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On Tuesday, Kate made a surprise appearance and joined the Queen, William, Harry, Meghan, dignitaries and politicians for a service to mark the Royal Air Force centenary at Westminster Abbey.
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This year marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force – the world’s first independent air force – which was founded on 1 April 1918, independent of the British Army and Royal Navy.
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The Duchess is still on maternity leave and isn’t due to return to work until September. We suspect that her decision to attend the event was due to the RAF making her an Honorary Air Commandant in 2015, which was passed from Prince Phillip to her.
Daily Mail/David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
Daily Mail/David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
After the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were whisked off to Buckingham Palace for a reception.
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Daily Mail/PA
After the reception, the Cambridge’s’ and Sussex’s joined other senior royals to watch a fly past of up to 100 RAF aircraft, a parade of more than 1,000 personnel, and a feu de joie from the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Charlotte’s Christening
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Trooping the colour
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Visit to Belguim
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Harry and Meghan’s wedding
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Kate’s outfit choice may seem familiar to some, and that’s because she’s worn versions of it in ivory and buttercup yellow to celebrate Princess Charlotte’s christening (2015), Trooping the colour in (2016), during her visit to Belgium (2017), as well as Harry and Meghan’s wedding earlier this year.
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The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant in her pale blue Alexander McQueen coat dress. The knee-length, summery coat featured structured shoulders, wide fold-back lapels, a fitted waist, and a flared skirt.
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She accessorized her chic coat dress with a matching, Sean Barrett hat, complete with elegant lace detailing and a white floral decoration. Kate also wore her Gianvito Rossi 105 suede pumps in praline (£510) and held a new clutch (not yet ID’ed).
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On her right lapel the Duchess wore a striking, over sized RAF Dacre brooch. The opulent diamond and ruby piece was reportedly a gift to Kate when she became an Honorary Air Commandant in 2015 when she took over the role from the Duke of Edinburgh.
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According to the Mirror, “The brooch used to be given to the best female cadet every year and it was the highest honor they could receive. However in 2015 the tradition was changed when it was decided women should be recognized in the same way as their male peers – with a sword.”
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Continuing the theme for opulent accessories, the Duchess donned a pair of huge diamond drop earrings on loan from the Queen who first wore them in public at the State Opening of Parliament in 2012. They look to be a cluster of diamonds from which is suspended a line of four diamonds that swings within a frame of more diamonds.
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This post wouldn’t be complete without a snap of Charlotte and George watching the fly over from Buckingham Palace.