Kate Middleton Breaks Tradition in French Dior for State Visit — But Was It Also a Nod to Meghan?
Kate Middleton broke tradition and wore a pink Christian Dior outfit to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron on his UK state visit. The Princess of Wales, who typically wears outfits by British designers at royal events, broke her self-imposed rule by donning the fashion brand for the first time. While her stunning two-piece ensemble turned heads, it was also a subtle nod to Meghan Markle, who has often chosen Dior as her go-to brand for public appearances.
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As reported by The Mirror, while royal watchers were convinced Middleton was acknowledging that if the brand is good enough for Markle, it’s good enough for her, there might have been another reason behind her outfit choice. Experts have argued that it paid tribute to President Macron’s home country, as Dior is a French multinational fashion powerhouse.
Interestingly, the Princess of Wales also made a striking departure from her usual palette of bright greens, blues, and reds by choosing a petal pink outfit. Commenting on the same, image consultant Marina Thomas told Hello! magazine, "The choice of this muted tone of pink is an incredibly approachable choice of color, a real symbol of peace. It is a sign of wanting to promote security and tranquility." She added, "The rose pink with beige undertones promotes neutrality and symbolizes sophistication and elegance, perfect for a diplomatic state visit." Thomas also opined that although pink was a more subtle shade than national colors, it was a befitting choice to pay tribute to French culture in a thoughtful way.
Middleton reportedly also sent a 'subtle message' to Markle at the state banquet dinner through another carefully chosen fashion statement. According to the Daily Express, the Princess of Wales wore an elegant dark red silk evening gown designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy. The choice may have again been a quiet nod to Markle, who famously wore a Givenchy wedding gown for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Middleton's decision to once again opt for the French luxury label marked a notable shift as she traditionally favors British designers for state banquet dinners. The future Queen paired her gown with the Lover's Knot Tiara, marking her first tiara appearance since November 2023.
Coming back to her Dior look, as per the Royal Insider, the Christian Dior jacket is the '30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar' style from the 2024 Collection. It was refurbished by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original garment created in 1947 by Christian Dior. As for tributes, the Princess of Wales also paid a sweet homage to her late mother-in-law and late grandmother-in-law with her outfit choice. Middleton paired her dress with Princess Diana’s earrings and a necklace from the personal vault of the late Queen Elizabeth.