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Happy Birthday, Princess Charlotte! – What Kate Wore
Happy Ninth Birthday, Princess Charlotte! Kensington Palace released a new photo of the Princess to mark the occasion. Here is the message accompanying the photograph on social media. The picture was taken by the Princess of Wales at Windsor—more on the setting from this Daily Mail piece. The youngster appeared to pay a sweet homage to her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as she posed alongside pale pink flowers named in her honour. The blooms - known as Clematis montana var. rubens cultivar - are one of the first plants named after the monarch, as reported by Gardens Illustrated. You can see how much the Princess has changed in the last year. Now, for a look back at the young Princess's past year. Within days of her eighth birthday, we saw the Princess and her brothers at the coronation. Below, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a screen grab from a video celebrating the coronation. During the service at Westminster Abbey with her mother. The Princess on her way to Buckingham Palace with her mother, father, and brothers. Enjoying the flypast. A funny face from the Princess as she watches Prince Louis. The Princess joined her older brother, mother, father, and many other relatives for the Coronation Concert in Windsor. Another view. The next day, we saw the Wales family participating in the Big Help Out. The family joined other volunteers renovating the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough, outside London. The Princess tried her hand at archery. And joined others in posing for a group photo. The next time we saw the Princess was at Trooping the Colour in June. The Wales children walk to their seats. The Princess and her father on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The Princess and her brothers with their father in a photo released for Father's Day. We saw the Princess during a family outing to an air show in mid-July. A few days later, the older Wales children attended Wimbledon with their parents. She met one of the police canines working at the tournament. This was the first time the Princess attended Wimbledon. On the way to her seat in the royal box. A wave for the crowd. The family was at the tournament for the Men's Final match. Reacting to Prince George's funny face. The Princess clearly enjoyed the match. Another view. The family watches the Princess of Wales during the trophy presentation. We did not see the Princess again until December. That was when all three Wales children attended the taping of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas. The concert was taped at Westminster Abbey. We saw Princess Charlotte soon after the concert taping when a video was released showing the Wales children volunteering at a baby bank. They were at Baby Bank Windsor, which is not far from their home. They sorted clothing donations. And selected toys that would be Christmas gifts for children. The Princess attended Christmas Day church services at Sandringham. Here you see her with Mia Tindall. And with her mother. The children were in the family's annual Christmas Card photo. The photos were taken by Josh Shinner. On Christmas Day, another image from the Christmas card shoot was released. Here, you see the Princess in all of her birthday photos. And side by side with Prince George in his ninth birthday picture. In today's photo, the Princess wears pieces by Cyrillus, a French brand, the Diamond Wool Cardigan (£42, no longer available), and the Dark Wash Denim Skirt (no longer available). Thank you to Found by Bojana and Royal Fashion Police for their ID work. All best wishes to Princess Charlotte for a very Happy Birthday! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for another piece in our collection of One-Hit Wonders, designs that made a strong style statement and/or were part of an exceptional look. Today, we're looking at just one style, a Temperley London design worn during the 2012 Jubilee Tour. The occasion was a tea at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kuala Lumpur. The Duchess's dress featured an intricately embroidered overlay atop a blue silk lining, creating the 'Wedgewood effect many thought of when first seeing the piece. The frock was based on Temperley's 'Aster Flower' dress (seen below), a style from the Fall 2012 collection. In addition to the elegant embroidery, the dress features a boat neckline, flared skirt, and three-quarter sheer sleeves. A closer look at the detail. The Duchess accessorized with her oft-worn 'Sledge' pumps and 'Natalie' clutch, both by LK Bennett. Her hair was up and adorned with faux pearls. All the better to see the UFO aquamarine and diamond earrings worn by the Duchess. In this photo, you see the Duke and Duchess at Kuala Lumpur's airport. I will see you next week with several more One-Hit Wonders!
New Wedding Photo Released & One-Hit Wonders Part Two – What Kate Wore
Hello, and welcome to another report in our series on One-Hit Wonders worn by the Princess of Wales. Before we delve into that topic, I have two newsbytes to share. The first is a delightful surprise, a new photo from the 2011 wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales, released today to mark the couple's wedding anniversary. Kensington Palace shared the photo taken by Millie Pilkington on social media. The message accompanying the photo read, Thirteen years ago today! You may notice in the new photo that the Prince changed out of his red Irish Guards tunic (seen below) into the black uniform of the Blues and Royals. Photographer Millie Pilkington shared her reaction to seeing the photo. The other news tidbit is good news about the King's health; many of you have likely already heard about this. If not, here is the news as released by Buckingham Palace on Friday. A new photo was was released along with the information on the King's return to public-facing engagements. The photo was taken by Millie Pilkington in the Buckingham Palace gardens on April 10th, the day after the couple's nineteenth wedding anniversary. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now to our One-Hit Wonders. In my previous post, I mentioned three pieces that were suggested much more than others for inclusion in this category. The first was the Gucci dress covered in our first post on the topic. That dress was worn in June 2017 for an engagement at the V&A. The next design we'll cover is an Erdem dress worn in October 2018. This engagement was also at the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum). This was the first time the Duchess of Cambridge visited the Museum in her role as patron; she is the first royal patron the V&A has ever had. The 'Iman' was a design from the designer's S/S 2018 collection. Made in bouclé tweed in the Prince of Wales check, the dress featured an asymmetric and layered off-the-shoulder design. It has frayed detailing at the skirt, the elbow-length sleeves, and the front placket. The runway version of the dress featured a cutout at the waist (photo here), an element eliminated from the Duchess's dress. Off-the-rack versions of the dress varied from her design; the frayed edges at the hem are gone, and the length is much shorter. The Duchess added her own maroon ribbon belt. Here is a closer look at the fabric, embellishment and buttons. The Duchess accessorized with a Jimmy Choo made-to-order clutch and custom pumps in deep maroon velvet, possibly the Romy style or the Anouk. The Duchess wore a new pair of Erdem earrings, the Floral Hoop Drop style. From the 2018 fall collection, the earrings feature a crystal-embellished hoop with a floral shape and brass smoked topaz with crystal and pearl 'petals.' The third most-suggested item on our list is this full-length dress by Tory Burch, worn in April 2016. The event was a formal dinner in Bhutan. Pictures from this engagement were limited; there were only four or five, and almost all were from the same angle. In one image, however, you have a side view showing the garment's side split. The dress is from the designer's Resort 2016 line, included as part of the runway collection. The Tory Burch site called the dress the Floral Mesh Gown, while at Net-a-Porter, it was referred to as the Embroidered Tulle Gown. The dress featured a round, split neckline embellished with flame-shaped charms. The body of the dress was lined, while the sleeves were sheer. The neckline, waist, and sleeve cuffs were adorned with a variation of the pattern. Tory Burch described the fabric as a pattern that ....creates beautiful highs and lows in the fabric, lending a multi-dimensional quality to the look. Here is a closer look. Below are two more views of the dress. The Net-a-Porter product description noted that The red bead embellishments mean there's no need for a necklace. The Duchess accessorized with a pashmina stole by Pickett London. She wore a pair of dress sandals seen previously on the tour, the Gianvito Rossi Criss Cross Sandal (sold out) in black suede. The Duchess wore the same earrings she had on when arriving in Bhutan, the Gold Charm Earrings (£55, still available) by Brora. The earrings are made of 22k gold-plated brass with gold-plated sterling silver hooks. Today's third look is also from the 2016 India/Bhutan tour. It is the Naeem Khan design worn when the Duke and Duchess wrapped up the 2016 tour with a visit to the Taj Mahal. The couple was given a private tour of the iconic structure and grounds. The Duchess is reported to have said the visit ...was the perfect way to celebrate the couple's fifth wedding anniversary, which falls on April 29. The style was from the India-born designer's 2015 Resort collection. It was a basic sheath design with a fitted waist and short sleeves, described as featuring ...traditional Mexican embroidery in china blue on white. Here you see the dress as worn by a model and the Duchess. You may have noticed the Duchess's dress was customized to add length. Looking at the hem, you see the addition of another tier of embroidery. The Duchess accessorized with her 'Fern' pumps ($375 here and $410 here) in the 'trench' colorway by LK Bennett. Perhaps the most notable accessory was the earrings the Duchess wore, a pair purchased at a trinket shop after the couple's hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery. And a look at all three designs. Of the three dresses covered today, I think the most likely candidate for a repeat appearance is the Tory Burch design. As many have commented, the much-loved Gucci dress is just too short to be considered a probable contender. The Neem Khan design may be considered too distinctive because of its elaborate embroidery, not to mention its association with the iconic photos taken at the Taj Majal. (I would love to be wrong.)
Happy Birthday Prince Louis! Plus, One-Hit Wonders Series Part 1 – What Kate Wore
Happy Birthday, Prince Louis! Kensington Palace released a new photograph of the young man to celebrate the Prince's sixth birthday today. Below, a flashback to April 23, 2018, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge introduced their newborn on the steps of the Lindo Wing. The photo released today was taken by the Princess of Wales last week in Windsor. In social media posts today, the family thanked people for their good wishes. We have enjoyed seeing Prince Louis quite a bit this past year, including at last May's coronation events. In these photos, you see him at Westminster Abbey with his big sister, Princess Charlotte. In the Australian State Coach after the service. With one of his funny faces on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony. Another view from the historic day. The Prince joined his parents and siblings for the Big Help Out event, an initiative tied to the coronation that encouraged people to volunteer in their communities. This was the Prince's first official working engagement. Although he has attended events like Trooping the Colour and the Platinum Jubilee Concert, such events are not considered working engagements. In this image, Prince Louis contributes to a mural with handprints from everyone helping at the event. In June, Prince Louis joined his family at Trooping the Colour. Another view. The children watch the flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony. This was one of my favorite photos of Prince Louis at the June ceremonies. The Prince was seen with his brother, sister, and father in a photo marking Father's Day. The image was taken by Millie Pilkington near the family's Adelaide Cottage home on the Windsor estate. The next time we saw the Prince, he was at a military air show with his family. Last year, the Prince attended the taping of Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. This was the first time Prince Louis was at the taping. The Prince as he carried a candle to the family's seating area. Another view. Here you see the Wales children with their parents in a photo used for the family's holiday card. In December, Prince Louis volunteered at a baby bank with his siblings and mother. These screengrabs are from a video of the foursome as they helped out at the baby bank. And we saw Prince Louis again on Christmas Day. Here is a look at Prince Louis in his official birthday photos. And all three Wales children in their sixth birthday photos. In the new photo, it looks like Prince Louis is wearing the Thomas Brown Oliver Shirt ($43), with thanks to Bojana for this ID. The shirt is 100% cotton available in several colors. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also today, news of a new honor for the Princess of Wales. More from this Victoria Ward story in The Telegraph. The Princess of Wales has become the first member of the Royal family appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour. The 41-year-old has been honoured by the King for her “outstanding” public service and joins an array of notable members including Sir David Attenborough, David Hockney, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John. The King created the role of Royal Companion of the Order especially for his daughter-in-law who has been a working member of “The Firm” for 13 years. Past members include Sir Winston Churchill, Stephen Hawking, CBE, and Sir Alec Guinness. The Telegraph report notes that membership in the Order is limited to 65 people at any one time. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And now, for our first look at the Princess's one-hit wonders, striking designs that merit another appearance. Thank you to everyone who shared ideas for pieces to include; the suggestions have been incredibly helpful! Your input via comments here on the blog, on Facebook, and via email is very much appreciated. Today, we'll cover some of the basics about styles suggested for inclusion in this group input. More than 125 dresses, gowns, coats, and separates were suggested. The majority of suggestions shared characteristics: Many of the styles mentioned were for items that can be categorized as dressier styles. A sizable number of formal looks from black-tie and white-tie events were suggested, including evening gowns as well as full-length dresses seen at not-quite-as-dressy functions. Several were what I call statement dresses, pieces showcasing striking designs and unique characteristics, like the Naeem Khan dress worn at the Taj Mahal or the Alice Temperley seen at the tea held at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kuala Lumpur. Quite a few were from tours, showing the importance of those events in the Princess's wardrobe. There were three standout looks that were clearly favorites for people, designs suggested by at least five to ten people. We'll cover one of those today. A few of the styles suggested were already worn a second time. On this list is a popular piece, the teal Jenny Packham gown. It was most recently worn to the November 2018 Tusk Conservation Awards. Its first appearance was at the Greatest Team Rising gala in May 2012 in the runup to the Summer Olympic Games in London. The design was a bespoke version of Jenny Packham's 'Aspen' wedding gown, showcasing a beautiful silk chiffon with light and lacy cap sleeves, a ruched bodice, an ornately embellished waist, and a full, pleated skirt. Another design that had a second appearance (which yours truly forgot) was the red Preen' Finella' dress. The style was first noted during the September 2016 Canada tour and then brought back for a November 2018 Royal Foundation function. The piece featured an asymmetrical neckline with a fitted, draped bodice and a full skirt with box pleats. It was made of a midweight stretch crepe blend of acetate/polyamide/elastane. Roland Mouret's Ella gown was another style mentioned for inclusion in this category. It was first worn to a private dinner at Claridge's in May of 2012 (below right) and then repeated in December 2013 at the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (below left). Made of wool crepe, the style is subtly gathered at the sides, with a high front slit and an asymmetric zip fastening on the back. Another popular look that has been seen a second time, the Elie Saab separates, first noted at Royal Ascot in June 2019, and brought back for a Buckingham Palace garden party in May 2023. The top was a bespoke version of the designer's Macramé Pussy Bow Top crafted of a cotton/poly/silk blend fabric, featuring a relaxed fit, button front, and partial lining. The Embroidered Tulle Skirt was made in matching fabric with embroidered dots; it had an A-line silhouette was fully lined. The most-suggested outfit? This one. The Duchess wore this Gucci dress for a June 2017 engagement at the V&A. It was a departure from her standard daytime looks, perhaps most noticeably in the length, as it was shorter than many of her dresses. That length makes a second wearing of the dress unlikely. From our original post: The piece was from Gucci's pre-fall collection, constructed in a black and white cotton/nylon tweed that showcases the brand's signature petersham ribbon (also referred to as web) in blue and red. Here is a good look at the nubby tweed fabric, as well as the brand's navy and red petersham trim. Some thought the style was reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The Duchess accessorized with her 'Art' navy pumps by LK Bennett and Emmy London's 'Natasha' bag. Her hair was in a partial updo, and she wore her Annoushka pearl drops with Kiki McDonough diamond hoops. In my next post, I'll reveal the other most-suggested styles. Here is one of the many formal styles mentioned by several people: a Jenny Packham gown worn in October 2015. As detailed in a previous post, the gown was worn for the London premiere of SPECTRE, a James Bond film starring Daniel Craig. It was based on a dress from Jenny Packham's Spring 2011 collection. The gown showcased a crossover top in the front and a full, flowing, multi-layer skirt. Beneath a sheer overlay, the dress had a halter-style top. The bodice back was slit open, and the dress closed at the back neck and with a zipper in the skirt portion of the piece. A shimmering rhinestone belt accented the waist, and the skirt was full. There was also an extended row of rhinestone or crystal buttons/snaps at the wrist. The Duchess wore her hair up. This allowed an unobstructed view of her Robinson Pelham earrings, the jeweler's Pagoda style set with blue topaz and diamonds in white gold. (The Duchess's mother, Carole Middleton, wore these earrings to Kate and William's evening wedding reception in 2011.) Here is a better look at the Duchess's updo. She accessorized with a miniature version of Jenny Packham's Casa handbag, a box clutch featuring a crystal-encrusted clasp. Kate also brought back her 'Vamp' platform sandals from Jimmy Choo. This was included in our 'Most Polarizing Looks' category, in part because many didn't care for the upper portion of the dress. I will see you in a few days with a longer look at more One-Hit Wonders!
