Kate Middleton's coronation outfit includes jewellery belonging to Princess Diana
It goes without saying we've been more than a tad excited for King Charles III's coronation. Ahead of the weekend's festivities, we were studying all the timings, planning our prime 'watch' spot, and RSVPing to street parties. And here on the Cosmo fashion desk, speculation about what Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was planning to wear has been rife (especially since Meghan Markle won't be in attendance).
Well, wonder no more as we've had our first sightings of Kate and it's safe to say she did not disappoint. For the coronation of King Charles III, the Princess looks regal in an Alexander McQueen ivory silk full-length gown with a blue ceremonial robe draped over her shoulders. On her head she has on a silver headpiece constructed from flower and leaf motifs.
She is wearing the Diamond and South Sea Pearl Earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. These elegant diamond and pearl earrings were known to be among Diana's favorite pieces of jewellery.
Kate's jewellery is often symbolic, at past events she has chosen to wear pieces loaned from the late Queen Elizabeth II as well as pieces from Princess Diana's collection. And today's occasion is no exception. While Kate has worn the earrings before to a number of previous occasions, (first to the 2019 BAFTAs, again at Royal Ascot last year, for a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London and most recently to the first state visit of King Charles's reign), her choice to wear something of Diana's feels incredibly symbolic and is a touching tribute.
Kate also made sure to honour the late monarch, wearing Queen Elizabeth II’s George VI Festoon Necklace. The necklace was a favourite of the Queen's. Featuring three strands and made using 105 loose collet-set diamonds, the piece was commissioned by George VI for his daughter (then-Princess Elizabeth) in 1950.
It's no surprise she chose to wear a design from Alexander McQueen. The British fashion house is a go-to for the royal. She's worn the label repeatedly over the years, including for her wedding to Prince William in 2011 when she chose a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown. The ivory silk crepe dress she's wearing today features silver bullion and threadwork embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs all along the necklines, cuffs and hem. These emblems signify the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Her headpiece is also by Alexander McQueen, created in collaboration with Jess Collett. It's constructed from silver bullion and crystal, featuring silver threadwork and three-dimensional leaf embroidery. Simple ivory court shoes completed Kate's coronation outfit.
Princess Charlotte was twinning with her mother, in an Alexander McQueen ivory dress and cape with an embroidered collar depicting the same floral stitching. She also had on a similar, smaller version of her mother's headpiece.
Since she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) by the late Queen in 2019, Kate is entitled to wear the Grand Cross Mantles of the Royal Victorian Order. That's the star and cross insignia and hand embroidered badges decorating the deep blue silk satin Royal Victorian Order mantle (essentially a floor-length cloak) edged in scarlet and lined with white silk taffeta. The cape also features a hood attached to right shoulder.
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