Kate Middleton's St David's Day brooch, worth a cool $30K, is nod to late Queen as she stuns in bright red during show of support to Prince William

Kate Middleton's $30K St David's Day brooch pops against a red coat and black accessories as young fan literally flips after meeting her

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards to attend the St Davids Day Parade on March 1, 2023 in Windsor, England. This is the first time The Prince of Wales has visited the Welsh Guards since becoming Colonel of the Regiment.
(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Kate Middleton's St David's Day brooch is a replica of one that belonged to the late Queen. The Princess wore the piece proudly on the lapel of her stunning red coat as she showed Prince William support during a pivotal moment in his life as Prince of Wales.


Catherine, Princess of Wales during a visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Combermere Barracks for the St David’s Day Parade, with Prince William, Prince of Wales, on March 1, 2023 in Windsor, England.

(Image credit: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)

Oversize Adererror Wool Blend Coat, $259(£169.99) | Zara

Oversize Adererror Wool Blend Coat, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=32887&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zara.com%2Fuk%2Fen%2Foversize-adererror-wool-blend-coat-p02010840.html%3Fv1%3D222756638%26gclid%3DCjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIntVT-Q_7AhXRTVdsooZzAO_TQJzgVBo2lRDs0Ll6rg8IV_zzM1RVxoCWIgQAvD_BwE" data-link-merchant="zara.com"" target="_blank">$259(£169.99) | Zara

This stunning red number is made of a wool blend and will keep you stylish and warm at the exact same time. In a vibrant shade of red, it's got smart black buttons and room for layers underneath.

With such a daring outfit choice, it says a lot that Kate Middleton's St David's Day brooch managed to stand out quite so much. Of late, the royal has been opting for monochromatic looks.

Kate Middleton's Zara skirt, in black and white houndstooth, was paired with a cream coat and accessories on the eve of St David's Day - the Welsh national celebration. On the day itself, she chose a vibrant shade of red with black accessories and looked delighted as she accompanied her husband to an important event.

The event in question, the St David's Day Parade, took place at Combermere Barracks in Windsor. For the big day, her color scheme may have been the same but the Princess was loyal to one of her favorite brands - wearing an Alexander McQueen coat two days in a row.

As a part of their visit, the royal couple presented leeks to the officers and guardsmen of the Welsh Guards and even sported actual leeks on their lapels too! They also met with the guardsmen's families - including Thomas Lucas, the 9-year-old son of a Welsh Guard on parade, who did a rather impressive backflip for the Princess.

Catherine, Princess of Wales watches a young boy do a backflip during a visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with Prince William, Prince of Wales at Combermere Barracks for the St David’s Day Parade on March 01, 2023 in Windsor, England.

(Image credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)

Belt handmade coat, $229.99(£139.99) | Mango

Belt handmade coat, <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100584426-11776348?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://shop.mango.com/us/women/coats-coats/belt-handmade-coat_47040057.html?c=70" data-link-merchant="mango.com"">$229.99(£139.99) | Mango

This stunning red number is made from a recycled polyester blend fabric, this handmade design has a lapel-collar V-neck collar. It's got two front pockets and a removable belt. Better still, this is available in a wider range of sizes.

We couldn't help but notice the beautiful adornment on her lapel, a diamond brooch that appeared to be in the shape of a leek - a quintessentially Welsh symbol. Curious to learn more, we reached out to  Diamond Expert, Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone.

"Kate’s brooch is a replica of Queen Elizabeth II’s Welsh Guards Leek Brooch, which she wore several times during her 70 year reign," explained the expert. "Gifted to the late monarch by Welsh Guards in 1960, the diamond brooch is identical to the cap badge of the Welsh Guards."

Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles during a visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Combermere Barracks for the St David’s Day Parade on March 01, 2023 in Windsor, England.

(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images)

Interestingly, the Princess of Wales isn’t the only royal to have sported a replica of the original brooch as Queen Camilla wore one on her lapel in September 2022. This occasion was when she accompanied the King on his first trip to Wales since he acceded the throne. 

It appears to be a popular style with the ladies of the Royal Family as the expert added, "Princess Diana also owned a replica of the brooch, which she wore on occasions involving the Welsh Guards."

So how much would a piece like this set you back? According to Maxwell's estimate - $30,000(£25,000).

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.