Princess Kate apologised to children at RAF Coningsby after discovering they had dressed up especially to meet her.

“Where is my dress? If I had known… I’m sorry I didn’t wear my dress today. Thank you for coming to see me,” the Princess of Wales told a group of youngsters.

The engagement on Thursday was her first visit to the Lincolnshire base since being appointed Royal Honorary Air Commodore in 2023.

RAF Coningsby is regarded as one of the most important stations in the United Kingdom, playing a central role in the Royal Air Force’s operations.

The Princess had a packed schedule, meeting service personnel and their families, touring aircraft and facilities, and testing her skills in the flight simulator.

She even attempted what pilots refer to as a “lap of death”, a demanding manoeuvre carried out in the simulator’s training centre.

For the visit, the Princess chose a tailored plaid suit by British designer Bella Freud.

The same look — featuring the Prince of Wales check pattern — was worn by Kate just three weeks earlier.

Princess Kate apologises to young fans after rewearing grey suit

 | PA

With its sharp cut and classic styling, the outfit reflected hallmarks of her public wardrobe, including support for British labels, precise tailoring and fabrics with historical resonance.

Rewearing pieces has become a regular feature of the Princess’s approach to fashion, and the decision to repeat the suit may have been a deliberate attempt to keep the focus on the substance of her work.

By choosing not to unveil a new look, more attention could be directed to the RAF personnel she met and the work carried out on the base.

However, she had not anticipated being greeted by children from military families who had chosen their best party dresses for the occasion.

Their effort to dress up prompted her light-hearted apology, a moment that was widely reported in the press.

The suit was designed by Bella Freud, who is also known as the host of the podcast Fashion Neurosis.

The Princess’s decision to reintroduce the look so soon after its last outing has been interpreted as both practical and purposeful.

Rewearing clothes has long been part of her public image, setting an example of thrift and sustainability, as well as placing more emphasis on her work than on her wardrobe.

Her choice also highlighted the balance she often strikes between style and practicality.

The tailored suit was smart enough for the formal setting of an RAF base, but comfortable and functional enough to withstand the demands of a day that included military tours and time in the simulator.

The visit marked another significant engagement for the Princess in her honorary role with the RAF.

Princess Kate greeting fans outside RAF Coningsby

 | PA

Appointed to the position in 2023, she has taken on responsibilities traditionally associated with the Royal Family’s support for the armed forces, following decades of similar patronages held by senior royals.

The day combined ceremonial elements with a strong focus on family and community, underscored by her interaction with the children who turned out to welcome her.