What does one wear to a coronation?
For senior royals like Queen Camilla and Kate, the Princess of Wales, the theme was pale, subdued dresses to let their regal robes and glittering jewelry do the talking.
Camilla, who was crowned alongside King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, wore an embroidered silk gown in ivory, silver and gold tones with a short train by Bruce Oldfield — a British designer favored by the royal family — with matching shoes.
Kate wore an ivory silk crepe dress by British fashion house Alexander McQueen under her cobalt blue and red Royal Victorian Order mantle, or robe. She didn’t wear a tiara, instead opting for a large silver and crystal headpiece designed by milliner Jess Collett in collaboration with McQueen.
She also sported pearl and diamond earrings belonging to William’s late mother, Princess Diana.
Her 8-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, wore a similar headpiece and ivory McQueen dress with cape, embroidered with rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs to represent the four countries of the United Kingdom.
Many of the guests opted for eye-catching pastel outfits that provided cheerful pops of color in the wet grey weather.
U.S. first lady Jill Biden wore a cornflower blue skirt suit by Ralph Lauren, with a matching hairpiece and gloves. She appeared with her granddaughter Finnegan Biden, who wore a yellow dress with matching cape by New York label Markarian.
Pink was a particularly popular choice for many. France’s Brigitte Macron chose a pale pink short dress with matching coat, by designer Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton. Spain’s Queen Letizia also opted for pink, sporting a skirt suit with peplum frills, matching heels, and a large stylish hat.
Pop star Katy Perry, who is due to perform at a coronation concert Sunday, wore a Vivienne Westwood jacket with matching tailored skirt. She styled the tailored look with a headpiece featuring a crinoline base with a layer of tulle and merry widow veiling, adorned with a ribbon bow.
British lawmaker Penny Mordaunt, who carried the “sword of state” during the coronation ceremony, stole the show with a striking teal blue cape dress and hat embroidered with gold ferns.
Prince Harry, who attended the ceremony without his wife, Meghan, wore a custom three-piece black and grey tail suit by Dior.
Kate, Princess of Wales and Prince William travel in a coach following the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo)
From left, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Kate, Princess of Wales, and Prince Edward at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, in Westminster Abbey, London, Saturday May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their coronation, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Britain's Queen Camilla arrives on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation of King Charles III, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Singer Katy Perry is photographed with a mobile phone after the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo)
US singer Katy Perry, left, leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Photo via AP)
US First Lady Jill Biden, and her granddaughter Finnegan arrive at Westminster Abbey, ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
US First Lady Jill Biden arrives at Westminster Abbey prior to the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron and French President's wife Brigitte Macron arrive to take their seats inside Westminster Abbey in central London Saturday, May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort. (Photo via AP)
Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt, holds the Sword of State walking ahead of King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia attend the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Photo via AP)
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie arrive at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Photo via AP)
Britain's Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales, arrive for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Photo via AP)
Kate, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis during the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo)
From left, 1st row, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Kate, Princess of Wales, Edward Duke of Edinburgh, and the Duchess of Edinburgh at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey, London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, and Alois, Hereditary Prince, arrive to attend Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's coronation ceremony, at Westminster Abbey, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo)
Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh leave after the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo)
Prince Harry arrives for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Consort in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Photo via AP)
Britain's Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank leave Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
Jordan's Queen Rania arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and Queen Suthida arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (via AP)
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