For Trooping the Colour, Princess Kate returned to Princess Diana’s style roots—wearing a pale blue and white Catherine Walker design closely modeled on an outfit Diana wore in 1987. The appearance came as the parade marked 45 years since Diana’s debut in 1981
LONDON — Princess Kate stepped into the Trooping the Colour spotlight on Saturday in a pale blue and white outfit, paying visible homage to Princess Diana during King Charles III’s official birthday parade.
The powder-blue coat—cut with white trim and button detail—was designed by Catherine Walker, a French-born designer whose work was frequently worn by Diana in the 1990s. Kate’s look was also an almost exact replica of a Catherine Walker design Diana wore in 1987.
Saturday’s celebrations carried added weight: they marked the 45th anniversary of Diana’s first-ever Trooping the Colour appearance in 1981. That debut came a month before she married Charles.
For her first Trooping the Colour in 1981, Lady Diana Spencer—then 19—opted for a blue floral outfit created by British designer Bill Pashley. On the day, Diana rode in a carriage with former Prince Andrew, while her husband-to-be Prince Charles rode on horseback as part of the procession.
The occasion is remembered not only for Diana’s debut, but also for a shocking incident during the parade. A teenager armed with a pistol shot at Queen Elizabeth II as she rode past on horseback. The shots startled the Queen’s horse, but she was able to regain control quickly. The teenager fired six blank cartridges before being overcome by a Guardsman and police, British media reported.
Kate’s tribute through clothing and accessories has been a familiar pattern since she married Diana’s son William 15 years ago. She often pays homage to her late mother-in-law through choices ranging from double-breasted coat dresses to pearl-drop earrings. She also, like Diana, frequently rewears fashion looks.
The Catherine Walker powder-blue coat has its own history behind the scenes. Diana first wore the coat at Easter services in 1987, when she escorted Prince William and her nephew, Peter Phillips. When she chose the look again at Trooping the Colour. Diana wore it without a cream blouse underneath and paired it with a pearl necklace.
Last weekend, Kate extended the tribute beyond the parade. She attended a family wedding wearing a pearl bracelet previously owned by Diana.
The timing of Kate’s wardrobe choices—mirroring specific designs tied to Diana’s public appearances—lands in a moment when the country is looking back at 1981’s debut and the sudden violence that erupted around the Queen’s horse.
Princess Kate Princess Diana Trooping the Colour King Charles III Catherine Walker Bill Pashley fashion tribute pearl bracelet 1981 anniversary