The Heartwarming Story Behind Kate Middleton’s Pink Dress

When it comes to fashion, Kate Middleton keeps her choices intentional. Though she never strays too far from the classically-minded look that she loves, Middleton will often mark an occasion with an appropriate, special clothing choice. On last year’s royal tour of Ireland, she packed an all-green wardrobe; when it’s time for Wimbledon, Middleton opts for her best tennis whites. Today in Edinburgh, the Duchess took the idea of aligning style and situation a step further thanks to a special fan, five-year-old cancer patient Mila Sneddon. After a video chat where Mila revealed that pink was her favorite color, Middleton arrived to greet her in ME +EM’s pastel shirtdress. 

 

The Duchess was first introduced to Mila when she featured in Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020. The book, released by the National Portrait Gallery, features 100 portraits taken during the early days of the coronavirus crisis. Comprised of submissions from everyday people instead of pro-photographers, the finalists were chosen via a selection panel led by Middleton, who also wrote the book’s introduction. One of the most compelling entries was the photo ‘Shielding Mila’, which depicts Sneddon and her father Scott kissing through a glass shield while she was in hospital receiving chemotherapy treatments for leukeMila. Moved by the picture, Middleton reached out to the family and arranged a video chat last fall. During the conversation, Mila revealed that her favorite color was pink, and Middleton promised that she would wear the shade if they met in person. True to her word, when the child was invited to Holyroodhouse, the Duchess greeted her in fanciful pastels. 

 

On its own, the ME+EM shirtdress is appealing, tea-length, and easy to wear, with or without its matching belt. Styled with a floral mask from Amaia Kids, pastel pumps from Emmy London, and Missoma's drop earrings it fit in with the understated pieces the Duchess favors. Still, the cotton-candy hue elevated things. A festive shade that brought a smile to a child’s face as she met her royal hero, the dress was exactly the right look for the occasion.