Meeting young air cadets at the RAF base in Peterborough today, the Duchess of Cambridge chose to nod to the occasion by wearing a double-breasted, military-inspired jacket by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini.

Choosing clothes with details that reference uniforms has proven frequently to be a hit in the Duchess???s fashion playbook, as it makes her look both approachable and formal to an audience of servicemen and women.

Kate wore Stuart Weitzman boots, Joseph poloneck topand Kiki McDonough earrings with the jacket, which is from Lorenzo Serafini???s resort 2017 collection for Philosophy, a brand that the Italian designer has headed up since 2014.It???s the second time that Kate has worn a Philosophy piece, the first being when she wore a jacket designed by Alberta Ferretti for the brand in an official portrait back in 2011.Priced at ??760, today???s coat is now almost sold out on Net-A-Porter.com.

The sartorial tactic of wearing military styles to military events is one that several women in the Royal Family have employed throughout history, including Princess Diana and The Queen.Diana famously wore a fully-frogged white jacket and skirt to a passing out paradeat Sandhurst Military Academy in 1987.

Indeed Kate has previously commissioned bespoke looks by Alexander McQueen (a brand that famously plays on, and is inspired by British heritage) as well as a wardrobe full of coats by British designers that nod to both nautical and army uniforms.

In 2014, she wore the abovedouble-breasted Alexander McQueen blouse and skirt on a visit to World War Two heritage site Bletchley Park, and in 2011 she presented medals to the Irish Guards at Victoria Barracks wearing a navy coat with epaulettes.

The look is markedly different to the McQueen off-the-shoulder gown that the Duchess wore to the BAFTAs on Sunday night - offering a bit more of a ???message??? to onlookers, as opposed to her red carpet ensemble which seemed to be simply about her having fun with fashion.

Today???s look balanced heritage and authority - not to mention that she chose red, rather than navy, for Valentine???s Day.

Duchess of Cambridge:Style in pictures