Kate Middleton's Black-And-White Dress Might Be A Nod To Princess Diana, Fans Say—With Her Own Special Twist

Kate Middleton made a dazzling and stylish comeback at the Trooping the Colour 2024 parade last month , turning heads in an elegant white Jenny Packham dress accentuated with a chic black striped belt and a matching bow at the neckline .

Keen-eyed royal fans couldn’t help but spot a delightful detail on social media : the Princess of Wales, 42, seemed to have added a new flair to one of her favorite wardrobe pieces for this special occasion . What’s more , Princess Kate might have paid a touching tribute to the late Princess Diana through her outfit choice.

Did Kate Middleton Pay Homage To Princess Diana By Rewearing Her Jenny Packham Dress? Royal Style Enthusiasts Think So

Just before King Charles ’ coronation in May 2023, Kate stepped out for a Buckingham Palace lunch in a very similar outfit, pairing it with black Aquazzura heels, a sleek satin Prada clutch, and the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II .

Kate (like her late mother-in-law Diana did in the 80s and 90s) has a knack for weaving treasured royal heirlooms into her chic wardrobe. Fast forward to this year’s Trooping the Colour, and the princess has given her ensemble a fresh twist—swapping out the solid black belt for a striped one and adding a charming black-and-white bow for that extra dash of flair.

Fans speculated that Kate's choice to don a cherished dress for her grand return might be a tribute to the late Diana, who was well-known for her habit of recycling outfits and wearing them multiple times to royal events.

Soon after her public appearance on June 15th, fans and royal fashion enthusiasts headed to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts. “I knew the dress looked familiar,” one wrote as another chimed in: “I much prefer today’s version.” Someone else added, tying Kate and Diana's love for upcycled fashion: “That makes me love it even more! (I remember being young and obsessed when Princess Diana did this with her outfits!)”

For her newly revamped look, Kate donned a classy Philip Treacy hat along with her Jenny Packham dress, and white pointed-toe heels to top it all off. To complete her look for the event, the mom of three wore her chestnut brunette tresses in a classic updo. As for her makeup look, she opted for subtle smokey eyeshadow, voluminous lashes, rosy blush and a pink lip. Kate carried a sleek black clutch and sparkled with the help of statement pearl earrings.

Trooping the Colour witnessed the first public appearance of Kate with her husband Prince William with their little ones since Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham. It was her first outing in half a year, following the announcement of her cancer diagnosis back in March .

The occasion of King Charles, 75, was graced by his eldest son William, 42, and daughter-in-law, who were spotted on the balcony with their adorable brood. Joining in on the celebrations were their eldest, Prince George , 10, their daughter Princess Charlotte , 9, and the youngest member of their family, Prince Louis , 6.

There was a lot of buzz surrounding Kate's appearance at Trooping the Colour . However, it's important to note that she's still undergoing cancer treatment and has not yet resumed her royal duties. Just before the event on June 14th, Kate shared a heartfelt letter with the public, which gave the first update on her health since announcing that she's currently undergoing chemotherapy.

"I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet," she said. Kate added: "I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal."