The Princess of Wales’s appearance at the Commonwealth Day service has been praised by a fashion commentator after senior members of the Royal Family gathered at Westminster Abbey for the annual celebration on Monday.The service was attended by the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The Commonwealth now comprises 56 independent countries and around 2.7 billion people.Catherine arrived at the Abbey in a navy bespoke Catherine Walker design, paired with a matching wide-brimmed Sean Barrett hat that had first been worn at the 2023 Commonwealth Day service and was updated this year with netting. She completed the look with a five-strand Susan Caplan pearl necklace, the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, a navy Strathberry Multrees Chain Wallet and Gianvito Rossi suede pumps. Susie Nelson, founder of Modes and More, told GB News: “The Princess of Wales looked beautiful in a bespoke Catherine Walker gown.“The pleats at the back and side were a lovely youthful detail, keeping the look feeling fresh and modern.“The shoulder pads were a confident nod to 1980s power dressing, adding a touch of drama without overwhelming the silhouette.”Ms Nelson also highlighted the finishing touches chosen by the Princess of Wales: “Her accessories were thoughtfully chosen.Princess of Wales’s subtle Queen Elizabeth II tribute hailed as ‘lovely touch’ | GETTY“A wide-brimmed hat lent the ensemble a real sense of occasion, whilst her earrings, which once belonged to the late Queen, added a lovely touch.”The princess’s earrings were originally created from pearls given to the then-Princess Elizabeth as a 1947 wedding present from the Hakim of Bahrain.Princess Anne opted for a coordinated forest green look for the service, wearing a coat, skirt and matching hat.The Princess Royal accessorised the outfit with a rose gold and diamond floral brooch that she had previously worn in her 1973 engagement photographs with Captain Mark Phillips.
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The Princess of Wales also wore a Susan Caplan necklace and Sean Barrett hat | GETTYMs Nelson said: “Princess Anne was the picture of understated elegance today in green.”Queen Camilla chose a rich red coat dress by Fiona Clare with a matching Philip Treacy hat. She accessorised with the Cartier Diamond Palm Leaf Brooch, a piece made for the Queen Mother in 1938 and later worn by Queen Elizabeth II.Princess Anne wore green while Queen Camilla stunned in red | GETTYMs Nelson added: “Queen Camilla made a quietly patriotic statement in rich red. It was a warm and confident choice, and very well suited to the occasion.”The Commonwealth Day service has been held at Westminster Abbey since 1972 and takes place on the second Monday of March each year.In his Commonwealth Day message released ahead of the service, the King said the world was living through “a time of great challenge and great possibility”.