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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Jennifer NewtonRoyal Features Writer & Jacob Farr

Dazzling Kate Middleton ditches tiara and has to hitch up Coronation dress due to rain

A glamorous Princess of Wales arrived for the Coronation of King Charles with a breathtaking ivory dress along with a robe which wowed bystanders.

However Kate shocked onlookers by wearing no tiara. She arrived at Westminster ahead of the historic event in the formal robe with an Alexander McQueen dress in ivory silk crepe with silver bullion and thread work embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs, which she held up to stop it getting wet in the rainy weather.

The lack of tiara shocked many as she instead opted to go for a Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen Headpiece with silver bullion, crystal and silver thread work three-dimensional leaf embroidery.

READ MORE: King’s coronation Live: Edinburgh locals take to the streets to celebrate new monarch

Kate was beaming as she entered the Abbey alongside the future king Prince William who was seen wearing a robe and the ceremonial dress of the Welsh Guards along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the Mirror reports.

Many had wondered what designer Kate would pick for her Coronation look with most tipping the eventual McQueen who landed the role.

Meanwhile, Kate also paid subtle nods to Princess Diana and the late Queen in her jewellery choices. She wore Diana's pearl and diamond earrings as well as the George VI Festoon Necklace. The necklace was made in 1950 at the request of King George VI for his daughter the now late Queen.

Charlotte twinned with her mum by also wearing an Alexander McQueen dress and a smaller version of the headpiece while Louis wore a Hainsworth Garter Blue Doeskin Tunic with specially designed lace work embellishment to the collar, cuffs and fronts.

After arriving, Kate took her seat in the Abbey with William, Charlotte and Louis as oldest son Prince George performed his page of honour duties for his grandfather the King.

Kate has no formal role in the Coronation ceremony, although will no doubt be looking on with pride as husband Prince William and eldest son Prince George are set to take part.

William will pay homage to his father the King by pledging allegiance to him while George is one of four young boys who have been picked to be pages of honour for the monarch.

After the ceremony Kate along with William, George, Charlotte and Louis will join the procession back to Buckingham Palace behind the gold state coach, where the route has been lined with wellwishers.

In addition, the family will appear on the Palace balcony later where they will greet the huge crowds and enjoy the RAF flypast.

However, one royal relative that will not be joining them on the balcony is Prince Harry - who was hugely critical of brother William and sister-in-law Kate in his memoir Spare.

An insider claimed Harry will be "in and out of the UK in 24 hours" and that he won't attend the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle tomorrow night either so he can get back to son Archie, who turns four today.

The ceremony is expected to end at 1pm today so it is believed that the Duke could head to the airport straight after, possibly leaving the country at around 2pm or 3pm.

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