How Kate Middleton Mixed Style Staples to Create ‘One of Her Bravest Looks of All Time’ (Exclusive)

Kate Middleton’s last monochromatic moment was a layered look – both visually and symbolically.

The Princess of Wales, 41, appeared in a red cape and bow dress with a matching hat, clutch and heels to welcome Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeo and First Lady Kim Keon Hee to the UK for a state visit on Tuesday.

The Princess of Wales dressed for the diplomatic function in mostly recycled pieces, topped off with a new red woolen cape by Catherine Walker & Co. Although the bow appeared to be part of the cape, it wasn’t! The over-the-top accent comes from the long-sleeved red Catherine Walker dress she debuted at her first Royal Carols: Together At Christmas concert in 2021

“I think they’re trying to be a little more sustainable, take something you’ve already worn and reinvent it a little bit. The cape completely transformed her from a classic Kate look to one of her boldest looks of all time,” Bethan Holt, author of The Queen: 70 Years of Magnificent Stylespeaks exclusively to PEOPLE about the fashion statement.

Kate Middleton at the ceremonial reception of the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea at the Cavalry Guard Parade on November 21.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Kate Middleton is having a big princess moment in a diamond tiara that hasn’t been worn since the 1930s

Princess Kate and Queen Camilla may be mindful of recycling looks from their royal wardrobes as a response to the UK’s ongoing cost of living crisis, with the Princess of Wales repeating several looks over the past year.

The bright crimson shade of Kate’s outfit on Tuesday, identified by fan blog What Kate Wore as a new Jane Taylor hat, paired with Princess Diana sapphire earrings, a red Miu Miu suede bow and Gianvito Rossi 105 heels (all previously seen in her royal rotation) , was also a link to the flag of South Korea. Like Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana before her, during domestic and foreign state visits, Princess Kate has been known to give a diplomatic nod to another country by wearing a shade or two of the national flag.

Princess Kate was indispensable at Prince William’s side during the important duty he performed on behalf of King Charles, and Holt decodes the tribute as intentional.

Prince William and Kate Middleton attend a ceremonial reception for the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea at the Cavalry Guard Parade on November 21.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate Middleton makes an expert bow for King Charles — while moving up the stairs!

“It’s really intentional. There was only one person on that stage that you were looking at, and that was Kate. For the last year, there has been a military element in her style, and it really seemed to me like a statement uniform, and the color was striking and completely unavoidable,” says the fashion director. The Telegraph.

“The late Queen used to say that it had to be seen to be believed and you could spot Kate from a mile away! Especially with the big bold hat, there was no element of that outfit at all where they paired it — everything was big and bright and bold. There was no doubt as to who stood out as the star of the family,” he adds.

The cape’s padded shoulders created a dramatic effect, and Holt likens the overall statement to Kate “inventing armor.”

Ceremonial welcome of the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea at the Cavalry Guard Parade on November 21.

Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

“She knows the world is watching and for presidents who come to visit, a big part of their visit is to see her and William because they are the future of the royal family,” she tells PEOPLE. “So it’s a lot of pressure so she needs clothes to support her for these moments. It’s often a nice coat dress that she wears, and she’s been criticized for sticking to that silhouette, so maybe she’s just willing to experiment a bit.”

After a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade, the King, 75, and Queen, 76, traveled in a carriage with the presidential couple down The Mall to Buckingham Palace. This was followed by a private lunch and a tour of Korean items from the Royal Collection — where Princess Kate took off her robe and hat to go inside, but surprisingly let her hair down from the chignon she had worn earlier!

“Then she transformed back into a classic English rose Kate, rather than this bold military Kate, so she’s almost like this doll, with all these layers,” Holt says of the unexpected style change.

Prince William and Kate Middleton with Choo Kyungho, Korea’s deputy prime minister, second right, and Park Jin, Korea’s foreign minister, right, at Buckingham Palace on November 21.

Kin Cheung – WPA collection/Getty

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Speculating on the deeper meaning of Kate’s changing style, Holt noted how her royal role and place in the family had changed since she became Princess of Wales following Queen Elizabeth’s death last year.

“I think we’re at a point with Kate where she can’t be the same all the time because she has these conflicting roles. With Princess Diana, we used to see everything from really casual cuts to big ball gown moments — because when you’re the Princess of Wales, that’s what your role entails,” Holt tells PEOPLE. “She’s second from the top, and I think it’s really hard to find that balance.”

Kate Middleton, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, King Charles III and Queen Camilla at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 21.

Aaron Chown – WPA collection/Getty

“Sometimes he’ll have to let the king take the upper hand. Sometimes you have to look very relatable talking to moms about parenting, and then you have to go and greet the president of a foreign country and have that dignified role. It can seem confusing, but she has to switch between them, and it feels unsettling,” she says.

“It kind of shows that as a woman she’s doing all these jobs, the ultimate example of multitasking, the many uniforms of all the roles she embodies,” says Holt.

Kate Middleton Fitzalan High School as it celebrates the start of Black History Month on October 3rd.

Chris Jackson/Getty

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Source: HIS Education