Princess Kate Looked Gorgeous in Her Catherine Walker Coats and Headbands at Church Services

In the crisp chill of a British autumn, where somber ceremonies meet steadfast elegance, the Princess of Wales has long mastered the art of solemn sophistication. Catherine, ever the epitome of poised grace, has turned heads—not just with her unwavering presence amid personal trials, but with her impeccable wardrobe choices that blend tradition, sustainability, and subtle flair. This Remembrance season, as she stepped back into the public eye following her cancer treatment, Catherine’s affinity for Catherine Walker coats and delicate headbands emerged as a poignant thread, weaving through church services and memorial events with an effortless allure that feels both timeless and tenderly modern. From the hallowed halls of Westminster Abbey to the reflective quiet of the Cenotaph, her looks—marked by military-inspired tailoring and soft, feminine accents—served as quiet tributes to history, heritage, and her own resilient spirit.

Catherine’s relationship with Catherine Walker, the storied British designer who once dressed Princess Diana, is no mere coincidence. Founded in 1977 by the Croatian-born Catherine Walker and her Syrian-born husband, the label became synonymous with royal refinement, crafting bespoke pieces that echo the poise of monarchy. For Catherine, it’s a nod to legacy: Walker’s designs, known for their structured silhouettes and luxurious fabrics, have adorned her for over a decade, often reimagined for new occasions. “It’s about evolution, not repetition,” notes royal fashion expert Bethan Holt in a recent Telegraph interview. “Catherine’s upcycling of these coats shows a savvy understanding of sustainable style—turning solemn symbols into personal statements.” This season’s appearances, her first major back-to-back duties since completing chemotherapy in September, highlighted this mastery, with Walker coats taking center stage at key church and commemorative services.

The crescendo came on Remembrance Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the National Service at the Cenotaph in London. Standing solemnly on the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office beside Queen Camilla and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Catherine channeled quiet strength in a refreshed black “Evie” coat by Catherine Walker—a military-style piece with a high collar, three diagonal pintucks across the front, and sharp architectural lapels. First worn in 2022, the coat was subtly updated: the original fringe removed from the shoulders, buttons replaced for a sleeker finish, and a lavish navy blue lace pie-crust collar with jabot added for a Victorian-esque flourish that peeked delicately at the neckline. Paired with a single hand-embroidered silk poppy brooch by Izzy Alger for Lock & Co. Hatters—a poignant shift from her usual trio, honoring her great-grandmother’s three brothers lost in World War I—and Diana’s Collingwood Pearl Drop earrings, the ensemble was a masterclass in restrained glamour.

But it was the headband-like fascinator that truly elevated the look: a black velour felt creation by Awon Golding for Lock & Co., with a birdcage mourning veil that framed her face in soft shadow, evoking both mourning and mystery. “The veil adds a layer of intimacy to the formality,” says stylist Sophie Raworth, who tweeted live from the event: “Catherine’s updates to this Walker coat are genius—subtle, sustainable, and utterly gorgeous.” Her updo, sleek and low, allowed the headpiece to sit like a modern headband, a practical yet pretty choice for the two-minute silence that followed the tolling of Big Ben. As veterans laid wreaths below, Catherine’s poise—gloved hands clasped, gaze steady—mirrored the coat’s tailored strength, a visual anchor in a sea of black-clad royals.

This wasn’t her only Walker moment that weekend. The night prior, on November 8, Catherine attended the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall with Prince George, marking his first such outing. Though not a church service per se, the event’s spiritual undertones—honoring the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end—demanded reverence. She opted for another black Catherine Walker coatdress, this one asymmetrical with intricate bodice embroidery and delicate black tassels, paired with Jimmy Choo black pumps and the Insignia of the Fleet Air Arm brooch, reflecting her role as Commodore-in-Chief. A Monica Vinader Nura Pearl Necklace and more Collingwood earrings added familial warmth. Here, too, a headband-style accent appeared in the form of a subtle lace detail at the collar, softening the military edges.

Catherine’s penchant for Walker coats at church services dates back further, a tradition rooted in respect and reuse. In 2023’s Remembrance Sunday at Westminster Abbey, she rewore a bespoke black Walker coat from 2019, its gold buttons and strong shoulders evoking service uniforms, topped with a Philip Treacy hat that hugged her head like a wide headband. Queen Elizabeth’s diamond and pearl leaf earrings completed the look, a quiet homage amid the abbey’s echoing hymns. Earlier, in 2020’s socially distanced service—conducted outdoors due to COVID—she donned a fringed Walker jacket, later upcycled by removing the fringe for 2022’s Cenotaph appearance. And who could forget her 2022 post-Queen Elizabeth tribute: a structured Walker coat with three poppies, wide-brimmed hat veiling her eyes during prayers.

Headbands, too, have been Catherine’s secret weapon for these sacred spaces. At Christmas Day services in Sandringham, she’s favored slim, jeweled bands that blend with her blowouts—think the emerald green one in 2018, or the pearl-embellished style in 2021, peeking from beneath fur-trimmed hats. A 2019 Easter service at St. George’s Chapel saw her in a blue Walker coat with a matching headband, its bow detail echoing the season’s renewal. These accessories, often from Lock & Co. or Jane Taylor, provide a feminine counterpoint to the coats’ severity, allowing her to navigate the fine line between formality and approachability. “Headbands frame the face beautifully for close-up moments in pews or processions,” explains milliner Juliette Botterill, whose designs have graced Catherine’s Easter ensembles. “They’re practical for church— no wide brims to dodge—and add that royal polish.”

Public and expert reactions have been effusive, with social media ablaze post-Remembrance. “Catherine’s Walker coat refresh is peak elegance—sustainable and stunning,” tweeted @KateMiddStyle, amassing thousands of likes. Vogue’s X post on the “iconic look” garnered over 11,000 views, praising the pie-crust collar as “a delicate rebellion against austerity.” Fans on platforms like X lauded her as “born to wear this,” with one user noting, “The headband veil? Pure poetry for prayer.” Even amid her health journey—five public appearances in 2025 alone—Catherine’s style signals resilience. As Holt observes, “These choices aren’t just gorgeous; they’re grounding. In church settings, where vulnerability meets duty, her Walker coats armor her while headbands humanize her.”

Looking ahead, as Catherine eases into more duties—rumors swirl of a Christmas church walkabout in a reimagined Walker piece—her formula remains: coats that honor the past, headbands that embrace the present. It’s a gorgeous alchemy, turning solemn services into showcases of strength. In an era of fast fashion, Catherine’s deliberate elegance reminds us: true style, like true grace, endures.