The Princess of Wales dressed the part for her special Sponsor role
Kate Middleton knew just what to wear for a nautical outing in Scotland with Prince William!
On May 22, the Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out in Scotstoun, Glasgow, to attend the ship naming ceremony of the HMS Glasgow at the BAE Systems’ shipyard. Princess Kate, 43, is the sponsor of the warship and had the honor of smashing a bottle of whisky against its hull — dressing the part for the job!
The Princess of Wales made an elegant statement in a long-sleeved navy coat dress with white piping from Suzannah London, a new addition to her royal closet. The Simple Coat Dress is crafted from Italian lightweight wool crepe and is also available in two other colors: lupin blue and cosmetic pink.
The royal paired the ensemble with what appeared to be her navy and white Philip Treacy hat that she last sported at Trooping the Colour in June 2022. She completed the look with a brooch and beige heels, with the entire ensemble giving maritime vibes.
For jewelry, Princess Kate wore sapphire drop earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana, which perfectly complement their shared engagement ring.
Her navy outfit followed a cue from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who would sometimes nod to military jobs by wearing outfits with similar homage.
Princess Kate was appointed Sponsor of HMS Glasgow in June 2021 and the cutting-edge Type 26 anti-submarine frigate is designed to protect the U.K.’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers. She checked in on the ship’s progress by hosting Royal Navy sailors from HMS Glasgow at Windsor Castle in 2022 to hear about the work being done and the sailors’ experiences in the Royal Navy.
A highlight of William and Kate’s shipyard visit will be when she releases a bottle against the ship’s hull, officially naming it. The Princess of Wales has had plenty of practice with this in the past, as her first official engagement with Prince William in February 2011 was pouring champagne on a lifeboat in Wales a few months before their royal wedding, marking her first duty in a working royal role.
After the Princess of Wales sprinkles the warship with whisky, she and William will go aboard to meet representatives from BAE Systems and Royal Navy to learn more about what the ship will offer.
The couple will then connect with apprentices and graduates in the BAE Systems’ Shipbuilding Academy to hear about the shipbuilding and maritime training they have received, including fabrication, electrical, sheet metal work, welding, and pipefitting — all of which helped bring HMS Glasgow to life.
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William and Kate’s last meeting will be with BAE Systems employees from various backgrounds who all helped build the ship, and then spend time with members of HMS Glasgow Ship’s Company and their families to recognize the efforts of the local workforce, commitment of the crew and sacrifices made by the loved ones of serving personnel.
