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Colour, Tailoring and Hats Reigned Supreme at King Charles III’s Coronation

Guests from Katy Perry and Pippa Middleton to Sophie Trudeau chose cheerful shades of pastel pink and buttercup yellow to celebrate the new monarch.

By Jennifer Berry

Date May 6, 2023

It’s not everyday that a new a monarch accedes to the throne. And what does one wear to the official coronation of said new ruler? We found out today as King Charles III was officially sworn in as monarch of the British Commonwealth following his mother Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022 after more than 70 years on the throne.

It was a typically rainy and dreary U.K. day as international politicians, members of the Royal Family, and select celebrities filed into the Westminster Abbey for the coronation. But the gloomy weather didn’t stop many guests from wearing cheerful colours and striking chapeaux. Take the ever-stylish Queen Letizia of Spain who wore a bubblegum peplum skirt suit with killer matching heels and a hat covered in pink netting.

Also in pink were Sophie Trudeau, who wore a rose satin skirt with matching sheer-sleeved top, textured clutch and (what else?) a hat perched atop her head, and Katy Perry, who wore a retro pastel pink suit with opera gloves and an out of this world fascinator.

There was much pomp and circumstance around the event, as is to be expected at such a rare occasion in history, despite the fact that King Charles III’s Coronation was at times plagued by rumours of musical guests turning down offers to perform and, of course, speculation over the attendance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Ultimately, the former was in attendance while the latter chose to remain in California.

Kate Middleton looked the part of the Princess of Wales in a regal velvet cloak atop bespoke Alexander McQueen and diamond headband, with Princess Charlotte by her side in a matching, albeit more age-appropriate, version of the sparkly headpiece.

Here, we round up the most eye-catching coronation outfits from King Charles III’s big day, from punchy colourful dresses and traditional regalia to gravity-defying fascinators.