The Princess’s Sartorial Diplomacy on Display for Nigerian State Visit

The Princess of Wales showed her skill at diplomatic dressing today, wearing a coat by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker.

The Princess chose the style for today’s ceremonies welcoming Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, at the Fairmont Hotel Windsor.

More about the visit via this article in The Telegraph. 

It was the first state visit to Britain by a leader of the West African nation in 37 years, and the first by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century.

The schedule was amended slightly from its usual format, skipping a formal lunch while the guests fasted.

More from People’s story by Simon Perry.  

After their initial greeting, the royal couple and their guests took a ride to Windsor, where they were greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Standing with their visitors on the dais, situated in the town’s Dachet Road, the national anthem was played, and then a Royal Salute was fired in the Home Park in Windsor and at the Tower of London.

The Princess with a curtsy. 

And a kiss for the Queen. 

The King, Queen, and their guests on the dais. 

The King and President Tinubu inspect the Guard of Honour.

Then it was time to head for the carriages and the ride from Windsor’s town center to Windsor Castle. 

We return to the People story. 

The carriage procession saw King Charles and President Tinubu ride together in the Australian State Coach, followed by Queen Camilla and the first lady in the Scottish State Coach.

Prince William and Princess Kate rode in the Irish State Coach with the Honourable Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General and Honourable Minister for Justice, and Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

A view of the Princess in the Irish State Coach. 

A video from The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English. 

Signal is always terrible at Windsor Castle – it’s those old, thick walls! – but what a magnificent spring morning for the Nigerian State Visit 🇳🇬 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/dfXDR2SFAx

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 18, 2026

After arriving at the Castle, the group headed to the Green Drawing Room to view an exhibit of Nigeria-related items from the Royal Collection.

The BBC offers more information in this article. 

When the royal hosts and their visitors went inside the castle, they viewed Nigerian items from the Royal Collection, including a Yoruba throne, sculptures, paintings and the manuscript of a poem by Sir Ben Okri.

Official gifts were exchanged. The president and Mrs Tinubu were given hand-crafted pottery, a silver photo frame containing a picture of the King and Queen and a silver and enamel bowl.

In return, the King and Queen were given a traditional Yoruba statuette and a jewellery box featuring the faces of important Nigerian women.

Another view of the Prince and Princess. 

Here is a brief video posted by Kensington Palace on Instagram about the welcome ceremony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

Now, for our look at what Kate wore.

She was in an ensemble featuring the Tolu Coker Double-Breasted Blazer Frock Coat (£1425, roughly $1900 at today’s exchange rates). Part of the designer’s A/W 2024 collection, it was originally called the Double Lapel Corset Coat. It is described this way on the designer’s site: “Balancing sharp tailoring with understated elegance, our Blazer Frock Coat is cut in a longline silhouette with a sculpted waist, strong shoulder and refined double-breasted front. Crafted from 100% British wool, the style is finished with a contrasting double lapel and collar in crisp stretch cotton, bringing subtle distinction to a timeless tailored piece.” Thank you to UFO No More for the ID.

Here is a closer look at the corset detailing. 

More about the designer from this Evening Standard piece. 

At the beginning of London Fashion Week in February, King Charles attended the designer and multi-disciplinary artist’s A/W26 show, sitting front row between British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir and designer Stella McCartney.

Coker is a former beneficiary of The Prince’s (now The King’s) Trust, having received mentorship and support from the charity for young people when she launched her eponymous brand in 2018. Since then, her collections have gone from strength to strength, frequently addressing topics of social change, while also exhibiting masterful tailoring, preserving artisanal practices and reflecting her heritage with brightly coloured elements.

Additional details are available in this Women’s Wear Daily story. 

Based in London and an alum of Central Saint Martins, part of the University of Arts London, Coker launched her eponymous label in 2021, following time at such labels as Celine, JW Anderson and Maison Margiela.

Coker’s designs are influenced by the politics of identity and social climates. Prioritizing unisex pieces, the couturier’s designs put a focus on deconstruction and sustainability. With her platform, Coker has become a champion of inclusivity, partnering with organizations like Choose Love, Amnesty International and The City of Joy.

The Princess brought back her ‘Lupin’ hat by Jane Taylor Millinery in grey velour, refreshed with a new bow to coordinate with the details on her coat. The hat was first worn in Australia for Easter 2014 and brought back for the Singapore state visit in October 2014. We saw it again for Easter services in Windsor in April 2019, and then again today. Thank you to Gabi for pointing out that it was the Lupin when many of us were rethinking it was a new chapeau.

She carried her Mulberry Small Amberley Crossbody bag in the black soft-printed croc colorway. 

And repeated her Hugo Boss ‘Staple P90-L’ Embossed Leather Pumps in ​the Anthracite colorway. 

The Princess wore the Collingwood Diamond and Pearl Drop Earrings.

Here is a refresher on the earrings from this Tatler piece. 

The earrings have a storied history and were beloved by Princess Diana. Each earring features a round, diamond stud from which is suspended an additional round diamond, a diamond-set bell cap and a large, pearl drop, making them a truly statement piece. Princess Diana was given the earrings by Collingwood, a jewellery firm often favoured by the Spencers, which lent gems to the young Diana while she was engaged to the then Prince Charles.

I will see you shortly for coverage of tonight’s state dinner. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Apologies to those who received an email touting a new post, which turned out to be a copy of yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day post. It appears this happened a second time, and I am *so* sorry for the hassle factor. Argh! We all get too much email as it is.

A partial explanation (although I think there may be a software gremlin at play): We have a new editorial assistant here at WKW InterGalactic HQ, and she requires some special handling. We had been fostering Tilly Too for the last 10 days, until yesterday, when we filled out the adoption paperwork.

Now she needs to learn how to get along with a co-worker who is somewhat suspicious of the new hire. 

So, there have been unexpected delays, bumps in the road, and training needs that have disrupted the normal workflow. I apologize, and hopefully, we’ll adapt to the new normal quickly. 

I’ll leave you with a video showing preps for tonight’s state dinner. 

Final touches taking place for this evening’s State Banquet! 🍴🌷

The table has been decorated with handpicked seasonal flowers and foliage from the gardens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.

🌼 After the Banquet, the flowers that… pic.twitter.com/ro7FN4Vlzc

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 18, 2026