You may have noticed that blue has been a popular shade for the royals during the German state visit. The Princess of Wales, in particular, stepped out in a series of outfits inspired by the colour palette as she helped host President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, First Lady Elke Büdenbender.
Kate, 43, wore a smart Alexander McQueen coat in a striking azure shade for the ceremonial welcome held at Windsor Castle. She paired the chic outerwear with a navy blue hat and heeled boots, and also finished off her look with a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana.
Later on Wednesday, the royal mum-of-three had cast off her coat to reveal a dark navy blue belted Burberry dress, which she paired with pearls to view exhibits from the Royal Collection relating to Germany in the Green Drawing Room. Then, in the evening, she stepped out in a glittering periwinkle Jenny Packham gown for the grand banquet in St George's Hall.
Kate wasn’t the only one to embrace blue for the grand occasion. Prince William opted for a patterned blue tie to greet the special guests, while Queen Camilla wore a royal blue coat dress and matching hat at the same event in the castle’s quadrangle, and swapped into an intricate teal gown for the evening.
However, the frequent appearance of blue hues was no sartorial accident. In fact, it was a nod to Germany, in the same way as the royals will often make reference to a country’s flag or fashion designers during other state visits or official tours.
"Blue wasn’t just a style choice for the royal state visit to Germany - it was a diplomatic strategy," explains royal fashion expert and style coach Shauna Colaci. "In Germany, blue carries cultural weight - it features prominently in regional coats of arms - notably Bavaria - and is often associated with tradition, pride and national unity."
What's more, Colaci explains: "In colour psychology, blue symbolises trust, loyalty, and calm authority. It’s the colour of diplomacy - quietly powerful, universally flattering, and emotionally steadying. Perfect for a royal visit where every outfit is a message."
The colour has likewise long been important when it comes to art, given its high cost as a pigment, which means it has strong links to royalty, and Kate has a degree in Art History from St Andrews University. What’s more, a certain hue - Prussian blue - was created in Germany by Swiss paint maker Johann Jacob Diesbach during the eighteenth century.
Kate’s first outfit from the state visit, her aforementioned Alexander McQueen coat ensemble, is also likely to be a subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth. The late monarch welcomed then-German leader Roman Herzog in a strikingly similar look - a lavender blue ensemble - during the last German state visit 27 years ago in 1998.