Please, Kate, I begged as she arrived for the Commonwealth Day service on a blustery, boring afternoon.
Please no waisted coat dress without space for the kidneys. No coat dress. No polka dots. No exposed knees. Nothing recycled. No gold from head to toe.
Nothing French because the British fashion industry needs your gold dust to survive. And please God, no main road.
In the six months since she was made Princess of Wales, it’s certainly true that Catherine has upped the ante.
Liz Jones has commented on the Princess of Wales’ style evolution. She is pictured here with her husband Prince William at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey
Liz Jones describes Kate’s style as vintage, sustainable and immaculate tailoring. The UK-based writer loved Kate’s navy blue peplum dress, which she wore for the Commonwealth Day Service
There’s a new Gravitas in the way she dresses. It has nothing to do with a rivalry with Meghan; Dear god, all you have to do to win this fight is own an iron and a mirror.
No. Knowing she’s one step closer to becoming the Queen Consort, Kate is now so well known that she only cares about diplomatic attire.
The symbolism in her jewelry choices speaks volumes about heritage, power and reward.
Her fashion these days revolves around vintage (her 1995 Chanel Bouclé jacket was a stroke of genius), sustainability and impeccable tailoring.
She can still be quirky — namely, her love of chunky Laura Lombardi jewelry. She can still be funny — namely the opera gloves worn for the BAFTAs. But now everything is getting serious.
The Princess of Wales avoided a wardrobe malfunction when she arrived at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey today
The princess, who paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law with her earrings and brooch, beamed as she left the service
The princess’ matching jacket and skirt featured peplum detailing at the hems and a white floral pattern
So much expectation weighs on her narrow shoulders that to cope, she channels not only Diana, but the late Queen herself.
Especially with her use of vibrant colors. Catherine means business these days.
In years past, Kate had looked a little dated and confident on this occasion. Too many controls. Too many muds. Exposed knees. Military buttons: ewwww.
She knew she wasn’t the star. This role was, of course, assumed by the Queen. But today? She knew she was the only woman everyone craned their necks to see.
We first spotted the down-to-earth Kate at Prince Philip’s funeral. She was flawless in the black Roland Mouret.
She knew that if the Queen could not, she would have to bear the brunt of the nation’s tears. She didn’t make a mistake. It was a “wow”. Wait a minute, and we need a few more of these.
The princess opted for a navy blue peplum jacket by Erdem that featured delicate white floral detailing on the body
The Princess accepts a bouquet of flowers from a schoolgirl as she left the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon
The Prince and Princess of Wales watched as the King delivered the moving speech to the guests at the service
So did she deliver on Monday afternoon? For an occasion to celebrate an institution that’s been a little stricken lately, and not just by Meghan.
This may not be the crowning glory, but globally Monday’s ceremony is important.
Princess Anne was in the mud. Sophie pulled out all the stops in cream for her first appearance as a duchess (thought I would have liked some color on the accessories: it was all a bit milkshake).
Camilla wore royal blue, the color Kate chose last year, but the outfit was a bit too plain, like something she dug up in the boot room. No. This is second fiddle dressing, not how a queen should appear.
And Kate? Hooray! No dreaded coat dress, but? A peplum. A pattern. Ink black sexy classic navy blue. A saucer hat that threatened to lift in the wind.
Not a reed-thin silhouette, but a kick like one of the Queen’s beloved ponies. No weather-beaten coat dress, but a smart two-piece with flare and flounce. And a cream contrast lining, folks.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh opted for a cream tailcoat with matching pillar box hat for the service
The Princess Royal opted for an emerald green outfit as she attended church service alongside her siblings King Charles and Prince Edward
The King appeared thoughtful during the Commonwealth Day service in London this afternoon. Camilla wore royal blue, the color Kate chose last year
The entire ensemble is by Erdem, the Canadian-born designer who has made London his home and whom Kate adores for his love of prints, flowers and colour. (Jacket, £2,000. Skirt, £1,000. Put together, bloody priceless!)
The exact correct adult length that is mid-calf. It appears to be covered in tiny birds, but the pattern is actually floral.
The detailing on the back is exquisite: Kate knows so many people will only see her from the back. It’s all very thirties. And not a spot in sight.
The brooch. Oh my days, I got a lump in my throat. It is the Prince of Wales’s feathers, diamond and emeralds once worn as a necklace by Diana, now redesigned.
Liz talks about the symbolism in Kate’s jewelry choices. She said it speaks volumes about heritage, power and reward
Liz Jones believes Kate is using Princess Diana’s jewelry like the late princess did – to cheer everyone up
Kate also opted for a matching navy blue saucer hat, which blew in the wind outside Westminster Abbey
The sapphire and diamond earrings that also once belonged to Diana. I can imagine that Willy felt hugged.
A closed shoe as split toes are not allowed in Westminster Abbey. A chignon, as loose hair is disrespectful. She wears her gloves.
She knows the late Queen always wore gloves (rings underneath, bracelets over), but being more modern, Kate knows her people want skin.
This is a queen but on steroids. This is Kate using fashion as Diana used fashion: to cheer us up.
We need that now. Trust. Kate finally has an hourglass shape, both relaxed and infinitely formal.
I am literally completely and absolutely in awe and hopelessly in love.