The Princess of Wales made a sparkling return to public life yesterday, donning an elegant berry ensemble in a typically regal display.
All eyes were on Kate, 42, as she joined the rest of the royals, including husband Prince William and King Charles, to greet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on Horse Guards Parade in London.
The princess managed to make a quick outfit change after arriving at Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch and staying to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.
The mother-of-three swapped out her knee-high Gianvito Rossi boots for a pair of stylish heels from the same brand.
It was a savvy choice by the princess, adding an extra touch of elegance for her visit to the palace without needing to wear the heels all day.
One royal fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Don’t miss the detail!! To join the rest of the Royal Family for the visit of the Picture Gallery, Princess Catherine has changed her boots into a pair of burgundy stiletto heels.’
Kate had donned the boots, which are thought to be new, to greet the Emir and his wife at the ceremonial welcome – taking a break from her usual suede pumps in a matching shade.
She then swapped into a pair of £650 Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in royal burgundy suede, subtly shifting the impact of her look.
The Princess of Wales made a savvy fashion swap yesterday as she attended the ceremonial welcome of the Qatar state visit in London
Royal fans quickly noticed that Kate swapped out her boots for heels as she arrived at Buckingham Palace
The royal wore her hair in a chic and intricate updo as she arrived at Horse Guards Parade and chose significant jewels to mark the significant occasion.
She donned the late Queen’s £30,000 Bahrain pearl drop earrings and her Japanese Pearl choker necklace, both of which were also previously worn by Princess Diana.
After fans noticed earlier in the autumn that the Princess’s engagement ring, which also once belonged to Princess Diana, had been replaced by an eternity ring, Kate wore the sapphire stone today.
In a break from her usual suede pumps in a matching shade, the Princess instead opted to wear a pair of leather berry boots.
After the ceremonial welcome, Kate travelled to Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch, staying to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.
However, she missed the glittering State Banquet, where the royals were joined by David and Victoria Beckham.
A royal source described the announcement of Kate’s attendance as ‘good news’ as the Princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment.
The Princess announced in March that she had embarked on a course of treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January.
Kate swapped into a pair of £650 Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in royal burgundy suede to view the Royal Collection
Kate and Prince William laugh with Sheikha Jawaher at Horse Guards Parade – as she opted for boots instead of her usual suede pumps
The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade yesterday
Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit
The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace
King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, following the ceremonial welcome
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit
In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties.
Now, the state visit marks the start of a busier week for Kate, who will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday.
The Princess is expected to be joined at that event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
But Camilla pulled out of the welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice because she is still suffering from the ‘lingering’ side-effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.
The 77-year-old royal, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly ‘fatigued’.
Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health.
The state visit marked her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time.
Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Kate is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties.
In September she spoke of her ‘relief’ at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been ‘incredibly tough’ for them as a family.
She was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as major abdominal surgery.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace during the state visit
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade
However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy.
The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks in order to come to terms with the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March.
Talking of the ‘complex, scary and unpredictable nature’ of cancer journeys, Catherine said recently that doing what she could to ‘stay cancer free is now my focus’ and emphasised that her path to full recovery would be ‘long’.
The Princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family.
