The Princess of Wales channels Princess Diana in Catherine Walker at Trooping the Colour 2026
The first glimpse was of her duck-egg blue coat dress with contrasting white trim, a classic look from Catherine Walker – one of Her Royal Highness’ favourite designers for these high-profile royal engagements. The ‘Lafayette’ coat dress by Catherine Walke features an elongated and sculpted silhouette through the bodice, with sharp, structured shoulders and clean ‘princess’ seams that contour the waist before falling into a graceful, fluid midi-length skirt.
It is almost identical to an ensemble worn by Princess Diana in 1987, which, as it happens, was also created by Catherine Walker.
The Princess of Wales accessorised her outfit with a number of meaningful accessories. Her Cassandra Goad pearl earrings, designed in the shape of a cavolfiore flower, are a treasured piece in her jewellery box. The Princess of Wales made her debut in the jewels for the christening of her youngest son, Prince Louis, in 2018.
The Princess of Wales travelled by carriage with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Yui Mok – PA Images/Getty Images
The future queen has also worn the earrings on a number of special royal occasions, including Armistice Day commemorations in 2018, Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas lunch in 2019, the Wimbledon Ladies’ final in 2023, Together at Christmas that December, and Trooping the Colour in 2024 – her dazzling return to duty following her cancer diagnosis.
Pinned to her lapel was the Irish Guards Regimental brooch, which pays tribute to her important military role. A rayed St. Patrick’s Star, the brooch bears the gilt motto of the Order of St Patrick – ‘Quis Separabit MDCCLXXXIII’, which translates into ‘Who shall separate us?’.
The Roman numerals refer to 2023, the year that the Princess of Wales formally took up her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards after King Charles promoted her to the position in 2022. The brooch also bears an enamel green shamrock, three crowns, and a red enamel saltire.
