The Duchess of Rothesay (as the Princess of Wales is titled in Scotland) visited the Isle of Bute today with the Duke of Rothesay. 
The Isle of Bute is about 90 minutes west of Glasgow, including the ferry ride.
The couple’s first stop was at the Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay. This is their first visit to their namesake town. 
Shinty is one of Scotland’s oldest traditional sports, played here for generations. The couple met senior and youth team representatives and spent time with volunteers and former players in the clubhouse. Local community members built the clubhouse, which holds team photographs dating back to 1907. 
More about the sport from this BBC piece.
Twelve players per side use a curved wooden stick called a caman to play a leather ball. Some players choose to wear full face protective helmets throughout the two 45-minute halves.
It begins with the throw up, where the referee throws the ball in the air between two players, leaving them to wrestle for it.
It’s fast, it’s physical, it’s traditional.
Today’s engagements were designed to highlight the power of community, connection and volunteering.
The couple then went back outside to watch training exercises and meet young players taking part in the sport.
Below, the couple watch some of the younger players. 
We learn details from this Daily Mirror story.
Kate and William watched an under-17s shinty game … before marching onto the pitch to take part in a penalty shootout. William stepped up first, fluffed his first shot and the ball bobbled away – but he connected with the second attempt.
Kate was cheered onto the pitch by the crowd and raised her fist in the air in mock acknowledgement of their support. William l called out ‘long run up’ as Kate stepped up to take her first attempt. The princess joined in the laughter as she missed the ball entirely performing an air shot. After William suggested she take just one step up to the ball, Kate struck her second attempt cleanly.
Rebecca English of The Daily Mail shared videos of the Prince and Princess taking their shots.
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay enjoy trying their hand at Shinty on the Isle of Bute today. A couple of false starts, but then they smashed it! pic.twitter.com/PzjlyCUYJ0
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 17, 2026
Another view of the Princess. 
The royals posed for selfies. 
Here you see the Princess greeting 95-year-old Jenny Salli, a Rothesay resident. 
And the royals posing with Ms. Salli.
The couple with club officials. 
And a group photo with younger players at the Club. 
The Princess with a wave goodbye as this engagement wrapped up. 
The couple then traveled to Ettrick Bay, a few miles away, where they met members of Beachwater Bute. 
The charitable organization was formed in 1998; members monitor and remove marine litter from Bute’s shores.
We learn more from Hello’s story.
They walked along the sand with Beach Ranger Sandra Macmillan and supporters of the charity, which has coordinated clean-up activities on Bute since 1998, to keep the coastline safe and accessible for wildlife and local people.
Armed with litter pickers and recycled farm feed bags to hold the rubbish, they stopped to pick up bits of packaging and rope and used their bare hands to pick up finer plastic filaments from fishing gear as they heard more about the charity’s work.
Beachwatch Bute’s secretary Sue Brooks said she had offered the Princess some gloves, which she turned down. “She said ‘actually, I do this all the time’.” Catherine was “a bit hesitant” to use the litter picker, but instead, “she was in there just picking everything up and saying ‘I’ll get that one’. Yeah, it was great. “It felt like you were just chatting to your pal walking along, so it was lovely.”
The couple even took a tractor ride on the beach. 
The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English shared several videos from the beach engagement.
A very happy Duke and Duchess of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute today 🏴 pic.twitter.com/DG3BGcb43i
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 17, 2026
The royals posed with volunteers for a group photo. 
It looks like the Princess made some four-legged friends. 
Another view. 
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub in Port Bannatyne. 
The pub is community-owned, and a Scotsman article from this May notes it “was bought by the community in 2022, saving it from ruin. It is the village’s only pub, and the people who rescued it now sit there together and drink together too.”
It is also dog-friendly, noting, “We happily accept well-behaved dogs and provide water and treats and even a dog visitor book!” The BBC reports, “Settling in for coffee and cake – as well as a half-pint of beer for William – the royals could be seen chatting with pubgoers…”
There is a community hub next door where meetings can be hosted, and there are pop-up food events, along with exhibits, workshops and other community activities. Below is a group photo at the Tavern.
The couple as they left the pub. 
After leaving the pub, the royals did a walkabout. 
The King’s Guard Tours posted a video of the Princess chatting with people about what she’d like to do the next time she visits.
