Commonwealth Day 2023: Kate opts for navy Mary Poppins-style skirt suit
The Royal Family have put their best foot forward for the first Commonwealth Day Service since the death of Queen Elizabeth — which saw Camilla, the Queen Consort, don her late mother-in-law's sapphire chrysanthemum brooch in tribute.
It wasn't the only tribute on display, with Kate wearing a pair of Diana's earrings, that she also wore last year at Trooping the Colour, which feature diamond and sapphires in a two-tier flower design.
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Diana was seen wearing these earrings during a 1991 royal tour of Canada — one of the Commonwealth realms which still has the British monarch as their head of state.
The Princess of Wales opted for an Erdem skirt suit in navy with delicate white floral detailing by the Canada-born British designer.
It was a new style of silhouette for the 41-year-old royal, with the peplum frill at the waist creating a dramatic contrast to the fitted bodice and skirt.
The princess finished off the look with matching navy accessories, a fascinator (which she had to make a strategic grab for in the wind as she entered Westminster Abbey), suede pumps, gloves and an envelope-style clutch bag.
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The Queen Consort went for a Fiona Clare creation in an attention-grabbing sapphire blue, cut from wool crepe, and a matching feather beret from Philip Treacy — the go-to milliner for the Royals.
Sophie – the newly minted Duchess of Edinburgh – went for a timelessly chic white look. She paired a classic single-breasted coat dress (which featured subtle black detailing) with matching accessories including a pillbox hat and a classic box handbag.
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Anne, the Princess Royal, chose a dark green embroidered coat dress, which featured a dramatic, oversized asymmetrical collar and gently tilted green hat. She finished her look off with a stylish pair of heeled black boots in patent black, an understated brooch and black gloves.
This year's Commonwealth Day had the theme 'Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’, and saw the new King give a speech from the Great Pulpit of Westminster Abbey — usually the monarch's Commonwealth message has been a written one, so it seems Charles is injecting his own style into the proceedings.
The new king paid tribute to his late mother and spoke about the Commonwealth values of "peace and justice; tolerance, respect and solidarity" and "care for our environment" whilst also discussing the need for international cooperation to tackle major global challenges like the climate crisis.
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