She completed the look with a navy hat and pumps, adding a little sparkle with a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana and a Prince of Wales feathered brooch.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have returned to a yearly tradition but this time with new titles. For the first time since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth and King Charles' accession to the throne in September 2022, the couple attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service on March 13. The event is special for another reason as well. The event was held at Westminster Abbey, the same venue where the couple exchanged vows on their royal wedding day in April 2011, as per PEOPLE.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in style! 😍🤩👏🏽The Princess of Wales said Retro Chic, today!🤩You can tell she is very comfortable playing with different style, I would have straight up look like a gawdy turtle in that 😅#CommonwealthDay pic.twitter.com/UYESfx7VLw
— Canellecitadelle (@Canellelabelle) March 13, 2023
Princess Kate arrived in a navy Erdem peplum jacket and skirt with a white embroidered print. She completed the look with a navy hat and pumps, adding a little sparkle with a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana. She also accessorized her outfit with a special gift from King Charles III, a Prince of Wales feathered brooch. Carrying navy gloves and a clutch as she walked into Westminster Abbey, Kate had to hold on to her hat to save it from flying away with the wind, per ET.
Prince William complemented his wife in a navy suit with a blue tie, and the couple was welcomed in by members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, who performed at the Great West Door ahead of the Commonwealth Service. Other members of the Royal Family in attendance included King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince Edward and Sophie (the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh), Princess Anne, and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
This service honors the 56 countries and nations around the world that make up the Commonwealth. "Working in collaboration towards shared economic, environmental, social, and democratic goals, the service seeks to highlight a vast community that spans every geographical region, religion, and culture, embracing the diversity of it its population of 2.5 billion people, of which over 60 percent are under 30 years old," the palace said in a statement.
The Commonwealth Day theme for 2023 was "Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future." Sustainability is a key cause for King Charles as he leads the service for the first time as monarch, including with a speech. In 2022, the then-Prince of Wales gave an address on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who was not present at the service. Upon King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival at Westminster Abbey, they were met by the Dean of Westminster before they greeted members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club.
The Princess of Wales brings one of the most classic couture silhouettes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. This screams Dior from the 1950’s and I’m here for it.
— Prince & Princess of Wales (@TribesBritannia) March 13, 2023
pic.twitter.com/sQukE39xac
The service began by honoring Commonwealth member states' flags. As 2023 is the Commonwealth Year of Peace, a specially-designed Commonwealth Flag for Peace was also processed. The event included musical performances from saxophonist Yolanda Brown, West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera, and the all-female Amalgamation Choir from Cyprus. Marking Rwanda's role as the current Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, the Rwandan National Ballet, Urukerereza, also performed. Last year marked a return to the Commonwealth Day Service, which was canceled in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and replaced with a smaller event.
With newer roles, newer challenges also await the Royals but they seem to be doing it all with grace and style.
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Cover Image Source: Getty Images | WPA Pool
