Kate Middleton’s subtle nod to the Queen in stunning outfit

Kate Middleton hosted her own event – and there were some strong signals of just how close she and the rest of the royals have become.

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge might be many things – coat dress-fancier extraordinaire, lifelong proponent of the bouncy blow dry and eternal fan of the useless clutch bag – but TV star? Unabashedly taking centre stage while the cameras rolled?

She might be one of the most famous women in the world but happily putting herself, and just herself, in the spotlight for the world’s viewing pleasure? Well, that has never quite factored on the list.

That changed on Thursday though when the 39-year-old future Queen and nude hose devotee took on her first solo starring role, hosting a carol service for the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic at Westminster Abbey in what was a royal first.

Kate Middleton’s subtle nod to the Queen in stunning outfit
Kate Middleton hosted her own event – and there were some strong signals of just how close she and the rest of the royals have become.

Daniela Elser
Daniela Elser
@DanielaElser
5 min read
December 9, 2021 – 4:36PM

Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the ‘Together at Christmas’ community carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge might be many things – coat dress-fancier extraordinaire, lifelong proponent of the bouncy blow dry and eternal fan of the useless clutch bag – but TV star? Unabashedly taking centre stage while the cameras rolled?

She might be one of the most famous women in the world but happily putting herself, and just herself, in the spotlight for the world’s viewing pleasure? Well, that has never quite factored on the list.

That changed on Thursday though when the 39-year-old future Queen and nude hose devotee took on her first solo starring role, hosting a carol service for the unsung heroes of the coronavirus pandemic at Westminster Abbey in what was a royal first.

The Duchess of Cambridge at the Together at Christmas community carol service. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge at the Together at Christmas community carol service. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince William and Kate Middleton meet a reindeer at the Christmas event. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince William and Kate Middleton meet a reindeer at the Christmas event. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The event saw 1200 congregate in the 752-year-old abbey for Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a jolly singalong and injection of festive cheer. But what made the event extraordinary wasn’t her outfit (a demure, predictably red Catherine Walker get-up) or that there was at least one predictable touching moment caught by the cameras featuring an adorable small child, but who also attended the concert.

Sure, Prince William did his husbandly bit, looking suitably supportive and unconcerned about the fact someone had decided that live reindeer were a good idea.

No, it was the appearance of the majority of the younger members of the royal family out in very unusual force which really set the event apart.

There was Princess Eugenie, in a surprisingly sexy cape and knee-high boot ensemble, followed hot on her heels by a glamorous Zara Tindall with her permanently beaming husband Mike.

Despite having a two-month-old baby at home, Princess Beatrice and her dishy Anglo-Italian property developer husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi rolled up looking sickeningly happy.

That, aside from Peter Phillips, all of William’s adult royal cousins rolled up for Kate’s big night, and with not even a glass of Waitrose-brand sparkling to tempt them, is particularly significant and an unprecedented show of Windsor unity.

Further reinforcing the one big happy vibe was the appearance of Sophie, the Countess of Wessex as well as Kate’s family including her mother and father Carole and Mike, sister Pippa and her brother James and with his wife Alizee, doing their darndest to earn their nickname the ‘En Masse Middletons’.

(Maybe blood is not only thicker than water, but bubbly too?)

As far as I am aware, there has never been a moment such as this when the Queen’s grandchildren turned out in such collective force to support one of their own.