Kate Middleton Is All Elegance in Maroon for Engagement with the King

May 17, 2024

Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William joined the king and queen consort on a major engagement this morning—and Kate made sure to pay tribute to the late Princess Diana.

The four senior royals greeted President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa in London. To welcome the leader, the family hosted a welcome ceremony on Horse Guards Parade. The president, accompanied by the king, inspected the Guard of Honour after the South African national anthem was played.

britains catherine, princess of wales arrives to attend the ceremonial welcome for south africas president, on horse guards parade in london on november 22, 2022, at the start of the presidents two day state visit king charles iii is hosting his first state visit as monarch, welcoming south africas president to buckingham palace photo by kirsty wigglesworth various sources afp photo by kirsty wigglesworthap poolafp via getty images

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH//Getty Images

His two-day visit marks the first state visit hosted by the United Kingdom with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.

london, england november 22 l r president of the republic of south africa, president cyril ramaphosa with king charles iii and camilla, queen consort and prince william, prince of wales with catherine, princess of wales during the ceremonial welcome on horse guards parade where the president, accompanied by the king, inspected the guard of honour after the south african national anthem was played on november 22, 2022 in london, england this is the first state visit hosted by the uk with king charles iii as monarch, and the first state visit here by a south african leader since 2010 photo by mark cuthbertuk press via getty images

Mark Cuthbert//Getty Images

For the occasion, Kate was the definition of elegant autumn dressing in a monochrome maroon look. Her sophisticated outfit consisted of a long-sleeved dress with a collared neckline and pleated skirt by Emilia Wickstead. She carried a small Mulberry clutch in the same shade and matching Gianvito Rossi suede heels.

london, england november 22 catherine, princess of wales awaits president of south africa cyril ramaphosa for his welcome ceremony at horse guards on november 22, 2022 in london, england this is the first state visit hosted by the uk with king charles iii as monarch, and the first state visit here by a south african leader since 2010 photo by leon nealgetty images

Leon Neal//Getty Images

But the accessory that truly took the cake was her pretty Sean Barrett hat, which was embellished with a bow at the back.

london, england november 22 prince william, prince of wales and catherine, princess of wales await president of south africa cyril ramaphosa for his welcome ceremony at horse guards on november 22, 2022 in london, england this is the first state visit hosted by the uk with king charles iii as monarch, and the first state visit here by a south african leader since 2010 photo by leon nealgetty images

Leon Neal//Getty Images

For jewelry, Kate wore two special pieces that honor her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana: her diamond-and-pearl drop earrings and her Princess of Wales feather brooch. The beautiful circular brooch contains 18 round-cut diamonds with small emeralds that surround the Prince of Wales feathers symbol. It was given to Princess Diana by the Queen Mother upon her engagement to King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales, in 1981.

london, england november 22 catherine, princess of wales attends the ceremonial welcome by the king and the queen consort at horse guards parade on november 22, 2022 in london, england photo by karwai tangwireimage

Karwai Tang//Getty Images

Diana and Charles separated more than a decade later, in 1992, and divorced in 1996. She passed away in a car accident in 1997.

Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets.

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