The Princess of Wales looked stunning this week as she attended a series of events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day this week.
Known for her ‘diplomatic dressing’, Kate, 43, stayed true to her sleek and sophisticated signature style for Monday’s military procession along the Mall, Thursday’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey and last night’s commemorative concert at Horse Guards Parade.
But, with a strong sense of the importance of the historic moment for the nation – and the world – the mother-of-three was careful not to dress in a way that might distract from the significance of VE Day as both a solemn and celebratory occasion.
In fact, as some eagle-eyed royal fans observed, Kate deployed a clever trick when it came to curating her wardrobe this week, namely, rewearing garments the world has already seen her in.
Aware that her own image would be beamed around the world and, therefore, take attention away from the ordinary men and women whose duty and sacrifice lay at the heart of VE Day, it seems she chose a series of outfits that she hoped would fly under the radar.
Of course, as a senior royal and one of the globe’s foremost style icons, Kate’s looks would never go completely unnoticed – but, by mining her own closet for clothes this week, the graceful princess showed she’s not interested in stealing the show.
THE COAT DRESS
The Princess of Wales was a picture of poise and elegance on Monday when she attended the Mall to watch the VE Day military procession along with Prince William, their three children and the King and Queen.
Kate was glowing in a berry ensemble, rewearing her beloved Emilia Wickstead pleated coat dress alongside a matching Sean Barrett pillbox hat with a bow.
Kate Middleton (pictured) wore a beautiful Emilia Wickstead coat dress to the military procession on Monday – but, as eagle-eyed royal fans observed, it wasn’t new for the occasion
The Princess of Wales paired the coat dress with a Sean Barrett pillbox hat
She wore beige Gianvito Rossi 105 pointed pumps and dainty, gold earrings.
Kate added a gold winged RAF brooch to pay tribute to a deep family connection on her side of the family – her paternal grandfather Peter Middleton, who served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War.
Kate’s coat dress – much like the berry shade itself – is a mainstay of her wardrobe and appears to number among her favourite formal garments.
Back in November 2022, she was elegant in the same outfit, which she paired with the identical hat as she welcomed South Africa’s President to the UK.
On that occasion when, along with her husband, she played a key role in the visit, greeting Mr Ramaphosa, Kate donned the smart burgundy coat dress with a £495 Mulberry bag.
She paired the look with her £560 Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Kate also paid subtle tribute to her mother-in-law with the outfit, wearing pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981.
Yet, Kate’s love affair with Emilia Wickstead’s sophisticated coat dress goes back further than 2022.
The Princess of Wales was elegant in an Emilia Wickstead coat dress which she paired with a matching hat as she welcomed South Africa’s President to the UK in November 2022
Meanwhile she paid subtle tribute to her mother-in-law with the outfit, wearing pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981
She owns the garment in several different colours and has been spotted wearing variations of the outfit since 2012.
Crafted from wool, the elegant fit-and-flare silhouette is characterised by a wrap front, peak lapels and concealed closure.
Kate aptly wore the design in forest green for the 2012 St Patrick’s Day parade held in Aldershot.
Ten years later, in 2022, she opted for a pastel blue version to attend the Easter Sunday church service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
That same year, she made a sartorial entrance at a Buckingham Palace garden party, this time wearing the dress in bright coral.
POLKA DOT PRINCESS
The Princess of Wales chose to rewear a striking polka dot dress by Italian-born designer Alessandra Rich for a service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.
The princess also made a heartfelt tribute to her mother-in-law as she joined members of the Royal Family for the Service of Thanksgiving to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe and to commemorate those who fought to bring peace to Europe and the rest of the world.
Kate rewore an Alessandra Rich polka dot dress on Thursday for the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
Kate paired the form-fitting dress, which has puff sleeves and a cummerbund feature, with a black fascinator by British miliner Juliette Botterill.
Kate added a sentimental touch to her outfit by selecting a pair of earrings that had previously belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.
