It was a special night at St James' Palace on Tuesday (2 June) as the Royal Family hosted a special reception to celebrate the anniversary of a charity very close to their hearts. The King Charles, Queen Camilla and The Princess of Wales invited special guests to mark the milestone, and Kate chose a poignant look which nodded to the occasion.
At the reception to mark 125 of Cancer Research UK, Kate wore a red polka dot dress with puff sleeves by Rodarte, emulating a favourite look of Princess Diana. The late Princess often wore red polka dots, especially with statement shoulders, which were a prevalent trend in the 1980s.
There was one hidden detail in Kate's dress however, which was easy to overlook. While the print appears to be dots, the pattern is in fact a smattering of tiny hearts, nodding to the fact that cancer is a cause close to her heart. The Princess of Wales received treatment for cancer in 2024, revealing the good news last year that she was now in remission. Her father-in-law, King Charles, has also been being treated for a form of cancer, but he announced in December that, from the New Year, he was able to reduce his treatment.
The evening at St James' Palace brought together researchers, clinicians, volunteers and celebrities associated with the cause, who are helping prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, as well as raise awareness. Davina McCall was among the attendees, and was pictured speaking with The Princess. Last year, Davina underwent surgery for breast cancer.
A joint post on the Royal Family and Prince and Princess of Wales' instagram accounts included a video montage of the evening, showing King Charles, Queen Camilla and The Princess of Wales chatting and mingling with guests at the event. A message alongside the post read; 'Marking 125 years of Cancer Research at St James’s Palace. Honoured to meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners driving progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.'
Inspired by The Princess of Wales classic red polka dot look? We've found some alternatives on the high street, which emulate the same style from favourite brands including Boden, M&S and Ghost:
Finery London Polka Dot Midi Tea Dress
Boden Puff Sleeve Ponte Shirt Dress Red Pear, Painted Dot
Boden Puff Sleeve Ponte Shirt Dress Red Pear, Painted Dot
A timeless summer staple.
