Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hidden meaning behind Kate Middleton’s boho dress in cancer-free announcement video revealed

The princess wore two blue dresses in the poignant video

Emma Guinness
Wednesday 11 September 2024 10:10 EDT
Comments
‘Out of darkness, can come light’: Kate Middleton completes cancer treatment

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A royal expert has suggested the Princess of Wales has communicated a deeper meaning with her choice of dress in her video announcing that she is now cancer free.

In the poignant video, Kate, 42, appears with her family to reflect on her journey and to announce that she has now completed treatment and will be returning to “light duty”.

She does so while enjoying the natural world near the family’s home in Norfolk, alternating between two different blue dresses.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” the princess said.

“The cancer journey is complex, scary, and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.”

It has now been speculated that the choice of blue dresses was a deliberate nod to the princess’s commitment to her family.

The first dress, which was worn for much of the video, retails for £595 and is by American designer Veronica Beard, and sold out following the video’s release.

The Princess of Wales reflected on an ‘incredibly tough’ period in her life with her family. She wore a long white and blue dress for much of the video (Will Warr/Kensington Palace)
The Princess of Wales reflected on an ‘incredibly tough’ period in her life with her family. She wore a long white and blue dress for much of the video (Will Warr/Kensington Palace) (PA Wire)

Royal author Elizabeth Holmes told Vogue magazine: “I think it’s worth considering Catherine’s commitment to blue.”

“For the first official pictures of her as a royal bride-to-be, she wore a vivid blue wrap dress to match the famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring that had belonged to Princess Diana.”

“[Kate] has since worn every shade of blue, from a soft and pale (one might even call it Cinderella blue) to a deep navy.”

It has therefore been speculated that the colour of Kate’s dress was a deliberate choice to reflect the unity of the Wales family – and her commitment to herself.

The Princess of Wales wrote two blue dresses in a video announcing she has finished chemotherapy. The second was all-blue (Will Warr/Kensington Palace)
The Princess of Wales wrote two blue dresses in a video announcing she has finished chemotherapy. The second was all-blue (Will Warr/Kensington Palace) (PA Wire)

The princess’s dress, however, was not the only part of the video message said to have a deeper meaning, and eagle-eyed viewers also noticed that she was wearing an eternity ring.

Placed on the hand where she typically wears the late Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, it has been speculated by viewers to symbolise the princess’s “fresh start” now that she has completed her “preventative chemotherapy” treatment.

It has also been speculated that Kate did not wear her usual ring because of potential weight loss sustained as a result of her illness.

But while the video announcement was welcomed the world over, Prince William stressed on an engagement to Wales yesterday that his wife “still has a long way to go” before she has fully recovered from an undisclosed form of the disease.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in