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Princess Kate sparks confusion with change to coronation dress in official portrait – did you notice?

Royal fans have been speculating about the Princess of Wales' Alexander McQueen dress on Twitter


Catherine Princess of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla © Getty
Kate Thomas
Lifestyle Managing Editor
May 8, 2023
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The Princess of Wales has left royal fans confused by a subtle change to her dress in King Charles and Queen Camilla's newly released official coronation portraits.

The fourth resplendent image, taken by royal photographer Hugo Burnand at Buckingham Palace, features working members of the royal family including Princess Kate and Prince William posing alongside the newly crowned monarch in the Throne Room. The 41-year-old royal beauty is seen wearing her bespoke Alexander McQueen dress and sparkling Jess Collett headpiece but had removed her Royal Victorian Order mantle, offering a full look at her beautiful coronation gown for the first time.

WATCH: Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte share sweet smile during coronation

Kate's outfit, made in an ivory silk crepe material, featured a modest neckline and silver bullion and threadwork embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs to signify the four nations of the UK.

Upon closer inspection, the neckline looks completely different in the new photograph, with the high neck of the coronation dress replaced by a more glamorous, subtle V cut.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are pictured with working members of the royal family in the fourth official portrait© Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/PA Wire
Princess Kate offered a full look at her Alexander McQueen dress in King Charles and Queen Camilla's official coronation portraits

Royal fans have been left confused by the change, taking to Twitter to discuss the differences. The consensus seems to be that Princess Kate was likely wearing a cape – just like her mini-me daughter Princess Charlotte – which she removed for the post-coronation portraits.

WATCH: Princess Kate's first curtsey to King Charles captured in moving clip

"Maybe a cape like Charlotte's?," one fan mused, with another commenting: "I wonder if it was an outer coat or shoulder cape like Princess Charlotte wore?"

Others thought the dress itself was completely different and suggested two gowns had been custom-made by Alexander McQueen for the occasion.

"Maybe the v neck was vetoed for the church ceremony. So 2 different but similar dresses," another wrote.

Princess Kate delivered a full sartorial masterclass over the weekend, whether making low-key public appearances at Big Lunches or putting on a regal display at official coronation events.

Our favourite more understated look has to be the chic scarlet suit she donned for King Charles' coronation concert, set off with dazzling Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery.

The Princess of Wales wore a bespoke Alexander McQueen gown beneath her coronation robes© Getty Images
The Princess of Wales wore a bespoke Alexander McQueen gown beneath her coronation robes

But it was her coronation ceremony outfit that really stole the nation's hearts.

Wearing a deep blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet, Kate was a vision as she glided into Westminster Abbey alongside Prince William. The princess was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) by the late Queen in 2019.

The deeply meaningful outfit was made even more poignant by the addition of the late Queen's stunning George VI Festoon Necklace, which features three strands of sizeable diamonds. The Princess also added Princess Diana's pearl and diamond earrings in an extra tribute, finished with Gianvito Rossi silk pumps

Princess Kate and Prince William during the coronation ceremony© Getty
The neckline of the dress looked different during the Westminster Abbey broadcast

Kate teamed her look with a bespoke headpiece made in a collaboration between milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen. Sweetly, Princess Charlotte matched her mother in a custom Alexander McQueen look, too – a dress and cape in ivory silk crepe with ivory satin stitch embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs.

RELATED: This is why Princess Kate didn't wear a tiara at the coronation

Take a look at all the most majestic photographs of Princess Kate during King Charles' coronation…

Princess Kate's best photos from King Charles' coronation

TOPSHOT - Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort. - The set-piece coronation is the first in Britain© Getty
Princess Kate wore a custom Alexander McQueen and Jess Collett headpiece
Princess of Wales headpiece© Getty Images
Kate sported the late Queen's stunning George VI Festoon Necklace
Kate middleton and Prince William look at each other© Getty
Princess Kate and Prince William shared a sweet moment during their appearance on the balcony
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 in London, England.© Getty
The Prince and Princess of Wales were followed by Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Princess Charlotte and the Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London, England.
Princess Kate shared a special moment with daughter Charlotte

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