Kate Middleton's Coronation Outfit Paid Tribute to Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth

King Charles III's coronation is upon us, and it's a once-in-a-lifetime event. Although Charles is the one being crowned, all eyes were on Kate Middleton to see what she would choose to wear. This morning, stepping into view, Kate Middleton's coronation outfit looked as stunning as ever. She could be seen dressed in a striking white dress by Alexander McQueen, who was also the designer for her wedding gown. She complemented the dress with a resplendent robe and a headpiece by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen. Both her dress and headpiece matched Princess Charlotte's coronation outfit, and the mother-daughter duo wore headpieces in lieu of traditional diamond tiaras as a nod to King Charles III's focus on environmentalism.

Middleton's coronation outfit was full of symbolism. The dress boasted embroidery that symbolized the four nations that comprise the United Kingdom with rose, thistle, shamrock, and daffodil imagery. And her jewelry was a nod to both Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth. She wore the late Princess of Wales's pearl and diamond earrings as well as the George VI Festoon Necklace that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

Kate Middleton's earrings were actually a gift from King Charles III to the late Princess Diana ahead of their wedding day in 1981. They feature a diamond horseshoe design set with baguette diamonds wrapped with a diamond leaf, and a pearl drop hanging from the lobe. Previously, Princess Diana donned the earrings to an event at the Barbican Centre in London in 1990, and Middleton wore them to the BAFTAs in 2019.

As for the iconic George VI Festoon Necklace, it was crafted in 1950 at King George VI's request for his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, by Garrard, the crown jeweler. The necklace is made of 105 collet-set diamonds, which were heirlooms from his King George VI's mother, Queen Mary.

Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, Charles has technically been the reigning King for almost eight months to the day. But it isn't until today's Coronation that the transfer of power is sealed for both Charles and Queen Camilla, whose crown has already been the subject of conversation. Notably, it's been almost 70 years — the lifespan of many — since an event of this grandiose stature when Queen Elizabeth's Coronation took place in June of 1953.

It is undeniable that the style of all in attendance is near perfect. To be sure, the entire Royal family tree knew that today was the day that they would wear their very best apparel and, of course, their very own crown jewels. Though Middleton has been known to champion affordable fashion, she's also pulled out some hard hitters, especially luxury designers of British origin, for the major events such as this one. And today's Coronation of King Charles follows suit.

On Friday, May 5, at the Buckingham Palace pre-Coronation reception, Middleton chose a blue dress from Self-Portrait. It was conservative in silhouette, crafted of a fitting royal blue fabric, and retails for just over $500. That said, she chose historic earrings for the occasion, borrowing from her husband's late grandmother, the Queen Mother, and wearing a pair of diamond and sapphire fringe drop earrings that she previously wore to a state banquet in 2019. She finished her look with the iconic Lover's Knot Tiara, belonging to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

See Middleton's now-historic coronation look from all angles ahead.