Princess Kate Gives a Subtle Reference to Her Royal Role With “Sublime” New Gray Coat at Historic Church Service

The Princess of Wales wore a vintage-inspired outfit to celebrate the installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.

Princess Kate wearing a gray coat shaking hands with a woman
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince William and Princess Kate were on hand to celebrate the installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, March 25, and Kate brought some old-school royal elegance to the event. Wearing a tailored gray coat and a show-stopping hat, the Princess of Wales gently referenced her royal role with her new outfit.

Princess Kate chose Suzannah London’s Washington cashmere coat, with the gray wrap-style topper featuring a classic Prince of Wales check pattern. Kate’s coat is tipped with black silk satin trim on the collar and running down the length of the coat, and Suzannah invites women to “step in and feel the sublime” with the sophisticated style.

The belted jacket was inspired by a vintage hunting coat, according to the brand, but the Princess of Wales looked as far from a hunting trip as possible as she entered Canterbury Cathedral in her glamorous outfit.

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Princess Kate wearing a gray coat shaking hands with a lady

Princess Kate chose a Suzannah coat and Juliette Botterill hat for the church service.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Kate wearing a gray coat walking with Prince William and a woman into church

Kate channeled vintage glamour on March 25.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Kate and Prince William walking down the aisle of Canterbury Cathedral

The Prince and Princess of Wales proceed down the aisle of Canterbury Cathedral.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate paired her new coat with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill, with the straw style featuring a black center with a massive black-and-white checked brim that coordinated with her coat. She wore her hair neatly tucked into a twisted updo under her hat, showing off her classic pearl earrings.

For the historic church service, Kate chose an old favorite pair of Cassandra Goad pearl cluster earrings accented with tiny diamonds, a style she's worn on numerous occasions from Trooping the Colour to the Wimbledon championships. She finished off the outfit with sky-high black heels by Ralph Lauren, a diamond cross necklace and her black quilted Chanel mini bag.

Dame Sarah Mullally is the first woman in the history of the Anglican church to become Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Prince and Princess of Wales stepped in for The King to honor her installation, as is tradition.

Their appearance comes after a palace source noted Prince William wanted to draw "a line in the sand" at the installation when it comes to his religious views. Although the Prince of Wales isn't a regular churchgoer, he's said to be "very seriously" planning for his role as the future head of the Church of England, the source told the Times.

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Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.