The Princess of Wales chose a black, grey and white tartan dress as a discreet mark of respect while joining the Prince of Wales at a Women's Institute event on Monday, an engagement that coincided with both the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death and a period of royal mourning for the Duchess of Kent.
Catherine, 43, attended the National Federation of the Women’s Institute (WI) in Sunningdale, Ascot, with her husband, wearing a dress by Alessandra Rich that observers noted included traditional mourning colours and a small hint of purple. The King approved a period of royal mourning following the Duchess of Kent’s death, with the duchess’s funeral scheduled for Sept. 16.
The couple issued a joint statement signed "W & C" offering condolences to the Duke of Kent and his family. "The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family," it read. Speaking at the WI event, William acknowledged the anniversary of his grandmother’s death, saying he "can't quite believe it has been three years already." The late Queen was a long-standing supporter of the WI and had been a member since 1943.
The visit, originally scheduled for William alone, became an opportunity for the couple to recall the late monarch and to hear members’ memories. The engagement was low-key and community-focused: the royal couple joined WI members for tea and cake, heard about local projects and charities, and discussed craft activities and beekeeping. Members presented home-made bakes; Kate chose a slice of chocolate chip cookie cake, while William tried a chocolate brownie and a piece of orange and Campari cake, complimenting the bakers and joking about his own standards for brownies.
Conversations ranged from personal anecdotes about the royal children to wartime recollections and local service work. One WI member showed a 1961 photograph of Queen Elizabeth II meeting local dockworkers and their families. Another recounted hosting the princess in a shop; members also described the WI’s pandemic response, including the production of hundreds of sets of scrubs and masks for health workers. William noted the financial pressures facing air ambulance services and said he was "looking at plans" to bring different services together, recalling his own time as a helicopter pilot.
The colours of the Princess’s dress were read by some royal watchers as layered references: black and white as conventional mourning tones, grey as a sign of respect, and purple often associated with grief and healing. Courtiers and commentators pointed to those colour choices as appropriate for an occasion that combined remembrance with community engagement.
The WI has a long association with the late Queen. She served as president of the Sandringham branch from 2003 until her death in 2022, regularly attended New Year meetings and hosted a reception at Sandringham in 2022 to mark her Platinum Jubilee. Members at Monday’s meeting described the organisation as a place for women to learn practical skills, support local projects and maintain community ties.
The couple’s appearance in Sunningdale came as the royal family also observed the recent death of the Duchess of Kent, who died at age 92. The King’s approval of a period of mourning affects public dress and ceremonial observances among working royals until the day of the duchess’s funeral on Sept. 16.
The visit took place as the Duke of Sussex travelled to the U.K. for a series of engagements, his first extended trip to Britain in several months. Reports said he visited his grandmother’s grave at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, shortly after arriving in the country. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, remained in California with their children.
William and Catherine’s presence at the WI brought attention both to the organisation’s historic links with the monarchy and to its continuing community role. Members described the encounter as warm and informal, with the couple engaging directly with volunteers and listening to local stories as they marked an anniversary that continues to shape the royal calendar and public remembrance.