The colour of courage: Kate Middleton looks perfect in purple at Wimbledon as Centre Court rises in touching show of support, writes LIZ JONES

Well, I’m in tears. The Princess of Wales made only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, but received a standing ovation as she took her place at Wimbledon for the men’s singles final.

And it was so touching to see that she’d brought along her daughter Charlotte (a Guess Girls polka dot Mini Me, £70, with white ballerinas) and sister Pippa (in Beulah floral, with an Emmy London clutch) for moral support.

But Kate also had another important piece of armor: her impeccable sense of style.

London demi-couture label Safiyaa’s lilac twist-bodice midi dress, the Cecilia (£1,295, sold out!), was a hit in many ways.

The bodice (decorated with the purple-green bow of the All England Club, of which Kate is the patroness) gave the princess’s silhouette a new softness and a new ease, which had been far too restrictive in the past.

The Princess of Wales made only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis but received a standing ovation as she took her place in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon

Kate’s lilac twist-bodice midi dress, the Cecilia, from London-based demi-couture label Safiyaa (£1,295, just sold out!), was a hit in so many ways

The heavy crepe of the full skirt ensured that not a crease was visible when the princess entered court to present the trophies

Winning smiles: Princess Charlotte shakes hands with the winner as Kate looks on after Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Novak Djokovic

Sunshine and smiles: The Princess of Wales with AELTC President Debbie Jevans at the match

The color purple is deeply regal, but also represents courage – something Kate has now shown in abundance

The bodice (adorned with the purple-green bow brooch of the All England Club, of which Kate is the patroness) gave a new softness, a new ease to the princess’s silhouette, which had been far too restrictive in the past

Her hair, more caramel-colored than of late, was worn loose and natural for the men’s final on Sunday

And the heavy crepe of the wide skirt ensured that not a single fold was visible as the princess entered court to present the trophies.

(Kate will have been careful not to choose clothing that was too light, given the wind that plagued the race).

The color purple has a royal appearance, but also stands for courage.

Something the princess clearly possesses.

The choice of a nude bag from, you guessed it, LK Bennett, proves that the princess is anything but loyal. (The Milly, £225, is sold out. I imagine the British fashion industry, the second-largest employer of women in the UK, is breathing a sigh of relief that Kate is back.)

Sister Pippa (in Beulah floral print, carrying an Emmy London clutch) came along to provide moral support for Kate with her auburn hair

Pippa looked effortlessly elegant in a fitted red floral midi dress with pleated layers

Pip from the old block: Kate’s sister looked every bit the devoted aunt next to Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte complimented her aunt Pippa in a navy and white polka dot dress by Guess with pleated sleeves

Pretty in pink: Pippa was effortlessly chic as she appeared in the royal box for the men’s final

Kate and Williams’ daughter Charlotte (a Guess Girls polka dot Mini Me, £70, wearing white ballerinas) was also in attendance at the men’s final

All smiles at the All England: Pippa, Charlotte and Kate beamed on Centre Court during the men’s final on Sunday afternoon

The slingbacks, by Camilla Elphick, were summery, not flashy. Her hair, more caramel-colored than of late, was loose and natural.

The Halcyon Days torque bracelet and gold bangle? Discreet and stylish.

The whole outfit just said, ‘I’m here to have fun.’

Even the Ray-Bans, perhaps a nod to their old friend Tom Cruise, are kept at a distance from the stands.

Royal, graceful, beautiful, playful.

The most important thing was that Kate looked happy and healthy.

She finally seems comfortable in her own skin: perhaps the cancer diagnosis has put everything into perspective.

Kate, effortlessly A-list. She crushed it!