DTwo years is a long time for a permanent appointment. And when Kate Middleton, Prince William and their three children entered St. George’s Chapel in Windsor for the Easter massthe crowd outside the castle knew it very well. They were the absolute protagonists of the day, stronger than the scandals and clashes within a Royal Family tormented like never before.
Kate Middleton at Easter mass after two years
The last time was 2023: in 2024 the cancer diagnosis came a few weeks before Easter Sunday, and Kate had chosen to stay out of the spotlight; last year the princes had spent the weekend in Norfolk, at their home in Amner Hall. Today, with their cancer in remission since last January, they have resumed their place in the royal family’s Easter ritual. William waved to the crowd, Kate walked next to him. The boys, George, Charlotte and Louis followed them. Everything, at least on the surface, as before.
William and Kate Middleton with their children at Easter mass in Windsor. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The elegance of cream in Kate Middleton’s new direction
On the style front, the Princess of Wales opted for a choice that mixes safe second-hand items and seasonal novelties. Kate has chose a cream-colored Self Portrait dresswith a tailored top and lace applications, already worn in 2022 at an official engagement with Princess Anne, combined with a coordinated midi skirt. On her feet, Ralph Lauren golden calf pumps. In hand, the Nano Montreal bag by DeMellier London in its classic toffee.
Kate Middleton in a Self Portrait cream dress and a Juliette Botterill hat. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
On the ears, the Bahraini pearl pendants that royal fashion enthusiasts recognize with their eyes closed. Only the hat was new: a cream-colored teardrop model with applied leaves by Juliette BotterillLondon milliner now a permanent signature in the princess’s wardrobe, with at least eight models already collected. The latest in chronological order, last month, for the meeting with the first female archbishop of Canterbury.
Charlotte, 10 years old and already has a chromatic understanding with her mother
The detail that drove royal fashion enthusiasts crazy came a few steps further. Princess Charlotte, 10, was in beige coat by Catherine Walkerone of the princess’s most loved court tailors: the exact same coat, among other things, already worn at Christmas at Sandringham. Juxtaposed with her mother’s cream look, the effect was that of a neutral-milk palette built with the precision of a stylist. Hard to believe it was a coincidence.
On the other side of the family, William, Prince George and little Louis were all in dark blue suits with tiesa compact men’s team coordinated with the father. George, 12 years old, is now almost as tall as his parents.
Charlotte and Louis say goodbye outside St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
A family that raises its head
The return of the princes to Windsor is not just a question of style. It comes at a time when the royal family needs loved faces in the front row. Andrea, a former prince arrested in February on charges of improper conduct and then released, was not present. Also absent were his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who would have agreed on alternative plans for the day with the king. The Epstein scandal still weighs heavily, and Charles III is trying to build a more compact and less vulnerable monarchy. In this picture, Kate and William leading the procession towards the chapel with three children in an orderly row have the value of a political image, as well as a family one.
The Princes of Wales. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Easter, chocolate and the desire for normality
There is also something else, however, behind this day. Years ago, during an official video call in the midst of Covid, William had confessed with a smile that at Easter in their house “we eat a lot of chocolate”. And Kate, turning to her husband, added: “Above all, you eat it.” A normal family, in short, at least to the extent that one living in Kensington Palace can be. After two Easters away from Windsor chapelseeing all five of them walking together under the April sun was, for the crowd outside the gates, something that went far beyond curiosity about their clothes.
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