How Kate Middleton's Accessories For Commonwealth Day Showed Support For Ukraine

On February 24, Russia invaded its neighboring country of Ukraine, and, in the weeks since, has escalated the conflict, much to the horror of the global public, who has watched this escalation take place. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, several world leaders, like President Joe Biden, have publicly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions and have stood in solidarity with Ukraine.

On February 26, Prince William and Kate Middleton joined these ranks of leaders pledging their support for Ukraine. "In October 2020, we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future. Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future," William and Middleton said in a statement on their Twitter page. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska occurred during the president's two-day visit to the United Kingdom, per Fox News.

On March 9, Prince William and Kate Middleton paid a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn more about the efforts in the United Kingdom and across Europe that are providing aid to the Ukrainian people. "Everyone is horrified by what they are seeing," Prince William said at the event, per People. "It's really horrifying. The news every day, it's just, it's almost unfathomable. For our generation, it's very alien to see this in Europe. We're all right behind you. We're thinking about you. We feel so useless."

In true royal family fashion, Kate Middleton is using the subtleties of her personal style to show support for Ukraine throughout the country's conflict with Russia. During her visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London on March 9, Middleton wore a blue Alexander McQueen sweater that matched the blue color on the Ukrainian flag, along with navy trousers, Gianvito Rossi heels, and a blue and yellow badge, as Vogue reported. Prince William also wore a matching blue and yellow badge.

Middleton used fashion to send subtle messages once again when she attended the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey alongside Prince William, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles. Middleton wore a blue, wool crepe coat dress, a matching hat, and a pair of gloves. Upon taking a closer glance, the public saw that Middleton's earrings and necklace of choice for the Commonwealth Day celebration held quite a bit of significance. According to People, Middleton wore this same jewelry set while visiting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska back in October 2020. Many believe that this accessory choice is quite deliberate and is intended to send a subtle message of support for Ukraine. Prior to landing in Middleton's jewelry box, the necklace and earrings reportedly belonged to Princess Diana.

Of course, this is hardly the first time that Kate Middleton has used fashion to convey subtle messages. In November 2021, while attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, Middleton's blue ensemble served a direct purpose. At the time, she and Prince William were filling in for Queen Elizabeth, whose health struggles had been making headlines. 

Modern color theorist Momtaz Begum-Hossain believes that Middleton was trying to convey a sense of calm and reassurance to the public that might be worrying about Queen Elizabeth's health. "Royal blue can be very glamorous. But other shades like this are less distracting, so it's not all about her," Begum-Hossain told OK! (via Express). "This shows modesty. There's a sense of calm about it too in a time of real anxiety. She was helping to reassure the nation."

In September 2021, Kate Middleton attended the premiere of the James Bond film "No Time to Die" in a glamorous gold Jenny Packham dress. According to Marie Claire, Middleton's attire was a nod to Princess Diana's equally glamorous silver dress that she wore at the 1985 premiere of the James Bond film "A View to a Kill."

Middleton's choice of attire at the premiere was also thought to be a subtle message to the public that she could still be a fashion icon. After all, earlier that week, Meghan Markle gained quite a bit of praise for her style sense when she wore a white Valentino minidress to the Global Citizen Live Concert, per Glamour. Some think that Middleton's gold dress might have been a way of one-upping Markle, to whom she has often been compared (along with other prominent figures from across the globe), as clothing designer Melita Latham explained to Express. "But oh my goodness has she raised the bar and has simply put everyone else in the shade," she said of Middleton wowing the world in the stunning gown.