Kate Middleton’s clever outfit detail we all missed

Amid endless scrutiny about Kate Middleton’s showstopping outfits in recent days, we somehow missed the message hidden in all of them.

In London

It’s safe to say that Kate Middleton was probably the most talked-about royal on the planet in recent days.

Even though it was technically King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation, all eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she stole the show at a number of appearances in the lead-up to Saturday’s ceremony and then across the weekend itself.

But somehow, despite analysing everything she wore, most of us missed a key detail about her outfits across the celebratory period: the flag theme.

Kate copied a clever trick adopted by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, and amped up the national festivities by wearing red, white and blue (in that order) – the colours of the United Kingdom’s Union Jack.

Her fashion trend kicked off on Thursday with an appearance alongside Prince William at the Dog & Duck Pub in Soho, London, where she stepped out in a red coat dress with blue lining by Eponine London.

Kate had previously worn the stunning ensemble in Wales during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend last June, as well as at the Hold Still book launch in May 2021.

She finished off the look with co-ordinated white heels and a handbag – meaning she’d subtly woven all three Union Jack colours into one outfit.

Kate wore a showstopping red coat to the Dog and Duck pub in Soho. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The very next day, the Princess of Wales stunned in a long-sleeved white Jenny Packham dress with a black belt and black stiletto heels at a formal lunch at Buckingham Palace for visiting leaders.

She then delighted royal fans camped out along The Mall ahead of the coronation, showing up with William and Charles to thank them for their support and chat about the upcoming event.

She opted for a white Jenny Packham dress on Friday. Picture: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images

… and a royal blue dress later that night at Buckingham Palace. Picture: princeandprincessofwales/Instagram

Later that night, Kate stepped out in a sensational draped royal blue dress by Self Portrait, which featured a high neckline, long sleeves and belt for another special reception at the Palace.

The princess continued the theme post-coronation, wearing a blue blazer to a street party in Windsor on Sunday and then a red suit to the Coronation Concert that evening.

The fashionable royal opted for a blue blazer during Sunday’s street party. Picture: Andrew Matthews-WPA Pool/Getty Images

She stuck to her British theme with a bold red suit at the concert. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

The patriotic fashion trick was previously used by both Queen Elizabeth and Diana, who also made sure to offer a diplomatic nod to host countries during their overseas tours by wearing at least one colour from their national flags.

Of course, plenty of those tuning in for the actual coronation itself on Saturday at Westminster Abbey were just keen to see what the Kate would be wearing: and she didn’t disappoint.

In full coronation regalia. Picture: Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The glamorous royal opted to wear an ivory silk crepe gown by British designer Alexander McQueen – the same fashion house who created her wedding dress – along with a deep blue velvet Royal Victorian Order ceremonial robe.

She accessorised with a Jess x Collett x Alexander McQueen headpiece with silver bullion, crystal and silver thread-work with three-dimensional leaf embroidery, along with the George VI Festoon Necklace and Princess Diana’s diamond and pearl earrings.