Royal Outfit of the Day: February 8

The Duchess of Cambridge was back in action yesterday, attending a 75th anniversary service for the RAF Air Cadets. She took over as their Honorary Air Commandant in December as a replacement for the Duke of Edinburgh, who had filled the position for over 60 years.

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She made the perfect outfit choice for her first engagement in her new position, her repeated Alexander McQueen coat giving a nod to the belted blue uniforms without dipping into mimicry. She also wore a Lock & Co. hat, although all eyes were on one other major accessory.

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The Air Cadets Dacre Brooch, as it is known, is made with diamonds and other gemstones, and is massive because it was originally used for another purpose. Per the RAF:

The Dacre Brooch is the highest award any female Air Cadet can achieve. In 1979, Mrs Elizabeth Dacre MBE TD JP presented to the Air Training Corps the dress sword of her late husband, Air Commodore G B Dacre CBE DSO DL RAF to be presented to the “ATC Cadet of the Year.” With the advent of girls in 1982, Mrs Dacre presented the Corps with a diamond brooch mounted on a sash, for presentation to the best female cadet.

The brooch was awarded annually until last year, when it was decided that a sword would be awarded instead, just like the male cadets receive. That works out rather well, now that they have the Duchess on board to wear the brooch for events related to the Air Cadets. It's one of the biggest regimental brooches I've seen in use in the royal family, and she showcased it well on a simple coat.

In other news, Kate's message of support for Children's Mental Health Week is out.

And this repeated Rebecca Taylor suit rounds out the run of outfits both blue and universally appropriate.

Photos: via Getty Images