Kate spotted wearing £59 dress with alteration as princess changed key detail
PA
The Princess of Wales previously wore the polka dot ensemble in 2018
Princess Kate has been spotted wearing an affordable dress to a public event, though she updated the look with a stylish twist.
She made her first joint official outing with the Prince of Wales since her chemotherapy ended, where the two met with the bereaved families of the Southport stabbing victims.
Kate donned a burgundy polka dot dress from the brand Whistles, which is currently on sale for £59. She previously wore the dress in 2018 at Kensington Palace where she met with the finalists of 2018 BBC Radio One's Teen Hero Awards.
However, this time, the princess elevated the look with a clever alteration focusing on a particular detail.
She innovatively used the frock's detachable belt to tie a stylish bow around her neck.
Atop the affordable frock was a chocolate maroon coat, from Alexander McQueen - the designer who made her wedding dress.
She completed the look with a pair of Gianvito Rossi high heels that cost £595, and a brown clutch bag from Emmy London, with a price tag of £365.
Her jewellery was also a talking point, as she replaced her sapphire engagement ring with a new jewel.
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Kate speaks to emergency personnel in Southport
PATobias Kormind, the co-founder and MD of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, told GB News that the new ring is likely an “eternity” ring meant to symbolise William and Kate's love.
He continued: “Kate’s new ring may be a symbol of hope for new beginnings, with an emotional tie to the past.
“Eternity rings represent everlasting love, and this style of ring echoed the sentiment of the moving video, where Kate was seen spending time with those closest to her.”
The couple travelled together to Merseyside, where they met privately with the bereaved families of some of the stabbing victims.
Kate and William met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, all fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport - as well as the children's dance teacher.
They then greeted emergency services personnel in front of the cameras, shaking hands with local air ambulance staff who had rushed to the scene on July 29 to attend to the shocking attacks.
The pair also met health practitioners supporting the “blue light” community in Southport.
It is understood the public engagement had initially been planned as a solo trip for William - but ever-dutiful Kate then decided to join her in order to show her support for the local community.