Kate Middleton's subtle tribute to Princess Diana in first public outing: 'Very intentional'

Kate Middleton paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, during her first official public appearance since she revealed she is "cancer-free". The Princess of Wales attended the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 9, as well as Remembrance Sunday at The Cenotaph war memorial in London on November 10.

Kate announced she was battling an undisclosed type of cancer in March after getting "major abdominal surgery" in January. In September, the Princess of Wales revealed that after completing chemotherapy, she is now cancer-free.

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On November 9, Kate wore a pair of Collingwood pearl earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana. She also wore her sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to Diana – Kate has worn the ring off and on throughout 2024, sometimes choosing to wear a different ring stack.

The following day, Kate also paid tribute to Diana by wearing a black look from Catherine Walker & Co., one of Diana's go-to designers. Catherine Walker was Diana's favourite designer and friend, and the late Princess of Wales wore her creations throughout her royal life.

Walker was given the devastating task of providing a dress for Diana to be laid to rest in following her death in 1997. The designer described the creation as "the saddest and most difficult commission of my life".

Kate has channelled Diana's clothing choices on several occasions, choosing to wear Catherine Walker & Co. on numerous occasions – as has her mother, who wore an ice blue Catherine Walker creation at Kate's wedding to Prince William.

Bethan Holt, Fashion News and Features Director at The Daily Telegraph, tells People, "I think we have seen lots of examples where the reference is very intentional, and I think that Kate uses fashion to pay tribute to Diana in a very positive way."

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"I think that William and Kate between them might have decided that actually on some occasions it’s a really nice thing for Kate to reference the fact that Diana is still a fashion muse today, and to do that through her own clothes," she continued, saying Kate "makes it her own withouth looking like she's playing 'dress up as Diana'."

Kate also appeared to be paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, by wearing a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings that previously belonged to the Queen.

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