Kate Middleton Chose A Surprisingly Bold Color For Princess Eugenie’s Wedding

Although she opted for a subdued, pale-yellow dress at Meghan Markle's wedding, Kate Middleton showed up to Princess Eugenie's ceremony in the brightest, fuchsia ensemble. Unsurprisingly, the Duchess of Cambridge relied on her favorite designer — Alexander McQueen — for Eugenie's Oct. 12 wedding at Windsor Castle. But, Kate Middleton's pink dress was a bold (and welcomed) change of pace for the Duchess.

Middleton arrived to Fri.'s ceremony in a knee-length pink dress by McQueen. Featuring slightly puffy sleeves and a belted waist, the Duchess of Cambridge's ensemble fit her usual, modest aesthetic. Middleton finished off the look with accessories in a matching raspberry hue: an understated, chic fascinator by Philip Treacy, velvet Prada heels, and a tiny velvet clutch. Her teardrop earrings and sapphire engagement ring offered a subtle contrast.

Unlike Meghan Markle's go-to neutral color palette, Middleton is no stranger to bright hues. Although Eugenie's wedding marks Middleton's first time choosing fuchsia for a royal engagement, the Duchess regularly wears vibrant pastels and summery tones. Just last week, the royal brought out one of her favorite pieces at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London: an Emilia Wickstead dress in the perfect lavender shade.

Middleton's fall schedule has been incredibly busy. Following the birth of her third child, Prince Louis, in April, Middleton took some well-deserved time off from royal engagements and appearances. The Duchess of Cambridge officially returned from maternity leave on Oct. 2 and has since attended a handful of events.

On her first day back in the public eye, the Duchess of Cambridge debuted a subtle new haircut. The ideal haircut for women who aren't ready for a full chop, Middleton showed off a healthy trim with a handful of bouncy layers. The Duchess even brightened her classic chestnut hue with a few golden-brown, face-framing highlights.

As she does for most formal events, Middleton swept her new haircut into a polished bun for Eugenie's wedding. Unlike the perfectly messy style her sister-in-law Meghan has perfected, Middleton arrived to Fri.'s ceremony wearing a sleek ballerina bun.

Since his christening in July, royal fans have anxiously waited for another glimpse at the newest royal, Prince Louis. But Middleton attended Eugenie's wedding without the littlest prince, and instead kept an eye on Princess Charlotte and Prince George (both of whom had starring roles in Eugenie's bridal party).

While the Duchess of Cambridge's dress is just the beginning of her relationship with fuchsia, it's no secret that the color has taken the fashion world by storm this season. The likes of Kim Kardashian, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Elle Fanning have all sported the vibrant hue in recent weeks, proving its versatility. Although fall is typically a time for dark neutrals (read: blacks and grays), pink has made a surprising — and convincing — case for year-round wear.

The Duchess of Cambridge is known to keep her favorite dresses in constant rotation — whether Middleton's pink Alexander McQueen dress becomes a staple in her wardrobe remains.