Kate Middleton's Festival of Remembrance Look Featured Deeper Meaning: Inside Her Style

Princess Kate seemed to reach for earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana

Kate Middleton made a subtle fashion statement at her first major royal event after completing chemo.

On Nov. 9, the Princess of Wales, 42, joined Prince William, King Charles and other members of the royal family for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London. Continuing tradition, the royals came together to support the Royal British Legion's annual event commemorating the service and sacrifices of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces service personnel. 

This year, the festival highlighted the contributions of the World War II generation during the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, as well as more recent military milestones. The outing was also Princess Kate's first official royal event after she announced on Sept. 9 that she completed chemotherapy treatment, and she may have sent a message with what she was wearing.

In typical style for the solemn service, Princess Kate conveyed consistency and wore all black as a gesture of respect. She paired a tailored dress with coordinating hose and heels, plus a quilted clutch. Her side-parted wavy hairstyle let a special accessory shine — what appeared to be the Collingwood pearl earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana.

Related: Kate Middleton and Prince William Change Social Media Profile Photos as She Makes Royal Family Return

The Princess of Wales completed the look with another piece already in her jewelry box — her Nura pearl necklace from British brand Monica Vinader — as well as a symbolic poppy pin and her sapphire engagement ring. Princess Kate has been spotted with and without the iconic sparkler that previously belonged to her late mother-in-law this year, and didn't include it in the sparkling ring stack spotted on her left ring finger in the video she issued to announce that she completed chemotherapy.

In recent years, the Princess of Wales has seemingly had a go-to uniform for the Festival of Remembrance. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, Princess Kate wore a long black dress with her hair down, a poppy pin and meaningful pearl jewelry.

Related: Kate Middleton's Remembrance Service Style: See All Her Hairstyles and Looks from Over the Years

Every November, the British royals are known to sport red poppy pins in honor of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, which is also called Armistice Day and popularly known as Veteran's Day in the U.S. Since 1921, the poppy has been used to commemorate military members who have died in wars, and the red flower is closely associated with British and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance on Nov. 11.

For the Festival of Remembrance in November 2023, Princess Kate accessorized in an especially sentimental way, wearing the late Queen Elizabeth's three-strand pearl necklace and diamond and pearl earrings.

In 2022, the Princess of Wales also poignantly wore the late Queen's jewelry to the Remembrance event, paying homage to her late grandmother-in-law following her death just a few months before at age 96. Two years ago, Princess Kate accessorized with the Bahrain pearl drop earrings and four-strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp at center — the same combination she wore for Queen Elizabeth's state funeral and committal service that September.

In 2021, Princess Kate — who was then known as the Duchess of Cambridge — wore a sparkly poppy brooch with the Collingwood pearl earrings and a tri-strand pearl bracelet that previously belonged to Princess Diana.

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Style insider Bethan Holt previously told PEOPLE why it was significant that Princess Kate shook up her style after becoming the Princess of Wales, from tailored suits to brighter hues and bolder jewelry. 

"I think this is her power moment — she's easing into the Princess of Wales role and that promotion that she's had in such a beautiful way," Holt, the fashion director at the Daily Telegraph, told PEOPLE in 2023. "She's got this big new title, and she's dressing for that job."