The Princess of Wales arrived at Trooping the Colour in a powder blue Catherine Walker dress that caught the eye of royal watchers for more than its elegance. Kate Middleton, 44, wore the ensemble to mark King Charles's official birthday, but the outfit carried a deliberate nod to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Kate, known for rewearing outfits on high-profile occasions, chose a new ensemble this year. The dress was designed by Catherine Walker, a favourite of Princess Diana, and complemented with an oversized Philip Treacy hat and signature pearl earrings. The shade of blue was immediately familiar to those who remembered Diana wearing a similar coat dress for an Easter service in 1987, accompanied by her son Prince William and nephew Peter Phillips.
“Kate Middleton wore a powder blue Catherine Walker dress at Trooping the Colour as a subtle nod to Princess Diana, who wore a similar outfit in 1987.”
On social media, observers were quick to note the tribute. “A nod from Kate to her late mother-in-law at today's Trooping the Colour,” one wrote on X. “The Princess of Wales is wearing a pale blue outfit designed by Catherine Walker, a designer often worn by Princess Diana. Today also marks 45 years since Diana attended her first Trooping the Colour.” Another viewer commented: “Fashion goes full circle to 1987. Two Princesses of Wales, one classic Catherine Walker coat dress.”
Powder blue has long been a favourite of the Royal Family. Historically, blue pigments from lapis lazuli were rare and expensive, reserved for royalty and religious figures. In modern times, the shade carries its own meaning: while darker blues project authority, powder blue offers a softer, more nuanced statement.
Diana herself wore a pale blue Philip Somerville hat in 1992, reinforcing the colour's place in royal style. For Kate, the choice was both a personal homage and a reminder of the enduring connection between the two Princesses of Wales.