Poll Results & Fashion Collaborations by Princess-Favored Brands – What Kate Wore
I am back with a quick post looking at poll results and then some fashion collaborations involving brands the Princess of Wales has worn. The results of the trouser suit vote are not a surprise, with the red Alexander McQueen receiving the most votes, followed by the dark teal Alexander McQueen and the Emilia Wickstead separates. And the results of your votes on the skirt suit and separates. Your favorite ensemble featured Sézane's 'Sami' Jumper ($145) and 'Naelle' Skirt ($175), with Erdem's Ottoman Jacquard Peplum Jacket ($749 on sale) and Flared Ottoman Jacquard Midi Skirt ($1695, no longer available) taking second place. Here are the results. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now to coverage of fashion collaborations by brands the Princess has worn. Last week, Mango revealed it will launch a capsule collection with Victoria Beckham. Below, the Princess in a Victoria Beckham dress in 2023, wearing a Mango dress in November 2022, and a Mango top in 2020. The collection launches on April 23. Below, a look from the upcoming collection via Mango's Instagram. More from British Vogue. From slip dresses and knitwear, to sleek accessories and tailoring, Victoria Beckham’s debut collaboration with Mango is comprised of pieces that wouldn’t look amiss in the designer’s own wardrobe. The silhouettes are reminiscent of the everyday uniform she’s championed for decades – think flared trousers, angular blazers, satin blouses and spaghetti-strap slips – all rendered in a colour palette of soft pastels and neutrals. With a focus on longevity, the designer promises that “when you invest in one of these pieces, you won’t just wear it for one season, they’ll be pieces you’ll keep in your wardrobe and wear time and time again,” adding that the quality hasn’t been compromised, despite the price-points being lower than her usual ready-to-wear designs. Below, a ruched, hater-neck dress from the collection. The Guardian reports prices ...are expected to be higher than Mango's typical offering but still a snip compared with items from Beckham's mainline brand.... Barbour has long been a go-to label for the Princess, and this spring, it is part of multiple collaborations. Below, the Princess wearing her Edith Jacket from the 2020 Barbour x Alexa Chung Collection, her quilted Longshore Jacket, and her Defence Jacket. The brand has collaborated on one piece of outerwear with another Princess favorite, Erdem. Below, the Barbour X Erdem Waxed Cotton Coat ($4895). On the left, you see the coat as shown at Erdem, and on the right, without the removable gilet, as shown at Harrods. British Vogue offers more on the genesis of the collaborative effort. While learning about the life of Deborah “Debo” Cavendish – the Mitford girl turned Duchess of Devonshire – the designer found himself falling for her Barbour jackets, rather than the ballgowns she wore to host at Chatsworth House. “She was very much of the land,” recalls Moralioglu, who was fascinated by her love of rare-breed chickens and the “push and pull” of the two sides of her eccentric personality. He dreamed up a piece of outerwear that was one part quintessential waxed cotton Barbour, two parts opera coat, complete with floral quilting and a resplendent lining. Bergdorf Goodman offers the design as a Hybrid style ($4895) that converts to a shorter length. I'm guessing this won't be a reader favorite. The iconic British brand has released a capsule collection with Danish label Ganni, another brand the Princess has worn. In this photo, you see her wearing a quilted Ganni vest. Pieces in this collection include (from left to right) the Burghley Quilted Coat ($484), the Spey Jacket with Removable Corduroy Collar ($332), and the Diamond-Quilted Gilet ($201). The Princess has worn several Diane von Furstenberg designs over the years, including (from left to right) the Simyonette coat, the Maja dress, the Patrice dress, the Zarita lace gown, and the Lio wool coat. Several of these styles have made multiple appearances. DVF has two collaborations of note: the DVF for Target collection and the brand's capsule collection with Castañer. I mentioned the Target capsule in a previous post and wanted to follow up briefly on the line. There are still quite a few apparel choices available, with several versions of the brand's iconic wrap dresses in the mix. Below, a green geometric style ($50), a sleeveless sweater-knit design ($45), and a black print ($50). The quality of the apparel pieces I looked at in-store last week seemed okay but not terrific. The accessories and the housewares offerings seemed pretty good with some fun designs. Below, cotton bedding ($35 - $55) and cosmetic bags ($20). Other items in the collection include a Cellphone Holder ($20), a Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($15), and a Tote Bag ($40). Now to a Castañer capsule collection with DVF. Below is the Castañer Carina ($138) worn by the Princess. The DVF/Castañer collaboration launched last year, so there are only a few styles to choose from, but the upside is that every pair I have seen is discounted significantly. Below left, the Jorgelina Espadrille ($106), and on the right, the special Carina ($100). Other styles include the Paos Sandals ($94) and the Chiara Wedge ($112). The Princess has been wearing Sézane designs more frequently. Below left, you see her in the French brand's Martin Trousers ($170, sold out), followed by the Tulio jumper ($125, sold out). Also shown are the Dina Earrings, the Celeste Mother-of-Pearl Earrings, the Stéphanie Cuff style bracelet, and the Artemis Belt. Sézane has a capsule collection with sustainable fashion brand Pangea. Fashion items on offer: the Pierro Shirt ($110) and Heart Earrings ($110). The line includes things like Cosmetic Bags ($50) and Posters ($35). The Princess has long favored Beulah London. Below, you see her wearing the Sonia dress at a July 2023 polo match, the Ahana dress at the V&A last June, and the Calla dress in September 2020. A few pieces are still available from a joint collection the label created with fashion journalist Louise Roe. The capsule features designs made of natural fibers, handwoven, and hand-embroidered in Bangladesh by economically vulnerable women. A set of four appliqued linen napkins is £20.83 (about $25 at today's exchange rates), and a tablecloth is £41.67 (about $5). One other quick retail update: the good folks at Emmy London tell me their 20% Off Sale is expected to run another two-three weeks. Use promo code LOVEEMMY20 for 20% off in-stock fashion and bridal products only, including bags and shoe clips. This includes the Josie Low-Block Heel Pumps, the Lulu Flats, and the Natasha Clutch. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please share your ideas for a post on One-Hit Wonders, as I call them, popular styles that we haven't seen again. I did a brief post on the topic in late 2020 covering the black velvet ensemble worn to the Sun Military Awards in 2011 and the Jenny Packham seen when the Cambridge family arrived in Canada in 2016. Of course, I neglected to remember that the blue Jenny Packham was *not* a one-hit wonder: it was worn a second time to the Imperial War Museum in 2018. I will endeavor to do a better job in the next post showcasing designs worn just once. Let me know in your comments what designs you think should be included.
Your Favorite 2023 Trouser Suit and Skirt Suit/Separates Polls – What Kate Wore
Hello-Hello, I am back with a brief news update, and then polls looking at trouser suits and skirt suits/matching separates worn by the Princess of Wales last year. The following is from the post I was about to publish on March 22nd when I saw there was an announcement of some sort expected from Kensington Palace. It merits inclusion here, even if it is somewhat old, as it relates to the Princess's Early Years work. From that post: The Telegraph reports the Princess is working at home as she continues her recovery from surgery and preventative cancer treatment. We learn more from this story by Hannah Furness. Kensington Palace confirmed that she had been kept up to date with her campaign and the “overwhelmingly positive” results of a study she inspired. The Princess’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has funded a trial of a baby observation tool, which is to be used by health visitors to improve how they spot signs of social and emotional development in young children, with the results being published on Thursday. Having personally suggested that the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, the Princess has been particularly invested in the four-month trial. A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: “The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process.” The trial's results have been released, and the Centre for Early Childhood says they are 'overwhelmingly positive.' +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for our look at trouser suits worn by the Princess last year. We begin in mid-January when the Princess hosted a reception at Hampton Court Palace for England's World Champion Wheelchair Rugby Team. She wore Roland Mouret's maroon Stretch Cady Single-Breasted Blazer ($540) and Wide-Leg Stretch Cady Trouser ($640), both made of an acetate/polyester blend. The blazer features peak lapels, shoulder pads, slanted flap pockets, and a one-button closure. The trousers have a wide-leg silhouette, no waistband, and a concealed side zipper. The Princess's sweater beneath the jacket is considered a UFO style; it was first worn in December 2020. At the rugby reception, she accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi 105 Bordeaux suede heels, along with a Daniella Draper necklace and earrings. The Roland Mouret separates were first seen during the December 2022 visit to Boston and then worn again for a reception in November. Next on our list is the vibrant red Alexander McQueen look for the January launch of the Shaping Us campaign. The Princess paired the Leaf Crepe Drop-Hem Jacket ($2290) with the Leaf Crepe Slim Bootcut Pants ($890), both in Welsh Red. The pants are made of a viscose/acetate blend. The jacket features a fitted silhouette with padded shoulders, peak lapels, angled pocket flaps, and an asymmetric front hem. The mid-rise style trousers have slanted pockets and a concealed front zipper. The Princess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps ($795), Miu Miu clutch, and Florence earrings by Chalk (£75). We saw the separates again in May at the Coronation Concert. When welcoming Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway to Windsor Castle in March, the Princess was in bespoke Burberry separates. When the Princess visited textile mills in September, we had a better look at the deep teal jacket and trousers. The blazer is a version of the brand's Wool Tailored Jacket ($2050), with a loose single-breasted silhouette, front flap pockets, defined shoulders, notch lapels, and four buttons prominently placed at the cuff. The Wool Wide-Leg Trousers ($1050) have a front zipper, angled front pockets, back button-through welt pockets, pleats, and belt loops. We do not know who made the top worn beneath the jacket. We saw the 'Josie' Block Heel Pumps ($490) by go-to brand Emmy London. For jewelry, the Princess wore the Shyla' Rosalia' earrings (£68) and Laura Lombardi's 'Portrait' 14kt Gold-Plated Chain Necklace ($188). The Princess was in soft pink separates by Alexander McQueen for a May engagement at the Foundling Museum. The Tailored Peak Lapel Jacket ($2590) is constructed of a viscose/acetate blend and features padded shoulders, darts at the bustline, angled flap pockets, double back vents, and a single button closure. The Cropped Tailored Trousers ($755) have a zip front, belt loops, inset side seam pockets, and a back welt pocket. The top worn beneath the jacket remains UFO. The Princess accessorized with Camilla Elphick's Pearl White Belt ($120), white leather Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795), and her Maria Black' Cha Cha' earrings ($188 for single earrings, $376 for pair). Some readers may recall the separates were first worn for a June 2022 roundtable. When visiting a prison in September, the Princess opted for separates by Alexander McQueen. More specifically, the label's Leaf Crepe Jacket and High-Waisted Cigarette Trouser in the amethyst colorway, possibly called nightshade. Like several of the McQueen blazers worn by the Princess, this style has a fitted silhouette with padded shoulders, angled flap pockets, double back vent, and single button closure. The trousers are a straight-leg style with a fly-front closure. I do not know the designer of the cream knit top. There is not enough detail in the photos to identify it. The Princess accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795), Kiki McDonough 'Lauren' Pavé Diamond Leaf Earrings (£2300), and Daniella Draper Trio Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace ($1700). The separates were first worn with a coordinating turtleneck in December of 2022 when the Prince and Princess arrived in Boston. Also in September, Roland Mouret separates worn for an engagement in London with the Prince of Wales. The couple spent time at the Streets of Growth charity. The custom single-breasted jacket had angled flap pockets, peaked lapels, and a slight flare at the cuff. The wide-leg silhouette trousers featured a concealed side zipper and flat front. Both pieces appear identical to the maroon Roland Mouret separates shown above. Accessories included the 'bisque' suede Gianvito 105 Heels ($795), Kiki McDonough Cushion Citrine Detachable Drops (£900) suspended from unidentified plain hoops. The Princess wore a Holland Cooper pinstripe jacket and trousers for October engagements in Cardiff, Wales. Here, you see the Prince and Princess as they arrive at a local high school. The Navy Chalk PinStripe Suit includes the Double-Breasted Blazer (£549, about $690 at today's exchange rates) and the High-Waisted Straight Trouser (£299, roughly $376). The blazer showcases a longline silhouette with notched lapels, slightly padded shoulders, flap pockets at the hip, and lots of Holland Cooper's signature gold buttons. The trousers have a wide waistband, belt loops, slanted pockets, and buttons. Beneath the jacket, it looked like the Princess was sporting her Holland Cooper Bodysuit (£149). She accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795) and Shyla' Rosalia' earrings (£68). Technically, the suit was a repeat. It was seen in a photo released a few days earlier by Apple CEO Tim Cook, taken during a meeting with the Prince and Princess. Our next look for the poll is Emilia Wickstead's separates, which the Princess wore when she delivered a speech at an early childhood symposium. The Dida Wool Flannela Jacket ($434 in limited sizes) is 100% wool and described as being made of a midweight flannel. The double-breasted silhouette is a classic cut, with flap pockets, peak lapels, and self-covered buttons on the front and wrist. The trousers are a version of the Gus style ($1030), a slim cut with a high waist and tapered legs. Accessories included the Princess's Gianvito 105 pumps in navy suede and the sapphire cabochon cluster earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. The styles were first noted in September 2021 when the Cambridges were in Northern Ireland. The Princess debuted another trouser suit look in