of Rioja in all-over dark red, you can always dip a toe into the trend with accessories. The new ‘Russet’ hue at Penelope Chilvers covers everything from a fringed suede bag to a pair of slouchy, knee high boots, and is one the eponymous designer’s go-to shades.

Suede fringe bag, £199, Penelope Chilvers

Suede boots, £369, Penelope Chilvers 

“It’s a natural leather tone, echoing noble vegetable dyed hides, the most expensive tanning process,” she says. “In traditional pigment terminology it’s known as ‘bulls’ blood’, but I prefer to refer to it as a good wine colour. It’s an easy shade to wear with brown or black, and it sings alongside peachy pinks and deep, cobalt blue.”

While the trend may be absolutely booming right now, burgundy does have the edge on fads like horseshoe jeans and bubble hems, in that it really does never go out of style. Invest in a classically cut piece in this shade, and it’ll last you for many years to come – as Penelope Chilvers says, “I really cannot think of anything it doesn’t work with”.