The Princess of Wales shared with members of the public on the Isle of Bute that next time she visits, she would like to swim, sauna, and listen to live music! 🎶
🎥 @kingsguardtours
📍Isle of Bute, Scotland
📆 17 September, 2026#PrincessOfWales #PrincessCatherine pic.twitter.com/2hsHJypcdT— Kings Guard Tours (@KingsGuardTours) September 17, 2026
The Princess with schoolchildren. 
And posing for a photo. 
The Princess with another youngster. 
And now, a look at what Kate wore on the Isle of Bute today. As she often does, the Princess showcased British brands. This is perhaps even more appropriate this Thursday in September, as London Fashion Week got underway today. 
We begin with her Burberry trench coat, with thanks to Kate Middleton Styled on Instagram for the ID. You could see the brand’s iconic Nova check lining in the photo above at the Shinty Club, a pattern created back in the 1920s. This is a longer-length design, the Burberry Kensington style. The trench is done in a classic double-breasted style with shoulder epaulets, buckled cuffs, a gun flap on the back, and pockets. This model below looks like it has the brand’s lining on the underside of the collar, and I’m not sure the Princess’s version includes that detail. Additionally, the Princess’s coat looked brown to me in many photos, not black, so I will keep looking for a photo of the exact style worn today.
The Princess’s sweater is not yet identified; I will update the post if/when it is. The Princess brought back her Holland Cooper Jodhpur Jeans ( a 92% cotton material blended with stretch fabrics in a high-rise style with a skinny fit. 
She accessorized with Maison Hotel’s ‘Guadalupe’ Belt ($189) in the Mariachi Coffee color. Made of leather, the Spanish brand’s belt is described as featuring “intricate floral embroidery in tones of cream and brown, echoing the artistry of traditional Mexican textiles. The antique-style silver-tone buckle and tip bring a Western edge, while the etched detailing adds depth and refinement.” A fab find by Lauren and Gabi. 
We saw the return of the Princess’s House of Bruar Tweed 8-Piece Hat ($125) in green herringbone wool. 
The Princess wore a new pair of brown suede Chelsea-style ankle boots today that I am still trying to identify.
She also brought back her Lauren Pavé Diamond Leaf Drop Earrings (£3200, roughly $4300 at today’s exchange rates) by go-to jeweler Kiki McDonough. 
I will leave you with one more photo from today. 
Caroline
Monday 21st of September 2026
I love the Burberry trench coat! Sadly, I will never own one as our New Zealand dollar makes them too expensive. The Princess looks very autumnal, in a good way. The richness of the coat in contrast to the muted tones of the rest of her outfit appeals to me. I don’t understand why Catherine wore the long coat for shinty though. I agree with ElizaMo that this style doesn’t lend itself to a sporting event. A three-quarter length rain jacket might have been more suitable, but I’m still happy to see the Burberry coat. The House of Bruar hat is timeless and looks very cosy and practical for a windy day. The diamond earrings surprised me, but they are small enough not to seem too incongruous with what is otherwise a very practical country outfit. I don’t mind the skinny pants for such events — I don’t think Catherine wants to appear too regal on such outings, as she wants to be relatable, so their casual appearance doesn’t bother me, and they’re practical for trudging through wet grass and picking up litter. I do think that The Princess should have worn gloves for picking up litter though — for safety and hygiene reasons. I read somewhere that the boots might be the Boden Jessie Chunky Chelsea boots, but they lack the gold embellishment at the back — perhaps they are a bespoke version.
https://global.boden.com/products/women-jessie-chunky-chelsea-boots-bitter-chocolate-a2238chc
admin
Monday 21st of September 2026
Thank. you, Caroline! They're also a great repliKate. But you're right, they are different in several ways from the boots worn last week.
Emilie
Sunday 20th of September 2026
Very interesting visit! I love the tidbits about the outing that precedes the outfit details. It’s important work that the Wales’ highlight with these trips. Catherine looks healthy and happy, and I wouldn’t have thought it, but her wearing British/UK brands does align with London fashion week, and her sartorial choices just like the rest of the Royals have done for decades. Lovely earthy tones!
Aurora
Sunday 20th of September 2026
I love this outfit, perfect for this type of outing. All the shades of brown and green look lovely together and give a cozy fall feel. Love the Burberry trenchcoat with the lining giving just a pop of color. She looks amazing in the hat, really suites her. I read that the ribbed turtleneck is from Victoria Beckham collection. Always enjoy reading your blog!
