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A Look at Easter Styles Worn by the Princess of Wales

A Look at Easter Styles Worn by the Princess of Wales

Hello and welcome to a retrospective look at the ensembles worn by the Princess on previous Easter Sundays. Before we get into fashion, word that Queen Camilla received lots of good wishes for the Princess of Wales when visiting Shrewsbury yesterday. Below, the Queen with a poster saying, “Send our love to Kate.”

More from this Daily Mail story

The Princess of Wales is ‘thrilled’ by all the support she has received since announcing she is undergoing treatment for cancer, the Queen revealed today.

Camilla made the comment during a tour of the Shrewsbury Farmers’ Market this afternoon, where more than 2,000 well-wishers had gathered to see her.

Speaking to two young girls who had hand-drawn get well soon cards for Kate, Camilla said: ‘I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.’

In this video from The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson, the Queen meets two girls who brought greetings for the Princess. 

We return to The Mail’s story. 

‘I’ll take them carefully and will make sure she knows they’re coming,’ the Queen responded, leaning in to speak to the two girls in the blustery conditions.

Speaking after meeting Camilla, Harriet – who is on half-term with her sister – said: ‘We heard the news and I wanted to hold the poster up to show my love to Kate.’

Their mother Lucy Waterston, who did not think the Queen would even get to see the cards, said: ‘She said she certainly will send her love.’

In the “good news” department, the King will attend Sunday’s Easter Mattins service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. 

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Because the Wales family is spending Easter and the children’s school break at Anmer Hall, their country home, I thought it would be fun to look back at the Easter outfits worn by the Princess over the years. We begin with Easter Sunday in 2014 when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on tour in Australia. The couple attended Easter Sunday services at St. Andrews Cathedral in Sydney.

The dove grey look by Alexander McQueen showcased a tailored coat atop a dress.

The coat featured a funnel neck, structured shoulders, concealed front closure, and slightly flared sleeves. It is similar to this off-the-rack design by the label. One distinction between the Duchess’s coat and the retail version: the sleeves are full length on the custom design.

The Duchess accessorized with Jane Taylor’s ‘Lupin’ hat, done in grey velour felt with a curled bow. She also wore her Harper pumps by LK Bennett and carried her McQueen clutch.

Her jewelry included the Mappin and Webb ‘Fortune’ necklace and the UFO aquamarine and diamond drop earrings seen on previous occasions. 

In 2017, the Duke and Duchess joined royal family members at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor for the first time. This was also when the Duchess started a tradition of choosing previously worn pieces for the Easter Sunday service.

The Duchess was in a custom Catherine Walker coat initially seen in Canada the previous fall.

The piece featured a modified princess silhouette, an inserted waistband, an off-center front closure, front flap pockets, and a hidden placket. The collar, pockets, and seams are all accentuated by trim in a slightly darker hue than the coat fabric.

Accessories included an Etui handbag and Rupert Sanderson’s Malory pumps.  

The hat worn by the Duchess was a Lock and Company design, the ‘Jacqueline’ style.

A view from the side and the back. You can also see the late Queen’s pearl and diamond earrings.

Here you see the coat as first worn in Canada and then again on Easter.

Beneath the coat, you can see the Whistles ‘Lina’ skirt was worn on both occasions. It dates back to at least 2011, when it was worn in Los Angeles.

The Duchess chose another Catherine Walker design for 2018’s Easter Sunday service. Below, you see the couple being greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner. 

The Duchess was expecting Prince Louis at the time.

The coat was a double wool crepe design in a color the design house calls chocolate brown. It features princess seaming and box pleats on the front and back of the garment. 

The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi suede heels in the lower, 85mm height, and a bag by Loeffler-Randall, the “Tab Lizard-Effect Leather Clutch.”

She wore her Balenciaga faux pearl earrings, one of the few clip-on styles we see her wear, and her five-pearl brooch.

Many remembered the Duchess wearing this coat for St. Patrick’s Day in 2015 with the Irish Guards when she was expecting Princess Charlotte.

On both Easter 2018 and St. Patrick’s Day 2015, the Duchess chose what might be her favorite hat, the Betty Boop style by Lock and Company

A side-by-side view of the two ensembles. 

We saw the Duchess repeat her 2014 Alexander McQueen suit for Easter 2019

The Duchess with a curtsey for the late Queen, who was also marking her 93rd birthday on April 21, 2019.

The Duke and Duchess as they were leaving church. 

The Duchess brought back the ‘Lupin’ hat created by Jane Taylor.

