Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle's iconic dresses at the Queen's funeral

It must be said that funerals rarely provide opportunities for bold fashion statements. The occasions themselves are clearly modest and reverent, and their dress code is among the simplest and most obligatory.

The funeral of a British king has particularly strict protocols. A Monday service honoring Queen Elizabeth II put the climax of European proceedings on display, with the event facilitated in large part by people whose clothes had been chosen long beforehand by royal, military and ecclesiastical traditions. For example, three of the Queen’s four children wore military uniforms – the expected funeral outfit for members of the royal family with military titles – as they walked in the royal funeral procession. So did Prince William. (Prince Harry, who relinquished his status as Agent Royal in 2020, and Prince Andrew stripped of his military titles Earlier this year amidst the scandal, the exceptions were, instead of getting dressed Simple morning outfits.)

However, finding subtle ways to communicate through clothing choices is a skill, as well as a royal tradition in and of itself: Elizabeth herself, who died on September 8, was known for sending messages of support and affection, as well as emphasizing them. special force, Through the clothes she wore in public. on Monday, The three most prominent women in the royal family, very rare funeral attendants who have a lot of wiggle room as to what to wear, put the same strategy to use. All wore tasteful funeral robes with tender touches in honor of the Queen, yet they managed to send three different messages.

Queen Elizabeth, a fashion icon? yes.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (also known as Kate Middleton) and Prince William’s wife, wore a sharp-shouldered, double-breasted black blazer dress with pleats, a narrow waist and a moderately deep V-neck. The angular gown was a black version of The Alexander McQueen dress she wore earlier this year at the Platinum Jubilee event. She paired the ensemble with a wide-brimmed black hat, as well as two sets from the Queen’s extensive jewelry collection: a pair of long drop pearl earrings (awarded to the Queen Written by Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain in 1947) A wonderful necklace of pearls (Made of pearls that the Japanese government gave to members of the royal family And the Princess Diana wore it in 1982) which stood out strikingly against the darker hues of the day.

As Catherine rises in the royal line-up to Queen Consort-in-waiting, her profile rises further in the public eye; Her husband’s time on the throne, which was once somewhat off, now seems more real and imminent. Her eye-catching ensemble evoked the power suits and bold fashion of the ’80s—and signaled comfort while highlighting national interest.

For contrast, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, opted for a round neck dress with a delicate black top, and paired it with diamond and pearl earrings. The queen gave it to her. Her hooded dress – literally as art, a form in which one could hide – was majestic and demure, and like her sister-in-law, Meghan wore the silhouette she had worn before, repeating Stella McCartney’s blue print to the Queen’s Birthday Party in 2018.

Ahead of Monday’s event, newspapers and magazines had speculated about whether Meghan (who famously with Harry “stepped back” from her royal duties in early 2020) Will ever attend the funeralbecause of Tense relationship with the royal family described in the past. As Megan expressed it Her dissatisfaction with her portrayal in many British mediaAnd a modest dress like this is what you wear when you want to reduce your chances of it It’s called attention grabbing; When you want to integrate into the scene and be excluded from the narrative. When you don’t want anyone to talk about your outfit, except perhaps to notice that you fit right in with the tone of the occasion.

Meghan and Harry are back in the royal spotlight as they bid farewell to the Queen

I’m looking forward to seeing Meghan attack in the right-wing papers tomorrow: “How dare you attend the Queen’s funeral in a black dress and Diana-like hat? But look how stunning Kate Middleton looked in a black dress and hat reminiscent of Diana’s!”

– Ben must write (NovellerFox) September 19, 2022

But Camilla, the Queen consort – the wife of new King Charles III – was more than like Elizabeth at Monday’s funeral.

When Charles took the throne, the future of the monarchy is somewhat unclear: he did It is said considered “downsizing” the monarchy, as other nations have done in recent years – stripping some of the lesser-known members of the royal family of their titles and thus reducing the tax burden on civilians. But Camilla’s choice of funeral dress suggests that there is no such break with history. She wore a black, open-collar, slightly square dress with a chic beanie and a brooch over her left shoulder: a silhouette and accessory often associated with Elizabeth. (The gift, according to the British newspaper Outlet Metro, It was Queen Victoriagifted to her by her grandchildren on her diamond jubilee.

Although Camila was surrounded on Monday by the features of a changing world – cool bare ankle loafer worn by her granddaughter, for example, not to mention the live-streaming cameras that have been installed all around the ocean – and yet it has been reported, for the time being, at least, that the monarchy as the world knows it continues.