The Princess of Wales looked endlessly elegant on 26 February as she stepped out in Wales alongside the Prince of Wales ahead of St David’s Day – and her look was more symbolic than you may realise from first glance.
During her day in Powys, which saw the royal couple visit Oriel Davies Gallery and Hafan Yr Afon community hub in Newtown, Kate, 44, opted for an Alexander McQueen burgundy coat over a ME + EM silk blouse and paired it with a pleated skirt by Co in the same hue.
Kate’s symbolic ensemble
© Alamy Stock PhotoKate wowed in burgundy as she stepped out in Wales
The royal also wore Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Rhymes Boots in Merlot’ to round off her monochrome look. The choice of colour piqued the interest of fashion stylist, Leanne Jones.
“Kate’s colour choice is particularly interesting as in traditional colour analysis, she would typically sit within a ‘summer’ palette, yet she continues to embrace richer, deeper tones – from her striking orange coat, to the Victoria Beckham khaki suit, and now this blend of aubergine and burgundy,” she tells us.
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© Getty ImagesThe Princess of Wales showcased her monochrome look while visiting Oriel Davies gallery
“Burgundy itself carries quiet symbolism. Where bright red signals passion and immediacy, burgundy speaks of composure, maturity and controlled confidence. It’s a shade that communicates depth rather than drama, and that feels entirely in keeping with the image she is projecting.”
The stylist adds: “The head-to-toe colour blocking is a masterclass in dressing. Bravo!”
Kate recycles her most confident look
© GettyKate wore the same coat to attend the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade
William’s wife also proved the versatility of the figure-skimming coat as she wore it in a more dressed-up fashion in 2024 to convey quiet confidence during the Qatari state visit to the UK.
“It’s a shade that communicates depth rather than drama, and that feels entirely in keeping with the image she is projecting”
© GettyKate added a ceremony-ready hat and pearl necklace
To greet the Emir of Qatar and his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher, at Windsor, Kate accessorised with a Sahar Millinery teardrop beret, as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s pearl drop earrings and a four-strand pearl choker. Her It-girl status was signalled through her Chanel ‘Art Nouvelle Small Flap Bag in Burgundy.
Kate swaps her understated burgundy for ‘passionate’ red
Meanwhile, Kate made the swap to the ‘passionate’ bright red just days later as she featured in a video on St David’s Day alongside Prince William. The royal, who spoke in fluent Welsh in the clip, was seen inside Frogmore House on the Windsor Home Park estate, wearing a houndstooth dress by Alessandra Rich.
Swapping her understated tastes for something bolder, Kate embraced a printed moment with this piece that featured a Chelsea collar and a pleated skirt.
Kate wears red on a special day
© Getty ImagesKate chose to re-wear her dress (seen here in 2021) as red is one of Wales’ national colours
She, once again, used her fashion to signal a message. “It felt incredibly symbolic seeing the Princess of Wales choosing to wear red [one of the country’s national colours] as a clear nod to her role representing Wales,” Sian Clarke of Styled by Sian told us.
“The print is definitely busier than what she usually gravitates towards – and I really love seeing her step into something more experimental for this moment.”
It came after the princess debuted the dress in 2021 when she visited London’s V&A Museum to mark its reopening to the public following the COVID-19 lockdown. On this outing, she paired it with black Jennifer Chamandi heels and a Mulberry clutch.”