We saw the Emmy London’ Rebecca’ heels ($580) and ‘Natasha’ clutch ($515), both in steel grey.

(NOTE: Emmy London is running a 20% off promotion. Using promo code LOVEEMMY20 drops the price of the pumps to $464 and the clutch to $412.)

In the jewelry department, the Duchess opted for diamonds, bringing back the acorn earrings by Robinson Pelham that were first seen at her 2011 wedding. She also wore the oak leaf diamond and pearl brooch seen on a few previous engagements. (I include a photo of it against a dark background in this montage.)

Here, you can see the 2014 and 2019 Alexander McQueen ensembles side by side. 

The Duchess wore an Emilia Wickstead design on Easter 2022 when the two oldest Cambridge children joined their parents and other royals at St. George’s Chapel.

The family after the service wrapped up. 

The bespoke Emilia Wickstead design was crafted from double wool crepe fabric and showcased the fit-and-flare silhouette the Duchess is so fond of, as well as peak lapels, and concealed off-center closure.

The Duchess wore Jane Taylor’s Diamond Crepe Pleated Headband ($800) that was first seen when attending church at Sandringham in January 2019

Her other accessories included more Emmy London designs: the ‘Natasha’ clutch in Duck Egg Blue and the Rebecca Pumps ($580) in Riviera Blue. 

The Duchess wore her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Studs (£5430, about $6850 at today’s exchange rates) seen on previous occasions. The design is “inspired by the clusters of young flower stalks of the cauliflower (cavolfiore) in the market,” each earring holds seven pearls set with diamonds in 18ct yellow gold.

The Emilia Wickstead design was first worn for a May 2017 visit to Luxembourg.  

At last year’s service, the Princess of Wales wore Catherine Walker. It was the first time Prince Louis had attended an Easter service with his family.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Princess Charlotte.

Here, you see most of the family after church.

The Catherine Walker coat combines elements of the brand’s Mayfair and Magda designs, wool crepe pieces with a flare at the cuff and the hem.

It was initially worn to the annual Commonwealth Service in March 2022. (The style was worn again in July 2023 for Scotland’s National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in honor of King Charles III.)

For the Easter engagement, the Princess wore a new chapeau by Lock and Co., the Mayfair Pillbox style ($1040).

It is the same style worn in green on St. Patrick’s Day 2022 for the annual shamrock ceremony with the Irish Guards.

The Princess carried the Natasha Clutch ($425) in cobalt blue by Emmy London and also wore her Gianvito 105 pumps in ‘Praline’ suede ($635).

We did see a new pair of earrings by Carousel Jewels, the Stella Lapis and Moonstone design ($165). They feature a 22K gold finish on 925 sterling silver.

Another dress was worn on Easter Sunday, but it wasn’t for a church service.

I’m guessing many of you will remember.

It was the trip to the Taronga Zoo in Australia with Prince George. 

This dress was also a repeat. It was first worn during the 2012 Jubilee Tour. It was made “by a private dressmaker,” according to palace spokespeople. 

So here is our review of the looks worn to church on Easter Sunday. Do you have a favorite?

I hope everyone celebrating Easter this Sunday has a lovely time with friends and family. 

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BethE

Thursday 4th of April 2024

The 2014 McQueen is my favorite, and I prefer its styling for the more open neckline and the sleeker hair under the hat. The 2022 Packham has grown on me, as I think I was fatigued of headbands at the time (and don’t particularly care for Packham coats). But I like the quirky headband for its addition of visual interest to an otherwise uncluttered and well-tailored coatdress. The 2023 hat surprised me in how pleasing I found it. I do not typically like pill-box-ish bases in hats (2017 being a notable example of ones not to my taste). But, the asymmetrical lower edge that comes down the back of the head adds a panache that fits the boldness of the color. Overall, I appreciate the Easter repeats. The trend shows canny navigation of the optics of The Firm going to church for an event that is not unique to the Church of England or the British monarchy. (Compared to something like The Commonwealth Service or Together at Christmas.)

Georgia

Wednesday 3rd of April 2024

I love 2014/2019 . . . simple, slim look; April 2023 for its vibrant color and lovely cut; 2018 because black was probably a good choice for a formal occasion when expecting a precious baby. Perhaps some of you can advise me on the fit and flare coatdresses. They are not my favorites, especially the wider flair of 2022. Catherine wore several of that style during that period.

