She’s done it again! Kate Middleton sends subtle message with berry premiere gown and jewellery that shows her true allegiance
The Princess of Wales often chooses clothes and accessories with an underlying meaning and one came through loud and clear here
The Princess of Wales picked her outfit for the world premiere of Tom Cruise's new film Digger with the same precision as State Banquets and it was deeply meaningful as well as gorgeous. She walked the red carpet with Prince William wearing a floor-length flowing gown by one of her go-to British clothing brands for events, Jenny Packham.
This deep purple colour isn't something she styles a lot and as berry is a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend, it felt seasonal and was definitely a statement. Purple is associated with royalty and she faced the world on the same day as Earl Spencer's memoir, Swan Song, was published wearing equally regal jewellery.
The Princess often uses her outfits to send a message and she chose Princess Diana's Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings and the Queen Mother's Amethyst Sautoir Necklace.
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Currently on sale, this midaxi-length shirt dress is a beautiful addition to an autumn/winter wardrobe. Pair with neutral knee-high boots and a long coat and you've got an elegant evening look, though you can also dress it down with flats and a chunky jumper over the top.
Right now you can get 15% off this jumper by using the code 4F3C at Boden and it's crafted from luxurious, soft cashmere. The straight silhouette is relaxed and it's designed to fall to between waist and hip-length. Tuck into trousers or jeans and let the deep grape shade do all the talking.
This affordable M&S knit is more of a traditional berry tone and it's such an easy piece to throw on with your favourite jeans this autumn. Alternatively, pair it with the matching knitted skirt for an elevated cosy look. The hems, cuffs and neckline are ribbed as a neat finishing touch.
The necklace in particular is hard to miss and has a huge heart-shaped amethyst suspended from the chain which has smaller stones set at intervals. We last saw this heirloom piece in public when Queen Camilla wore it to the Skyfall premiere in 2012, creating a strong association between Kate's stepmother-in-law and this item.
The Queen Mother was also incredibly close with King Charles and Their Majesties still live at her former home, Clarence House. She could be seen as the matriarch of the "Old Guard" of the Royal Family and was a stickler for traditional customs and protocol.
Princess Diana couldn't have been more different and helped to usher in a new era for the royals with her hands-on parenting and her down-to-earth style at engagements.
Prince William and Kate have followed in her footsteps and it's now totally normal to see the royals hugging members of the public or signing off messages with just their initials. By wearing Diana's earrings and the Queen Mother's Camilla-linked necklace the Princess of Wales has effectively reunited these two sides of the family and two approaches.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Digger premiere to support the Film and TV Charity the day of Swan Song's release and the memoir hasn't painted King Charles in a particularly positive light. Following Earl Spencer's allegation that the monarch told him "we'll forget her soon enough" after the Princess' death the Palace issued a rare response.
"His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss," it declared.
The Prince and Princess of Wales haven't commented on the memoir but Kate's outfit showed her true allegiance, which is ultimately to her husband of 15 years. She honoured both Prince William's parents with her jewellery and to the Royal Family he'll one day lead with the purple.
Given how many options she has in her wardrobe I don't think the final ensemble was a coincidence. The purple is particularly beautiful and something we could perhaps see her wearing more of this autumn. It goes especially well with tan and brown tones which the Princess also loves and would reinforce her message.