December at an Evelina Children's Hospital engagement. It was another iteration of Alexander McQueen separates: the brand's Peak Shoulder Leaf Crepe Jacket and Cigarette Trousers in either 'electric navy' or 'denim blue.' (I actually call it dark teal.) Beneath the jacket, the Princess wore a top that looked like her sweater by Jigsaw first seen during the 2016 Canada tour. She accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 pumps and her sapphire and diamond pendant and earrings. Now it's time to vote. https://poll.fm/13576811 I also put together a group of matching separates worn last year by the Princess. When visiting a nursery school in January, the Princess brought back Gabriela Hearst separates we first saw during the December 2022 Boston visit. We did not have a good look at the styles in 2022, so it was a treat to see them more fully. The Princess was in the spice-colored Peppe Turtleneck ($790) and Epper Skirt ($1590), both done in a finely ribbed silk/cashmere blend. She accessorized with her Ralph Lauren Crocodile-Stamped Leather Belt, Gianvito Rossi boots, and Kiki McDonough Citrine Drop Earrings. For a series of February engagements in Cornwall, the Princess paired a Kiltane Scotland turtleneck with a skirt by Edeline Lee. The Kiltane Scotland sweater was first noted at a November 2022 rugby match; it looks like the band's Cashmere Polo Neck Jumper($119). Edeline Lee's Plait Skirt was a midi-length style featuring a deep asymmetrical pleat at the front waistline. The Princess also wore a ba&sh croc-effect belt, her Gianvito Rossi boots, and Emily Mortimer Hera White Gold and Diamond Earrings. At the annual Commonwealth service in March, we saw a skirt suit by Erdem. I struggled to include this in the group of suits/separates, but it didn't fit in the Favorite Dress poll, and I didn't want it forgotten. The Ottoman Jacquard Peplum Jacket ($749 on sale) and Flared Ottoman Jacquard Midi Skirt ($1695, no longer available) were from the designer's pre-fall 2023 collection. Both pieces were made in the United Kingdom, crafted of viscose/polyester fabric in navy blue with a delicate white floral motif. The lined jacket has a slim fit, button front, pleated peplum, raised shoulders, and distinctive topstitching. The unlined skirt features a flared silhouette, waistband, zipper, and interesting seaming details. Accessories included a hat by milliner Sean Barrett, Emmy London's Natasha Clutch ($425), Gianvito 105 pumps, Queen Alexandra's Three Feather Brooch, and the sapphire cabochon cluster earrings. The Princess chose Sézane separates for an October World Mental Health Day engagement in Nottingham. The 'Sami' Jumper in Natural ($145) and the 'Naelle' Skirt in Natural ($175) are ribbed knit pieces made in a merino wool and organic cotton blend. The Princess carried her Tusting Mini Holly Bag ($495) in taupe and wore her Gianvito 105 Bisque Suede Pumps ($795) and Simone Rocha Faux-Pearl Curb-Chain Earrings. Here is the poll. https://poll.fm/13577051
A Look at Easter Styles Worn by the Princess of Wales – What Kate Wore
Hello and welcome to a retrospective look at the ensembles worn by the Princess on previous Easter Sundays. Before we get into fashion, word that Queen Camilla received lots of good wishes for the Princess of Wales when visiting Shrewsbury yesterday. Below, the Queen with a poster saying, Send our love to Kate. More from this Daily Mail story. The Princess of Wales is 'thrilled' by all the support she has received since announcing she is undergoing treatment for cancer, the Queen revealed today. Camilla made the comment during a tour of the Shrewsbury Farmers' Market this afternoon, where more than 2,000 well-wishers had gathered to see her. Speaking to two young girls who had hand-drawn get well soon cards for Kate, Camilla said: 'I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.' In this video from The Sun's Matt Wilkinson, the Queen meets two girls who brought greetings for the Princess. Watch as Harriet, 10, and Lois, 6, show off their posters for Princess of Wales today in Shrewsbury and Queen Camilla replied: “I shall send these on to Catherine she will be thrilled” pic.twitter.com/2jXNnqgEs3 — Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) March 27, 2024 We return to The Mail's story. 'I'll take them carefully and will make sure she knows they're coming,' the Queen responded, leaning in to speak to the two girls in the blustery conditions. Speaking after meeting Camilla, Harriet - who is on half-term with her sister - said: 'We heard the news and I wanted to hold the poster up to show my love to Kate.' Their mother Lucy Waterston, who did not think the Queen would even get to see the cards, said: 'She said she certainly will send her love.' In the good news department, the King will attend Sunday's Easter Mattins service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Because the Wales family is spending Easter and the children's school break at Anmer Hall, their country home, I thought it would be fun to look back at the Easter outfits worn by the Princess over the years. We begin with Easter Sunday in 2014 when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on tour in Australia. The couple attended Easter Sunday services at St. Andrews Cathedral in Sydney. The dove grey look by Alexander McQueen showcased a tailored coat atop a dress. The coat featured a funnel neck, structured shoulders, concealed front closure, and slightly flared sleeves. It is similar to this off-the-rack design by the label. One distinction between the Duchess's coat and the retail version: the sleeves are full length on the custom design. The Duchess accessorized with Jane Taylor's 'Lupin' hat, done in grey velour felt with a curled bow. She also wore her Harper pumps by LK Bennett and carried her McQueen clutch. Her jewelry included the Mappin and Webb 'Fortune' necklace and the UFO aquamarine and diamond drop earrings seen on previous occasions. In 2017, the Duke and Duchess joined royal family members at St. George's Chapel in Windsor for the first time. This was also when the Duchess started a tradition of choosing previously worn pieces for the Easter Sunday service. The Duchess was in a custom Catherine Walker coat initially seen in Canada the previous fall. The piece featured a modified princess silhouette, an inserted waistband, an off-center front closure, front flap pockets, and a hidden placket. The collar, pockets, and seams are all accentuated by trim in a slightly darker hue than the coat fabric. Accessories included an Etui handbag and Rupert Sanderson's Malory pumps. The hat worn by the Duchess was a Lock and Company design, the 'Jacqueline' style. A view from the side and the back. You can also see the late Queen's pearl and diamond earrings. Here you see the coat as first worn in Canada and then again on Easter. Beneath the coat, you can see the Whistles 'Lina' skirt was worn on both occasions. It dates back to at least 2011, when it was worn in Los Angeles. The Duchess chose another Catherine Walker design for 2018's Easter Sunday service. Below, you see the couple being greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner. The Duchess was expecting Prince Louis at the time. The coat was a double wool crepe design in a color the design house calls chocolate brown. It features princess seaming and box pleats on the front and back of the garment. The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi suede heels in the lower, 85mm height, and a bag by Loeffler-Randall, the Tab Lizard-Effect Leather Clutch. She wore her Balenciaga faux pearl earrings, one of the few clip-on styles we see her wear, and her five-pearl brooch. Many remembered the Duchess wearing this coat for St. Patrick's Day in 2015 with the Irish Guards when she was expecting Princess Charlotte. On both Easter 2018 and St. Patrick's Day 2015, the Duchess chose what might be her favorite hat, the Betty Boop style by Lock and Company. A side-by-side view of the two ensembles. We saw the Duchess repeat her 2014 Alexander McQueen suit for Easter 2019. The Duchess with a curtsey for the late Queen, who was also marking her 93rd birthday on April 21, 2019. The Duke and Duchess as they were leaving church. The Duchess brought back the 'Lupin' hat created by Jane Taylor. We saw the Emmy London' Rebecca' heels ($580) and 'Natasha' clutch ($515), both in steel grey. (NOTE: Emmy London is running a 20% off promotion. Using promo code LOVEEMMY20 drops the price of the pumps to $464 and the clutch to $412.) In the jewelry department, the Duchess opted for diamonds, bringing back the acorn earrings by Robinson Pelham that were first seen at her 2011 wedding. She also wore the oak leaf diamond and pearl brooch seen on a few previous engagements. (I include a photo of it against a dark background in this montage.) Here, you can see the 2014 and 2019 Alexander McQueen ensembles side by side. The Duchess wore an Emilia Wickstead design on Easter 2022 when the two oldest Cambridge children joined their parents and other royals at St. George's Chapel. The family after the service wrapped up. The bespoke Emilia Wickstead design was crafted from double wool crepe fabric and showcased the fit-and-flare silhouette the Duchess is so fond of, as well as peak lapels, and concealed off-center closure. The Duchess wore Jane Taylor's Diamond Crepe Pleated Headband ($800) that was first seen when attending church at Sandringham in January 2019. Her other accessories included more Emmy London designs: the 'Natasha' clutch in Duck Egg Blue and the Rebecca Pumps ($580) in Riviera Blue. The Duchess wore her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Studs (£5430, about $6850 at today's exchange rates) seen on previous occasions. The design is inspired by the clusters of young flower stalks of the cauliflower (cavolfiore) in the market, each earring holds seven pearls set with diamonds in 18ct yellow gold. The Emilia Wickstead design was first worn for a May 2017 visit to Luxembourg. At last year's service, the Princess of Wales wore Catherine Walker. It was the first time Prince Louis had attended an Easter service with his family. The Prince and Princess of Wales with Princess Charlotte. Here, you see most of the family after church. The Catherine Walker coat combines elements of the brand's Mayfair and Magda designs, wool crepe pieces with a flare at the cuff and the hem. It was initially worn to the annual Commonwealth Service in March 2022. (The style was worn again in July 2023 for Scotland's National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in honor of King Charles III.) For the Easter engagement, the Princess wore a new chapeau by Lock and Co., the Mayfair Pillbox style ($1040). It is the same style worn in green on St. Patrick's Day 2022 for the annual shamrock ceremony with the Irish Guards. The Princess carried the Natasha Clutch ($425) in cobalt blue by Emmy London and also wore her Gianvito 105 pumps in 'Praline' suede ($635). We did see a new pair of earrings by Carousel Jewels, the Stella Lapis and Moonstone design ($165). They feature a 22K gold finish on 925 sterling silver. Another dress was worn on Easter Sunday, but it wasn't for a church service. I'm guessing many of you will remember. It was the trip to the Taronga Zoo in Australia with Prince George. This dress was also a repeat. It was first worn during the 2012 Jubilee Tour. It was made by a private dressmaker, according to palace spokespeople. So here is our review of the looks worn to church on Easter Sunday. Do you have a favorite? I hope everyone celebrating Easter this Sunday has a lovely time with friends and family.
The Princess of Wales Reveals Her Cancer Diagnosis in Video Message, Says “I’m Going to be Okay” – What Kate Wore
In a video message released this afternoon, the Princess of Wales has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer. The video was posted on social media at 2pm EDT, 6pm local time in London. It was taped yesterday by BBC Studios in Windsor and timed to be released after the Wales children began their Easter school break so the children could be sheltered and the family could be together for a period of time. This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.” More from this Telegraph piece. “I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. The Princess said it had taken her and the Prince “time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok”. The Princess also said, We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. Below, the family on Christmas Day. The Princess explains more about the timing of the diagnosis, saying that when she had surgery in January, it was believed her condition was non-cancerous, but the cancer was discovered during later testing. The Princess did not specify what kind of cancer she has but said she is now in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy treatment. She also shared some of what she told the Wales children. As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. Below, the Prince, Princess, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis as the children arrived for their first day of school in September 2022. We learn more about the King's reaction to the news in this Daily Mirror story. King Charles has publicly addressed his daughter-in-law's cancer diagnosis as he revealed he is so proud of the Princess of Wales for her strength in going public with her shock cancer diagnosis. Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday evening: “His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’. Following their time in hospital together, HM has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.’ Both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.” As most readers know, the King continues his own treatment for cancer. In the video, the Princess noted that she was also thinking of those “whose lives have been affected by cancer,” asking them not to lose faith or hope and saying, “You are not alone.” James Middleton, the Princess's brother, shared a supportive and poignant message on Instagram. Richard Palmer of The Express offers this on the Princess's schedule for the near future. Kate, 42, says she is well. She is expected to return to public duties when her medical advisers think it right but her first public appearances may not signal a full time return immediately. The Wales family are not intending to go to church on Easter Sunday at Windsor. Here is the full 2:20 video. A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024 Here is the full text of the message. In a statement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Princess has shown tremendous bravery and has the love and support of the whole country. Below is a message from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Charities the Princess has supported shared reactions on social media. Below, a message from Baby Basics. This is from the Rugby Football League. And a post by Wimbledon. The Archbishop of Canterbury released a statement online. Here is the address for anyone interested in sending “get well” wishes or other sentiments to the Princess. (Clarence House handles correspondence for the Prince and Princess of Wales.) Should there be any significant news, I will add it to this post. UPDATE: Here is a glance at some of tomorrow's front pages. And three more. NOTE: The non-speculation policy for comments remains in place; please do not comment with ideas on the kind of cancer the Princess has or conjecture about her health.
