How Kate Middleton masters high heels as she takes on the world (and makes it look easy!)

The Princess of Wales is not just universally known as one of the most popular royals, but she is a style inspiration to many.

Often sporting the most chic ensembles, Kate always manages to look put together - even when she is partaking in strenuous sporting activity.

Over the years, she has made countless royal visits where her attire usually consists of form-fitting blazers and skirts - and she almost always pairs her stylish ensembles with a pair of pumps to add even more glamour. 

Where some struggle to keep their balance in stilettos, the royal mother-of-three struts with ease in the high heels; which only adds to her elegance.

She can not only stroll with ease in pumps; but can also dabble in different sports while elevated in height; having shown off hockey and volleyball skills in high heels on occasion. 

Kate even manages to maintain composure while wearing pumps on grass, at events like polo matches and horse racing events such as Royal Ascot. 

Among the brands Kate favours are Emmy London, located in Chelsea, from which she owns 16 pairs of handmade footwear which features a single crystal on each sole. 

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at all the times the Princess of Wales made wearing heels look easy... 

Sport in stilettos 

Back in 2012, Kate showed her sporty side to the public when she went back to her old school, St Andrew's in Pangbourne, Berkshire, to relive her youth with a game of hockey.

Sporting a pair of black high-heeled boots and a blue and green tartan coat, Kate looked ever the royal as she arrived at her old stomping ground.

Although she didn't have her PE kit to hand, this didn't stop the sporty royal from getting stuck into training; as she took a starring role on the AstroTurf with pupils for a quick game.  

It's no secret that ambitious blood runs through the Middleton veins, as Pippa and Kate were both known to be super competitive with sports at school events as children. 

They were both on the hockey team as teenagers, though the Princess of Wales was team captain during her years at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

Kate always enjoyed physical education as a student and even went on to become a star tennis player, a keen netball player and used to beat the boys at high jump. 

But, never one to shy away from trying new things, it was volleyball that captured Kate's imagination in 2013 when she visited the Olympic Park in east London.

Lovers of the sport find it challenging to play in trainers, let alone heels. However, once again, Kate proved the impossible when she decided to have a go at the sport - while wearing steep wedges.

She stepped out in skin-tight 'jeggings' by J Brand and a Ralph Lauren breton-style top, complete with the high shoes.

But the Princess of Wales is not one to turn down a challenge and she was instead filmed jumping up to whack the ball over the net in the five-inch shoes. 

She made the visit just 89 days after giving birth to Prince George and it was her first solo visit without the-then three-month old.

In 2022, Kate was snapped kicking about a football while sipping on a beer with her husband, Prince William.

The pair attended the Cambridgeshire County Day where they attended the unveiling of their first official joint portrait.

Sporting a sheer lilac patterned dress and a pair of sand-coloured wedges, she wasn't dressed for a match, but nonetheless, she tried her best to score a high-scoring goal. 

Many would think that Kate is at somewhat of a disadvantage when she goes head-to-head with William in sporting events.

But the mother proved that even after birthing three children, she has never been stronger and fitter. 

The royals took part took part in a spin class during a visit to Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre in Port Talbot to hear about how sport and exercise can support mental health and well-being in February 2023.

After the 45-second race - in which Kate asked if she could turn the bike's resistance up and 'make it harder' - the shocked princess was declared the winner of the 'Tour de Aberavon' and handed a small trophy.

She beat her husband in the competition dressed in a smart white polo neck and a cream coat, with a patterned houndstooth £20 Zara skirt and four-inch Gianvito Rossi boots.

Despite having more of a challenge to overcome by cycling in the chunky heels, Kate barely broke a sweat. 

A masterful exit 

In 2023, Kate was hailed for her poise by royal fans after she was filmed disembarking a helicopter gracefully - in heels.

She made a visit to the Royal Navy Air Station in Yeovilton, and was filmed hopping out of the chopper without any assistance.

The shoes in question were £650 black pumps with a thick heel from Gianvito Rossi and she paired them with a £549 black blazer from Holland Cooper which she has worn previously, with gold button detailing and fitted trousers.

At one point, an officer goes to help the Princess of Wales out of the helicopter by reaching out his arm.

But the mother-of-three assured him that she was more than capable of stepping out alone, and managed to still look elegant while doing so. 

Reliving her youth 

The future queen showed off her playful side in 2022, when she opted to take the slide at Legoland in Copenhagen, rather than the adult-friendly stairs.

Giggling Kate whizzed down a winding tube slide instead of taking the stairs, raising her hands in the air as she shot out the bottom.

Screaming with laughter after emerging from the slide, she joked with the press saying 'you stood far enough away!' adding 'In the spirit of where I am, I had to do it.'

And although she travelled at speed down the slide, she managed to nail the landing, even wearing black suede heels - and look radiant while doing so. 

For the occasion, she finished the look with a pair of black wide-leg trousers and her favourite Aspinal of London handbag. 

She also joked that her children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were 'very jealous' they weren't able to come along. 

A regal introduction 

Kate gave birth to Prince Louis on April 23, 2018; the royal couple's third child and fourth-in-line to the throne.

Hours after labour, Kate stepped out of the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, where three generations of royals have been born.

Kate previously had her two older children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George at the hospital where her husband was born.

When she and William stepped out to show the press and public Prince Louis for the first time, Kate remained her usual, stylish self.

She wore bright red dress and a pair of modest nude kitten heels as she held her youngest child alongside her husband.

The couple were met with cheers from crowds, who were equally as excited as the parents about their newborn.

Mothers everywhere were baffled at how the royal was able to look so put together after going through childbirth and shared images of themselves after labour.

They took to Instagram and X to express awe at how incredible she looked - all the while posting photos to show the reality of giving birth for many.  

'Everyone is praising Kate Middleton for being photographed hours after giving birth,' wrote one wrote. 'It made me go back through old pictures of when I had my first, and it turns out Kate isn't the only one with #postbirthphotos.'

'I mean, I know she had help to look that good but I would’ve needed a mortician that specialises in putting make-up on corpses and industrial quantities of sanitary wear,' wrote another.

Multitasking in style 

In 2016, Kate and William travelled to Canada with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who were only a of couple years old at the time. 

For the visit, she wore an elegant sapphire-blue pencil skirt and blazer co-ord and paired it with a pair of nude heels.

But when the family touched down in Victoria, she appeared to have stern words with her oldest child, Prince George. 

While many struggle to walk even a few steps in heels, Kate managed to squat down to George's height in her footwear, while having Charlotte in her arms.

It appeared to be a sign of a parenting technique called active listening; something the late Queen was reported to be sceptical of. 

However, it's a method praised by modern parenting experts. 

Child development expert Gill Connell told People magazine: 'Active listening is one of the most important ways you can send the message, "You're important to me." Get down on the child's level, lean in and make eye contact.

'These simple messages foster self-esteem in powerful ways while encouraging him to communicate even more.'