The royals, more than anyone, have mastered the art of quiet, sartorial diplomacy. They understand that fashion is a language through which we can communicate powerful messages.

They’ve been at it for years: just look at how Princess Diana wore a white dress with big red polka dots on tour in Japan back in 1986, echoing the colour and motif of the country’s flag, or the Duchess of Cambridge wearing an ensemble inspired by the salwar kameez on tour in Pakistan in 2019. 

The current war in Ukraine, which has seen 1.7 million civilians flee to neighbouring countries after it was invaded by Russian forces last month, has inspired a string of appearances in which the royals have been showing their support through their outfits, the most prominent of which came on Thursday when Kate visited the Ukrainian Culture Centre in London yesterday.