The Princess’s St. Patrick’s Day Style Through the Years – What Kate Wore
Happy (early) St. Patrick's Day to all marking the occasion. While we won't see the Princess visiting the Irish Guards tomorrow as she continues to recover from surgery, I thought it might be fun to look back at the different ensembles she has worn for the annual St. Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony and parade. First, a bit of history on the shamrock tradition via this 2023 piece by the British Army. On 14 March 1900, Natal Army Orders issued an instruction: “Her Majesty, the Queen, is pleased to order that in future, upon St Patrick’s Day, all ranks of her Irish regiments shall wear, as a distinction, a sprig of shamrock in their head dress to commemorate the gallantry of her Irish soldiers during the recent battles in South Africa.” 123 years later the presentation of shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day remains a proud British Army tradition for all ranks within the Irish regiments, including the Regimental mascots. No matter where in the world they serve they will receive the shamrock on 17 March. For her first official visit to the Irish Guards Shamrock Ceremony in 2012, the Duchess chose an Emilia Wickstead design. The Duchess with shamrocks for the Regiment's mascot, Conmael, an Irish Wolfhound. The Emilia Wickstead style fit-and-flare style was similar to a design from the designer's A/W 2010 collection. She accented the deep green of her coatdress with a rich brown 'Betty Boop' hat by Lock and Company. She also wore the Cartier Shamrock Brooch owned by the Irish Guards and loaned to royal women taking part in ceremonial duties. The Queen Mother and Princess Anne have previously worn it. Here is a closer look at it, as well as her Kiki McDonough earrings and Emmy London 'Valerie' heels worn to the event. This was not the first the Duchess was seen wearing the brooch; she was seen wearing it in June 2011 for a visit to the Irish Guards on Armed Forces Day. Below, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother wearing the brooch as she arrived at the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks in 2000 for a Service To Commemorate The Irish Guards. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6S5gHjsIQZ141u0xDNiQ1g',sig:'3ClnIqZ5NLBpc0zymk5nTJIebgc15NFJH8wnWwKl3Jk=',w:'390px',h:'594px',items:'52106328',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Here is Princess Anne wearing the shamrock brooch for St. Patrick's Day 2009. When expecting Prince George at 2013's ceremony, the Duchess brought back that 2012 Emilia Wickstead design. The Duchess presented the unit's new mascot, Domhnall (pronounced Donal), with his first shamrocks. (I'm including a photo of the Duchess/Princess with the mascot from each year.) As you can see, the garment was altered, and the Duchess added a turtleneck underneath it. Her hat was also a repeat: John Lock's 'Fairy Tale' style, first worn when visiting Leicester in March 2012. The Episode' Angel' heels, emerald and diamond earrings, and her Cornelia James Imogen gloves were also seen on previous engagements. For the 2014 shamrock ceremony, the Duchess chose a coat by Hobbs London. The Duchess with Domhnall and his handler, Drummer David Steed. It was the first of several times we saw the 'Persephone' coat, a double-breasted style made of a rayon/wool blend. The garment featured all classic trench elements: epaulets, storm flaps, and double-breasted styling. Kate elected not to use the self-belt that came with the coat, instead wearing a textured leather belt. The Duchess repeated a Gina Foster hat seen on Christmas Day 2013, the 'Maribel' style. She wore her Kiki McDonough green amethyst earrings and 'Valerie' pumps by Emmy London; she carried her Emmy 'Natasha' clutch. The Duchess's first appearance in a color other than green for this event was at the 2015 Shamrock Ceremony. Domhnall receives his shamrocks from the Duchess. She was expecting Princess Charlotte and opted for a chestnut brown Catherine Walker coat in double wool crepe. It had a modified portrait collar, princess seams, and box pleats. The Duchess accessorized with a repeat of the 'Betty Boop' hat by Lock & Co., Emmy London's 'Valerie' pumps and 'Natasha' clutch in chocolate brown, the 'Imogen' gloves by Cornelia James, and her Kiki McDonough Citrine Drop earrings. The Duchess did not attend the 2016 ceremony. She chose another Catherine Walker coat for St. Patrick's Day 2017. Our 2017 photo of the Duchess and the Regiment's mascot. The double-breasted Catherine Walker design featured a fit-and-flare silhouette with velvet trim at the collar, cuffs, and pocket flaps. Her shiny goldtone buttons referenced the buttons on the uniforms worn by the Guards. The Duchess wore a Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. hat first noted on Christmas Day 2015, the Emmy' Rebecca' heels, and her Monica Vinader 'Siren' Earrings; she also carried a clutch by Etui. At the 2018 ceremony, the Duchess was expecting Prince Louis, and she recycled a Catherine Walker coat. The Duchess and Domhnall. This Catherine Walker design had an off-center front closure, princess seams, and attached faux fur collar and cuffs. It was first worn in Stockholm in January 2018. Kate also had on Gina Foster's 'Meribel' Felt Beret Hat with Bow, her oft-worn Tod's suede pumps, her Cornelia James' Alice' gloves, and Kiki McDonough earrings initially seen on the 2016 India tour. The special edition green tourmalines, green amethysts, and diamond earrings were said to have been a gift celebrating Princess Charlotte's birth. We saw a new Alexander McQueen coat at the 2019 ceremony. The Duchess with Domhnall and David Murray, the wolfhound's handler. The Alexander McQueen piece looked like it was modeled on a military coat the brand offered. It had a high collar, concealed front placket, darts at the neck and shoulders, raised shoulders, and a military-style peplum. The Duchess's buttons had a Celtic theme (below left), as opposed to the buttons on the original jacket (r). You can see the similarities between the green coat and the Alexander McQueen jacket worn for Remembrance Sunday 2018. The Duchess accessorized with a hat that remains UFO (although some of us think it could be by Lock & Co.), her Jenny Packham' Roxy' clutch, Gianvito Rossi' Piper 85' suede pumps, the same Kiki McDonough earrings worn last year, and the Cartier shamrock brooch. We did not see the Princess on St. Patrick's Day in 2020 and 2021: the Irish Guards were deployed in Iraq and South Sudan in 2020, and the following year, the COVID pandemic impacted the ceremony. In 2022, the Princess returned on St. Patrick's Day, wearing a coat by Laura Green London. The Duchess with the Regiment's new mascot, Turlough Mór, also known as Séamus. The Laura Green London piece is described as speckled hunting green military wool perfectly complemented with a khaki green silk satin lining. The Emilia is finished with a structured dagger collar with epaulets held down with navy leather buttons and a matching wool buckle belt. The Princess wore Lock and Company's 'Mayfair' pillbox hat, the Emmy London 'Rebecca' pumps, the shamrock brooch, and the UFO emerald and diamond earrings. The Princess was in a vibrant teal Catherine Walker design for last year's shamrock ceremony. It was the first time the Princess attended the parade as Colonel of the Regiment. The Princess of Wales, Seamus, and Drummer Adam Walsh, the canine's handler. The deep teal style showcased a slim silhouette with princess seams, a Mandarin collar, angled pleats at the upper bodice, a deep back vent, an attached waistband, and flared cuffs. The sets of four buttons echo those on the Guards' uniforms, which are arranged in groups of four. A refresher on the significance of color comes via this People story. While the Princess of Wales usually marks the event wearing green, the color most closely associated with the holiday, she made a surprising decision to wear a teal Catherine Walker & Co coat dress with matching accessories for the occasion this year. While the color choice was certainly unexpected, there’s a clever reason for it. Princess Kate’s ensemble perfectly matched the plumes worn in the bearskin caps by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. The plume being St. Patrick’s blue was selected because that is the color of the mantle and sash of the Order of St. Patrick. A closer look at the Jane Taylor 'Clio' hat alongside Prince William in one of the Regiment's bearskin hats seen at ceremonial parade events shows how well the color matched the plume on the hat. You can see Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in a similar shade on St. Patrick's Day in 1994. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'QnoQ5ksJQ5deNjxgvP8HDA',sig:'K3mYEI60qvpUc8ASLqaOs5uLYpDaweMqj3O3RnsDeww=',w:'594px',h:'411px',items:'52098110',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess's accessories last year included Emmy's Natasha clutch in 'Lake' suede, UFO gloves, heels believed to be Gianvito Rossi 105's in the 'Persian' colorway, the Cartier Shamrock Brooch, and the UFO emerald and diamond earrings. While the Princess will not be at tomorrow's shamrock ceremony and parade, the troops will remember her. We learn more from this People article. The Irish Guards will still have the Princess of Wales in their thoughts, a source tells PEOPLE, and wish her well in her recovery. They are planning to send her best wishes and give three cheers to her at the end of their celebratory parade at Mons Barracks in Hampshire this weekend, PEOPLE understands. A quick note about comments: We had a vigorous discussion on the previous post regarding the Mothering Sunday photo. Thank you to all who remained civil in that dialogue. With this post, we'll return to comments focusing on what the Princess is wearing or has worn in the past.
News Updates, Poll Results, & a Friday Flashback – What Kate Wore
I am back with a few news updates and a look at some of your favorite 2023 styles. There is little news to report as the Princess of Wales continues her recovery from abdominal surgery. A paparazzi photo of the Princess and her mother taken on Monday near Windsor Castle was published in some US news outlets this week (search Page Six and Kate Middleton if interested in seeing the photo). To mark International Women's Day today, Kensington Palace posted a thread on social media about inspiring women the Prince and Princess of Wales have encountered in the last year. Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the impact of amazing women today, and every day. Here are just a few of the brilliant women we’ve been inspired by over the past 12 months. #IWD2024 — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 8, 2024 The post includes a photo of the Princess with Sarah Goldson, the Ball Boys and Girls Manager at Wimbledon. As well as an image of the Princess with Dr. Gubby Ayida, the Evelina London CEO, taken during an engagement last December. A third image is from last November; you see the Princess with the founder of Sebby's Corner baby bank, Bianca Sakol. This Sunday is Mothering Sunday; it is *possible* that a photo will be released to mark the occasion, but I am not banking on that happening. The King continues carrying out a scaled-back number of engagements as he receives cancer treatment. In this photo released on Wednesday by Buckingham Palace, you see the King speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for our review of poll results. We'll begin with your favorite new dress worn by the Princess last year. Here is how the voting stacked up: with almost 2100 votes cast, the results were relatively close, with the Alexander McQueen design worn to Royal Ascot coming in as your favorite. The Alessandra Rich design worn for Order of the Garter was second, with the Andrew Gn style placing third. Your favorite new coat was no surprise, with the teal Catherine Walker worn for the annual St. Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony with the Irish Guards taking first place. It was followed by the Chris Kerr design worn in early December at the taping of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas and a cape by Catherine Walker seen in November for the Korea state visit. Now for a look at accessories, starting with your favorite new hat from 2023. The bespoke design by Philip Treacy worn at Trooping the Colour was a clear favorite. The Jane Taylor Clio hat from St. Patrick's Day was your second choice, followed by the Sahar Millinery style worn at an event marking the first anniversary of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. When it came to footwear, the Aquazzura Bow Tie Pumps worn by the Princess for a pre-coronation reception and walkabout received the most votes. The results show that Jennifer Chamandi's Vittorio 105 Slingback Pumps received the next highest number of votes, and a pair of Pointed Ballet Flats (sold out) by Boden came in third. One note: I forgot to include the Emmy London Lulu Pointed Flats, so the results do not accurately reflect how the voting might have gone had I remembered them. The Princess carried several new handbags in 2023. The style you liked the most was by Strathberry, the Scottish brand's Mosaic Grain Leather Top-Handle Bag, which came in well ahead of the next handbag choices. Chanel's Mini Flap Bag in black lambskin easily took second place, with the Jennifer Chamandi Le 8 Gold Buckle bag in third. Our final poll category is evening gowns. With 2130 votes, the big favorite was the Elie Saab design worn to the June wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and his bride, Princess Rajwa Al Hussein. In second place is the vibrant blue 'Marlowe' gown by Jenny Packham, with the 'Georgia' gown, also a Jenny Packham design, receiving the third most votes. Here, you can see how close the voting was between the two Jenny Packham styles. I'll close with a Friday Flashback showing the Princess a year ago today. She took part in a training exercise with the Irish Guards. It was her first visit with the Guards since being named Colonel of the Regiment. The Princess wore a standard-issue British Army Windproof Smock over Holland Cooper's Astoria Rollneck Sweater (£99), a pair of G-Star Raw High G-Shape Cargo Skinny Pants ($120), and her Berghaus Supalite Boots (£185, roughly $235 at today's exchange rates).
