Kate Middleton made a quiet nod to her royal title while stepping out with Prince William to witness history as Dame Sarah Mullally was installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Princess of Wales, 44, wore an expertly fitted Suzannah London coat in Glen plaid, commonly referred to as the “Prince of Wales” check. The fine lines that create the design are rooted in British royal history, and Kate has worn several looks over the years featuring the pattern.
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King Edward VII, the great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, popularized the specific plaid during his time as Prince of Wales in the late 19th century. Elizabeth’s uncle King Edward VIII further connected the pattern to the title during his reign, and many royals since then, including King Charles and Princess Diana, have used this fashion statement as a way to honor their history.
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Kate’s tailored coat wasn’t the only showstopping part of her outfit on March 25. She paired her look with a large black and ivory houndstooth straw boater hat by Juliette Botterill, black pointed-toe pumps by Ralph Lauren, and a mini Chanel bag. She kept her jewelry refined with pearl stud earrings from British jewelry label Cassandra Goad and a small cross necklace.
Kate and William, 43, were key spectators during the ceremony as Dame Sarah, 64, became the first woman cleric to lead the Church of England in its 1,400-year history.
William’s faith has recently come into question, as he is heir to the throne, and the title is closely entwined with the Church of England. The reigning monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and “Defender of Faith.” While William is not a regular churchgoer like his father, Charles, 77, he is thinking very deeply about his next role.
“For him, it is a drawing of a line in the sand of where he’s at, and it’s really important that [the question over his commitment to the Church] is cleared up,” a source close to the Prince of Wales told The Sunday Times. “His feeling is, ‘I might not be at church every day, but I believe in it, I want to support it, and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it very seriously, in my own way.’ “
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Dame Sarah had a private meeting with William and Kate at her residence, Lambeth Palace in London. She spoke highly of the royal couple and said after their sitdown, “I know we hold the same hope for a better world, and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers,” per PA.
The Archbishop of Canterbury holds a distinct role for the royal family. They have crowned the vast majority of monarchs over the past 1,000 years. They also marry most royal couples. Justin Welby, who was succeeded by Dame Sarah, married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and former Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams officiated the weddings of William and Kate in April 2011 and Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.
