Kate Middleton's Royal Tribute: Re-wearing the Dress for Prince Philip and Duchess of Kent

ROYAL RUMBLE: PRINCESS OF WALES TURNS ON THE GLAMOUR AS SHE PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF KENT

In a move that's got tongues wagging, Princess Kate stole the show at Westminster Cathedral yesterday as she attended the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. The 43-year-old mother-of-three looked absolutely stunning in a bespoke black ensemble from Roland Mouret, but it was her choice of accessories that really got our attention.

We've seen this look before - the princess wore the same outfit to Prince Philip's funeral in 2021, and let's be real, she's not one to mess with a good thing. But what really caught our eye was her nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing a choker necklace that's been a staple of Her Majesty's jewellery collection for decades.

And it seems like Kate is taking her role as future Queen Consort very seriously indeed! Sources close to the royal family claim that she's been inspired by Prince Philip's role as Britain's longest-serving royal consort, and is determined to follow in his footsteps as a supportive partner to Prince William.

But what really got our juices flowing was the princess's decision to wear a statement piece from the late monarch's jewellery collection. The Japanese choker, featuring four rows of pearls and a curved central diamond clasp, has a special meaning - it was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II herself using pearls gifted by the Japanese government after her first state visit in 1975.

Kate paired the necklace with pearl earrings and a black hat with a large bow at the back and netting detail at the front. And let's not forget that white handkerchief tucked into William's pocket - is he trying to send a message?

The requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, was a historic occasion - it's the first of its kind for a member of the monarchy in modern British history. A piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards played a haunting Scottish bagpipe lament during the service, which was attended by senior royals including King Charles and Prince Andrew.

But what really got our attention was the Duke of Kent's emotional reaction to his wife's passing. The 86-year-old looked visibly shaken as he followed behind her coffin, surrounded by their children George, Helen, and Nicholas.

It seems like the royal family is rallying around each other in the wake of this tragedy - but we can't help but wonder what's really going on behind closed doors. After all, Prince Andrew stepped down from his official duties six years ago amid scandal over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein... and now he's back in the public eye, attending high-profile events like his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

The Duchess of Kent may have been a respected member of the royal family, but her life wasn't without controversy. She gave up full-time royal duties in 2002 to pursue a quieter life away from the spotlight - and spent over a decade teaching music anonymously at a Hull primary school under the name 'Katharine' or simply 'Mrs Kent'.

But it seems like Kate is taking notes from the Duchess's playbook - after all, she's been spotted wearing the same black outfit on multiple occasions. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to emulate a royal who's got style and substance in equal measure?

In a heartfelt tribute to the late Duchess, Prince William and Kate said: 'Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. 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.'

But as we say goodbye to another beloved royal, we can't help but wonder what's next for Kate - will she continue to wear those black outfits with pride, or is it time for a new look? Only time will tell...