On March 10, 2025, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Anne attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London. Last year, King Charles and the Princess of Wales did not attend this key royal event after being diagnosed with cancer. This year's Commonwealth Day theme, 'Together We Thrive,' celebrates the 'enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family.
The Commonwealth is an association of 54 member states with a combined population of 2.4 billion, nearly a third of the world's population. The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey has been held annually since 1972. It celebrates the people and cultures of the Commonwealth nations.
Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat
Catherine looks absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteCatherine looking absolutely incredible in a perfect red - although I wish she could take the shoes down quite a few centimetres. It seems - and one hopes - she’s delighted and genuinely happy to be there. Delightful to see her in good health. The queen is very pretty in that shade of pink and Anne looks gorgeous too. I do love seeing the simplicity of Queen Letizia and I find her choices so relatable and sustainable and so real - but it’s also fun to see the glam of the British royals from time to time! - Mary
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are gorgeous and perfect with the outfit. If they were lower she would not look nearly as smart. Look at Queen Letizia, whose foot problems have necessitated lower heels. When she hasn’t adapted skirt lengths, she sometimes looks frumpy and that’s not something anyone would have said her previously
Delete@2:02 you see differently from me and that’s ok, but I don’t think shoes that towering look good. Lower for me would be more beautiful - but gosh by all means keep that same colour which is divine. - Mary
DeleteAnon 02.02 The heels really elevate the look and give it that sharp, polished finish. Lower heels can sometimes change the proportions, and without adjusting the rest of the outfit, it can sometimes appear less put-together. Queen Letizia has always had such impeccable style, but like you said, those subtle changes—like adjusting skirt lengths to accommodate lower heels—can really make a difference in how an outfit comes together. It’s all about finding that perfect balance.
DeleteI did ignore the comment about Kate's heels before, but now would like to chime in. The comments talking about the proportions of a well balanced outfit are correct. It has nothing to do with personal opinions, just symmetry. Higher heels balance the longer length of a skirt/dress because they extend the line of the leg. Both Letizia and Sophie are examples of longer length skirts and dresses not looking their best, and as a result of the lack of proportion, causing them to look frumpy (a word I never thought I would say in referring to Letizia.) The before and after of Letizia's foot problems illustrates this perfectly.
DeleteI also find, from my personal experience, that people that don't like high heels are more often the people that can't wear them. They either don't know how to walk in them or they have foot issues and are unable to tolerate them. As a result, they try to convert women to the "practical, low heel side" of the argument. High heels change the look of the leg, making the calf muscle more defined. They create a very feminine look to the leg. That is why so many women wear them. There will come a day when each of these women will need to lower their heels for comfort, but as long as they can comfortably wear them, I am sure they will continue to enjoy them.
Fashion norms vary around the world, thank goodness. It had everything to do with personal preferences and that’s why it’s interesting to read different comments here. But no one has the Fashion Authority to say what’s correct! Some people think really high heels look great, others think they look really strange. That’s ok. Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder .., so let’s not “chime in” and “try to convert women” to anything at all!
DeleteFashion is indeed subjective, and it's important to allow space for individual preferences. However, I think it's also interesting to have discussions about fashion norms and the ways different styles are perceived, especially when it comes to how they align with formality, culture, or tradition. But at the end of the day, everyone should have the freedom to embrace what they feel most comfortable and confident in, without the pressure to conform.
DeleteAll Ladies beautifull and stylish dressed.
ReplyDeletePrincess Catherine is beautiful in red but it's D. of Gloucester for the win in her beautiful navy blue ensemble and pearls. WOW
ReplyDeleteI am sorry but DoG wears a velvet purple colour as her cute hat is
DeleteSon manteau est en velours violet foncé.
DeleteDuchess of Gloucester - always my favourite and she looks absolutely sensational. LRB
ReplyDeleteAgree !!
DeleteI do agree. Such a nice purple velvet coat/ dress and a lovely hat. The DoG always looks impeccable. I do like her style (much more than that of P Benedicte for example), although I rarely see comments on DoG’s outfits. I also love the pink color of QC dress in her usual style.
DeleteThe duchess is dejlig!
ReplyDeleteThe queen looks lovely in pink. The PoW in her well fitting red coat. PR, great coat in colour and fit and of course the deep purple for the Duchess is perfect. All nice rewears
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with the re-wears by the Queen and Princess of Wales. No doubt that is a re-wear by Princess Anne, too. Hopefully her frugality is appreciated. This was a politically smart move on their parts. But it is one of Camilla's best outfits ever. The Duchess always looks stunning, perfectly groomed, but I would have worn pumps instead of boots for this occasion.
ReplyDeletePerfectly thin.
