Kate's red coat is subtle tribute to Diana

Princess of Wales and husband Prince William made their first official Welsh visit on Tuesday after being given their new titles

Prince William and his wife Kate receive flowers from four-year-old Theo Crompton during their visit to the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station in Wales. Getty Images

The Princess of Wales waves to the crowds. PA

This is the prince and princess' first trip to Wales since the royal family returned to official duties following the end of their mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images

Kate speaks with four-year-old Theo Crompton. PA

The prince and princess of Wales inside the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station. AFP

The prince and princess visit the Holyhead Marine Cafe and Bar. PA

Kate, Princess of Wales, paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law during her first official engagement since being given the title formerly held by Princess Diana.

She and her husband Prince William made their first visit to Wales after being named Prince and Princess of Wales, and Kate’s outfit for the occasion mirrored the look Diana chose when she made her first official Welsh visit.

Kate took inspiration from the red coat Diana wore in October 1981 with the structured, red wool coat she wore on Tuesday’s visit. And the garment paid tribute to Diana in more ways than one. The L K Bennett coat style is named Spencer — Diana’s maiden name.

She paired the $1,080 coat, which featured gold fastenings and buttons, with a simple black top and trousers, and black court shoes.

She also chose to champion the country with her accessories, wearing a pair of Alia hoops ($85) from the Welsh brand Spells of Love.

Tuesday’s visit marked the first official duty for the prince and princess following the end of their mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II.

The prince and princess were pictured at the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station in Holyhead, Anglesey, where they met crew, volunteers and people who have been supported by the charity.

The unit, one of the three oldest lifeboat stations on the Welsh coast, is only half an hour from where the couple lived when they were newly-weds and Prince William worked as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

The couple had promised to pay a trip at the earliest opportunity following the queen's death, hoping to begin "deepening the trust and respect" they have with the people of Wales.

Their last official visit to the country was in June, when rehearsals for the queen's platinum jubilee concert were taking place.

Flags at royal residences returned to full mast on Tuesday following the end of the family’s seven-day mourning period.