Kate Middleton’s surprising fashion move as she visits victims in Southport

The Princess of Wales proved her fashion prowess as she put a sleek update on an old dress while visiting families of the Southport stabbing.

Kate Middleton, 42 opted to wear her Whistle’s burgundy dress, previously worn in 2018, with a stylish twist – as she used the frock’s detachable belt to tie a stylish bow around her neck.

The event marked the Princess of of Wales’ most significant engagement of the year, as she returns to the spotlight following several months out of action due to cancer treatment.

Kate stepped out in a seasonably autumnal ensemble yesterday. 

She opted for a long chocolate maroon coat by her wedding dress designer, Alexander McQueen, and a stylish pair of suede heels.

Kate previously wore the stylish frock to an engagement in 2018 (pictured) but opted for a twist on the classic design, as she appeared to use the material belt as a neck tie

Beneath her long winter coat, the Princess wore her burgundy polka dot midi dress by her favourite high street brand, Whistles. 

Kate previously wore the stylish frock to an engagement in 2018 but opted for a twist on the classic design, as she appeared to use the material belt as a neck tie.

The burgundy dress – which cost £149 at the time of purchase, almost six years ago – was originally designed with a material belt wrapped around the waist.

Showing off her style creativity, the Princess appears to have removed the detachable belt that comes with the dress, and tied it around her collar in a pussybow. 

The long bow was then draped over the collar of the Princess’ dress, offering a stylish twist on the fashionable ensemble.

The princess first donned the frock back in 2018 at Kensington Palace for the finalists of 2018 BBC Radio One’s Teen Hero Awards.

Arriving in Southport as the autumn afternoon sun shone, the Princess, who has undergone several months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, looked beautiful in a berry ensemble. William, in a nod to his wife, also donned a berry jumper. 

Kate Middleton decided to go without her oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold

The mother-of-three opted instead for a thin golden ring, topped with what some have speculated is a new ‘eternity band’ 

Kate accessorised with her Gold Fern Drop Earrings from Catherine Zoraida, costing £165.

Kate previously donned her structured pea coat to the Earthshot Awards in Boston, when she travelled to the US in December 2022 to support Prince William.

The royal decided to go without her oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold.

The late Princess Diana chose the ring when she was presented with a selection of options by the then Crown jewellers, Garrard of Mayfair upon her engagement to Prince Charles.

The mother-of-three opted instead for a thin golden ring, topped with what some have speculated is a new ‘eternity band’.

Kate appears to have worn the accessory – set with diamonds and sapphires, which would match the royal’s engagement ring – in August while making a Team GB video with William, and during her heartwarming family video released last month.

Three girls were killed at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class, including Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven (pictured)

Bebe King (left), six, was also killed in the horror attack in Southport in July, alongside Alice Aguiar, nine (pictured right)

The event marked Kate’s most significant engagement to date this year, as she joined by Prince William to meet with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

During the Waleses’ visit yesterday, the couple also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured as she shielded youngsters as they were attacked by a knifeman during a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday class.

Afterwards the couple spoke to emergency responders who attended and helped on the day.

Prince William had promised the families and local community he would visit as soon as possible and that the occasion had been scheduled for a long time.

Kate’s decision to join her husband was more recent and it is understood that the princess has wanted to ‘show her support, empathy and compassion to the local community’.

At the time of the incident the couple shared a personal message of shock and sympathy for those affected and, like her husband, the princess has kept a keen eye on events since.

Kate pictured alongside her husband, William, six years ago an event which recognised the finalists of Radio 1’s Teen Heroes of 2018

The royal couple hosted the finalists of Radio 1’s Teen Heroes of 2018, as well as BBC1 DJs Greg James and Clara Amfo (far right)

Yesterday Kate and Prince William spoke with survivors as well as emergency services involved in the dealing with the aftermath of the attack 

The Prince and Princess of Wales meet a critical care paramedic from the Air Ambulance during a visit to Southport Community Centre

It is the first public engagement for the princess since she announced last month that she had complete treatment for cancer and would undertake a carefully calibrated return to public duties.

Apart from a small media contingency, the visit was kept deliberately low key as both the prince and princess wanted it to remain as discreet as possible out of respect to those involved.

Their meeting with the victims’ families was held in completely in private and not announced publicly until they had left.

However, the couple then went onto meet with emergency responders who were involved in the aftermath of the attack at a local community centre to hear about their experiences and speak to mental health practitioners who have been working to deliver long term support to the blue light community in Southport.

It is understood that it was important to them to go now, three months later, to show the people of Southport that they have not been forgotten and they’ll continue to stand by the community today and in the future.

William and Catherine’s Royal Foundation made a donation to the the National Police and Wellbeing Service’s fundraiser to help fast track psychological and physical rehabilitation for police and ambulance personnel who were involved in the attack and the subsequent riots.