Kate Middleton’s secret message in fierce bounce-back outfit with nod to late Queen

The Princess of Wales played a key role in kicking off the Qatar state visit to the UK today as she welcomed the VIP guests at their residence and accompanied them to the Horse Guards Parade in a striking maroon outfit

The Princess of Wales has made a rare public appearance in her gradual return to duties – and she opted for a very telling outfit with a sweet nod to the late Queen.

Kate joined Prince William as well as King Charles as they officially welcomed the Emir of Qatar to the UK for a two-day state visit. The Waleses followed tradition and accompanied the Emir and his wife from their private residence to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome.

The princess looked relaxed as she stepped from a chauffeur-driven car with the prince, one of only a handful of official events Kate has carried out this year since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment. For the event, Kate wore a maroon coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Sahar Millinery in a matching colour as well as knee-high burgundy boots by Gianvito Rossi.

And it turns out Kate was sending a very careful message with her choice of colour for the outfit as maroon, along with white, is known to be the national colour of Qatar. When it came to accessories, the princess toted a maroon Chanel handbag and wore a necklace and earrings belonging to the late Queen.

After the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, Kate along with King Charles, William and their guests took part in a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, where a lunch was being held before a viewing a small exhibition of items associated with their Qatar’s relationship with the UK.

However, Kate will not join the royals at the state banquet later this evening. One royal who will join the state banquet after missing the ceremonial welcome will be Queen Camilla. She is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.

The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade and instead, she arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand, giving a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance. She was later heard telling guests that her chest infection was a form of viral pneumonia.

She contracted her chest infection after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out a series of engagements since then, including the the Royal Variety Performance, the Gladiator II premiere and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. It is understood the Queen was not taken to hospital with pneumonia, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness.

Kate has a busy week and will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, when she is expected to be joined by her children and husband for the event. Later this afternoon, the Emir will travel to the Palace of Westminster and address gathered parliamentarians and other invited guests in the Royal Robing Room, before joining a reception with MPs and peers. William will also host the Emir at his official London home Kensington Palace.

Sheikh Tamim, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from Sandhurst military academy. He set up Qatar Sports Investments in 2005, which owns the French football team Paris Saint-Germain. On Wednesday, the final day of the two-day visit, the Emir will visit Sandhurst before travelling to Buckingham Palace to bid farewell formally to the King and Queen. Sheikh Tamim will also travel to Downing Street for bilateral talks with Keir Starmer.