The Princess of Wales returned to a tried-and-true formula for today’s Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey—monochromatic dressing in a colour featured on the Union flag.
Kate wore blue head-to-toe as she joined senior members of the royal family who’d gathered to celebrate the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.
Monochromatic flag dressing has become something of a signature for the Princess at the annual service. She’s exclusively worn red or blue to the event since 2018. (Below, Kate wearing red-on-red last year).
For this year’s service, Kate debuted a pleated coatdress by Catherine Walker, which she paired with elegant pearl jewellery.
The tailored coatdress featured a structured bodice with sharply defined shoulders, sculpting seams at the waist and a neat lapel collar.
The fitted waist opened into a softly pleated mid-calf skirt.
The atelier finished the dress with two rows of covered buttons, adding a little visual interest to the garment.
Kate topped the look with a coordinating hat by Sean Barrett. The saucer-style piece features a wide brim, delicate netting and a structured bow.
Royal watchers may recognise the design. The Princess first wore the hat at the same service in 2023. It was reported to be a bespoke piece, created especially for her.
For footwear, Kate returned to her favourite ‘Gianvito 105’ pumps by Gianvito Rossi, this time in navy suede.
The Italian-crafted heels feature a sleek pointed toe and a 105mm stiletto heel.
Kate’s a huge fan of this shoe—she owns it in more than 10 different colours.
The Princess carried her navy croc-embossed ‘Multrees’ chain wallet by Strathberry at today’s service.
The handcrafted design features a fold-over magnetic closure topped with the brand’s signature gold bar.
She debuted the bag during a visit to Scotland in 2021 and has only carried it publicly a handful of times since. She also owns the style in black and cream.
Kate completed her monochromatic ensemble with pearl jewellery, including a vintage necklace and a pair of historic royal earrings. Let’s take a closer look.
The five-strand faux pearl necklace is from Susan Caplan Jewellery. It’s crafted from vintage pearls that date back to the 1980s.
The graduated strands are finished with a distinctive silver-plated clasp embellished with Swarovski crystals. The necklace remains available on the jeweller’s website and retails for £275.
The Princess also wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings from the Royal Collection.
The pearls used in the design were gifted to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present in 1947.
It’s thought the earrings are on long-term loan to the Princess. She’s worn the elegant heirlooms regularly for formal royal occasions since debuting them a decade ago.
Overall, the monochromatic look felt sleek, cohesive and deliberate, creating a polished silhouette well-suited to the formal setting.
With its elegant tailoring and historic pearls, the ensemble was classic royal daywear—and a very recognisable ‘Kate’ look.
The Commonwealth Day Service is held annually at Westminster Abbey and brings together members of the royal family, dignitaries and representatives from across the Commonwealth.
This year’s theme was “Unlocking Opportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth”. The theme highlighted how the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations can work together to tackle global challenges and create opportunities that support shared and lasting prosperity for people across the Commonwealth, from the smallest remote communities to the world’s largest cities.
The service at Westminster Abbey was attended by more than 1,800 guests and featured readings, prayers, music and dance. Celebrities, including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, took part in the programme.
Senior politicians were also in attendance, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside religious leaders and representatives from across the Commonwealth.
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