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On March 18, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and the Princess of Wales, formerly Kate Middleton, extended a warm welcome to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during their official state visit to the United Kingdom.
As is often the case at royal gatherings, the spotlight turned to the Princess of Wales. Over the years, she has become a fashion icon, and this occasion was no exception. Her ensemble paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, while also highlighting the work of a designer known for celebrating Yoruba culture, a major ethnic group in Nigeria.
Kate’s choice of attire included a pair of Diana’s pearl-drop earrings and a sophisticated grey coat dress designed by Tolu Coker, a promising British-Nigerian designer whose collection caught King Charles’s attention at London Fashion Week in February. Complementing her outfit, Kate wore a grey fascinator by Jane Taylor, adorned with a white bow.
Lauren Bulla, a distinguished fashion journalist with contributions to The Independent, New Wave Magazine, and other outlets, has recently taken on the role of Fashion Editor at Groupie Magazine. In this capacity, she delivers comprehensive coverage of fashion events in cities like New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen.
In an interview with Showbiz Cheat Sheet for Slots Temple, Bulla described the coat dress’s distinctive features: “The grey coat dress includes white detailing along the collar and front lapels. Its structured shoulders nod to 1980s trends, especially the resurgence of shoulder pads. Kate accessorized with earrings from Princess Diana’s collection, subtly honoring the royal family’s enduring legacy.”
Speaking on behalf of Slots Temple, Bulla told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “The grey coat dress features a white detail along the collar and front lapels. Its structured shoulders reflect 80s-influenced trends, particularly the return of shoulder pads. [Kate] paired the look with a set of earrings from Princess Diana’s collection, a subtle nod to the history and lasting impact of the royal family.
“Kate has long championed emerging talent, so it makes sense that she chose an ensemble by designer Tolu Coker. The matching hat pulls the elegant look together, emblematic of nuanced sartorial influence while leaning into the classic silhouettes associated with the royal family. It was a pointed choice to wear a garment crafted by a designer of Nigerian descent to welcome the President and First Lady of Nigeria.”
Bulla added, “The outfit showcases Coker’s excellence in craftsmanship and distinctive styling, paired with British influence. In doing so, it opens up conversations about how different cultures can grow together and traverse new horizons, while still honouring the past. This piece was selected from Coker’s AW24 collection, entitled ‘Broken English.’ The collection was inspired by her two-week trip to Ghana and served as a thought-provoking commentary on mass consumption.”
As for the rest of the royals, Queen Camilla donned a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare with a pink beret-shaped hat by Philip Treacy. She paid homage to a royal before her as well by wearing the late Queen Elizabeth‘s Cartier flower clip brooches.
King Charles, meanwhile, donned a traditional morning suit. Upon his arrival at Windsor Castle, he was seen carrying a black top hat in his hand. Like his father, William chose a morning suit. His was worn with a blue waistcoat and he opted not to go with the top hat.