Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla’s Rare Christmas Fashion Moment: The Meaning Behind Their Matching Green

Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla delivered a style surprise by matching for the royal family’s traditional outing on Christmas Day.

On Dec. 25, the Princess of Wales, 42, and the Queen, 77, both wore deep green coats with coordinating hats for a morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, where the British royals have celebrated Christmas for generations. It was a rare matching moment for Princess Kate and Queen Camilla, who each completed their looks with black gloves, boots and handbags.

Princess Kate popped in a forest green coat with buttons by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (her wedding dress designer) while Queen Camilla was festive in a moss green wrap coat to lead the walk to church with King Charles.

It’s rare to see spot-on color coordination between the Princess of Wales and the Queen, who normally opt for different hues at public-facing events.

Though Princess Kate has only appeared in public a handful of times this year after undergoing treatment for cancer and completing chemotherapy treatment, her matching moment with Queen Camilla was no Christmas coincidence. The royal family carefully coordinates their outfits ahead of important public appearances and the women’s matching moment was a show of family unity.

Kate also coordinated with her husband, Prince William, and children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, in alternating shades of green and blue.

As the Princess of Wales continues her recovery, she’s also preparing for her future role as Queen. Following Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, Prince William and Princess Kate moved closer to their future duties as King and Queen. When William’s father, King Charles shared his own cancer diagnosis in February (with treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer ongoing), that path was cast into sharper focus. Queen Camilla, 77, was also recently forced to step back from several royal events as she battled pneumonia, a further reminder of the family’s vulnerability. 

“Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment. As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE about the Prince and Princess of Wales’ year unlike any other.

“There’s a sense of calm before the storm. They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives, and of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now,” an insider says.

The transition to the throne will inevitably come, though it remains complex and carefully considered. 

“It is something the institution is always mindful of,” a close source says of how plans are frequently updated.”‘It is an institutional preparedness.”

“Their circumstances will eventually change. Given what the future holds, it would be very sensible to build back slowly and prioritize family time,” the source adds.

Friends and sources say Princess Kate’s experience has reframed both at home and in her approach to royal duties, and that she is putting family first.

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“Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing,” a source close to the royal household says.

Looking ahead, she will resume more public-facing duties when she’s ready and her doctors give the green light.

A second source close to the household says, “She has to get back on top of it. And she will if she is left alone to work it out for herself.”

Step inside the royals’ holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition: Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.