Lu
Sunday 20th of September 2026
The Princess looked fantastic for this type of engagement. A rainy autumn engagement on the Isle of Bute, featuring beach cleanups and playing sports, demands practical, durable clothing. Wide-leg or baggy trousers would simply drag in the wet Scottish grass. This rich chocolate-brown outfit was perfectly suited to the environment and is stunning on her. She dresses for her role and her own preferences, not to appease Gen Z micro-trends. As Gianni Versace famously said: 'Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.' The comments calling these jeans 'outdated' or 'no one is wearing them' are factually incorrect. Skinny and slim-cut denim remain a multi-million-pound baseline staple in every major shop from Levi's to Wrangler because everyday women value their utility. Just like straight and bootcut jeans never actually vanished from stores when skinny jeans ruled the 2010s, skinny jeans haven’t vanished now. Retailers cater to mass public demand, not just fashion-forward internet subcultures. Ironically, the internet critics are the ones behind the curve; major global houses like Celine, Dior, Valentino, Balenciaga, and 7 For All Mankind have actively put ultra-slim silhouettes back on the runway this very year. For those claiming skinny jeans are 'inappropriate' for a royal visit, it is worth remembering the words of Alexander McQueen, a British designer whose label the Princess wears and supports constantly: 'I think it’s good to be inappropriate. I think it’s good to wear what you want, regardless of what anyone thinks.' The Princess looked elegant, confident, and perfectly dressed for the environment. True style is about knowing what works for you and the task at hand, not chasing seasonal trends.
hrhdhd
Monday 21st of September 2026
@Lu, I don't see anyone suggesting "wide-leg or baggy trousers" for these engagements; fortunately, pant legs have a continuum between the extremes of skinny and wide-leg.
I agree with Mr. Versace that one shouldn't be into trends. So even if skinny fit pants are today's trend on the runways, I'll still dislike them. On Catherine, this pair is too tight, wrinkled, and unflattering. Of course, she can wear what she wants--and this GenXer will think what she wants.
QueenMab
Monday 21st of September 2026
@Lu, I align with your comments here. This was a perfectly appropriate outfit for the event I question. Cathrerine looks great in skinny jeans as well. I’m not sure how these pants can be out of style when they are from this season’s collection….
ElizaMo
Sunday 20th of September 2026
It is always a great pleasure to see Catherine out and about looking well and happy. It’s even better when she manages to suit her outfit to whatever occasion she attends, though I’m afraid I have to say this is one of several occasions when I begin to wonder if she spends much time in the country at all as I would have thought a full length trench coat – and I otherwise like this Burberry very much – is the last thing I would wear for anything such as attempting shinty strikes, tractor driving, or beach litter picking due to the amount of fabric flapping around the legs.
Often the Princess seems to favour an urban look suitable for the pub or indoor venues rather than the great outdoors. The mix of skinny jeans with the long coat seems dramatic in its way though not one I have seen much elsewhere, and I continue to find them less than regal in appearance. The outfit also strikes me as a little odd in that the top layer of almost oppressively heavy green and browns seems offset by only the small lighter touches of the coat lining and the beautifully etched Guadalupe belt. It’s almost as if the weight of being in remission is heavier than I first thought and Catherine’s more creative side is still lurking in secure spaces.
I’m very happy to see the return of the House of Bruar’s baker’s boy cap, it’s colouring and style suit Catherine very well and its height and bulk help offset some of the more severe lines of the outfit. It also helps give some control to Catherine’s untamed locks while on the beach, underlining the impracticality of wearing loose long hair while taking aim at a shinty ball. The Lauren Pave Diamond Leaf Drop Earrings are discreet ands suitable for the occasion. I myself simply pass on many heart-shaped items clearly being a cold-hearted soul.
Caroline A.
Monday 21st of September 2026
@ElizaMo, I second Bonnie’s comment. I know you well enough from this blog to be sure that you are in no way cold-hearted — quite the contrary ❤️
ElizaMo
Monday 21st of September 2026
@Bonnie, Thanks for updating me on leaves not hearts, I wasn't paying attention there!
Bonnie
Sunday 20th of September 2026
@ElizaMo, In my comment I also questioned wearing a long coat for sporty events, although like you, I really like the Burberry trench. We also agree that skinny jeans are not regal attire, no matter how casual the engagement. At first glance, I too thought the earrings were hearts, however, they are called, "leaf drop" earrings. As for being cold-hearted, you are most certainly not that. :-)