Kate Middleton fans claim she sent ‘secret message’ with Commonwealth Day outfit

The Princess of Wales certainly stood out from the crowd in an eye-catching top-to-toe red outfit for the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey – and some believe it was a secret message to one of the Commonwealth countries

The Princess of Wales made a return appearance to one of the biggest events in the royal calendar – and certainly stood out from the crowd.

Yesterday, Kate joined the rest of the Royal Family at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, which last year she was forced to miss due to her cancer diagnosis. Returning to the event this year, she wore a striking red Catherine Walker coat dress with a Gina Foster pillbox hat in a matching colour, meaning she certainly stood out from the crowd.

As usual, fans flocked to social media to praise her outfit choice, but many also wondered if it was actually a secret nod to one of the Commonwealth countries —Canada. Red is a colour associated with the country, featuring on its national flag.

Writing on X, one fan wrote: “I can’t help thinking that Catherine, Princess of Wales, chose red for Canada.” While another said: “Thank you to the Princess of Wales for wearing #Canada’s colour today!!” Another said: “I’d love to believe she’s wearing red as a nod to Canada….” while one fan added: “I notice Princess Catherine is wearing all red. Is that a sign of support for Canada?”

Canada has faced upheaval in recent weeks and at the weekend appointed a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, following the resignation of Justin Trudeau. Its relationship with neighbour the United States has come under the spotlight after US President Donald Trump said Canada should become America’s 51st state. He also levied a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian goods and imports.

The Commonwealth Day service is an important date in the royal calendar and a rare occasion when senior royals are seen together. Yesterday, William and Kate were photographed exchanging kisses with the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they waited for the King to arrive.

In his Commonwealth Day message, the King said restoring the “disrupted harmony of our entire planet” was the most ‘important’ task facing humanity. Ahead of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the King also remembered the “sacrifice and selflessness” of Commonwealth forces who answered the call to fight with Britain and her allies.

And he celebrated the unity the Commonwealth derives from its diversity: “In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.”

Performers from across the Commonwealth took part in the service, which featured hymns and prayers in support of the institution and its leaders, and Britain’s Got Talent 2015 semi-finalists, violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason and his sister Jeneba accompanying on piano played during the service.

Guests included hundreds of schoolchildren, diplomatic representatives from the Commonwealth’s 56 member states, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and former Spice Girl Geri Horner.