Kate Middleton.Photo:Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales travels down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping the Colour

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Kate Middletonhad the perfect outfit choice atTrooping the Colour.

On Saturday, the Princess of Wales attended thefirst birthday paradeheld inKing Charles’ honor. While Princess Kate, 41, has been part of the patriotic procession each year since marryingPrince Williamin 2011 — with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when the event was scaled back greatly due to the COVID pandemic — today’s event is special as her first as the Princess of Wales.

Green also nods to her colonelcy of the Irish Guards and one of the colors of the flag of Wales. Kate andPrince Williamwere named the Prince and Princess of Wales upon King Charles' accession to the throne in September — and withPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5, in red at Trooping, the Wales family had anultimate display of flag dressing!

Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton.Neil Mockford/Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla during Trooping the Colour

Neil Mockford/Getty

Kate completed the look withsapphire and diamond earringsthat previously belonged toPrincess Diana—a rewear from last year! — and pinned on the Irish Guards’special gold shamrock brooch.

The royal birthday parade takes on a new weight for Kate ashonorary Colonel of the Irish Guards. The Irish Guards are one of the seven regiments of the Household Division of the British Army on display at Trooping the Colour, and King Charles made his daughter-in-law the ceremonial Colonel in December, three months after his accession. The position is a fitting tribute for the Princess of Wales, who hashonored the regimenton St. Patrick’s Day for over a decade.

In another first, Princess Kate and Queen Camilla joined the other royal colonels on the ground at Horse Guards Parade as the Welsh Guards presented their flag. In past years, both royal women would watch this part of the ceremony from one of the buildings surrounding the parade grounds.

Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Catherine, Princess of Wales rides down the Mall by carriage during Trooping the Colour

Samir Hussein/WireImage

It was a touching tribute for Kate to wear Diana’s earrings at her first Trooping the Colour as the Princess of Wales. The royal has reached for her late mother-in-law’s jewelry more frequently since becoming Princess of Wales in September, andmost recently worethe Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara to the royal wedding of Jordan on June 1. The sparkler is famously a favorite of Kate’s for state occasions — just like it was for Diana. A few weeks before, Princess Kate also wore Princess Diana’sSouth Sea Pearl Earringsto the coronation on May 6.

“I think we have seen lots of examples where the reference is very intentional and I think that Kate uses fashion to pay tribute to Diana in a very positive way,” Bethan Holt, Fashion News and Features Director ofThe Daily Telegraph, previously told PEOPLE.

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In another connection, Princess Diana also wore green for her first Trooping the Colour as Princess of Wales in 1982.

Princes Kate also sported agold shamrock broochfeaturing an emerald in the center. The pin belongs to the Irish Guards and is loaned to the royal women who are associated with the regiment,The Court Jewellerreports.

Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2023 in Aldershot, England. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the parade for the first time as Colonel of the Regiment succeeding The Prince of Wales, the outgoing Colonel.

Kate’s latest look is a confident affirmation in her power-dressing parade since becoming Princess of Wales in the fall, which Holt describes as a whole new mindset.

“I think this is her power moment — she’s easing into the Princess of Wales role and that promotion that she’s had in such a beautiful way,” the style editor previously told PEOPLE. “She’s got this big new title, and she’s dressing for that job.”

source: people.com