The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte Wear Alexander McQueen for the Coronation of King Charles III
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LONDON — The Princess of Wales wore Alexander McQueen for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday morning.
Kate Middleton was dressed in a long white gown with embroidered flowers symbolizing the four countries that make up Great Britain. She also wore the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards.
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Her ensemble nodded to Lee Alexander McQueen’s past designs, and in particular the fall 2008 show, The Girl Who Lived in the Tree. Like those models, the princess wore red, white and blue, and a headdress like a warrior queen.
Middleton, who often opts for tailored looks with strong shoulders and bold colors leaned into her new, and more powerful role, for the occasion.
Instead of a tiara, she opted for a structured floral headpiece made from silver bullion, crystals and silver threads. The piece was made by the milliner Jess Collett in collaboration with Alexander McQueen.
The princess’ decision to commission a headpiece signaled her seniority within the royal family, an effort to champion British design and showcase her own style by wearing something from outside the traditional royal jewelry box.
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On the day, she also paid homage to her mother-in-law, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, by wearing her South Sea Pearl earrings.
Diana first wore the earrings in November 1990 to the coronation banquet of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan.
The Princess of Wales’ daughter, Princess Charlotte, also wore McQueen.
The dress was white and had a little cape with embroidered lapels featuring a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs, symbolizing the countries that make up Great Britain. She wore white mary jane shoes and a smaller version of the Princess of Wales’ crown.
Sartorially, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been “stepping up a level,” according to Bethan Holt, author of “The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style” and “The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style.”
“If you look back at their trajectory as a couple, for a very long time they were seen as very relatable, very down-to-earth and quite casual. I think what we’ve seen a little bit more of in recent months is them looking much more serious,” like they mean business, Holt said.
Since the queen’s passing in September, the duties and responsibilities of the Princess of Wales have increased along with the ones of Prince William, the heir to the throne.
The millennial Prince and Princess of Wales have made clear from the start that they want to be modern royals, in touch with their subjects and with the issues of the day. They want to be seen as compassionate changemakers, advocates for British charities and people, and strong parents to their three children.
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