Kate’s hat-trick! Princess of Wales tightly grips her £690 boater in windswept Kent – as she enters her ‘Melania era’ with huge headgear

The Princess of Wales was praised for her elegance yesterday after high winds threatened a wardrobe malfunction during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s historic installation ceremony.

The videos showed Kate, 44, clutching her straw hat as she arrived in Kent for the enthronement of Canterbury’s first female Archbishop, Dame Sarah Mullally.

The mother-of-three put on an elegant display in a monochrome ensemble, including black-and-white crow’s-foot straw boots from Juliette Millinery.

Although the hat looked incredibly stylish and showed off her elegant bun, stormy weather meant Kate had to keep one hand on it as she greeted Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, outside the cathedral.

It would take some effort to get the black-and-white hat to sit perfectly on the Princess’ head, with videos showing Kate’s matching coat blowing in the wind.

At one point the hat nearly flew away before Kate could catch it; As royal fans noted, the weather was typically elegant despite being bad.

Some have also suggested that Kate is taking style cues from the First Lady of the United States, who is known for wearing eye-shielding hats of exaggerated proportions.

“Kate’s latest look resembles Melania Trump’s style,” one person wrote, referencing the First Lady’s collection of wide-brimmed hats; among them was the extraordinarily large purple hat he chose for his state visit to England last year.

The videos showed Kate, 44, clutching her straw hat as she arrived in Kent for the enthronement of Canterbury’s first female Archbishop, Dame Sarah Mullally.

The headpiece completely covered Melania’s eyes, as one fashion expert suggested she used the hats to the same “disturbing” effect as Anna Wintour’s sunglasses.

However, Claudia Croft, editor of 10 Magazine, has previously said that members of the Royal Family tend not to wear hats that hide their faces because ‘part of their public duty is to be seen’. Independent.

Kate’s headpiece choice yesterday definitely marked a departure from the smaller pieces she’s worn before, as one X user noted the “Melania vibe.”

The future Queen arrived at Canterbury Cathedral with Prince William, 43, to witness the symbolic beginning of the archbishop of Canterbury’s public service in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

For the occasion, she received a brand new £2,850 Washington Prince of Wales check Cashmere Jacket from Suzannah London.

Kate completed her look with Ralph Lauren Celia Calfskin black heels, worth £570, while carrying the Chanel Mini Classic Bag, made of lambskin and gold metal, worth £4,036.

She also launched the Juliette Haberdashery hat, but high winds and rain forced her to hold on tightly to the hat when Kate was greeted outside the church by Lord Lieutenant Lady Colgrain.

Reacting to images of Kate, one fan said she was ‘always so elegant’, adding: ‘The best dressed person I’ve ever seen. Always!!!’

Another X user wrote: ‘Loved it [how she was laughing when holding onto her hat in the wind, yet still said her goodbyes].’

A third comment read: ‘Only the Princess of Wales could pull this off so perfectly and gracefully. ‘I would be a nervous wreck trying to put that hat on, afraid a strong wind would blow it off.’

‘Catherine, William and his hat against the wind,’ one person joked in a post on X.

Kate’s face was partially obscured by a hat as she took her seat at the Quire next to Prince William, who attended yesterday’s landmark ceremony as heir to the throne.

William and Kate did not have an active role in the service but watched as members of the congregation.

Some have also suggested that Kate is taking style cues from the First Lady of the United States, who is known for wearing eye-shielding hats of exaggerated proportions.

The ceremony included a power of attorney (legal direction) from the King, read by Darren Oliver, Chief Registrar of Canterbury, instructing the monarch to appoint Dame Sarah as Archbishop of Canterbury.

She is the first woman to be appointed Archbishop in the 1,400-year history of the role, and today’s position is her official position.

Dame Sarah is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

William and Catherine had previously met him at Lambeth Palace on 5 February and had since expressed an interest in establishing a warm and meaningful relationship with the most senior bishop and spiritual leader in the church.

On their way out, the Prince and Princess took a few moments to talk to the new Archbishop.

Kensington Palace aides reported that although William was not a ‘regular’ churchgoer, he had a ‘quiet’ devotion to his faith and was keen to build a strong and warm relationship with the new Archbishop. It also helps that he is an Aston Villa fan like him.