The Princess of Wales made a historic visit on Wednesday, stepping into a significant role as Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
In Norfolk, Princess Kate, aged 41, surprised onlookers with her unconventional choice of an all-black ensemble. Her attire included sleek trousers, a snug turtle-neck knit top, and a form-fitting blazer. This monochromatic fashion statement was a departure from the norm, as entirely black outfits are typically reserved for mourning periods.
The only hint of color in her outfit was a symbolic red poppy brooch adorning her lapel, adding a touch of vibrancy to an otherwise singularly hued attire. This deviation from her usual colorful wardrobe was quite a rarity.
According to Matthew Storey, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, mourning attire has deep roots in European royal tradition, with its zenith during the 19th century, largely influenced by Queen Victoria. Traditionally, widows were expected to don black attire, followed by white or mauve, for a minimum of three years before returning to more vibrant clothing.
Though not strictly enforced, royal etiquette traditionally dictates that black should be reserved for mourning periods exclusively. Therefore, witnessing a royal lady in a monochrome outfit during an official daytime engagement is an exceedingly uncommon sight.
In addition to her fashion choices, the Princess of Wales sported a sober and elegant aesthetic by styling her new glossy bangs in a side parting, reminiscent of her preferred hairstyle from the early 2010s.
In a recent conversation with HELLO!, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton revisited some of the Princess’ most iconic hair moments over the years and shared his perspective on how to modernize her famous wedding hair.
Kate’s revolutionary ‘Demi Chignon’ wedding hairstyle broke a 350-year-old royal tradition of bridal updos, featuring cascading curls that flowed gracefully behind her tulle veil. According to Chris Appleton, if Kate were to get married today, he would update the look by introducing a center parting. He emphasized framing her beautiful face with a softer, more tailored appearance, potentially incorporating curtain bangs. He also suggested brushing out the curls to give them a more fluid and contemporary feel.
