Kate Middleton’s new look shows she means business, says LIZ JONES

Please, Kate, I was pleading as she arrived on a blustery, dull afternoon for the Commonwealth Day service. 

Please, no nipped-in-at-the-waist coat dress with no room for your kidneys. No coat dress. No polka dots. No exposed knees. Nothing recycled. No head-to-toe gold. 

Nothing French, as the British fashion industry needs your gold dust to survive. And please God, no high street.

In the six months since becoming the Princess of Wales, it is certainly true that Catherine has upped the ante. 

Liz Jones describes Kate’s style as vintage, sustainable and as impeccable tailoring. The UK-based writer loved Kate’s peplum navy dress that she wore for the Commonwealth Day Service

There is a new gravitas to the way she dresses. It is nothing to do with a rivalry with Meghan; dear God, all you must do to win that battle is to own an iron and a mirror.

No. Kate knows she is one step closer to being Queen Consort, is now so much more high profile, that she is all about diplomatic dressing. 

The symbolism in her choice of jewellery speaks volumes about heritage, power, and recompense. 

Her fashion is these days about vintage (her 1995 Chanel boucle jacket was a stroke of genius), sustainability, and impeccable tailoring. 

She can still be edgy – viz, her love of chunky Laura Lombardi jewellery. She can still be fun – viz, the opera gloves worn for the BAFTAs. But everything is getting serious now. 

The Princess of Wales avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she arrived at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey today

The Princess, who paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law by wearing her earrings and brooch, was beaming as she left the service

The Princess’ matching jacket and skirt featured peplum detailing across the hemlines and a white floral pattern 

There is so much weight of expectation on her narrow shoulders that in order to cope she is channelling not just Diana, but the late Queen herself. 

Particularly with her use of vibrant colour. Catherine these days means business.

In years past on this very occasion, Kate had looked somewhat dowdy, and safe. Too many checks. Too many slurries. Exposed knees. Military buttons: ewwww.

She knew she wasn’t the star. That role was of course taken by the Queen. But today? She knew she was the one woman everyone is craning their necks to see.

We first saw down-to-business Kate at Prince Philip’s funeral. In black Roland Mouret, she was impeccable. 

She knew she had to bear the brunt of the nation’s tears when the Queen could not. She did not put a foot wrong. It was a ‘Wow.’ moment, and we need a few more of those.

The Princess opted for a navy peplum jacket from Erdem, which featured delicate white floral detailing across the body 

The Princess accept a posey of flowers from a schoolgirl as she left the Commonwealth Day service this afternoon 

The Prince and Princess of Wales watched on as the King gave the moving speech to guests at the service 

So, on Monday afternoon, did she deliver? For an occasion celebrating an institution that has of late taken a bit of a battering, not just from the likes of Meghan.

This might not be the coronation, but in global terms, the ceremony on Monday matters.

Princess Anne was in sludge. Sophie, for her first airing as a Duchess, was pulling out all the stops in cream (thought I’d have liked a zing of colour in the accessories: it was all a bit milkshake). 

Camilla was in royal blue, the colour Kate chose last year, but the outfit was a tad too plain, like something she dug up in the boot room. No. This is second fiddle dressing, not how a Queen should show up.

And Kate? Hooray! No dreaded coat dress, but instead? A peplum. A pattern. Inky, sexy, classy navy. A saucer hat that threatened to take off in the wind. 

No reed-thin silhouette, but a kick like one of the Queen’s beloved ponies. No blasted coat dress but a jaunty two piece with flare and flounce. And a contrast cream lining, people.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh opted for a cream textured dress coat with matching pillar box hat for the service  

The Princess Royal opted for an emerald green outfit as she attended the service alongside her siblings King Charles and Prince Edward 

The King appeared reflective during the Commonwealth Day service in London this afternoon. Camilla wore royal blue, the colour Kate chose last year

The whole ensemble is by Erdem, the Canadian-born designer who has made London his home, and whom Kate adores for his love of print, florals, colour. (Jacket, £2,000. Skirt, £1,000. Put together, bloody priceless!) 

The exact, correct, grown-up length, which is mid-calf. She seems covered in tiny birds but the pattern is in fact floral. 

The detailing on the back is exquisite: Kate knows that so many people will just see her from behind. It is all very Thirties. And not a polka dot in sight.

The brooch. Oh, my days, I have a lump in my throat. It is the Prince of Wales feathers, the diamond and emeralds once worn by Diana as a necklace, now refashioned. 

Liz speaks about the symbolism in Kate’s choice of jewellery. She said it speaks volumes about heritage, power, and recompense

Liz Jones believes that Kate is using Princess Diana’s jewellery as the late princess did – to cheer everyone up

Kate also opted for a matching inky navy saucer hat, which threatened to take off in the wind outside of Westminster Abbey

The sapphire and diamond earrings, that also once belonged to Diana. I imagine Willy felt he was being hugged. 

A closed shoe, as toe cleavage is not allowed in Westminster Abbey. A chignon, as loose hair is disrespectful. She is carrying her gloves. 

She knows the late Queen always wore gloves (rings beneath, bracelets over), but being more modern, Kate knows her people want skin. 

This is a queen, but on steroids. This is Kate using fashion as Diana used fashion: to cheer us up.

This is what we need now. Confidence. Kate finally has an hour-glass shape, both relaxed but infinitely formal. 

I’m literally completely and utterly in awe, and hopelessly in love.