Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales on May 6, 2023.Photo: Andy Stenning - WPA Pool/Getty Images
WhenKing CharlesandQueen Camilla’scoronation portraitswere released, royal watchers got a better look atKate Middleton’s gown for the historic day — and many were left with questions.
However, some were quick to point out that the neckline of the dress looked very different than the one under the robe. While Princess Kate, 41, had a deep V-neck in the portrait — showing offQueen Elizabeth’sGeorge VI Festoon Necklace— her dress during the day had a much higher neckline.
Theories emerged on social media, including speculation that Princess Kate wore a different dress for the coronation ceremony than for the portraits that took place afterward at Buckingham Palace. Some even believed that Kate wore the dress backward for the Westminster Abbey service.
Sky News commentator Alastair Bruce sharedanother explanationon Twitter: Kate wore a “temporary cape” over her dress to protect it from the robe and chains.
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images
A cape would have been similar to whatPrincess Charlottewore for her grandfather’s historic day. The 8-year-old royal matched her mom in an Alexander McQueen dress and cape with ivory satin stitch embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs.
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Princess Kate wore her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’sSouth Sea Pearl Earringsand topped her ensemble with a bespoke Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen headpiece with silver bullion, crystal and silver thread work three-dimensional leaf embroidery — andPrincess Charlottewore a mini version of the headpiece!
Princess Charlotte, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis and Prince William.Leon Neal/Getty
For the 2019 event, Princess Kate completed her look with statement earrings, the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
For both the coronation and the Diplomatic Corps receptions, Kate wore a blue sash — indicating her status as a member of the Royal Victorian Order — and a yellow ribbon — a Royal Family Order.
Kate Middleton.Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty
Royal embroiderer Chloe Savagetells PEOPLEthat Princess Kate and Queen Camilla were both involved in the planning of their coronation outfits, making sure they perfectly coordinated for the big day.
“If you noted, all the girls wore floral themes,” Savage says, pointing to the motifs on Kate’s dress as well as the trains of Camilla’s robes.
The Queen’s sisterAnnabel Elliotand friend Fiona Mary Petty-Fitzmauricestepped into the spotlightto support her as Queen’s Companions, a modern spin onQueen Elizabeth’ssix maids of honorfrom her 1953 crowning. Annabel and Fiona, who is also known as Lady Landsdowne, wore the same shade of white as the Queen and Princess Charlotte.
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty
source: people.com
