Trooping the Colour: Duchess of Cambridge resplendent in recycled McQueen
Watch: Camilla, Kate, Charlotte, George and Louis arrive for Trooping the Colour
The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled as she joined the Duchess of Cornwall and other members of the Royal Family in the traditional carriage ride for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which kicks off the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this weekend.
Kate, 40, beamed as she was joined by her three children for the first time, sat opposite her in the Barouche carriage as part of the official royal procession on the way to the parade ground.
The first carriage adhered to a coordinating colour palette, with the Duchess of Cambridge in white, the Duchess of Cornwall in blue, and the three Cambridge children shades of blue (Prince George in a navy suit and pale blue tie, and Princess Charlotte in a pale blue dress which matched her brother’s tie) and white (Prince Louis in a white sailor-style outfit).
But of course the Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a recycled Alexander McQueen blazer dress for the occasion.
The white coat dress, in the duchess’ go-to fit-and-flare shape, was first worn at the Eden Project in Cornwall for the G7 reception in 2021.
It featured her signature silhouette, which cinches in at the waist, and gradually flares out to an A-line fit that lands just below the knee.
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The fitted blazer style features long sleeves and a neat, tailored lapel that moves to a V-neck, allowing for the duchess’ sapphire necklace to be seen.
British designer Alexander McQueen has been one of the duchess’ go-tos since her time in the public eye, and chose the fashion house to make her 2011 wedding dress, created by the house’s creative director Sarah Burton.
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Kate opted for a navy and white hat from her go-to milliner Philip Treacy for the occasion.
The duchess paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, for the occasion, too. She was seen wearing a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings which once belonged to Diana, similar in style to that of her engagement ring, which was also the late-princess’.
The duchess swept her hair back into a sleek sophisticated bun, as she does on most royal occasions, and showed off her natural beauty with a simple make-up look.
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Prince William didn’t join his wife and children for the carriage procession as he joined his father, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Anne on horseback from the Palace to Horse Guards Parade.
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The Trooping the Colour military spectacle kick-started the Platinum Jubilee celebrations commemorations today, involving more than 1,500 officers and soldiers and 350 horses from the Household Division.
The Trooping the Colour ceremony, which usually celebrates the Queen’s official birthday on the second Saturday in June, was this year brought forward to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with four days of celebrations.
