Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, made her return to the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London after a two-year absence. For the occasion, she wore a bright red coat with a bow from her favorite brand, Catherine Walker, continuing her approach to sustainable fashion. She had previously worn this coat during the Christmas service and was last seen in it in 2023 when she and her husband hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee for a state visit in London. Kate also has the same coat in black.
This time, the Princess of Wales paired her look with an elegant Gina Foster pillbox hat. She completed the ensemble with dark red suede Gianvito Rossi stilettos and a matching velvet Miu Miu clutch.
In keeping with tradition, Kate honored two iconic women of the British royal family through her jewelry choices. She wore drop earrings with pearls and diamonds that once belonged to William’s late mother, Princess Diana. The earrings were paired with a pearl and diamond choker, a piece that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The choker was a gift to the late queen during her 1975 visit to Japan, where the Japanese government commissioned the luxurious piece from the British crown jeweler, Garrard. The necklace features a unique diamond clasp in a curved shape. Princess Diana wore it in the 1980s, and Kate has also worn it before, notably at the queen’s funeral in 2022. In December, Kate wore the same earrings and choker with a solid burgundy coat.
Prince William looked dashing in a white shirt, maroon tie, navy suit, and black leather Oxford shoes. He also sported the beard he’s been wearing in recent months. The ceremony was also attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and other royal family members.
Last year, Kate missed the service as she was still recovering from a scheduled abdominal surgery she underwent in January. In March, she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. By December, she began gradually returning to royal duties, and in January of this year, Kate announced that she was in remission.
