Kate Middleton just sent searches soaring for polka dot dresses

(Image credit: 2022 Samir Hussein)

Today was an emotional day for the royals, as the Queen and her family unite for Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as were Prince Andrew and Prince Edward with their families, though Prince Harry sadly couldn't make it.

Other guests included royals from around the world, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

The dress code was understandably a sober one, and guests turned to blacks and navies for the ceremony. That said, The Queen wore a dark green coat in a subtle tribute to Philip, whose livery colour was Edinburgh Green.

Kate opted for a polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich, the same designer behind her Diana-inspired gown in Barbados.

ALESSANDRA RICH POLKA DOT PRINT SILK MIDI DRESS - £1,046 at LUISAVIAROMA

ALESSANDRA RICH POLKA DOT PRINT SILK MIDI DRESS - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-7143822-15073903?url=https://www.luisaviaroma.com/en-gb/p/alessandra-rich/women/74I-RKM020&sid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="anrdoezrs.net"">£1,046 at LUISAVIAROMA

Polka Dot Midi Dress - £79 at Ro&amp;Zo

Polka Dot Midi Dress - <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Froandzo.com%2Fproducts%2Fpolka-dot-v-neck-midi-dress%3Fvariant%3D42177726447831&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - roandzo.com"">£79 at Ro&Zo

L.K.Bennett Mathilde Polka Dot Silk Dress - £379 at John Lewis

L.K.Bennett Mathilde Polka Dot Silk Dress - <a href="https://john-lewis-and-partners.pxf.io/c/221109/871855/12148?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=marieclaire-gb&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fl-k-bennett-mathilde-polka-dot-silk-dress-black-white%2Fp5923981" data-link-merchant="john-lewis-and-partners.pxf.io"">£379 at John Lewis

Hobbs Lilibelle Silk Polka Dot Dress - £299 at John Lewis

Hobbs Lilibelle Silk Polka Dot Dress - <a href="https://john-lewis-and-partners.pxf.io/c/221109/871855/12148?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=marieclaire-gb&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fhobbs-lilibelle-silk-polka-dot-dress-cream-black%2Fp6057876" data-link-merchant="john-lewis-and-partners.pxf.io"">£299 at John Lewis

The black and white silk midi dress featured a pleated skirt, high neck, balloon sleeves and buttons details on the shoulder. She teamed it with a straw hat that was very reminiscent of Princess Diana's 80s outfits.

Although the ceremony only happened today, within hours, the Duchess had caused a 200% increases in internet searches, according to lovethesales.

The exact dress she wore is sadly sold out, however you can still buy the navy and red version of it, or if you're on a budget, I've found some similar styles to satisfy your polka dot needs.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.