The Princess of Wales made a heartfelt gesture to honor the late Princess Diana on Saturday, as she participated in the Anzac Day ceremonies to pay homage to fallen soldiers.
Kate took part in the wreath-laying ceremony and parade at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, commemorating the anniversary of the Allied Forces’ landing at Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey back in 1915.
For those paying close attention, Kate’s choice of attire featured a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law. She wore a custom Alexander McQueen coat dress reminiscent of a blue Catherine Walker suit that Diana had once worn.
In 1995, Diana had donned the navy suit to present new colors to the Light Dragoon Guards Regiment in Bergen, Germany.
While both outfits shared similarities in color and style, a notable difference lay in their hairstyles. Kate chose to let her long, wavy hair flow freely, whereas Diana sported her iconic, shorter hairstyle.
Adding to the tribute, Kate accessorized her ensemble with a pair of Diana’s sapphire double cluster earrings, a touching nod to the beloved princess.
Diana was spotted wearing the earrings on several occasions before her death in 1997 – including during a visit to Canada in 1991 and when she attended the 1996 Met Gala in New York City.
In recent years, Kate has frequently been spotted wearing the striking earrings to accessorise her outfits for public engagements, as well as re-wearing other pieces from Diana’s collection.
The Princess of Wales paid a loving tribute to the late Princess Diana on Saturday during the Anzac Day commemorations
Kate’s look was rather reminiscent of Diana’s style when she stepped out in 1995 to present new colours to the Light Dragoon Guards Regiment
During the Anzac Day memorial service, Kate wore a bespoke Jane Taylor hat and Gianvito Rossi pumps, alongside a DeMellier navy bag.
She also wore a rarely-seen tanzanite and diamond necklace from G Collins and Sons, believed to have been a gift from her husband, Prince William, in 2015.
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When Diana wore her navy skirt suit with white details, she opted for a pair of Collingwood pearl drop earrings.
They were given to Diana in 1981 as a wedding present and became a firm favourite – she wore them on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.
The gorgeous earrings were later passed on to Kate, who most recently wore them when she and William welcomed the president and first lady of Nigeria for a UK state visit in March.
On Saturday, Kate paid her respects to fallen soldiers during the wreath-laying and parade at the Cenotaph alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Hamish Cooper.
The Princess of Wales then visited Westminster Abbey, where a service attended by veterans, royals and politicians including Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel was held.
In a touching moment after the service, Kate greeted two young boys and their serving mother, shaking their hands and chatting to them.
The service in London this year was also attended by Princess Anne, who laid a wreath at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, at 5am on Saturday morning.
Kate frequently pays tribute to members of the Royal Family – most notably Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana – through her choice of accessories
Diana’s navy skirt suit with white details bore an uncanny resemblance to Kate’s outfit choice on Saturday
The event also heard a reading of John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields and performances by members of the Ngati Ranana Maori Club London.
In March, Kate delighted royal fans by opting for a glamorous sentimental jewellery piece during her surprise royal outing with the Prince of Wales in London.
Teaming new £995 Jimmy Choo shoes with cropped trousers and a Catherine Walker checkered blazer, Kate and William enjoyed a jam-packed day in the capital ranging from a tour of Bermondsey’s Beer Mile to a boat ride along the Thames.
And eagle-eyed onlookers may have noticed a rather touching detail to Kate’s look: her Cartier Trinity hoops believed to have been a thoughtful gift from William to mark her 43rd birthday.
Priced at £3,200, Kate, 44, has been spotted wearing the chic earrings on five separate occasions this year alone – with the gorgeous jewellery piece featuring three intertwined bands in an 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold.
Created by Louis Cartier in the 1920s, the earrings are Kate’s sixth jewellery item from the Trinity collection, with the three intersecting hoops thought to be a nod to her three children.
The jewellery piece is also believed to be a loving tribute to her beloved mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who was a firm fan of the collection and famously frequently wore a distinct Trinity ring on her pinky finger.