Your Favorite 2023 New Dress & Fashion Notes – What Kate Wore
Two very quick news updates on the health of the King and the Princess of Wales. Yesterday, the King held his first weekly meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since his cancer diagnosis. The King has held his first face to face audience of the year with the PM. Sunak said it was wonderful to see Charles looking so well, to which he replied: “It’s all done with mirrors.” pic.twitter.com/O35RkXqVwq — Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) February 21, 2024 When chatting with the PM, King Charles shared that the many messages of support reduced me to tears. The King also held a Privy Council meeting yesterday; both events were at Buckingham Palace. We remain in the no news is good news zone with the Princess's health. The Wales family is believed to be back in Windsor, as the children's mid-term break from school ended on Monday. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for our poll looking at the new dress styles worn by the Princess of Wales in 2023. We begin with the Cefinn Studio dress worn for mid-January engagements with the Prince of Wales in Merseyside. The Princess chose a navy blue Cefinn Studio Eva Dress in navy. Made of a ribbed merino wool knit with a touch of nylon, the Eva is a key piece for the label. On the site, it is described as …the perfect versatile knit. Crafted in a super-soft merino-wool blend that's both machine-washable and pill-proof, you'll feel pulled together even on the busiest of days. Accessories included the Princess's Mulberry Amberley Small Satchel Handbag, navy suede Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps, and her sapphire and diamond earrings. Later in January, for the official launch of her Shaping Us campaign today in Leeds, the Princess chose a dress by Victoria Beckham. The Cotton-blend Midi Dress is made in a cotton/elastane/polyamide/viscose fabric. It features a fit and flare silhouette with pointelle knitwork, a mockneck with yellow tipping, the same tipping above the cuffs, and ribbed sleeves. In the accessories department, we saw the return of the Gianvito Rossi bespoke boots, the Micro Bold Leather Shoulder Bag by Manu Atelier, the Shyla London Biarritz Squiggle Earrings, and a new belt by Vanzetti. When visiting Birmingham in April, the Princess was in a dress by Karen Millen. The Woven Pleated Midi Trench Dress (now sold out) is made of polyester and described this way: Part dress, part trench coat, this beautifully cut design shows off neat notched lapels, a waist tie, and crisp pleats lining the skirt. Cinch it in for a nipped-in silhouette.... The Princess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in Bordeaux suede and Sézane' Dina' earrings. The Princess wore the Mortimer Ditsy Floral Print Dress in early May for a coronation rehearsal at Westminster Abbey. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos from this event, so I have not included it in the poll, but wanted to note it here. At a pre-coronation reception and walkabout, the Princess chose what is likely a Jenny Packham design. The creamy white dress featured a classic sheath silhouette, with the addition of black trim at the neckline and the waist. Accessories included the Aquazzura Bow Tie Pumps, black Prada clutch, and the Bahrain Pearl and Diamond Drop earrings. The white dress is similar to the blue sheath the Princess wore in Northern Ireland in October 2022 and the black design worn to view floral tributes at Windsor following the Queen's death in 2022. There are some minor differences, but I thought at the time the white dress was worn, it was likely a bespoke Jenny Packham piece, and I still feel that way. At a second reception ahead of the coronation, the Princess was in a deep blue Self-Portrait dress. The Self-Portrait Stretch Crepe Twisted Collar Midi Dress (now sold out) is 100% polyester. It features a ruched and asymmetrically draped skirt, twisted neckline, puffed sleeves, and oversized diamante buttons at the shoulder. The Princess accessorized with her Aquazzura Love Link Sling Heels in 'blueberry' grosgrain, Jenny Packham' Casa' clutch, and the Queen Mother's Sapphire and Diamond Earrings. We saw a familiar piece in a new color when the Princess wore the emerald green version of Suzannah's Flippy Wiggle Dress for a visit to the Anna Freud Centre in April. The Princess has worn this design in white. The shirtdress-style design is made of Italian silk crepe with pintucks at the waist and yoke, puffed short sleeves, and navy silk-covered buttons, and it comes with a thin self-belt. For accessories, the Princess selected her Alessandra Rich Fab 85 Two-Tone Pumps in Beige Black (now sold out) and a new pair of Accessorize earrings. For a mid-June Early Years engagement, the Princess was in another Cefinn Studio design, the label's 'Petra' Leopard-Print Silk Dress (no longer available). The all-silk design showcases Cefinn's signature leopard pansy print. The midi-length shirtwaist style featured a spread collar, button front, side slit, elastic at the waist, a self-tie, pleated and raised shoulders, and a back yoke. The Princess accessorized with her Mulberry Small Amberley Crossbody Bag, Jimmy Choo Romy 85 pumps, and a new pair of Kiki McDonough Green Amethyst Pear Drop Earrings. June brings many high-profile events, including Trooping the Colour. This year, the Princess chose a dress by Andrew Gn, a Singaporean designer whose label is based in Paris. In the blog post, I initially referred to the style as a coatdress, but a reader pointed out the back zipper on the garment, so I have it in the dress category. The vivid green piece showcases brooch-like embellishments atop fabric bands at the hip and bodice and a smooth satin band at the neckline. The black version of the dress is a viscose/acetate/silk blend; it's possible the Princess's dress is made in the same fabric blend. The Princess accessorized with a Philip Treacy hat, the Aquazzura 'Purist' 105 heels in emerald green, her LK Bennett Dora Envelope Clutch, diamond and sapphire earrings, and the Cartier Shamrock brooch. Next on the June calendar was Order of the Garter, where the Princess opted for an Alessandra Rich design. The custom design was crafted in a fine polka dot print in a midi-length. It included puffed, raised sleeves, a high gathered neck, and a cinched-in waist defined by gathered fabric. The Princess accessorized with a new pair of two-tone slingback heels by Jennifer Chamandi, a new Strathberry clutch, a new Philip Treacy hat, the Collingwood Earrings, and the Nigel Milne triple-strand pearl bracelet. The busy June week also included an engagement marking the official reopening of the National Portrait Gallery. For this event, the Princess chose a Self-Portrait design. The label's Metallic Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress featured a tailored bouclé 'jacket' with a pleated skirt, both made of polyester. The jacket has a cinched waist and belt, shoulder pads, contrasting crystal-embellished trim at the neckline, center front, and cuffs. The pleated chiffon skirt has a floaty, soft feel. The Princess paired a new Chanel clutch with her Aquazzura Bow Tie pumps and wore her Imitation Pearl and Diamond Earrings by Heavenly London. A busy June wrapped up with Royal Ascot when the Princess wore a vibrant red dress by Alexander McQueen. The flowing design featured a v-neck with tucks, a wrap-effect bodice, raised, puffed shoulders, a defined waist, and a full A-line skirt. The bright color was a departure from the ivory and pale blue ensembles the Princess previously wore for this event. (NOTE: This could also be the dress worn by the Princess when visiting the Welsh Guards on St. David's Day.) She accessorized with a new Philip Treacy hat, a new pair of red suede heels by Jennifer Chamandi, a vintage Hermès clutch, and a pair of past-season Sézane earrings. In early July, the Princess wore a Beulah London dress for a charity polo match. The 'Sonia' dress (no longer available) in cornflower blue was 100% silk crepe de chine. It showcased a placed print, stand collar, fitted and pleated bodice, blouson sleeves with elastic at the cuff, and a full skirt. Accessories for this ensemble included a new pair of Camilla Elphick slingback shoes, Mulberry's Harlow Small Satchel Bag, her Lenique Louis Gold Spine Hoop Earrings, and a Sézane bracelet. Wimbledon always brings interesting fashion, and last year was no different. The Princess of Wales chose a Self-Portrait dress for the Women's Singles Final. The Lime Boucle Collared Chiffon Midi Dress incorporated a tailored top with a full, floaty skirt and an appearance of wearing separates when it was just one piece. The jacket offered bodice darts, four decorative pocket flaps, self-covered buttons, and a self-belt. The midi-length skirt portion was pleated and fully lined. The Princess accessorized with her Natasha handbag in blush suede by Emmy London, a pair of Gianvito Rossi Ribbon Sling Pumps, the Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Stud Earrings, and a Halcyon Days Salamander Torque Aquamarine and Gold Bangle. The Princess opted for a deep green Roland Mouret design for the Gentlemen's Singles Final the next day. The Ruffle Detail Asymmetrical Midi Dress was a blend of 97% viscose and 3% elastane. It featured draped fabric at the shoulder, short sleeves, a lined bodice, a concealed back zipper, and back vent. Accessories included the Natasha bag carried for the Women's Final match, Gianvito Rossi 105 Bisque Suede Pumps, a new pair of earrings by Milina London, the Green Onyx Gemstone style, and a new Halcyon Days Salamander Torque Bangle in Forget Me Not. When hosting Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden at Windsor Castle in November, the Princess wore what appeared to be an Emilia Wickstead design. The Princess accessorized with her Emmy Rebecca heels in the 'greenway' color and her diamond and sapphire cabochon cluster earrings. And here is the poll! https://poll.fm/13386734 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A couple of quick retail notes today, beginning with news from our friends at Earsass, the company offering the Issy Star Earrings ($33) given to the Princess as a gift by Sarah Renton. The earrings were created in memory of Sarah's daughter, Issy, who took her life in April of last year. The earrings are being sold at Earsass as a fundraiser for mental health charity Brave Mind. Below, the Princess wearing the earrings at a SportsAid workshop in October of last year. (The featured photo at the top of the post also shows the Princess wearing the earrings.) Earsass has now raised more than £12000 for Brave Mind. In gratitude, they have launched an earring dedicated to the Princess called the Catherine ($35). Available in gold-plated or silver-plated finish, the earrings showcase eleven glass beads on an oval frame. They were so popular they sold out in a few hours, but they can be pre-ordered with an estimated delivery four weeks after an order is placed. Thank you to everyone who emailed and messaged about the earrings. Also today, word of a collaborative collection between Target and a designer the Princess has worn, Diane von Furstenberg. More from this Vogue piece about the collection. Along with wrap dresses, cargo pants, sweaters, outerwear, activewear, loungewear, and intimates, there will also be beauty, home decor and even made-to-order furniture that can be customized in one of seven exclusive Diane von Furstenberg for Target fabrics. Prices start at $4, with most of the clothing (women’s, girls’ and baby apparel, and accessories!) under $50. Of course, the Target version of the signature wrap dress will be included in the assortment too. And this via People's article. As for the prints you'll see in the collection, the designer told Vogue that she pulled from her own archives to adapt for Target, as prints have played a huge role in her eponymous brand's own history. One print is a poppy design that resembles animal print that dates back decades. Another is ginkgo that she told Vogue is a big print for the brand because of how fond she's always been of it. If unfamiliar with the ginkgo pattern, you see an example of it in green at DVF and another at Nordstrom in 'antique pink.' The Diane von Furstenberg for Target collection debuts in most Target stores and on Target.com on March 23. The discount retailer suggests those interested in the collection check this page or sign up on this page to receive email updates on the collection. Thank you to my friend Micki for the tip on this collection!
