The Princess of Wales attended the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle today.
Although she is the future Queen, she is not yet a member of the Order of the Garter - the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
Knights, including her husband, the Prince of Wales, processed in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the royal calendar.
However, until such a time she is invested into the ancient Order by the Sovereign, the Princess is choosing to make her own bold fashion statements.
This afternoon, Catherine wore a honey yellow coat dress, made in London by Patrick McDowell.
Last year, The Princess presented the emerging fashion designer with the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
The royal praise and exposure were described as a “game changer” for the Liverpool-based McDowell’s label.
During today's annual Order of the Garter ceremony, Catherine wore a honey yellow coat dress, made in London by Patrick McDowell
| GETTYMeanwhile, the silk damask of her dress and parts of her Jane Taylor hat were woven for Her Royal Highness by Stephen Walters & Sons, in Suffolk.
The firm is a historic, family-run silk weaving mill with roots tracing back over 300 years.
The princess has privately visited the mill to learn about the traditional British heritage being kept alive.
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The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh were all smiles as they awaited their husbands, who would walk as part of the precession later
| PAOther members of the Royal Family have also used Stephen Walters & Sons for fabrics, including Queen Camilla’s coronation dress and the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
Championing the best of British design, it appears, is one of the Princess’ key priorities - and I have experienced this first hand during a trip to Northern Ireland.
Last year, I travelled to Mallon Farm in Cookstown, where Catherine learned about the traditional flax-to-linen farming, and had a go at breaking down the plants to soften them for textile production.
Championing the best of British design, it appears, is one of the Princess of Wales's key priorities
| GETTYIt is a traditional British technique the farm is trying to revive, after a sizeable proportion of the nation’s textile industry disappeared, over the last few decades, in favour of cheaper production overseas.
A few years ago, it was understood Kensington Palace was planning to no longer disclose her fashion choices, in an effort to encourage the public to only focus on the princess’ public work.
However, if disclosure provides a boost to the British businesses and traditional textile production, it appears the future Queen is more than willing to play her part.
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