Kate Middleton makes savvy fashion swap during Qatar royal visit – but did you spot it?

The Princess of Wales made a glittering return to public life yesterday, wearing an elegant berry ensemble in a typically royal display.

All eyes were on Kate, 42, as she joined the rest of the royal family, including husband Prince William and King Charles. to greet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, at the Horse Guards Parade in London.

The princess managed a quick outfit change after arriving at Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch and stay to view an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.

The mother-of-three swapped her knee-high Gianvito Rossi boots for a pair of stylish heels from the same brand.

It was a smart choice by the princess, who added an extra touch of elegance to her visit to the palace without having to wear heels all day.

One royal fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Don’t miss the details!! To join the rest of the Royal Family for the visit to the Picture Gallery, Princess Catherine changed her boots into a pair of burgundy stilettos.’

Kate had donned the boots, thought to be new, to greet the emir and his wife at the ceremonial welcome, taking a break from her usual suede pumps in a matching colour.

She then swapped for a pair of £650 Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in royal burgundy suede, subtly changing the impact of her look.

The royal wore her hair in a chic and intricate updo as she arrived at the Horse Guards Parade and chose key jewels to mark the important occasion.

She wore the late Queen’s £30,000 Bahrain pearl earrings and her Japanese pearl choker necklace, both of which were also previously worn by Princess Diana.

After fans noticed earlier this fall that the princess’s engagement ring, which once also belonged to Princess Diana, had been replaced with an eternity ring, Kate wore the sapphire stone today.

In a break from her usual suede pumps in a matching color, the princess opted to wear a pair of leather berry boots.

After the ceremonial welcome, Kate traveled to Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch, staying to view an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection.

However, she missed the glittering State Banquet, where the royals were joined by David and Victoria Beckham.

A royal source described the announcement of Kate’s presence as “good news” as the Princess continues a slow and measured return to public life following the completion of her preventive chemotherapy treatment.

The princess announced in March that she had started treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease following major abdominal surgery in January.

In September she revealed this had now been completed, but warned it would take time and patience before she returns to full-time royal duties.

Now the state visit marks the start of a busier week for Kate, who will hold her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

The princess is expected to be joined at the event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

But Camilla pulled out of the reception at Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice as she continues to suffer the ‘lingering’ side effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.

The 77-year-old royal, who became ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly ‘tired’.

Kate has attended a number of high-profile events over the past eleven months, including Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon, since she essentially retired from public life to focus on her health.

The state visit marked her most important visit to date, as she will play a much more active role in the events and be seen in public for extended periods of time.

Royal watchers will be pleased to hear that Kate is taking another step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties.

In September she spoke of her “relief” at finally completing her chemotherapy treatment, but emphasized that the past nine months had been “incredibly tough” for them as a family.

She was first admitted to hospital in January for what was only described as major abdominal surgery.

But then doctors found evidence that cancer was present and recommended a course of preventive chemotherapy.

The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks to process the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely announced her diagnosis in March.

Speaking about the ‘complex, frightening and unpredictable nature’ of cancer journeys, Catherine recently said that doing what she could to ‘stay cancer-free is now my focus’ and stressed that her path to full recovery would be ‘long’.

The princess said she would make a few more public engagements in the coming months if she could, but emphasized that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family.