Bonnie A

Monday 1st of April 2024

Message for admin not for posting: Hi there, sorry I've just noticed comments I made yesterday are still pending while other peoples have since gone up and been replied to. Wondering if they got stuck somehow because I used my phone to post them. I don't think they were against policy or controversial. But if so do let me know! Thanks :)

Bonnie A

Thursday 4th of April 2024

@admin, I think it's happened again. From a different device.

Bonnie A

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

@admin, how strange, they have the yellow pending tag when I visit the site on my phone. No worries I'll try reposting. Thank you for checking.

admin

Monday 1st of April 2024

Hi Bonnie, unfortunately I do not see any pending. Nor in spam or trash. I don’t know what happened, but it’s like they never hit the site, if that makes sense.😕 If they’re in your phone and you want to email them to me, I can post them that way.

Betty

Monday 1st of April 2024

Thanks for the retrospective and a reminder of how cute Prince George was as a baby! I don't celebrate the holiday but between the comments on this post and another the controversy is similar and about all about color hues. I am glad I don't have to make these choices but it seems fairly easy to just wear a pastel wool coat which provides the spirit of spring with the warmth of wool. I think Queen Elizabeth did this best. But maybe not everyone likes pastels?

Bobby

Monday 1st of April 2024

So I have a question that has nothing to do with anything current such as Easter outfits, or speculating on health matters (So I hope admin will allow). Can someone explain to me about what really constitutes a tiara? Does it have to be fine jewelry or come from the royal vaults? The reason I ask is because King Charles specified "No tiaras" at the coronation, and of course Kate was compliant. But to my uneducated eye, her head piece looked like what I would call a tiara? Anyone up for a roundup of favorite earrings? (Hint if you have time!)

Deliane

Thursday 4th of April 2024

@Bobby, .. happily (albeit virtually) met! ! RADA-- applause! wow-- (fellow performer/musician here.. once upon a time, Juilliard studies-)

I've never seen Richard II or the wondrous 'scepter'd isle' lines delivered 'live'.. I'll try to find a recording of Fiennes! there are several renditions on YouTube: my favorite of those is Sir John Gielgud's-

again, glad to 'meet' you here! (-:

Bobby

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

@Deliane, Honesty, as someone who worships Shakespeare, and studied at RADA, to my mind the is the greatest speech in the whole cannon. I saw Ralph Fiennes do it live on stage. Absolute unparalleled genius.

Deliane

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

@Bobby, and @admin/Susan.. shhh!

and I'll just add (with another heh-heh-heh) that my private interpretation/theory/fantasy! is that the King proclaimed no 'human' jewels or ostentatious pieces of adornment at his coronation, save those used for the sacred ceremony itself, i.e. in honor of the throne-

save for those made by The Little Folk (!.. my way of saying Catherine and Charlotte looked like they were wearing (suggestions of) fairyland circlets (whatever those would look like! consult Tolkien?!)..

Charles III's wishes inspired by? perhaps honor for the late Queen's wonderful legacy, 'The Green Canopy'? his own love of the ancient trees/woodlands/heaths/moors in England, protecting 'this blessed plot' (see Shakespeare, below (-: )..

my fanciful thoughts come from Oscar Wilde's fairy tales, especially 'The Young King'!*** a quite powerful, beautifully written tale- about the distance between earthly riches and spiritual richness-- and Charles' own, moving, seeming emphasis on the religious/spiritual underpinning of the coronation-

if that makes any sense at all, I'll be surprised. after all, I've never seen a coronation before, and live way across the pond (U.S.) and across cultural divides.. but the non-tiara-tiara (and coronation!) did appeal to me. a lot. and I, very awkwardly, tried to explain why, when I was the voice-against-the-current in the amazing chorus of disappointment at not seeing gorgeous tiaras! (-:

“This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands, This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England, This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings, Fear’d by their breed and famous by their birth, Renowned for their deeds as far from home, For Christian service and true chivalry, As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry Of the world’s ransom, blessed Mary’s Son, This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land, Dear for her reputation through the world, Is now leased out, I die pronouncing it, Like to a tenement or pelting farm: England, bound in with the triumphant sea, Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege Of watery Neptune, is now bound in with shame, With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds: That England, that was wont to conquer others, Hath made a shameful conquest of itself. Ah, would the scandal vanish with my life, How happy then were my ensuing death!” (Richard II)

Bobby

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

@admin, Thank you! But I'm still confused, isn't that a fairly accurate description of the headpiece she was wearing?

admin

Monday 1st of April 2024

A tiara is a semi-circle usually worn toward the front of the head, as opposed to the full circle that is the base of a crown. Hope that is helpful!

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