Princess Kate's 'Most Iconic' Coronation Moment Caught on Camera

Princess Kate's appearance at the coronation of King Charles is the focus of a new viral video as the royal family marked the historic event's one-year anniversary on Monday.

Kate took a prominent place in the coronation ceremony, proceeding into Westminster Abbey alongside Prince William and the couple's two young children behind Charles and Queen Camilla.

The princess has become the subject of increased scrutiny since the beginning of 2024, when she stepped out of the public eye to undergo abdominal surgery. Her absence from public life has been extended, as she explained in a video statement in March. She said that after her surgery doctors found she had cancer and that she was undergoing a course of preventive chemotherapy.

Since the accession of Charles, Kate has taken on a newly elevated position in the monarchy. She is now the Princess of Wales, the new colonel of the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army and the first Royal Companion of the Order of the Royal Companions of Honour, among a host of other appointments.

Kate's appearance at the 2023 coronation was highly anticipated by fans, along with the promise of an important fashion moment, for which she has been celebrated in the past.

Uploaded Monday to TikTok by user katemiddleton.fp, the footage of Kate entering Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony has been viewed over 100,000 times.

In the clip, Kate is highlighted in slow motion as she walks alongside Prince William wearing a crimson and royal blue robe and a dazzling headdress.

For her outfit, Kate turned to her most trusted fashion ally, Sarah Burton, who at the time was the creative director for the house of Alexander McQueen.

Burton had made Kate's 2011 wedding gown and several of her most high-profile looks since then. The coronation dress was made in white silk with real silver embroidery forming the four floral emblems of the nations making up the United Kingdom: roses for England, shamrocks for Northern Ireland, daffodils for Wales and thistles for Scotland.

The gown was mostly hidden from view, as it was worn under Kate's robes that come with being a member of the Royal Victorian Order, to which she was appointed by Queen Elizabeth in 2019.

The robes were worn at the coronation at the request of Charles and Camilla. Accompanying Kate, William wore his deep blue velvet robes as a member of the Order of the Garter.

Captioned "One year ago today! William and Catherine," the viral video has received more than 15,000 likes and numerous comments from fans, and many praised the princess's outfit and overall appearance.

"The most iconic moment from the coronation," wrote one TikTok user about the footage. "The outfit was incredible. William should have a real tiara made for Kate to replicate the headdress. He can afford it."

"The vibes are amazing," posted another. A further comment read: "Omg she's gorgeous."

The headdress worn by Kate for the coronation has received particular praise. It was designed in a graduating leaf style to mimic the tiaras and headdresses in antiquity.

The piece was embellished with silver thread work and crystals and was made by milliner Jess Collett in collaboration with Burton. A smaller version was also made for Princess Charlotte.

Kate's choice of Collett as a designer for her headdress was a tribute to Charles. Collett started her business with a loan from the Prince's Trust (now known as the King's Trust), which was started by Charles in the 1970s to support young people.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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