The colour of courage: Kate Middleton looks perfect in purple at Wimbledon as Centre Court rises in moving show of support, writes LIZ JONES
Well, I'm in tears. Making only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales received a standing ovation as she took her seat at Wimbledon for the men's singles final.
And it was just so touching to see she'd brought her daughter Charlotte (a Mini Me in polka dots by Guess Girls, £70, with white ballet flats) and sister Pippa (in Beulah floral print, with an Emmy London clutch) as conker-haired moral support.
But Kate also had another very important piece of armour: her impeccable sense of style.
The lilac midi dress with twisted bodice, the Cecilia, by London-based, demi-couture label Safiyaa (£1,295, it has just sold out!), was a winner in so many ways.
The bodice (adorned by the purple and green bow brooch of the All England club, of which Kate is patron) gave a new softness, a new ease to the princess's silhouette, which in the past has been way too nipped in.
![Making only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales received a standing ovation as she took her seat at Wimbledon for the men's singles final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87328709-13633741-image-a-9_1720988864507.jpg)
Making only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales received a standing ovation as she took her seat at Wimbledon for the men's singles final
![Kate's lilac midi dress with twisted bodice, the Cecilia, by London-based, demi-couture label Safiyaa (£1,295, it has just sold out!), was a winner in so many ways](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87328867-13633741-image-a-19_1720989203360.jpg)
Kate's lilac midi dress with twisted bodice, the Cecilia, by London-based, demi-couture label Safiyaa (£1,295, it has just sold out!), was a winner in so many ways
![The heavy crepe of the full skirt ensured there was not a crease to be seen as the princess made her way on to the court to present the trophies](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329537-13633741-image-a-30_1720990078923.jpg)
The heavy crepe of the full skirt ensured there was not a crease to be seen as the princess made her way on to the court to present the trophies
![Winning smiles: Princess Charlotte shakes hands with the winner, with Kate looking on, following Carlos Alcaraz's victory over Novak Djokovic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329289-13633741-image-a-24_1720989562863.jpg)
Winning smiles: Princess Charlotte shakes hands with the winner, with Kate looking on, following Carlos Alcaraz's victory over Novak Djokovic
![Sunshine and smiles: The Princess of Wales with AELTC Chair Debbie Jevans at the match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329315-13633741-image-a-25_1720989651956.jpg)
Sunshine and smiles: The Princess of Wales with AELTC Chair Debbie Jevans at the match
![The colour purple is deeply royal, but also denotes courage - something Kate showed she has in spades right now](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329333-13633741-image-a-26_1720989701829.jpg)
The colour purple is deeply royal, but also denotes courage - something Kate showed she has in spades right now
![The bodice (adorned by the purple and green bow brooch of the All England club, of which Kate is patron) gave a new softness, a new ease to the princess's silhouette, which in the past has been way too nipped in](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329483-13633741-image-a-27_1720989821075.jpg)
The bodice (adorned by the purple and green bow brooch of the All England club, of which Kate is patron) gave a new softness, a new ease to the princess's silhouette, which in the past has been way too nipped in
![Her hair, more caramel than of late, was worn loose and natural for Sunday's men's final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87329503-13633741-image-a-29_1720990026949.jpg)
Her hair, more caramel than of late, was worn loose and natural for Sunday's men's final
And the heavy crepe of the full skirt ensured there was not a crease to be seen as the princess made her way on to the court to present the trophies.
(Kate will have been mindful of choosing anything too light, due to the wind that has plagued the competition).
The colour purple is deeply royal, but also denotes courage.
Something the princess evidently has in spades.
The choice of nude bag by, you guessed it, LK Bennett, proves the princess is nothing if not loyal. (The Milly, £225 is sold out. I imagine the British fashion industry, the second biggest employer of women in the UK, is breathing a sigh of relief that Kate is back).
![Sister Pippa (in Beulah floral print, with an Emmy London clutch) came along as conker-haired moral support for Kate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87328887-13633741-image-m-21_1720989327044.jpg)
Sister Pippa (in Beulah floral print, with an Emmy London clutch) came along as conker-haired moral support for Kate
![Pippa looked effortlessly elegant in a slim-fitting red floral midi dress with ruffled tiers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/22/87330915-13633741-image-a-23_1720991422026.jpg)
Pippa looked effortlessly elegant in a slim-fitting red floral midi dress with ruffled tiers
![Pip off the old block: Kate's sister looked every inch the doting aunt next to Princess Charlotte](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/22/87330991-13633741-image-a-24_1720991538865.jpg)
Pip off the old block: Kate's sister looked every inch the doting aunt next to Princess Charlotte
![Princess Charlotte complemented her auntie Pippa in a navy-and-white polka dot dress from Guess with ruffled sleeves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/22/87331167-13633741-image-a-25_1720991608428.jpg)
Princess Charlotte complemented her auntie Pippa in a navy-and-white polka dot dress from Guess with ruffled sleeves
![Pretty in pink: Pippa was effortlessly chic as she appeared in the royal box for the men's final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/22/87331203-13633741-image-a-26_1720991696950.jpg)
Pretty in pink: Pippa was effortlessly chic as she appeared in the royal box for the men's final
![Kate and William's daughter Charlotte (a Mini Me in polka dots by Guess Girls, £70, with white ballet flats) was also at the men's final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87328895-13633741-image-a-22_1720989410237.jpg)
Kate and William's daughter Charlotte (a Mini Me in polka dots by Guess Girls, £70, with white ballet flats) was also at the men's final
![All smiles at All England: Pippa, Charlotte and Kate beamed on Centre Court during the men's final on Sunday afternoon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/14/21/87328889-13633741-image-a-23_1720989465572.jpg)
All smiles at All England: Pippa, Charlotte and Kate beamed on Centre Court during the men's final on Sunday afternoon
The slingbacks, by Camilla Elphick, were summery, not showy offy. Her hair, more caramel than of late, was loose and natural.
The Halcyon Days torque bracelet and gold bangle? Discreet and classy.
The whole outfit simply oozed, 'I am here to have fun'.
Even the Ray-Bans, perhaps a cheeky nod to old friend Tom Cruise, inches away in the stands.
Regal, graceful, gorgeous, playful.
Most importantly, Kate looked happy and healthy.
She finally seems at ease in her own skin: perhaps a cancer diagnosis has put everything into perspective.
Kate, effortlessly A-list. She smashed it!