The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, attended the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony today to mark King Charles III’s official birthday. The 44-year-old royal appeared in a powder-blue dress by Catherine Walker, paired with an oversized Philip Treacy hat and signature pearl earrings. Observers noted the outfit’s similarity to a style favored by Princess Diana, who first showcased a Catherine Walker coat dress in 1987 and wore a coordinating pale blue outfit with a Philip Somerville hat in 1992. According to the Daily Express US, the choice of powder blue may convey “soft power,” allowing royal women to project warmth and accessibility while maintaining a refined presence. The outlet noted that the ceremony marks 45 years since Princess Diana attended her first Trooping the Colour. The event, which commemorates the monarch’s birthday in June due to tradition and weather, began at Horse Guards Parade with the King’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, trooping their color. Fox News reported that Kate also wore Princess Diana’s iconic three-strand pearl bracelet, a piece designed by Nigel Milne that Diana wore frequently in 1989. Prince William inherited the bracelet following Diana’s death in 1997 and later gifted it to Kate. During the carriage procession, 11-year-old Princess Charlotte appeared to wear a remarkably similar bracelet, while Prince George wore a baby blue tie and Prince Louis joined the family in the carriage. The ceremony featured more than 1,500 military personnel, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. Following the procession, the Royal Family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony to view the Royal Air Force flypast. This appearance marked a high-profile engagement for Kate as she resumes royal duties following her 2024 cancer diagnosis and treatment.