Kate Middleton’s French State Visit Look Echoed Her Coronation Ensemble in a Subtle Way
Kate Middleton is known for her timeless sense of style, with her outfits that often carry meaningful details, as a tribute to senior royals or in honor of an occasion close to her heart. She also honors the diplomatic relations during important visits with her choice of outfit. During the recent French state visit, one such moment stood out when the Princess wore a hat, which had a surprising connection to her ensemble from King Charles’s coronation.
Middleton joined Prince William, Queen Camilla, and the monarch to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, to the U.K. The Macrons were hosted at Windsor, as Buckingham Palace is under renovation. To honor diplomatic relations between the two nations, Middleton, for the first time, wore an elegant outfit by the French brand, Dior. She paired a pale pink jacket with a matching skirt and hat.
Moreover, when it comes to jewelry, the princess usually trusts family heirlooms passed down to her by either the late Queen Elizabeth or the late Princess Diana. Nevertheless, this time it was her hat that had a deeper meaning. According to People Magazine, for the elegant hat with a ribbon detail, Middleton returned to her trusted label, Jess Collett. The princess had previously worn the label’s silver floral headdress during King Charles’s coronation. Her daughter, Princess Charlotte, was also spotted wearing a similar, but slightly less chunky, headpiece. Middleton paired hers with a custom Alexander McQueen ivory silk crepe dress with embroidered flora of the U.K.: roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks. Over the dress, she donned an official blue and red robe.
The princess’s switch to a headpiece from a tiara was perceived as a major fashion statement. In an interview, Collet revealed that she had a clear vision for the Princess of Wales. She said, “It was a tiara that I made for the princess, but it was very much based on a piece that I have called ‘The Golden Crown' — a band of leaves made from gold leather.” The designer continued, “When people wear it, and many people have hired it, they always tell me after that they felt fabulous and radiant from inside.” The designer not only managed to amaze the audience but also earned the praise of her children. She said, “We were at home watching it from the sofa, in my pajamas with my family. When Catherine arrived, I just ... even my children went, ‘Oh wow, Mum, it looks really good.’ And you know children are not afraid to tell the truth!” She defined the experience to be ‘exciting and nerve-wracking.’
Middleton grabbed further attention with her look for the royal state banquet hosted in honor of the Macrons. For the eventful evening, the mother-of-three opted for a dark red Givenchy dress, which she paired with the late Queen’s jewels and Diana’s tiara. According to Tyla, her official portrait with William convinced fans that the couple would be taking over the throne sooner than expected.