The Princess of Wales championed a seriously bright hue at the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Friday, and we are in awe of her bold colour choice.
Princess Kate stepped out at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, attending the parade for the first time as Colonel of the regiment (she recently took over the role from her husband the Prince of Wales who is now Colonel of the Welsh Guards).
Despite the drizzly weather, the 41-year-old looked on top form as she presented a traditional sprig of shamrock to an officer. For the occasion she wore a fitted midi coat in a vivid teal hue featuring a central line of fabric covered buttons, princess seam detailing and structured shoulders.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Kate dressed head to toe in teal
Princess Kate's striking piece of outerwear also boasted a mandarin collar, a belt at the waist and, most suitably, was pinned with sprigs of shamrock (which according to Irish folklore, symbolise good luck).
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If there's one thing that our late Queen taught us about royal dressing, it is that bright shades are resolutely 'wardrobe-welcome'. Known for her striking colour blocked outfits, Queen Elizabeth II was rarely seen in a muted shade, the reason for which her daughter-in-law the Countess of Wessex explained in the documentary The Queen at 90 – bright hues make her more visible to the crowds.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe princess wore a gold shamrock brooch
Perhaps Princess Kate took a leaf out of the late Queen's book? Certainly for eagle-eyed royal fashion fans, her St. Patrick's Day look might have come as a bit of a surprise. In the past for Ireland's national day she has traditionally dressed in much darker shades - think earthy emeralds and deep hunter hues - including last year when she opted for a collared coat by London-based label Laura Green.
Instead, this year Princess Kate went for something brighter – her teal-coloured coat was accented by stylish courts and a pleated fascinator (both in similar shades). She topped off her outfit with a gold shamrock brooch and refined emerald drop earrings, looking every inch the elegant future queen.
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