The royal family is no stranger to scrutiny, but Queen Camilla has found herself at the center of a firestorm following her appearance at a public event just days after the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, on September 4, 2025. The Duchess, a beloved figure known for her compassion and quiet devotion to charity, passed away at 92, prompting a period of royal mourning. While King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton adhered to tradition by donning somber black attire, Camilla’s choice of a colorful ensemble—marked only by a subtle black armband—has sparked heated debate among royal watchers and ignited a frenzy on social media. Was her outfit a deliberate slight, a misunderstanding, or simply a reflection of evolving royal protocols? Let’s unravel the controversy and explore why Camilla’s sartorial decision has caused such a stir.

A Royal Loss and a Mourning Tradition

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, was a cherished member of the royal family, married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her death at Kensington Palace, surrounded by family, marked the end of a remarkable life defined by her empathy, love for music, and dedication to causes like UNICEF and her charity, Future Talent. Known for her iconic moment comforting a tearful Jana Novotná at Wimbledon in 1993, Katharine was celebrated for her warmth and humility, often preferring to be called “Mrs. Kent” while teaching music anonymously at a primary school in Hull. Her passing prompted Buckingham Palace to announce a period of royal mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and royals expected to wear “appropriate clothing” to honor her memory.

Royal mourning traditions, rooted in centuries of protocol, typically involve wearing black or subdued tones as a public sign of respect. This practice extends to royals and their staff, with troops on public duties donning black armbands. In the days following Katharine’s death, King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton adhered to this custom. Charles wore a black blazer and tie at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering, while William and Kate appeared in black ensembles at separate Women’s Rugby World Cup matches, with Kate’s £1,500 Alexander McQueen blazer and sleek black trousers signaling her respect for the late Duchess. These choices aligned with public expectations, reinforcing the royal family’s commitment to honoring Katharine’s legacy.

Camilla’s Controversial Choice

On September 6, 2025, just two days after Katharine’s passing, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland, a vibrant event filled with pipers, Highland dancers, and tartan-clad spectators. Charles, true to protocol, wore a black blazer, waistcoat, and tie paired with a traditional tartan kilt, a clear nod to the mourning period. Camilla, however, opted for a striking blue coat over a green tartan skirt, accessorized with a colorful scarf and a green hat. Her only concession to mourning was a small black armband, a choice that immediately drew the ire of royal watchers on platforms like X.

Social media erupted with criticism, with users accusing Camilla of flouting tradition and disrespecting the late Duchess. “A black armband isn’t enough—where’s the black dress?” one user fumed, pointing out that Kate Middleton and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, had both worn full black outfits at their engagements. Another commented, “Camilla’s colorful outfit at Braemar was tone-deaf. This is a time for mourning, not a fashion parade.” Some speculated that her choice reflected a lack of personal regard for Katharine, whose low-profile life contrasted with Camilla’s more prominent role as Queen Consort. Others went further, reviving old criticisms of Camilla’s public image, with one X post sniping, “She’s always been out of step with what the public expects from a royal.”

Yet not everyone agreed. Some defended Camilla, arguing that her attire was appropriate given the festive nature of the Braemar Games and the fact that Katharine was not a working royal at the time of her death. “The Duchess of Kent stepped back from duties years ago—official mourning might not apply the same way,” one user noted. Another pointed out that Camilla’s black armband was a gesture of respect, suggesting that the outrage was overblown. “She’s dressed appropriately for the event, and people are just looking for reasons to criticize her,” a supporter wrote. The debate highlighted a broader tension: the public’s expectation of rigid royal protocol versus the realities of a modern monarchy navigating personal and public roles.

The Context of Camilla’s Decision

To understand the controversy, it’s worth examining the nuances of royal mourning and Camilla’s place within the royal family. Katharine, while deeply respected, had withdrawn from public duties in 2002, choosing a quieter life focused on her music and charity work. Her decision to drop her HRH title and live as “Mrs. Kent” set her apart from the working royals, and some reports suggest that no formal mourning period was mandated for her death, unlike for senior royals like Queen Elizabeth II. This could explain why Camilla felt a black armband was sufficient, especially at a cultural event like the Braemar Games, where vibrant attire is part of the tradition.

Camilla’s history with public perception may also play a role. As Queen Consort, she has faced ongoing scrutiny, from her early days as the “other woman” in King Charles’s marriage to Princess Diana to more recent criticisms, such as Prince Harry’s claims in Spare that she was “dangerous” and a “villain.” Her decision to wear a colorful outfit so soon after Katharine’s death was seen by some as another misstep, reinforcing narratives of insensitivity. Yet Camilla has also been praised for her warmth and dedication, particularly in her work with literacy programs and domestic violence charities. Supporters argue that her choice may have been a practical one, balancing her role as Queen Consort with the demands of a public-facing event.

The Braemar Games appearance wasn’t Camilla’s only engagement that week. On September 7, she and Charles attended a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, where prayers were offered for Katharine. Here, too, Camilla’s attire was noted, though less controversially, as she wore a subdued outfit with the black armband. The contrast between her choices and those of other royals, however, kept the conversation alive, with many questioning whether she was deliberately distancing herself from the mourning protocol or simply interpreting it differently.

A Changing Monarchy?

The backlash against Camilla raises broader questions about the evolution of royal traditions in a modern world. The monarchy has long been a symbol of continuity, with mourning attire serving as a visible expression of respect and unity. Yet, as the royal family adapts to contemporary expectations, there’s growing flexibility in how these traditions are observed. Katharine herself was a trailblazer in this regard, converting to Catholicism in 1994—the first royal to do so in over 300 years—and choosing to live a less formal life. Her upcoming funeral on September 16, 2025, at Westminster Cathedral, will mark the first Catholic royal funeral in modern history, a testament to her individuality and the royal family’s willingness to honor her wishes.

Camilla’s decision to wear a black armband rather than a full black ensemble may reflect this shift toward a less rigid monarchy. Some argue that her choice was pragmatic, respecting the mourning period while aligning with the celebratory tone of the Braemar Games. Others, however, see it as a missed opportunity to show solidarity with the royal family’s collective grief, especially given Katharine’s status as a beloved figure. The controversy also underscores the intense scrutiny faced by Camilla, whose every move is compared to the polished public images of Kate Middleton and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Public’s Reaction and What’s Next

Social media continues to buzz with opinions, from those calling for Camilla to “do better” to others urging critics to focus on Katharine’s legacy rather than royal fashion. “Katharine was about compassion, not protocol—let’s honor her by talking about her work,” one X user wrote, redirecting attention to the Duchess’s contributions to music education and children’s welfare. Others remain unforgiving, with one post declaring, “Camilla’s lack of respect for tradition shows she’ll never truly fit as Queen.”

As the royal family prepares for Katharine’s funeral, all eyes will be on Camilla and other senior royals. The service, expected to be attended by King Charles, Prince William, and Kate, will be a moment to celebrate Katharine’s life and her groundbreaking contributions to the monarchy. Whether Camilla’s attire at the funeral will quell or reignite the controversy remains to be seen, but her actions will undoubtedly be scrutinized.

For now, the debate over Camilla’s outfit serves as a reminder of the delicate balance royals must strike between tradition and modernity. Katharine’s death has brought her remarkable life back into the spotlight, but it’s Camilla’s sartorial choice that has stolen the headlines, proving once again that in the world of royalty, even a splash of color can spark a storm.