Kate Middleton broke longstanding royal rule at King Charles's Coronation
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, UK News
It's been three years since King Charles III's coronation and royal fans are still reeling from Kate Middleton's major rule break.
The celebration kicked off in central London's Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023, eight months after Charles ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The former Prince took an oath before being anointed with holy oil and receiving the coronation regalia - a practice that emphasised his role as both a secular head and a spiritual leader - in the company of senior royals, politicians, religious personnel and millions of viewers tuning in from home.
As has been the case when she first stepped onto the scene as Prince William's new love interest in 2004, however, the eyes of many onlookers fell immediately onto the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, as she stepped into the church.
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The 44-year-old wore an ivory silk Alexander McQueen crepe dress, which featured silver embroidered embellishments of the four national flowers - a rose, a thistle, a daffodil, and shamrock.
It wasn't Kate's outfit that sparked serious criticism on the day, however, but her headwear.
The mother-of-three broke royal tradition by wearing a glittering silver laurel headpiece to the prestigious ceremony - not a tiara, which had been expected.
Following confusion, a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that Kate had abandoned the tradition of wearing a tiara
Her headpiece had been a collaborative piece by Jess Collet and Alexander McQueen of silver bullion and crystal, with the silver thread leaf adornments forming a point above her head.
The decision piqued the curiosity of several royal commentators at the time, who'd pointed out that such an occasion would usually have called for the most formal attire.
According to insiders, however, the King had long ruled that his Coronation ceremony be slightly more scaled back, compared to celebrations that came before him, and this included outfit choices.
The Times reported at the time: "Instead it is thought that she is planning to wear a floral headpiece. There are also rumours within palace circles that no royal women will wear tiaras."
This proved true. Only Charles and Camilla, who were crowned with glittering jewels that day, were seen wearing tiaras, despite the amount of senior royals lining the walls of Westminster.
Apparently, this request was made in light of the cost of living crisis which is still ongoing in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of Brits battling high inflation, soaring energy and food prices on a daily basis, as well as stagnating monthly wages.