Kate Middleton stuck to her signature coatdress-and-hat formula for this morning’s ANZAC Day commemorations in London.
The Princess of Wales paired a navy coat with a contrasting white lapel, a matching hat and coordinating accessories as she laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the King.
The Princess does like to stick to one solid block of colour, structured coats, and clean lines for her most formal royal engagements. It creates a very dignified look. Almost statesmanlike.
Today, Kate’s coat had a slight military edge—largely due to its exaggerated contrasting lapel and double-breasted buttons. A fitting nod to the occasion.
I expect the colour was a conscious choice too. Sombre for a remembrance engagement, while echoing the flags of Australia and New Zealand, which are both predominantly blue.
Although not confirmed by the palace, I’m fairly certain the coat is by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
It shares the same contrast lapel seen on the label’s ‘Donegal’ design from the Autumn/Winter 2020 collection.
Given the coat dates back to 2020, it was likely commissioned during Sarah Burton’s time at the house, before her departure in 2023.
On social media, the brand described the ready-to-wear garment as an “asymmetric drape double-breasted coat in coal black and flint grey Donegal tweed with sharp dart detailing”. It originally retailed for £2,250.
There are some key differences between Kate’s coat and the ready-to-wear version. Kate’s omits the contrasting panel at the waist, and the skirt has been simplified—there’s no flounce or asymmetric cut-out detail, which gives her coat a more traditional finish. The fabric is another difference.
Today, the Princess wore her hair in a half-up, half-down style, curled and topped with a matching blue felt hat.
It looks like a bespoke version of Jane Taylor’s Selene design, with a bow added to the back, and the pleated crinoline embellishment removed.
The hat’s designed to sit at the front of the head and dips slightly, framing the face.
The Selene is listed on JaneTaylor.com for £250, and is made-to-measure with delivery taking 2-4 weeks.
Let’s talk about Kate’s jewellery now, starting with those glittering earrings. They once belonged to Princess Diana.
Each earring features two sapphires, one at the top and one at the bottom, surrounded by a cluster of small round diamonds. A short diamond-set link connects the two.
The earrings were a favourite of the late Princess. She wore them on many occasions, including at the Met Gala in 1996. Here she is wearing the earrings during a high-profile visit to the USA in 1985:
This is from the infamous evening Diana danced with John Travolta at the White House, of course:
Kate debuted the earrings at Trooping the Colour in 2022. She’s worn them on a handful of occasions since (pictured below).
Kate’s pendant is from G. Collins & Sons. It features a pear-shaped tanzanite stone surrounded by diamonds and set in platinum. Kate first wore the item to a commemoration service at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2015.
At the time, I wrote that the necklace cost £8,400 GBP (which then converted to approximately $12,400 USD). Today’s wear marks its 7th appearance (in public) to date.
The necklace comes with matching earrings, which Kate has worn on previous occasions—but not today.
Kate’s shoes are an old favourite, the Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in navy suede.
The shoes, which retail for £650 at Net-A-Porter.com and £695 at GianvitoRossi.com, feature a sharply pointed toe and a 4.1-inch stiletto heel. They’re crafted in soft navy suede and lined with beige leather. As with all Gianvito Rossi shoes, they’re made in Italy.
Finally, the Princess pinned an Anzac poppy to her lapel.
The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance in the UK and Commonwealth countries. The small paper flowers support the Armed Forces community and veterans—this one directly benefits the Returned & Services League in New Zealand.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph memorial, the Princess of Wales attended an ANZAC Day service inside Westminster Abbey.
This year marks the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, a defining chapter of the First World War that saw troops from Australia and New Zealand land on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915 as part of an Allied effort to secure a route to the Dardanelles.
The campaign proved long and brutal, marked by fierce fighting, harsh conditions and heavy losses on both sides.
The ceremony opened with a procession of flags from Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, which were carried through the Abbey and placed at the Sacrarium.
The service was led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Canon in Residence, who delivered the Bidding reflecting on the events of Gallipoli and the enduring legacy of service.
Readings were given by the High Commissioners of New Zealand and Australia, before an address by the Dean of St Albans brought the service to a close.
The Princess has attended two other ANZAC Day services at Westminster Abbey. Most recently in 2022 (she wore an ivory coat with a striking black bow hat—pictured below, centre).
She also attended in 2019, wearing a peacock blue coatdress and matching hat. (Pictured above, left.)
In 2014, the then-Duchess attended a 5 am Anzac Day service at the Australian War Memorial during a visit to the country. (You might remember that she wore a blue tweed coat on that occasion – pictured above, right).
ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance that commemorates the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who have served and died in wars, military conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
It’s observed on the 25th April each year, and was originally devised to honour those who fought at Gallipoli in 1915 during the First World War.
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