Well-known royal fashionista Princess Kate Middleton took her St. David's Day ensemble to the next level on Wednesday by adding a pretty unusual accessory to her look. The mother of three was spotted with a leek pinned to her blazer, and that wasn't the only notable piece she donned for the parade.
The leek has a symbolic meaning for the Welsh military.
No, the princess wasn't trying out a weird new look for fun. Instead, she was wearing the same badge of honor as the rest of the soldiers taking part in the parade.
Page Six notes that soldiers wear the leek in memory of St. David's leadership when the Welsh battled the Saxons. After pinning one to her own jacket, Kate and Prince William helped distribute them to the remaining officers.
There was another symbolic piece paired with the leek.
Kate also wore a replica of Queen Elizabeth's Welsh Guards Leek Brooch.
According to Page Six, the piece was designed for the late Queen by jewelers funded by the regimental guardsmen in 1960. It was obviously a treasured gift, because she wore it again and again in the decades that followed.
Kate isn't the only one who owns a replica of the piece.
Princess Diana also owned one, and she wore it to a parade of the First Battalion of Welsh Guards that took place in London in 1990.
Queen Consort Camilla also has a copy of the piece, which she donned during her first visit to Wales after Queen Elizabeth's death.
In fact, the pieces have been worn almost every time members of the royal family make appearances with the Welsh Guards, because it is the national symbol of the country.
The mother of three was showing off her pins during yet another stop in Wales.
William and Kate have been touring their namesake country during a very important time for the Welsh.
Saint David is the patron saint of the country, and every year locals celebrate the anniversary of his death, which was on March 1, 589 AD, with parades, feasts, and festivities.
Kate's outfit seems to be a hit.
Kate has rarely worn a getup that we didn't instantly fall in love with, and her red coat, black pants, and black fascinator outfit didn't disappoint.
Even though she did make the unusual choice to use the double-breasted crimson jacket as an opportunity to double up on leeks, we still give it a 10 out of 10!
