Kate Middleton stepped out for the state banquet last week looking elegant as ever in a white Jenny Packham dress, earrings from the late Queen, Paula Rowan gloves and the Strathmore Rose Tiara that once belonged to the Queen Mother and has not been worn since.
However, the Princess of Wales’ fashion choice left stylist Miranda Holder – who took to TikTok to discuss the outfit – “puzzled” as it was “almost identical” to the gown she had worn the year before.
The content creator explained: “I mean, it looks spectacular, don’t get me wrong, but with the current cost of living crisis and royals re-wearing their wardrobes left, right and centre, to the fact that it’s become really trendy to do so, I just don’t understand why Kate would do this.
“Especially as even for big occasions like the BAFTAs, Kate takes beautiful dresses like this Alexander McQueen one and reworks it into something completely new and fresh. Why didn’t she do that?”
Miranda went on to emphasise that Kate’s outfit at the banquet was beautiful, but it “certainly wasn’t her biggest wow moment,” especially so, compared to the other one with its grander boulder tiara, built-up shoulders, and “just less going on with the dress.”
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The TikToker claimed that this year’s ensemble seemed felt “almost apologetic”, before going on to explain her three theories behind the the Prince of Wales’ wife’s apparent change.
She said: “The first one is that she was simply dressing down a little bit to not upstage the guests of honour, the president and First Lady of South Korea, and perhaps Queen Camilla. But that theory doesn’t really hold up to me.
“Because she basically stole the show at the welcoming ceremony in this fabulous Catherine Walker ensemble. And being front and centre one minute with all eyes on her, and then stepping back and passing that fashion baton onto someone else just doesn’t really follow through and make sense.”
Miranda continued saying that reason number two was that the outfit was “deliberately paired back” to allow the beautiful Strathmore Rose Tiara to take centre stage – adding that this theory was probably more likely.
She went on: “The headpiece is one of many people’s favourite crown jewels, and it is only the fourth tiara that Kate has worn since joining the royal family.
“Plus, it was previously cherished by the Queen Mother, who we all know King Charles is very, very fond of. And apparently, King Charles is now in charge of the crown jewels and who gets to wear them. So maybe this was all to honour King Charles, can keep him really happy, and make a big show of this new gorgeous sparkler.”
The last theory claimed that the royal is “so dedicated to her role” as a working royal and future queen, that she “simply wants to throw herself into everything that she’s doing headfirst, fully commit, and not make a fuss about her fashion.”
Miranda elaborated: “This year, we’ve really seen her develop a new working uniform, namely a power suit, particularly since September. And we previously heard from the Palace that this is a deliberate effort in an attempt to put our attention more on Kate’s important work as a working royal and not on what she’s wearing.”
She concluded her theory: “Maybe, just maybe, Kate has decided to take this uniform aspect to her wardrobe one step further and recreate it in her evening looks. Personally, if this is the case, I am going to be devastated.
“I love Kate’s power suits. I think they really suit her, but I do love the element of anticipation and surprise.”
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