DeleteHi Virginia, I think the boots look terrific with the outfit. Can you help me understand why you’d have preferred heels? - do you see that as more elegant or more balanced or … ? I often see commenters writing here that so and so shouldn’t be wearing boots, but I see them as 100% winter appropriate with skirts and dresses. Could it be my version of fashion in Europe vs yours in US (?)… Thanks!, Mary
DeleteAll the ladies look wonderful. But it is the Princess Royal who stuns me most by combining all the right things (I saw more photos elsewhere). The colours are in harmony, the shoes are good, and even if the coat is a rewear, it aged extremely well, not showing its age, so to speak, the fit is exquisite and the brooch is placed carefully. Happy to see her in such a good form. D. of Glo is her ever perfect self, she is always a perfect example of exceptional elegance in a simple way.
ReplyDelete“D. of Glo”…? Duchess of Gloucester?!!
Delete@Anon 06:24: Yes, indeed.
DeleteMy favorite look is the Duchess of Gloucester. The richness of the fabric glows like a jewel. And I like her hat.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant lady!
DeleteI love that Princess Catherine to re-wearing items that have been in her closet. Queen Mary has been doing that for some time,so it’s lovely to see our other lovely royal ladies following suit.
ReplyDeletePrincess Catherine looks stunning in red. The hat is a perfect addition to the look.
Lowri.
@ Lowri
DeleteYou make it sound as Queen Mary was the first to wear clothes she already has. Well almost every princess and queen is doing the same thing. Queen Maxima is doing this a long time before Queen Mary. Since her illness Princess Catherine didn't buy much new things except of that beautiful brown winter coat.
Kate is probably the last one to start with reuse. All the others has done this for many, many years. Some better than others, and Mary is not the best in class she is not no 2 or 3 either.
DeleteThe Duchess of Gloucester looks wonderful—gorgeous rich blue color and luxurious fabric with lovely jewels on lapels. I also love Anne’s very striking brooch that I have never seen before—I wonder if anyone knows its history? Art deco? Catherine is strikingly thin but well turned out in red.
ReplyDeleteI found this on the internet about Anne's brooch. It was a wedding present to her in 1973 from the Queen. It was created by Andrew Grima and is nicknamed the stalactite brooch.
DeleteAnonyme 21 : 53. Le manteau n'est pas bleu intense mais violet foncé.
DeleteI'm on team Gloucester for today's event. Love everything about the Duchess' outfit.
ReplyDeleteThe Duchess of Gloucester looks fantastic. She is so good at combining and placing her exquisite jewelry just right. Catherine looks good in red, but I have never cared for this style of hat on her; I don’t think it is as flattering on her as other styles.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
Princess Catherine is stunning in red and I love this read coat, the Princess Royal is lovely and stylish in her blues, grays, and greens--I really like the versatility of her coat, Queen Camilla is pretty in this pink ensemble that is like a breath of spring air and so flattering on her, and the Duchess of Gloucester is supremely elegant her purple or navy ensemble--her pearls and diamond clips are fabulous. What a wonderful turnout from the ladies of BRF! I do miss the Edinburghs as I think Sophie too would have glowed like the other ladies.
ReplyDeleteJanet
I agree completely.
DeleteDamsel Dragonfly
Agreed
DeleteVery nice look for Cathrine and Camilla. These two ladies stand out.
ReplyDeletecss
Lovely seeing the Princess of Wales wearing the late queens choker necklace, absolutely beautiful. Her red dress is lovely too.
ReplyDeleteAll the ladies look beautiful btw.
T
Isn’t it wonderful to see the Princess of Wales back at her ultra glamorous best though Queen Camilla looks great in her pink outfit too. The Duchess of Gloucester has a fab hat, nice coat but the boots are not smart. Princess Anne is her usual self, smart and functional. Lovely to see them all.
ReplyDeleteMon regard s'est tout de suite attardé sur le look de la duchesse de Gloucester qui est merveilleusement bien vêtue en violet foncé ; superbes les perles de ses boucles d'oreilles ainsi que de son collier à un rang - En général, je ne suis pas trop fan des bibi mais là, je trouve que son choix est parfait !
ReplyDeleteAnne really hits it out of the park here, imo. She looks superb. Unfussy lines and an easy-on-the-eye tonal palette have always suited her best, I think, and this hat is soooo elegant! The one thing that keeps this look from achieving total perfection is the navy blue gloves. Supple leather gloves in the same green as the shoes would have been devastatingly chic. — Jane
ReplyDeleteAnonyme 02 : 48. Les gants bleu marine sont assortis à son sac et à ses chaussures, et également des fins motifs bleu marine sur le manteau.
