Kate Middleton cut a dashing figure today as she celebrated the launch of Hold Still, the book version of her photography exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. She chose a scarlet coat from Eponine - a brand she's worn on four separate occasions over the past five years - that, with its elegant high collar and gently flaring silhouette, made a serious case for bringing back the dress coat.
She paired said coat with neutral accessories, a handbag from DeMellier - the toffee-coloured and top-handled£295 Nano Montreal - and some caramel stiletto pumps by Ralph Lauren. And an exceptionally striking combination it was too, especially as she walked around the sunny grounds of Kensington Palace, placing a copy of her already best-selling book by a fountain as part of a collaboration with Book Fairies.
SHOP: Kate Middleton's DeMellier Handbag
1 of 1DeMellier, Nano Montreal, £295
The Duchess, along with participants and judges involved in Hold Still, will be leaving copies at places that brought them hope during lockdown, and each contains a letter from Middleton.
It's also worth noting that has history with the red coat, and actually wore one to celebrate the photography project's launch back in October 2020. That time, she chose a double-breasted, tomato red coat from Alexander McQueen, but it too had an almost ankle-length hemline that she's gravitated towards over the past year.
SEE: The Duchess of Cambridge's Best Looks
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When Kate and William announced their engagement in 2010, Kate wore a sapphire blue Issa dress.
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Kate attended the wedding of Nicholas Van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Paton in 2009 wearing a Jane Troughton coat over an Issa dress.
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During the President's visit in 2011, Kate greeted the First Lady, Michelle Obama, wearing a nude Reiss dress.
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Kate attended the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosemarie Bradford in 2010 wearing an electric blue Issa dress.
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Kate wowed in a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels when she attended the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) gala dinner in 2011.
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On April 29th 2011, Kate married Prince William and became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an Alexander McQueen dress, designed by Sarah Burton.
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The couple visited Belfast in 2011, and Kate wore a Burberry coat and Marvin K boots.
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At the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2011, Kate opted for an Alexander McQueen coat.
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At Wimbledon in 2011 Kate wore a dress by Temperley London.
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Kate arrived in Canada in 2011 for the Royal Tour, wearing a lace Erdem dress.
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Kate looked stunning during the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, wearing a white Reiss dress.
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During the Royal Tour in Canada, 2011, the Duchess wore an Alice by Temperley blouse with Goldsign jeans.
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During their Canadian Royal Tour, Kate boarded a plane in a pale yellow Jenny Packham dress.
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On the final day of the Canadian Royal Tour in 2011, Kate wore a Catherine Walker dress with LK Bennett heels.
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in 2011 Kate visited Copenhagen's Unicef centre wearing a red coat by LK Bennett.
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On Remembrance Day in 2011, Kate wore a Diane von Furstenberg coat.
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Kate was stunning when she attended the premiere of War Horse in 2012, wearing a Temperley London black lace gown.
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in 2012 Kate boarded the Diamond Jubilee flotilla wearing a scarlet red Alexander McQueen dress.
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In 2012 Kate wore Zara jeans with a Burberry shirt to visit the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House.
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Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead coat dress at the Thistle Service in Edinburgh in 2012.
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During the Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia, Kate wore a Jenny Packham dress and LK Bennett heels to visit Singapore's Botanical Gardens.
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Pregnant Kate was glowing at the National Review of the Queen's Scouts in 2013, wearing a Mulberry mint green coat and LK Bennett heels.
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Pregnant Kate attended the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in June 2013, wearing a bespoke Jenny Packham lace dress with a peach jacket.
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On July 23rd 2013 Kate and William introduced their son, Prince George, to the world's press. Kate looked lovely in a blue polka dot Jenny Packham dress.
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At the christening of Prince George in October 2013, Kate wore a pale Alexander McQueen dress.
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In April 2013 Kate, along with William and George, landed in Wellington Airport, New Zealand. Kate looked amazing in a scarlet red Catherine Walker coat.
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When visiting Whenuapai, near Auckland, Kate wore a striped Breton top with a Zara blazer and J Brand jeans.
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Kate arrived at Dunedin International Airport wearing an Emilia Wickstead pleated dress.
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The couple visited Winmalee in 2014 to meet victims of the bush fires in the area, and Kate wore a DVF printed dress.
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At the Queen's Garden Party in 2014 Kate looked stunning in a lace Alexander McQueen dress.
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Whilst pregnant with Princess Charlotte, Kate visited Portsmouth in 2015, wearing a MaxMara coat, Jimmy Choo heels and a clutch by L.K. Bennett.
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Kate made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Charlotte at the Trooping of the Colour in June 2015, wearing a Catherine Walker coat.
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For the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in July 2015, Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen dress.
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In November 2015 Kate visited Caernarfon in North Wales, and kept warm in a Reiss coat.
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During the 2016 tour to India and Bhutan, Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead dress in Mumbai.
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Kate wore a pale yellow Emilia Wickstead dress when she arrived in Bhutan in April 2016.
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On a visit to the Taj Mahal in 2016 Kate wore a Naeem Khan dress .
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During the Canadian Royal Tour in 2016 Kate wore a scarlet Preen by Thornton Bregazzi gown at the Government of British Columbia reception.
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On the second day of the Canadian royal tour Kate wore a red Alexander McQueen dress and red Russell & Bromley heels.
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Kate chose a powder blue suit for by Catherine Walker for her visit to the Netherlands - her first solo overseas engagement.
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For an event marking World Mental Health Day in 2016, Kate chose a floral patterned dress with pleated front by Kate Spade.
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Kate wore a checked Erdem coat for a visit to Manchester in October 2016
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For a reception of Team GB athletes at Buckingham Palace, Kate chose a poppy print tea dress by Alexander McQueen
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Kate Middleton wearing a £320 white Self Portrait dress at the Recovery Street Film Festival
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The Duchess donned a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress to the Place2Be Wellbeing In Schools Awards.
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In December 2016 Kate attended the Christmas party for volunteers at The Mix youth service.
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On St. Patricks day Kate wore a green coat by Catherine Walker. She didn't have time to to change, though, as she had to board a plane to Paris that same day to meet with President Hollande.
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Kate dazzled on the Paris royal tour in March 2017. She wore a sparkling Jenny Packham gown to the gala dinner.
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When in Paris on the royal tour, Kate wore a pillarbox-red Carolina Herrera coat to watch the Six Nations rugby game.
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When visiting the National Portrait Gallery in March 2017, Kate wowed in a forest green lace dress by Temperley London.
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During the Paris royal tour, Kate wore a black Alexander McQueen gown at the British Embassy reception.
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The Duchess of Cambridge made a day trip to Luxembourg, amid reports the royal family are becoming Britain's "Brexit ambassadors", opting for a chic baby blue dress coat by Emilia Wickstead.