Kate Middleton looks sharp in blazer and trousers after Vogue France editor says she should wear more black as she meets military families in Norfolk

The Princess of Wales dazzled in a black jacket with gold buttons as she visited the Queen’s Dragoon Guards regiment this morning.

Kate, 41, arrived at Robertson Barracks in the Norfolk village of Swanton Morley, where the regiment is based, to meet troops, learn about their operations and present medals to long-serving officers.

Looking chic yet practical in a black blazer over a black turtleneck and trousers, she shared a deep conversation with another mother from one of the families involved in the regiment. She wore her thick brunette locks in a straight style, hanging on her shoulders.

Her all-black outfit comes after Vogue France editor Carine Roitfeld suggested the princess should wear more black “outside of funerals” and opt for Chanel items more often, as she praised the royal family’s overall sense of style , but added that it was a ‘little too polished’ for her taste.

Kate’s visit to The 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards is her first since being appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment by King Charles in August this year – and she will also have the opportunity to be promoted during her time with the regiment for a pony to corporal.

During the visit, officers will introduce the Princess of Wales to the regiment and demonstrate the operations it carries out.

She also has the opportunity to meet families from the Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG) who live in the village of Swanton Morley.

The QDG was formed in 1959 from the amalgamation of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards and the Queen’s Bays.

The regiment specializes in reconnaissance, the art of seeking out their enemy to get to know and understand how they operate.

Since the regiment was first formed, the QDG has moved around the world.

From June 2021 to June 2022, its troops were deployed to Mali as part of a peacekeeping operation in support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission.

The Princess’s visit is her first to the regiment since she was appointed colonel-in-chief by King Charles in August

As part of the visit, Kate will be briefed on the regiment by senior officers and learn first-hand about the lives of service members.

Activities for the Royal Family include a lesson in how the Jackal 2 high-mobility weapons platform works, how the team communicates via radios when deployed, and how they use reconnaissance drones.

Following this, the Princess will meet families of QDG personnel to hear about their experiences and the welfare support the Regiment provides.

Her Royal Highness will also award Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to a number of servicemen and women in the regiment, and will take some time with service personnel ahead of Remembrance Sunday to remember those who have served the QDG in active service in recent years has lost service. .

Finally, the Princess will promote the regimental mascot (Trooper ‘Longface’ Emrys Jones, a Bay Welsh Mountain Pony) from ‘Lance Corporal’ to ‘Corporal’.

Kate’s visit comes as her husband Prince William continues his tour of Singapore, hosting this year’s Earthshot Prize.

Prince William today made a pitch to become king, insisting he wants to ‘go a step further’ than his family and bring real change to the causes he supports.

The Prince of Wales praised the work of other members of the Royal Family who were “raising awareness” of important causes, but insisted he wanted to do more than “just” be a patron.

William’s comments as his visit to Singapore draws to a close are likely to raise eyebrows at Buckingham Palace as he continues to set out a vision for the future of the monarchy.

One cause he wants to focus on is homelessness. He says he wanted to help build homes and provide mental health care, education and employment.