Kate Middleton‘s triumphant return to the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey on Monday, March 10, was a masterclass in royal symbolism and sartorial elegance.
Catherine, the Princess of Windsor, 43, was unable to attend last year due to treatments she was undergoing for cancer; in January 2025, she announced that she was now in remission.
On Monday, she was joined by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the annual festivities in London.
She dressed the part in a striking red Catherine Walker coat dress, a favorite designer that’s also become some of a Commonwealth tradition. The vibrant red hue, associated with England and Wales, was meant to sartorially convey a sense of national pride. She has worn this shade on multiple occasions for the annual event.
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However, this particular look was tied with a bow at the neckline, which was in line with current fashion trends but was not out of the ordinary for Middleton, who tends to set the trends rather than follow them, hence “The Kate Effect.”
Often used as a way to upcycle an outfit, bows serve as a means for the future queen to try “a more sustainable way of dressing,” Bethan Holt, fashion director at The Telegraph, told People in December 2024. “She already has a vast and extensive wardrobe, so why shouldn’t she be looking for ways to take existing pieces and re-imagine them? And a bow is a very democratic, universal way to do that.”
Her accessories complemented the monochrome look: red suede Gianvito Rossi pumps, a matching clutch and a rose-detailed fascinator that made a statement. Middleton’s jewelry also spoke volumes, as royal fashion watchers noticed she also paired her patriotic red attire with pieces that nodded to the late Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II.
The Collingwood pearl drop earrings, a beloved piece from Princess Diana’s collection, served as a poignant tribute. Gifted to Diana before her marriage, the meaningful heirloom has been worn at many significant royal events.
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Middleton has long cherished these earrings, which she debuted in 2017 when she paired them with the Lover’s Knot tiara. She repeated this combination for other state occasions. Perhaps most notably, she also wore the same jewelry for her 40th birthday portrait in 2021.
Further paying homage to her royal heritage, the Princess of Windsor wore a four-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clasp as a moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Middleton has worn the choker to some of her most major royal engagements.
In 2017, she chose it for a party held in honor of the Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding anniversary. In a truly poignant gesture, the then-Duchess of Cambridge wore the pearls for Philip’s funeral in 2021 — where she also wore the same Catherine Walker dress on Monday, but in black to fit the somber occasion.
Middleton’s much-anticipated return marked a milestone moment, highlighting her resilience and dedication to her royal duties. Her thoughtful fashion choices, meanwhile, rich with symbolism and style, underscored her connection to the royal family’s legacy.
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