With the British royal family going through one of the most critical moments in its history, the surprise appearance of the Prince and Princess of Wales once again demonstrated their institutional weight.
William and Kate made a high-profile appearance at London's Royal Festival Hall and managed to outshine some of the biggest film stars who walked the red carpet, such as Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, and Kirsten Dunst.
Their perfectly coordinated outfits conveyed unity, connection, and strength at a particularly delicate time for the royal family, according to Spanish designer Juan Avellaneda who spoke exclusively to HELLO!'s sister publication HOLA!
Kate's decision to re-wear
The Princess reaffirmed her commitment to sustainability by bringing back a Gucci dress from seven years ago, a romantic design in varying shades of dusty rose that stands out for its bateau neckline and bodice in micro-pleated fabric, as well as its contrasting belt, made of burgundy velvet that matched her husband's jacket.
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© Getty Images"I loved both looks, because I love it when couples coordinate but don't wear exactly the same thing. I like that they're going to these awards and taking a few risks. Normally, he would wear a black tuxedo and she would wear a matching dress, but no. I think it's much more whimsical this way," Juan said.
The message behind the Waleses' coordinated look
Members of the royal family are true experts at using fashion as a communication tool, paying tribute and sending messages without uttering a word, and this appearance of the Prince and Princess of Wales is a clear example of this, the designer says:
"It's entirely an image strategy. The British royal family doesn't do anything by chance, especially not on a red carpet like the BAFTAs. They use these kinds of appearances to convey unity, stability, and normalcy. The fact that they both wore burgundy is no coincidence. It's a very subtle way of appearing visually aligned, both as a couple and as an institution."
True to their essence, they wanted to stand out without straying too far from traditional dress codes, maintaining the timeless elegance and sophistication characteristic of British royalty: "They've played with a very Old Hollywood style, very powerful. They're not trying to be trendy, but rather to have a more eternal image. When you're coordinated, everything looks much better, and I love that they've thought very well about how to do it without falling into the classic approach of wearing a dress with a matching bow tie, which is typical."
© Getty ImagesComplementing each other, not competing
Despite their deep connection on every level, the key to William and Kate's red-carpet presence is the same as that of any solid relationship: it's not about dressing exactly alike or projecting the same energy, but about complementing each other naturally and harmoniously.
As Juan explained, the couple "don't compete with each other, but rather complement each other perfectly. He brings structure and sobriety, a more rigid approach, while she brings light and emotion. Even the materials, fabrics, and colours are perfectly coordinated."
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceKate conveys 'calm and elegance'
Despite trying to avoid that competition, it's inevitable that Kate will stand out more in terms of style. Her looks always generate great anticipation, especially when it comes to a major event like a red carpet. Today, she is considered one of the most elegant royals in the world and, as Juan points out, one of the British royal family's greatest assets.
What does the designer think of this flowing dress? He considers it an absolute success: "I think her dress is spectacular; it's not at all tacky, even though it's incredibly ethereal. She's a princess who plays with classic codes, reinvents them, and updates them."
He added: "Right now, Kate is their greatest image asset. She conveys calm, elegance, and a sense of the future, and that's precisely what the monarchy always needs to project, but even more so when there's so much noise surrounding it."
William's daring fashion take
As for William, this isn't the first time he's opted for a look like this; in fact, he loves wearing velvet jackets in dark tones for his most special occasions, something that clearly shows he's inherited his mother Princess Diana's passion for fashion. "Burgundy looks fantastic on him. I love that a royal is daring enough to wear a colour other than black. He's taken more of a risk than many actors," Juan concludes.
