Kate dons tartan jacket and top hat in sweet tribute to late Queen

27 August 2023 , 23:56

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Kate wore the traditional Balmoral tartan

Kate Middleton gave a sweet tribute to the late Queen as she joined other members of the royal family at Balmoral on Sunday.

The Princess of Wales was pictured in a car with husband Prince William and Prince Andrew on their way to the Scottish castle, where they met other senior royals for the first summer gathering since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch died on September 8 last year.

Kate marked the sad occasion by following a Balmoral tradition with her clothing. Members of the family were spotted in earthy tones of brown, green, red and blue - with Princess Kate in a tartan number. The 42-year-old donned a tartan jacket with a feather top hat.

Underneath the hat, her hair can be seen pinned back into a chic low bun with braids throughout. In keeping with the Scottish legacy of the castle, the royal donned a patterned jacket in the trademark "Balmoral tartan" design.

However she departed from her usual bold fascinators to the more traditional top hat, with its design being unlike anything Kate has worn before. However, it could be seen as being similar to her younger days, when she was described as having a “Sloane Ranger” fashion sense.

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King Charles and Camilla are currently in Balmoral with other senior royals

Senior royals in attendance include King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie and Edward. The trip is likely to be a display of the family unit, with Prince Andrew accepted back as he attended with "all the Yorks".

The Duke stepped down from public life after his friendship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. There have been rumours of a rift in the family since, but the arrival of Andrew with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the same car could mark an end to such talk.

Prince William reportedly played a large role in stripping Andrew of his military titles. But now any tensions that may have existed could have thawed, in what marks William's first appearance with Andrew since Easter. The trio attended Crathie church this morning.

William and Kate attended a similar service alongside Andrew but were at all times several paces apart and did not appear to speak to each other. The display of unity comes as the royals are due to mark the first anniversary of the Queen's death on September 8 last year. King Charles will mark the day "quietly and privately", Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Hannah Kane