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Kate Middleton's Nod to Princess Diana Stuns at State Visit
20 Mar
Summary
- Middleton wore a coatdress evoking Princess Diana's 1980s style.
- The design featured a modern lace-up detail, reminiscent of a corset.
- She accessorized with pearl earrings gifted to Diana in 1981.

On Wednesday, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, welcomed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to Windsor Castle. She appeared alongside Prince William, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla.
Middleton's attire drew immediate comparisons to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. She chose a gray double-breasted coatdress by Tolu Coker, which bore a striking resemblance to a red Catherine Walker ensemble Diana wore in the 1980s. Notably, Middleton's dress featured a unique lace-up detail at the back, reminiscent of a corset closure.
Further nods to Diana included the Collingwood pearl earrings, a wedding gift to Diana in 1981. Middleton also sported a Jane Taylor hat with an ivory bow, a black crocodile-embossed Mulberry purse, and Hugo Boss pumps.
The designer, Tolu Coker, has a connection to King Charles III, who previously attended her London Fashion Week show. Coker's brand benefited from The King's Trust, a charity founded by the King to support young people in the United Kingdom.
This state visit marked the first Nigerian delegation hosted by the British royals in 37 years, with the last occurring in 1989 when Queen Elizabeth II received guests. Coincidentally, Princess Diana wore a similar Catherine Walker coatdress in that same year.



