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Woman & Home
Woman & Home
Lifestyle
Emma Shacklock

Kate Middleton puts her own spin on Queen Elizabeth's iconic style with dusty lilac dress at palace reception

Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with guests as she attends a reception at Buckingham Palace, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II on April 21, 2026.

The late Queen Elizabeth loved a pop of colour and the Princess of Wales perhaps had this in mind when she selected her outfit for a reception at Buckingham Palace on 21st April. Held on what would’ve been Her Majesty’s 100th birthday, the occasion called for something special and Kate stepped out in a lilac dress.

Purple is traditionally associated with royalty and Queen Elizabeth had quite a few lilac looks in her collection. I'd hoped to see the Princess of Wales wear this pastel for Easter and she rarely chooses it nowadays, so it’s lovely to see her in one of Queen Elizabeth’s go-to colours.

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