Updates and Your Favorite New Hat from 2023 – What Kate Wore
I am back with two quick news updates, and then we look at the new hats worn by the Princess in 2023. The first update is several days old, but when I added it to the previous post I neglected to hit save, so it was never published. In a Daily Mail column, Richard Eden reported the Princess is making good progress, traveling to Norfolk for the children's school holiday. The Princess of Wales, who underwent 'successful' planned abdominal surgery more than three weeks ago, is on the mend. And, in a clear sign of her improvement, she was able to join her husband, Prince William, and their three children as they set off yesterday morning for a half-term holiday on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where the King is also convalescing. 'Catherine is recovering well,' a friend tells me. 'She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.' The second update involves King Charles, who released a message of gratitude on Saturday for the support he has received from the public. The King was seen attending church at Sandringham with Queen Camilla on Sunday. WATCH: Video of the King’s arrival at church in Sandringham. The first time he’s been seen in public since retreating there after getting his first round of cancer treatment. Charles and Queen Camilla attended the 11am service at St Mary Magdalene Church. 🎥 @DuncanCStone pic.twitter.com/aQfDunR5O4 — Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) February 11, 2024 Yesterday, the couple traveled from Sandringham to London, where it is believed the King had another treatment for cancer. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bysBDEz_S0FfB5ogy5N-Mw',sig:'rh0i070y5h00FldJEUqfxeTFqUNfdxHiGn1o-17mUoU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1999458032',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); I will update (and hit 'save'!) with any significant news about the health of the King or the Princess of Wales. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We'll start our review of the new chapeaux with the hat worn on March 1st to mark St. David's Day with the Welsh Guards. The design by milliner Juliette Botterill (£600, about $750 at today's exchange rates) was crafted in peachbloom felt, a high-end material milliners use that has a soft, velvet-like feel. The percher-style hat is trimmed with a double bow and two arrow feathers. The milliner's website notes, This style is worn on a slim headband and hat elastic in your choice of hair color. Our next design was worn to the annual Commonwealth Service in mid-March when the Princess accessorized her Erdem suit with a dark blue hat by milliner Sean Barrett. It is described by the experts at Royal Hats as navy felt with a rounded crown and wide brim, simply trimmed with a large bow on the side. We saw a new design on St. Patrick's Day when the Prince and Princess visited the Irish Guards, the first time the Princess attended the parade as Colonel of the Regiment. She paired a Jane Taylor hat with her Catherine Walker coat. The Clio hat (£1550, roughly $1950 at today's exchange rates) is described as A wonderfully romantic hand-sculptured heart-shaped cocktail hat. Made from a luxurious…felt with a matching black pleated crin detail which fans around this stunning-shaped hat. These photos show how well the color matched the plumes in the Regiment's bearskin hats worn for ceremonial parade events. (The photo on the right shows Prince William at Trooping the Colour in 2022.) When attending an Easter church service in Windsor, the Princess wore the Mayfair Pillbox hat ($1034) by Lock and Company with her Catherine Walker coat. The velour-felt design is described as light as a feather and incredibly comfortable. It fastens with an adjustable elastic at the nape of the neck and is made to be worn at an angle. If the design looks familiar, it may be because the Princess wore the style in green on St. Patrick's Day 2022. At Trooping the Colour in June, the Princess chose a bespoke hat by Philip Treacy. The broad-brimmed style featured a pert bow in the back topped with one of the decorative buttons from her Andrew Gn dress. The ensemble produced this iconic photo of the Princess. Two days later, the Princess wore another Philip Treacy design at Order of the Garter. She accessorized her Alessandra Rich dress with the saucer-style piece. When attending Ascot in June, the Princess wore vibrant red hues, including her Alexander McQueen dress and Philip Treacy hat. The pros at Royal Hats noted it was a ...new saucer hat with extended brim in red sinamay. The design is trimmed with a large silk bloom and wired silk ribbon tails that swirl around on both the upper and lower sides of the brim. There was serious attention to detail, as Royal Hats pointed out that the embellishment under the brim of her hat was knotted and shaped just as on Queen Camilla's hat, also by Philip Treacy. In July, we saw another Philip Treacy design at Scotland's Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication. The satin teardrop shape hat was a percher that coordinated perfectly with the Catherine Walker coat seen on Easter Sunday last year, initially worn to the Commonwealth Service in 2022. In September of last year, the Prince and Princess were in Wales to mark the first anniversary of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Princess accessorized her Eponine London coatdress with a teardrop-shaped piece in velour felt by Sahar Millinery. This was a new designer for the Princess. Sahar Freemantle is an award-winning milliner based in London and a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust winner. The Princess debuted a bold Jane Taylor hat during the state visit in November welcoming Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee. It was a broad-brimmed style likely made of luxury felt. At the Christmas Day church service, we saw a familiar style in a new color, the Juliette Botterill Bow and Arrow Percher hat in blue to match her Alexander McQueen coat. You saw the Princess wearing this style earlier in the post when celebrating St. David's Day with the Welsh Guards. And now it's time to vote! https://poll.fm/13352195 I will leave you with a look at an engagement a year ago yesterday when the Princess of Wales visited a nursing home in Slough, about twenty minutes from Windsor. On that 'Pancake Day' (also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, the day before Lent begins), the Princess tried her hand at making some pancakes. And she flipped a few. The Princess paired a turtleneck with Roland Mouret trousers for the visit. Some may remember Pancake Day 2011 when Kate Middleton tried her hand at the same task during a pre-wedding visit to Belfast. For this engagement, then Kate Middleton was in a Burberry raincoat
News Updates and Your Favorite 2023 New Coat – What Kate Wore
Today's post is a mix of things, beginning with news updates, much of which many of you will have already read about. I want to cover news about the King and Princess of Wales briefly so we have some information as part of the WKW record going forward. We begin with Monday's announcement of the King's cancer diagnosis. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Z1Ac8YHlSK1x_gdwwzMucg',sig:'a7GlROSUrXzqhG5iZZ9Bz5taPKfObCXNtrEN3MH6Yqg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1990547693',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Here is the full Buckingham Palace news release for anyone who may have missed it. The King is reported to have personally notified Prince William, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, and the Duke of Edinburgh about the news—more from an editorial in The Telegraph. The King will carry on reading his boxes and holding key meetings with the Prime Minister and the Privy Council, so there should be a seamless continuation of the functioning of the state. ...from all accounts, the prognosis is good, with the Palace saying that the King is anxious to return to full public duties as soon as possible. The key to dealing with cancer is to catch it early and that appears to have happened here. Following the King's visit on Tuesday from Prince Harry, the King and Queen then traveled to Sandringham. Below, the couple as they headed to Buckingham Palace for their helicopter flight from London to Norfolk. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jmMHKe1SQkFuFeWPI5zqUg',sig:'Ux96UXO-4b93jw4HozF24rzxi4FOs2OODj-1b7e9JnE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1983115889',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from Russell Myers in today's Mirror. The King is expected to return to London for highly specialized hospital treatment as an outpatient once a week, staying at his Clarence House home. The monarch is likely to return to Sandringham in Norfolk for the remainder of the week to rest and recuperate, it is understood. The King's public duties have also been postponed to minimize the risk of infection or exposure to viruses while he undergoes treatment, which is understood to be pioneering and less invasive than other options. I will provide updates as information becomes available. Yesterday, Prince William undertook his first engagements since the Princess of Wales was hospitalized for abdominal surgery on January 16th. She has been home since January 29th, when Kensington Palace announced she had returned home and was making good progress.” At yesterday's engagements, the Prince spoke of his gratitude for the messages of support directed to both the King and the Princess. The first engagement was an investiture ceremony, where the Prince is reported to have told Patricia Spruce, who received an MBE, that the Princess was being looked after by two amazing and kind nurses. The second function was a London Air Ambulance Charity gala fundraiser. On his way into the event, the Prince said, We really appreciate everyone's kind messages, thank you. More from People's coverage of last night's fundraiser and the Prince's speech. I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days, William continued. It means a great deal to us all. Keeping the mood light, Prince William quipped, It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all! Among those attending last night's gala was actor and pilot Tom Cruise. Below, a social media post from Kensington Palace. Fancy seeing you here, @TomCruise! 🚁 pic.twitter.com/JGYspIz2Eo — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 7, 2024 More from The Telegraph's coverage. In his speech, Prince William told Cruise: “If you wouldn’t mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible, it would be appreciated. We have all seen on our screens that - how can I put it - you seem to have a different take on ‘normal wear and tear’ to the rest of us. It’s not the kind that buffs out, that’s for sure.” When speaking with Mr. Cruise, the Prince mentioned his footwear from the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. The Prince's Crockett and Jones 'Albert' velvet slippers were custom-embroidered with F18 jets and generated lots of buzz about the fashion-forward look. The Prince and Mr. Cruise. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now, a very (VERY) hard turn to fashion and another poll looking at styles worn by the Princess of Wales in 2023. Today we are considering new coats worn by the Princess. Our first candidate is the Alexander McQueen design worn for a visit to Leeds in late January. The tailored double-breasted design is fitted and midi-length with padded shoulders, peak lapels, button cuffs, front pocket flaps, and a defined waistline. The Princess owns a similar style in red; that piece is significantly longer than the green style. Our next design prompted an interesting debate: is it old or new? I'm talking about the Hobbs London 'Celeste' style worn in early February for the Prince and Princess's first joint visit to Cornwall as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. The coat features wide notched lapels, asymmetrical front closure, leather stud fastening cuff straps, and a matching belt. It was very similar to the Hobbs Celeste coat first seen in 2012 and worn several times after the initial appearance. Below, the Princess of Wales last February and the Duchess of Cambridge visiting Liverpool on Valentine's Day 2012. Hobbs released an updated version of the Celeste in late 2022 or early 2023. Not only was the 2023 coat much longer than the original Celeste, but there were other differences, like the pockets. In late February, the Princess sported a new coat during engagements with Prince William in South Wales. The cream-colored coat showcased a fitted bodice, notched lapels, three-button front closure, flap pockets, lightly padded shoulders, and flared cuffs. It was in the UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object) category until December of last year. When the Princess wore a coat in December by Saville Row tailor Chris Kerr, the folks at Royal Fashion Police got in touch and asked if this ivory design was also a Chris Kerr design, and the response was yes. When the Prince and Princess marked St. David's Day with the Welsh Guards on March 1, the Princess chose a vibrant red coat by Alexander McQueen. The Slim Fit Wool Coat features a double-breasted design with padded shoulders, peak lapels, flap pockets at the hip, and a chest welt pocket. The off-the-rack version of the coat has an asymmetrical hem, a feature eliminated in the Princess's coat. The Princess chose a deep teal coat by Catherine Walker for the annual St. Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony with the Irish Guards. The garment features a slim silhouette with princess seams, a stand collar, angled pleats at the upper bodice, a deep back vent, an attached waistband, and flared cuffs. The sets of four buttons echo those on the Guards' uniforms, which are arranged in groups of four. Our next style is not technically a coat but a cape by Catherine Walker worn in November for the Korea state visit. It was created to go over the Catherine Walker Beau Tie coatdress previously worn by the Princess. Below is the Beau Tie coatdress, which was first worn by the Princess in December 2021 while taping the first Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey. Our next design appeared to be a Sportmax past-season style, seen when the Princess visited a baby bank in late November. The single-breasted style features a fitted, darted bodice, broad notched lapels, a deep back vent, self-belt, and flap pockets. There is also a closely spaced row of tortoise buttons. Sadly, that is the only photo available showing the Princess in the coat. All other images from the event show her without the coat. The Princess debuted a new Chris Kerr design in early December at the taping of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas. The single-breasted coat features peaked lapels, angled flap pockets, a deep back vent, and flared cuffs with one button. Our final coat in the poll is the Alexander McQueen design seen on Christmas Day. The bespoke piece is a structured style with notched lapels, flap pockets, an inset waistband with buttons, sleeve bands, and a back vent. It looks like the same style worn in green for welcome ceremonies in Boston last November. And here is the poll! https://poll.fm/13257959
Brief News Updates and Your Favorite 2023 Handbags and Shoes Polls – What Kate Wore
I am back with a quick update and then it’s your chance to vote on more of the styles worn by the Princess in 2023. In terms of an update on the Princess, there is little to report. As expected, and specified by Kensington Palace, there have been no updates on the Princess's condition. There are photos of Prince William arriving at the London Clinic to visit her, but that is about the extent of any news. I think we are in the no news is good news zone and expect the next update we receive will be that the Princess has been released to recuperate at home. In other royal health news, King Charles's prostate surgery is this week, and he is expected to be hospitalized for one or two nights for that procedure, followed by bed rest and a lighter schedule for a week or two. If anyone wishes to send correspondence to the King, here is the address: His Majesty The King, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom. Many readers know that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. This Monday she revealed on social media she has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. The Duchess noted, Naturally, another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support. (I do not have an address for the Duchess of York.) We now make a difficult turn to much lighter fare, a few more polls covering the Princess's style. Our first poll covers new handbags carried by the Princess in 2023. The first on our list: a new Natasha clutch in ‘Lake’ suede ($440) by go-to designer Emmy London. It was carried for last year's St.Patrick's Day ceremony with the Irish Guards. The Natasha is made of suede and comes with a detachable chain, so it can be carried as a crossbody style. Our second new bag is another Natasha Clutch from Emmy, this one in cobalt blue. The bag measures roughly 5 x 8 x 2deep, and it has a magnetic snap closure on the front. Next, the Strathberry bag, the Scottish brand’s Multrees Chain Wallet ($425)piece carried for Order of the Garter ceremonies in June. The bag measures roughly 8″ x 4″ and comes with a detachable chain so it can be carried as a crossbody style. Also in June, the Chanel Classic Wallet on Chain ($3350) seen when the Princess celebrated the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery. The bag is made of lambskin and has a detachable metal chain. It measures about 5″ x 7″ x 1.5″. When attending Royal Ascot last year, the Princess carried a vintage Hermès clutch, the Rio in rouge leather. The bag measures approximately 9″ x 6″ and features the brand’s signature H logo atop a button snap closure. I don't have terrific photos of the next bag, but wanted to include it in the poll. In mid-October, the Princess carried what looked like Chanel’s Mini Flap Bag in black lambskin (£3960) to a Rugby World Cup match in Marseilles, France. Made of lambskin with goldtone hardware, the bag measures 5.3″ × 6.6″ × 3.1″. At November's Remembrance Sunday ceremony, the Princess carried Jennifer Chamandi's Le 8 Gold Buckle bag (£730, about $925 at today's exchange rates) in black suede. The design is inspired by an envelope shape; it is made in Italy and has a magnetic closure and detachable strap. Our final entrant in this category is another Strathberry style, this one seen at the early December taping of Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. The Mosaic Grain Leather Top-Handle Bag ($555) measures roughly 5″ x 7″ by 3.5″ deep. The handbag has a removable shoulder strap, one interior pocket, and the label’s signature metal bar on the front flap. And here is the pool. (NOTE: Some users using the Firefox browser are encountering difficulty seeing the poll. Several have shared that they could see it fine when switching to Safari or another browser.) https://poll.fm/13257247 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our second poll today covers the Princess's new shoe styles. Our first style comes from the St. Patrick's Day engagement seen above, when she debuted a pair of Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps ($795)in a color called Persian. When visiting a Windsor baby bank in April, the Princess wore a new pair of shoes by Boden, the British brand’s Pointed Ballet Flats ($190, sold out). In May, we saw the Princess sporting the Aquazzura Bow Tie Pumps ($850) at a pre-coronation reception and walkabout. The design showcases a pointed toe, side cutouts, a 4.3″heel, and the distinctive wired bow at the back. Our next pair of new heels are also from Aquazzura, the label's Purist 105 Pumps (£500, about $630 at today's exchange rates) in emerald green. The point-toe style is made in Italy and has a 4 stiletto heel. Our next style also debuted at Order of the Garter in June, the Vittorio 105 Slingback Pump ($715, the link is to a pair with a slightly lower heel) by Jennifer Chamandi. The closed-toe slingback style has two straps, a pointed toe, and a four-inch heel. It can be worn with or without the leather strap across the top of the foot. Just a few days later at Royal Ascot, we saw the Princess in another Jennifer Chamandi style, the Lorenzo 105 (£580, about $730) in red suede. Like the Vittorio shown above, this shoe can be worn with or without the strap across the top of the foot. At an early July polo match, the Princess debuted the Camilla Elphick Lucia Slingback ($360). The shoes have a patent leather pointed toe, angular 3″ heel, and the brand’s signature crystal buckle. Our final entrant in this category was worn when the princess was attending Wimbledon in mid-July. She chose a pair of Gianvito Rossi's Ribbon Slingback 85 Pumps (an identical pair is not available). The heels have a 3.3″ heel, pointed toe, and the signature “GR” ribbon buckle on the strap (inset photo below right). We haven’t been able to locate the exact suede color worn by the Princess, but it’s clearly the brand’s Ribbon Sling design. NOTE: The Princess wore a new pair of boots by Gianvito Rossi last year, as well as a pair by ba&sh, but I did not include them in this poll of dressier styles. NOTE #2: With apologies, I left out the new Emmy Lulu flats worn by the Princess, argh. 😖 And here is the poll! https://poll.fm/13257353
The Princess of Wales is Hospitalized – What Kate Wore
I have concerning news to share this morning; following is a Kensington Palace statement that was just released. Kensington Palace has told royal reporters the condition is non-cancerous. Below is the London Clinic in central London, where the Princess is being treated. It is reported to be the largest private hospital in England. The Daily Mail reports, The clinic first opened its doors in 1932, and its previous patients include Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, actress Elizabeth Taylor, and US President John F Kennedy. Below, media at the hospital this afternoon. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'fRdAmSEtQb1Qk1eJiLvEQg',sig:'Xzru1fzpggBh3DjVCXzDCycv0bHuSN_OJRza99NFI14=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1932802645',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More on Prince William's role via this Daily Mirror article. It is understood that Prince William will curtail all public engagements while his wife is in hospital and immediately after she returns home after being discharged as well as scaling back duties afterwards as he supports Kate and their children. It is not expected that the couple will embark on any international travel in the coming months. And from The Daily Mail's story. Kate is close to her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and sibling Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are set to rally round and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor. Neither William nor Kate will travel internationally over the coming months. The Princess was admitted to the hospital yesterday, and the surgery was today—more from Victoria Ward's Telegraph coverage. The Princess was not rushed to hospital, the Telegraph can confirm. Sources said it was not something that developed over the weekend, suggesting it has been planned for at least a few days, if not more. We most recently saw the Princess on Christmas Day. January 9th was the Princess's 42nd birthday. It is believed she celebrated that occasion with family in Windsor. The Royal Family marked the occasion on social media with a previously unreleased photo from the coronation in May. Yesterday, there was a meeting of the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood that the Princess did not attend; however, her participation may never have been planned for that meeting. The timing is such the Princess will be unable to attend events like the BAFTA Awards and the annual Commonwealth Service. You may recall the articles I posted recently about two upcoming trips this spring. The Telegraph reports, It is thought that two short overseas tours, planned for the coming weeks, have been postponed. The only other time I recall the Princess being hospitalized (aside from delivering her children) was in December 2012, when she was treated for Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a potentially life-threatening disease afflicting pregnant women. She was treated at King Edward VII Hospital for four days on that occasion. You see her with Prince William as she was released from the hospital in 2012. When she is discharged from the hospital, the Princess is expected to recover at home in Windsor. Here is the address for anyone interested in sending get well wishes or other sentiments to the Princess. (Clarence House handles correspondence for the Prince and Princess of Wales.) I'll close with a message from All on the Board, the duo sharing messages on the boards seen at Tube stations across London. The pair prefaced their statement: Sending our love and best wishes to HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales. We hope you get better soon. Take it easy while you recover and do your best to rest in bed. I will update the post with any additional news and make a decision about future posts depending on what we hear about the Princess's situation. In terms of comments on this post, please refrain from speculating about the Princess's condition.