The earrings, gifted to Diana before her wedding to the then-Prince Charles in 1981, became Diana’s firm favourites, with her sporting them on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.
Collingwood, a jewellery firm that was a favourite of the Spencer family, presented them to Diana before she became Princess of Wales.
Diana wore them on several occasions throughout her marriage, including during her tour of the US in 1985, where she paired them with a lacy white gown and the Lover’s Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy.
Diana also sported them with the form-fitting black dress she wore at the Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery in November 1994 in London, which then later became known as the Revenge Dress.
Kate has worn the earrings as a sweet nod to her late mother-in-law several times, including in her official portrait marking her 40th birthday.
The princess first wore the £2,150 Alessandra Rich polka dot number that she donned yesterday back in June 2023 when she attended the Royal Order Of The Garter Installation Service at Windsor Castle.
The Princess of Wales previously wore the dress at the Royal Order Of The Garter Installation Service at Windsor Castle on June 19, 2023
Kate wore another polka dot dress – also designed by Alessandra Rich – to Ascot in 2022
On that occasion, she completed her look with two-tone pumps from Jennifer Chamandi, a Strathberry clutch, Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings and a statement Philip Treacy hat which mirrored the print in its feather plumes.
Kate’s affection for polka dots, however, runs even deeper.
At Royal Ascot in June 2022, Kate wore another Alessandra Rich dress, which featured a similar polka dot pattern.
The £1,970 dress included a feminine pussybow design and was cut from a floaty fabric.
The movement in the skirt of Kate’s dress created a flattering voluminous aesthetic.
Kate’s attractive dress cinched at the waist thanks to a barely noticeable belt, making for a womanly silhouette.
A VISION IN WHITE
The Princess of Wales put her best fashion foot forward in a chic white ensemble as she attended the concert commemorating VE Day last night.
The Princess of Wales turned heads as she stepped out in a glamorous pure white Self Portrait blazer dress last night
Yet, while the beautiful dress made for a polished look and strong statement, it wasn’t brand new for the occasion.
Last night, Kate stylishly contrasted the all-white dress with black accessories for the event.
She stepped out in the glamorous white Self Portrait blazer dress, turning heads as she joined her husband, Prince William, 42, in honouring those who took part in the war effort at Horse Guards Parade in London.
The elegant £400 frock – which channels old Hollywood glamour – is made from bouclé, chiffon and fine lace and looks like two separate garments upon first glance.
Ever the epitome of style and grace, the mother-of-three also wore the statement gown in 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, she sported the look as she joined senior royals at the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace.
Last night, however, Kate decided to accessorise her look with pearl earrings and a necklace from Susan Caplan, a talented jeweller who was also behind the royal’s accessories when she attended the Holocaust Memorial Service in January.
In a post, Susan on Instagram said: ‘We are honoured that the Princess of Wales has chosen to wear our earrings & necklace for the VE Day concert in Horse Guards Parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.’
The Princess also pulled her wavy chocolate brown tresses back and fastened them in place with a £20 black bow hairclip from one of her favourite high street stores, Jigsaw.
Kate first sported the oversized black velvet bow in December, for the Royal Foundation carol service at Westminster Abbey, and the accessory was hailed a ‘triumph’ by the Mail’s fashion editor.
Kate pulled her wavy chocolate brown tresses back and fastened them in place with a £20 black bow hairclip from one of her favourite high street stores, Jigsaw
Kate decided to accessorise her look with pearl earrings and a necklace from Susan Caplan, a talented jewellery who was also behind the royal’s accessories when she attended the Holocaust Memorial Service in January
Kate was pictured in the £400 Self Portrait number at the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace in June 2022
She paired her sophisticated ensemble with pointed nude heels, a stacked pearl necklace to match her earrings and a Chanel black crossbody bag with gold metal detailing.
She donned glamorous makeup for the occasion, opting for grey smoky eyeshadow and a natural base with a hint of contour.
Kate was snapped beaming alongside her husband as they stepped out for the event which will see performances echoing the historic celebrations 80 years ago.