DeleteEn revanche, le chapeau semble peu adapté à la saison, même si la couleur convient, mais c'est une paille légère plutôt pour le printemps-été. C'est un peu trop tôt pour mettre des chapeaux en paille. Paloma.
Mary, thank you for your impression of the Duchess' black boots. Just two differing opinions. Maybe I am old fashioned in believing that court pumps make a more formal/traditional attire when you go to church and this was such a special occasion. Even the Queen wore pumps - which I admit was surprising to me. The Duchess often wears beautiful pumps but whatever she wears, she is always the epitome of elegance and grace. Boots or court pumps, she is a lady to admire.
ReplyDeleteThanks 3:45 for the explanation. So interesting to understand different (well-written, kind!) opinions. PS I had to look up a definition for “pump” as where I come from it’s not something to wear but a machine ( to force liquid or gas in or out of something)! - Mary
DeleteFully agree! Court pumps do have that classic, formal elegance, and it’s always interesting to see how the royals balance tradition with personal style. I agree with you—the Duchess is always an image of grace, no matter what she wears. She's truly a figure of elegance, and her fashion choices never fail to spark thoughtful conversation.
DeleteTo add to the conversation, the boots the older royals wear are lower heels, which look more casual. That is why pumps are more appropriate in this situation. We have seen some of the ladies wear boots with stiletto heels, and they look more dressy, but still don't give the same level of formality that pumps do.
DeleteKate Middleton dressed too old for her age she looks like a retiree going to bingo
ReplyDeleteJudy. Nice try, keep on trolling.
DeleteWow. That’s a different opinion ! I’m yet to see anyone going to bingo looking even 10% as elegant as Catherine - although I’ve seen plenty of retirees looking beautiful and would never use the word “retiree” to criticise anyone. Especially one who has put so much effort into looking absolutely beautiful and is delighted to be back in her role after a long illness.
Deleteif you are american, you might view British fashion for official events old fashioned.
DeleteWho is Kate Middleton?
DeleteWell said @ Anonymous 9:40.
DeleteIf ladies dressed like that to play Bingo, I might be enticed to join in! The Bingo playing retirees I know live in polyester.
DeletePrincess of Wales, Diana was more an icon. She had great taste and more daring to try out different styles. The style of Kate is predictable, same lines and same dresses.
DeleteAnonymous@20:26- you are predictable as well and boring
Delete20.26 and you have to grow up.
DeleteAnon 20.26, darling let me help you. Princess Diana, the late Princess of Wales, was renowned for her boldness in fashion, which undeniably contributed to her status as a style icon. In contrast, the style of Catherine, Princess of Wales, is frequently admired for its elegance and timeless appeal.
Deleteアン王女のブローチはすばらしいですね。何のデザインなのでしょうか。私には湖に浮かぶ古城のように見えるのですけれど。
ReplyDeleteSee brooch description here : https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2025/03/gleaming-heirloom-pearls-and-diamonds-for-the-british-royals-at-the-commonwealth-day-service.html
Delete11：19様、ありがとうございます。写真を拡大して見ることが出来ました。その由来も含めてとてもロマンチックなブローチですね。
DeleteMy pleasure! The brooch is very interesting.
DeleteThank you for the article, Anon 11:19. I liked the use of the Duchess of Gloucester's dress clips. It is a modern and unique way to wear them. It is nice to learn their history.
DeleteThe lady in red Catherine looks absolutely stunning ♥️
ReplyDeleteThe ladies all look very nice with their respective outfits. I too wondered about the brooch The Princess Royal was wearing.
ReplyDeleteEdwina
Like the red, but the design of the coat is not my cup of tea and the hat is a no from me. Camilla looks frumpy, but Duchess of Gloucester looks fabulous. Anne also looks great.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the Duchess of G….she looks so elegant in the purple coat.
ReplyDeleteI love Catherine’s jewelry, but not the red coat because of the huge bow …however, the red color suites her very well. Judy
The Duchess of Gloucester is superbly elegant and her art deco ruby and diamond clips perfectly placed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the information about Anne’s brooch, posters above!
ReplyDeleteCamilla looks great as does the Duchess of Gloucester,I also like Anne's outfit the brooch is stunning.(Tara)
ReplyDeleteキャサリン妃の赤い装いは「大丈夫、私は元気です」と国民に発信しているようで、私は健気さを感じます。どうぞお疲れが出ませんように。
ReplyDeleteFrills bows buttons and a childish hairstyle Kate needs to up her game she has money
ReplyDeleteAnd you have the nerve.
DeleteWell, at least ”Kate” isn't spending her money on 'fashion advice' from someone who clearly missed their calling as a reality TV judge!
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