Kate Middleton Channels Wedding Memories, Wearing Her Bridal Designer at Westminster Abbey

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middleton at her royal wedding on April 29, 2011; Kate Middleton at her carol service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo:CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty; Chris Jackson/Getty

CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty; Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate Middletonincluded a chic nod to her royal wedding day at her Christmas carol service.

On Dec. 6, Princess Kate, 42, stepped out for her fourth annualTogether at Christmascarol service at in London. The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she arrived, making a poignant fashion statement in a bold red coat topped with a black bow from her wedding designer, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  Adding extra significance, the service took place at Westminster Abbey, the same iconic venue where Kate marriedPrince Williamin April 2011.

Burton’s designs for Alexander McQueen have been a constant presence throughout the Princess of Wales’ most significant life moments. In addition to her royal wedding, she’s worn her designs to the nuptials ofPrince HarryandMeghan Markle,Princess Charlotte’s christening and in the days followingQueen Elizabeth’s death. This year’s carol service is no exception, carrying even greater significance given the challenging year Kate has faced, following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Princess Kate is known to send messages through herclothesandjewelry, and seemingly streamlined her style when she became the Princess of Wales uponKing Charles' accession in 2022.

“I think this is herpower moment— she’s easing into the Princess of Wales role and that promotion that she’s had in such a beautiful way,” Bethan Holt, fashion director at theDaily Telegraph, previously told PEOPLE. “She’s got this big new title, and she’s dressing for that job.”

Kate Middleton attends the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 06, 2024 in London, England.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Both personally and professionally, it’s a major night for the Princess of Wales, who announced in September that shecompleted chemotherapy. Princess Kate announced in March that she was undergoingtreatment for cancerand stepped outside of the spotlight for most of 2024 to focus on her health.

The Princess of Wales called it a “relief” to have completed chemo when she shared that news about her health, but emphasized that she would continue to take “each day as it comes.”

Kate Middleton attends the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 06, 2024 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

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Kate Middleton meets British actor Richard E. Grant (L) during the “Together At Christmas” Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6, 2024.ISABEL INFANTES/POOL/AFP via Getty

ISABEL INFANTES/POOL/AFP via Getty

“I think she recognizes she has lots of beautiful pieces already in her wardrobe, which, with a few small tweaks, can look entirely new,” Holt tells PEOPLE about Princess Kate’s fresh-eyed style and new proclivity to give existing looks second spins.

The Princess of Wales has also experimented with her usual jewelry this year and occasionally switched out hericonic sapphire engagement ringthat previously belonged to her late mother-in-law,Princess Diana, for asparkly stack of bandsincluding an unusualnew eternity ring.

Step inside the royals' holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition:Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.

source: people.com