The poignant detail you missed from Kate's polka dot dress

kate middleton
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Rex)

This week the Duchess of Cambridge visited Bletchley Park in her favourite polka dot Alessandra Rich dress, which she wore in the official photographs of Prince Charles' 70th birthday.

But it wasn't the fact she recycled her outfit which was poignant, it was the little detail that most people missed at the time.

You see Kate accessorised with a gold brooch that was special to her, as it belonged to her grandmother, and it wasn't a coincidence that during her visit, she met with veteran codebreakers who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII with her grandmother Valerie Glassborow, and her twin sister Mary.

kate middleton

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Rex)

The veterans were also wearing similar pins, though we're not sure what the significance of them are, or if they were specific to codebreakers during the war.

Either way, it's not the first time the Duchess has chosen to add meaning to her outfits, and she often wears heirlooms that belonged to Princess Diana, or that represent a country that she's visiting.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.