News Updates and Favorite 2023 Evening Gown Poll – What Kate Wore
I am back after some extended time off and have a few news updates and the first of our 2023 Favorites polls. We begin with a Daily Mirror piece by Russell Myers, the paper's royal editor. In this January 10th story, he writes about an upcoming trip for the Prince and Princess of Wales. William and Kate are set to make their first tour of 2024 to a foreign country where British armed service personnel are stationed. Royal sources confirmed the couple are in advanced discussions to travel outside of the UK to thank British troops on behalf of the nation. The Mirror is not revealing the location for security reasons but the trip is set to take place next month. Some may remember the story I shared on Christmas about a visit to Italy. The Daily Mail piece by Rebecca English described a short visit to the Italian capital. Here is a portion of that story. The Prince and Princess of Wales will make a high-profile visit to Rome in the spring as part of a European charm offensive. While Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, the Mail can reveal talks are under way at the highest level and a date has been ‘pencilled in’. Could the trip to Rome and the military appreciation visit be the same engagements(s)? My guess is that they will be two separate events, but obviously, I could be wrong. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our other update involves IDs on two items that have been in the UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object) category for some time. Both are coats. Do you remember the soft blue style worn for a day of engagements in Cambridgeshire in 2022? Or the white design seen when the couple visited Wales last February? Both remained unidentified, with many of us continuing to search for the designer. The mystery was solved in December when the Princess wore a design by Savile Row tailor Chris Kerr for the Christmas Carol concert. The folks at Royal Fashion Police got in touch with the designer and verified all three styles were created by the talented Mr. Kerr. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And now for our first poll covering styles worn in 2023. Last year brought eight engagements requiring an evening gown. We'll start with the Alexander McQueen style worn for the BAFTA Film Awards last February. The one-shouldered design showcased a draped, fitted bodice with a full, flowing skirt and fabric at the shoulder. It was a reworked version of a design first worn at the 2019 BAFTA Awards. The Princess accessorized with a dramatic pair of opera-length gloves believed to be by Cornelia James, her Aquazzura 'Fenix' pumps and 'Celeste' clutch by Jimmy Choo, along with a new pair of statement earrings by Zara, the Cascading Flower style (only available on the secondary market). Here you see the gown as worn on both engagements. The update included alterations to the left shoulder: the floral petals were removed, and additional fabric was added and anchored to the shoulder. The gown worn for the Coronation in May was also an Alexander McQueen design. The silk crepe gown had long sleeves and embroidery of rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs. It was topped by the royal blue mantle of the Royal Victorian Order. The Princess accessorized with a headpiece by milliner Jess Collett that showcased three-dimensional leaf embroidery, the South Sea Pearl and Diamond earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. In an official photograph released by the royal household (with the RVO mantle removed), the Princess's gown has a rounded vee-neckline, and she is also wearing the late Queen's George VI Festoon Necklace. Unfortunately, I don't have a closeup of the gown; the photo licensing forbids any editing of the original image. We had a surprise just a week after the coronation when the Princess made an appearance in a Eurovision Song Contest broadcast. In a video used for the broadcast's opening segment, the Princess is at the piano in a Jenny Packham gown playing a portion of last year's winning song. We don't have great photos showing the 'Marlowe' gown, a one-shouldered style with a tulle overlay and crystal embellishment at the waist, but I wanted to include it in the poll. The Princess also wore the Queen Mother's Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings. We saw two gowns on the Princess when she and the Prince of Wales attended the June wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and his bride, Princess Rajwa Al Hussein. The first was an Elie Saab design worn for the religious ceremony at Zahran Palace. It featured pleating and floral lace applique on the bodice, sleeves, and high neck. The skirt had inserts of sheer chiffon with tiny dots and the shoulders were padded. The Princess also wore her Prada Wavy Strap Sandals, the UFO earrings most recently worn to the 2017 BAFTA Awards, and she carried her Wilbur and Gussie Charlie clutch. At the formal reception, the Princess was in the 'Georgia' gown by Jenny Packham, a style she also owns in deep green. Crafted of sequin-covered tulle, it features a row of crystal floral embellishments accenting the waist and neckline, with padded shoulders and a concealed back zipper. The big news for many of us was seeing the Princess wear the Greville Chandelier Earrings for the first time, a pair worn frequently by the late Queen. She also wore the Lover's Knot tiara, her Gianvito Rossi 'Rania' Pumps, and carried her Prada clutch. She wore her Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II (on the left bodice of the dress with yellow ribbon), the sash, badge, and Maltese cross of the Royal Victorian Order, and her Bentley & Skinner Art Deco brooch set with diamonds (right shoulder). In November we saw another Jenny Packham design, this one worn for the state dinner in honor of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. The style was a customized piece from the designer's spring/summer 24 resort collection. It featured a fitted bodice with a full skirt, wide cape-effect sleeves, structured shoulders with shoulder pads, and delicate floral embroidery. The focus that evening was more on the Princess's tiara, a piece not worn for nearly one hundred years, the Strathmore Rose Tiara. The Princess also wore the late Queen's Diamond Frame Earrings, her Queen Elizabeth II Royal Order, as well as her Royal Victorian Order sash, star, and cross. She carried her Anya Hindmarch 'Maud' clutch; her gloves were by Irish designer Paula Rowan. Just ten days later we saw the Princess in an evening gown by Safiyaa when attending the Royal Variety Performance. The Princess was in the brand’s ‘Destiny’ style, made of a heavy crepe fabric and featuring a fitted silhouette with dramatic floor-length split sleeves, crystal embellishment at the neckline, and a strong shoulder with shoulder pads. The Princess carried her Jenny Packham 'Casa' clutch, had on her J. Crew earrings, and wore pumps by either Gianvito Rossi or Emmy London. One note: I did not include this year's diplomatic reception look because it was an exact replication of what the Princess wore for the June wedding in Jordan. Now it's time to vote. https://poll.fm/13221529 With thanks to Bonnie for the reminder, the BBC documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year is available on YouTube. The 90-minute doc features a behind-the-scenes look at the King's first year, especially preparations for the coronation and the event itself. For anyone who may have missed it, I'll wrap up the post with a year-end video released by Kensington Palace. 2023 ✅ Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our year. pic.twitter.com/GRgkO1Ddhz — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 29, 2023
The Princess in Alexander McQueen for Christmas Day Church Service – What Kate Wore
Merry Christmas to all those celebrating today! We have two outfits to cover in this post: the ensemble worn for church today and the look seen in a video the Princess taped as part of the Christmas carol concert that aired last night. We'll begin with the outfit worn for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. The King and Queen led a full complement of royal family members to St. Mary Magdalene Church. From The Telegraph's coverage. The King and Queen led the way smiling at more than 2,000 wellwishers who had gathered to watch the traditional procession of royals to church, with many waiting hours to get a prime spot. For much of the walk, Prince Louis held hands with Mia Tindall. A closer look at the pair. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'rLOVXSIdR4ByTkpeQumt1w',sig:'6xxX0XI-lt-Q0t0T5U4BAcQp-80phYqBESKjDTkXKG8=',w:'382px',h:'594px',items:'1881995327',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. And their children, James, the Earl of Wessex, and Lady Louise Windsor. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'067tVOvbRMJlxXRw2acfJw',sig:'bPLnKimDFkytGHmPKSq51YFjwPIGeS2U4thdknDWPb8=',w:'506px',h:'594px',items:'1874651197',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from the BBC's coverage. Royal enthusiasts lined the route to the church to catch a glimpse of the family during their traditional Christmas morning - some from as far afield as Washington DC, USA. For ardent fans of the royal family, Sandringham is the place to be on Christmas Day. Hundreds wake up early and queue outside the church gates for a chance to see senior royals up close and personal. Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'hJkoZo8qQPt1b77gjc7vog',sig:'hqMSe67-GYeCCNivXd3JPzMeJoKbddsY1MFDkq4hMMI=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1874765386',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duke and Duchess of York. This is the first time in decades that Sarah, Duchess of York, was invited to participate in the event. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mCMa2grBQKViga-FRVmnBg',sig:'UwSgrDoPqQR0JfFaw0FyurWEqzQlfYmSITzs7NuN9Y8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1874786541',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We return to The Telgraph's report. It has been decades since the Duchess of York made the walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church with royals - normally reserved for close family - but in recent years it is thought she has been a guest for Christmas lunch. She has won plaudits in recent months for her battle with breast cancer, praised for speaking openly about her treatment and setting an example for other women to get screened. Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'b1OhWX35RN1IrgEAf2s25Q',sig:'4lweCfNnQbDosUL2Puk1D-7v9pmie5JCo5PorIssUaY=',w:'370px',h:'594px',items:'1874698776',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ta4Yx92oT9Nm5O94eH2k7w',sig:'FJm5L01YsA3vrApGtxetgm5Y6ByC3ujpQe_ENWHU6pE=',w:'397px',h:'594px',items:'1874222334',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Mike, Zara, and Lena Tindall. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Z5xtOXolTOBuFVxcPQeCAA',sig:'zgfMaGui-nYemJddXEbrZEesPnX141ybZaQb5ls1KT0=',w:'374px',h:'594px',items:'1874610845',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); From left to right, Charles Armstrong-Jones, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, and their father, David Armstrong-Jones (2nd from right), the Earl of Snowdon and Princess Margaret's son. I believe the gentleman on the far right is Major Lt. Colonel Johnny Thompson, the King's equerry. (Thank you to Sue for letting me know he was no longer a major!) The Chatto boys, Arthur and Samuel, and their mother, Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter. Also present, but not shown in this photo, is Lady Sarah's husband, Daniel Chatto. The King and Queen with the vicar, Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Williams. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'3ATPGP61R29vr5F5aL7GfA',sig:'RITr5hfDSFxeDqMG0jpk4rECM5td38aJd6AEnSfOYZQ=',w:'594px',h:'412px',items:'1874730037',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess and her sons following today's service. After the service, royal family members greeted well-wishers. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'BF-ajWBIRh1N34cgherZbA',sig:'Oy-oKNkpaPOzCLLbRi-xvtfoECODMRW7PmRJ2WDyRHo=',w:'594px',h:'465px',items:'1882188303',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The King with members of the public. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mWCUfO-LS4tCOA0_3QjpCQ',sig:'pfiDnyULorZzYmTvPHcimbb0zORryGvOHZ4mRDii6ag=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1874576992',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Queen meets a four-legged friend. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'k60-GfTHQBJxccT28Pmg5A',sig:'77U-klv-3ETXuM7_U12Urtbk2TlMfUy8x7FtyeWiYn4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1874454020',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Crowds eager to see the royals in person started gathering early this morning. Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GxMr6hDtSmNfJVuNtV-OBw',sig:'oBI_6UhbmgIi9abUj_WlQAOzqSF7vsh-PpbvjoaTYSk=',w:'410px',h:'594px',items:'1882179226',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More about today's crowds from The Telegraph's story. The Prince and Princess of Wales were handed flowers and their three children were given personalised wooden moneyboxes by royal fan Gemma Clark, 43. Ms Clark gives the royal children presents each Christmas - and last year handed the young Waleses novelty toys known as “gonks”. She said: “The children were very sweet and said thank you and Happy Christmas. They always seem to like my presents.” The Princess of Wales was heard asking her youngest son what the wooden gift was. “It’s a money box,” said Prince Louis. “Oh that’s so cool, isn’t it,” his mother replied. The Duchess of Edinburgh and her daughter. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'iZqlYrDTReNGtNoc7mFZhQ',sig:'qTQcoSlQvC1WsXX17QBxmtvKI1MlPmUnXIcU0I65Y24=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1874731156',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess chatting with a little girl who brought her flowers. Mia Tindall helped the Princess with flowers. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DADTEoZMRixukT4WaYxHKg',sig:'Qvm40bTfzn9aC-ukk5ul_gZM0xGd1B0dtgOSQJBu3-E=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1874660179',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Princess Charlotte and Mia Tindall. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zXsfw3vwTeFXLdXu3PjFQw',sig:'SWWDyKLeA03NpuywIg6T3f8lYkeQxi7tRh7m_NNcC6E=',w:'395px',h:'594px',items:'1882174708',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Now, let's take a look at some of the styles seen today. The Queen wore a camel cashmere coat and a paisley silk dress by Anna Valentine, and a beret by Philip Treacy. Thank you to Rebecca English for the fashion details. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zVpegmpsSE5bnp0c3btXnw',sig:'nuf5JpRqeSHJ47WiyMZq0jIbJ-3qj-aE7XvXXAMuja4=',w:'298px',h:'594px',items:'1875616335',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); With thanks to UFO No More, the Duchess of Edinburgh wore a coat by Claire Mischevani today. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'haB0G4FQTelQe_oatPW2Gg',sig:'-qLyuI_YdbCVXqejfvMGRlw_494JOvUoKyUcVM1K3y4=',w:'301px',h:'594px',items:'1874616731',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); At least four family members wore the same scarf today. Below, Princess Anne. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'J067PrsRTvlbDU5M1zwX_A',sig:'SCaFfHti__e8yQv9lZV_yu4ZRYUVDZ1-Hkx-Jl8FDJo=',w:'332px',h:'594px',items:'1874685665',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And Lady Louise. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RHowradBQXZfqjeEXTdigw',sig:'21mUCFoF0cz45MpLq9BMQIJ8P1Hk8RQa0WPWCzX8w_M=',w:'360px',h:'594px',items:'1874623582',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); My friend Micki messaged to say it was the Prince of Wales Highgrove Heritage Scarf (£115) in ultrafine Merino wool. Micki's theory is that the King may have given the scarf as a Christmas gift to family members, which makes sense. Milliner Jane Taylor posted on Instagram that Lady Louise wore her trilby in midnight luxury felt with gunmetal crystal trim. Princess Charlotte was in a coat by Friki, a Spanish brand, the English Coat ($229) in dark olive green. Thank you to Found by Bojana for this ID. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'2eiKW5iNQGF7jvpmuBuVBQ',sig:'TEV3abcUs1oLBlKlYJ0x5CJBlQqCsxvuJzabqPswjS8=',w:'246px',h:'594px',items:'1875619804',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The double-breasted style is handmade in Spain of 100% wool. She also had on her Manuela de Juan Mimi Mary Janes (€128, about $140) in black patent leather. It looked like Prince Louis wore the same tartan trousers his big brother wore in a Dec 2019 video and photo shoot, along with his Trotters Heritage Pea Coat. Now for our look at what Kate wore, featuring a few designs you have seen before but in different colors. If the coat looked familiar, it is with good reason: the Princess wore it in green for welcome ceremonies in Boston last November. It is a bespoke Alexander McQueen piece in a structured style with notched lapels, flap pockets, an inset waistband with buttons, sleeve bands, and a back vent. The Princess accessorized with Juliette Botterill's Bow and Arrow Percher hat (£600, roughly $760 at today's exchange rates) crafted in peachbloom felt and trimmed with a bow and two arrow feathers. It is available in a variety of colors and is worn on a slim headband and hat elastic in your choice of hair colour. The Princess wore this style in black when celebrating St. David's Day with the Welsh Guards (below right). The Princess brought back the custom Gianvito Rossi boots first noted last December at a Westminster Abbey tree planting. The style closest in design to the Princess's boots is the Glen ($1017, 40% off), but it has a rounded toe, not a point-toe style like the pairs made for the Princess. It looks like the Princess carried her Natasha Clutch in Lake ($440) by go-to brand Emmy London. The Princess wore the diamond and sapphire cabochon cluster earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. Thank you to the House of Windsor and Sarah's Secret for their ID work today. Here is a look at the Princess's previous Christmas ensembles. In 2013, we saw two ensembles because the Duchess of Cambridge attended both morning services at St. Mary Magdalene. In 2020, there were no services because of the pandemic, and in 2021, the Cambridge family attended services at Sandringham, but there were limited photos of the family as they drove to church. Also today, a new photo of the Wales children was released on the Kensington Palace social media accounts with this message. The photo was shot by Josh Shinner, who also took the image used for the family's Christmas cards. Next, the cheery red ensemble worn by the Princess for a Christmas tea taped earlier in the month for inclusion in last night's Royal Carols: Together At Christmas on ITV. More from The Standard's article. The video shows Kate feature as part of a surprise Christmas tea party to celebrate the contribution people are making in shaping future generations. In the footage, the princess asks Rico: “Seeing and building this relationship with Mr Gray, has it helped you with your own relationships with your friends?” A video has been released showing Kate meeting 13-year-old Rico and Russell Gray, 70, and discussing how Mr. Gray has helped by building Rico’s confidence and allowing him to pursue his passion in football in Manchester. Rico replied: “It’s like, brought trust because if you can trust one person then you trust more people.” Below, Rico, the Princess, and Mr. Gray. And from The Daily Mail's coverage. The special was filmed last month in London, and Kate Middleton spent time hearing how those around the table had helped to inspire young people; they were accompanied by five children whose lives had been helped by positive mentors....guests at the gathering are seen looking wide-eyed with shock as Kate, 41, quietly enters the room through a side door. Below, the Princess with Brenda Ford, and 11-year-old Poppy. Ms. Ford is a retired mental health nurse from Sussex who volunteers in local schools, helping children develop new skills through their intergenerational program. Here is a clip of the video. We return to The Daily Mail's piece. The Princess also met brothers George and Henry Barnard, aged 12 and 10, who have benefited from musical therapy at East Anglia Children's Hospice, where Kate is Patron. The royal spoke to the brothers for fifteen minutes about their love of music, sharing that Prince George enjoys the guitar, Princess Charlotte loves singing, and Prince Louis is a fan of the drums. The Princess then gave the boys 'beautifully wrapped presents', which they are saving for Christmas Day. Here, you see George and Henry Barnard on the right, with Ray Travasso (far left), a music therapist at East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Mr. Travasso provided music therapy to Henry and his family after Henry was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy when he was 18 months old. The Princess brought back the Miu Miu Cashmere Jacquard Cotton-Trim Cardigan (£1350, no longer available) worn for a shoot promoting the 2021 carol concert (shown below). The jacquard-woven cardigan features white and black roses in a diamond pattern. It has domed buttons covered in faux pearls, a detachable cotton collar, and cotton cuffs. A closer look at the details. The Princess paired the sweater with coordinating red trousers that could be the Alexander McQueen Leaf Crepe Slim Bootcut Pants ($890) worn for the Shaping Us campaign launch in January. She also repeated her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Stud Earrings (£5430, about $6900 at today's exchange rates. They are shown here when worn on another occasion. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One other item of note today comes via a story by Rebecca English in The Daily Mail. The Prince and Princess of Wales will make a high-profile visit to Rome in the spring as part of a European charm offensive. It will be Kate’s first working trip abroad in over a year, and the couple’s first to Italy. While Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, the Mail can reveal talks are under way at the highest level and a date has been ‘pencilled in’. I'll keep an eye out for more details on the trip. VIDEOS: The Wales family greeting well-wishers after the service. Mia helping the Princess of Wales with the flowers ☺️ pic.twitter.com/qNjT4VReyl — ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) December 25, 2023 Here is more than two minutes of coverage from ITN's Royal Family Channel. The King's full Christmas Day speech can be seen here. The Evening Standard has about 1:30 of coverage in this video.
The Wales Children Volunteer at a Baby Bank & the Wales Family Christmas Card – What Kate Wore
Fresh on the heels of seeing the Wales family at Friday's Carol Concert, we have a new Christmas card photo with the family, plus a video of the Wales children volunteering at a baby bank with their mother. We'll begin with the video released today. Above, the children carry the family's private donations into the baby bank. Here is a portion of the video. Baby Banks are warm, caring places for families to access equipment, products, clothes and toys to help relieve some of the stresses creating significant pressures on people caring for babies and young children. Watch in full: https://t.co/Mg75dctBSn A film by Will Warr pic.twitter.com/1a2d2L8AJ8 — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 11, 2023 The children joined their mother for a volunteer shift at Baby Bank Windsor last month. You may recall the Princess's visit to Sebby's Corner Baby Bank in November, an engagement designed to kickstart a baby bank holiday giving initiative from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. More on that visit from this Telegraph story. The Princess warned of the “desperate” times that families faced in the run-up to Christmas and expressed concern that the country’s 250 baby banks were a “hidden” resource and should be “more visible”. She visited the charity….as she sought to encourage members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time to support their local baby banks. If the baby bank seen in the video released today looks familiar, it is probably because of the Princess's visit there in April. While there, she promised to come back for another visit and spoke about bringing the children. Last month, she did just that. More from Richard Palmer's story in The Express. They went after school one day last month to help out, armed with bags and boxes of goodies for children in the Windsor and Maidenhead area less fortunate than themselves. Kate, 41, was keen to give them a lesson in helping others, something they will be expected to do for the rest of their lives whatever else lies ahead for them. “Here there’s lots of people who give up their time and there are lots of volunteers who come and help,” she told the three children as they brought gifts into the charity’s headquarters from their car. “And so you’re the volunteers for this evening.” In the video, you can hear Rebecca Mistry, co-CEO, saying to the children, What we would like you to do is try and choose some presents for children who are a similar age to you guys. So if you think about what you would like to play with. Prince Louis appeared to be taken with a giant gorilla (I think it might be a King Kong toy), saying, This is a big guy! At one point, Princess Charlotte is seen giggling with her mother as they sort clothing. She then holds up a baby onesie and says, This is Welsh! More about the volunteer shift from this Telegraph piece by Victoria Ward. The Princess of Wales wants to abolish the stigma surrounding such “vital” services, launching an initiative last month to encourage members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time to support their local baby banks throughout December. Prince Louis helps sort clothing. We return to The Express article. Kate can be heard telling George: “All these bags are donations and we then have to go and then sort them and put them in all the boxes.” And Kate is seen telling George: “You can see how rewarding the work is, isn’t it, knowing that you’re helping out others.” “Yes,” he replies. In one part of the video, text on the screen explains the need. With a quarter of families with a child under five years of age living in poverty in the UK, baby banks provide a vital lifeline for families in all sorts of challenging circumstances. Supporting parents and carers, who are doing their best to provide for their families, is essential and can have a life-changing effect. The video was made by Will Warr, who has produced other films for the family. On social media, the Baby Bank wrote: You may have already seen that we had a very special visit by The Princess of Wales and her 3 children a few weeks ago. They helped us at our busiest time by packing Christmas gifts for local children experiencing financial hardship. They were enthusiastic, helpful and an absolute delight to have. The Daily Mail's Rebecca English reports, I spoke to @TheBabyBank, and they told me George, Charlotte, and Louis were very eager and helpful. Charlotte was exceptionally well-organized and went methodically down her list. Louis insisted on putting a giant King Kong in a gift bag because he was such a 'big guy'! Rebecca also reports: Co-founder of The Bank Bank in Windsor, Rebecca Mistry, told me that she was delighted the Princess of Wales made good her promise. ‘It was such a fab visit, and lovely she could bring them in. It was nice for them, too, to come somewhere their mummy had been,’ she said. She said Princess Charlotte has already asked if she could come back to help again. ‘She was wonderful, working through the list methodically. She was so organised and knew what she wanted to do. ‘ ‘It was so lovely and such a huge compliment that she [the princess] came back. ‘We saw a rise in people seeking help after her last visit, they didn’t know our service existed to help, so we know first-hand what an effect her interest..has on the ground.’ The video closes with text thanking those who so generously support baby banks across the country. It also notes, Whether you would like to offer support, or are in need of support yourself, find out more about your local baby bank on the Centre for Early Childhood website. If interested in donating, the Baby Bank has a Just Giving page here. Here is the full video; it runs about 1:50. Now for a quick look at what Kate wore. She appeared to be in a Reiss sweater, the British brand's Edina Relaxed Wool/Cashmere Blend Rollneck Jumper (£158, about $200 at today's exchange rates). The sweater is 94% wool and 6% cashmere, with raglan sleeves, a split hem, and deep ribbed trim at the neck, hem, and sleeve cuffs. It is offered in several colors. Thank you to UFO No More and Middleton Maven for this ID. The Princess accessorized with her See by Chloé boots, shown below as worn on another occasion. As best I can tell, her earrings are the Accessorize Pearl and Disc hoops (originally £8, now sold out). I am in the process of putting Kate's Kids Wore on hiatus, and will include information here on what the children wear. In the baby bank video, Princess Charlotte wore pieces by Paris-based Cyrillus: the Jumper With Frilly Neckline ($28) in cotton with a touch of cashmere and the Denim Skirt ($43), which comes with front pockets at elastic at the back waistband. Thank you to Found by Bojana for these IDs. Prince Louis appeared to be wearing the Amai Kids Ralph Checked Shirt in navy and burgundy, previously worn by his older brother. Atop the shirt, his sweater is very much like the Brora Shetland Fair Isle Yoked Jumper jumper but in a slightly different colorway than seen in the product photo below. The cuffs on his sweater are tipped in a medium blue. I do not yet have information on what Prince George wore. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also today, a few royal Christmas card photos, beginning with the Wales Family's picture released late Saturday. The photo was shot by Josh Shinner earlier this year in Windsor. Mr. Shinner wrote on Instagram: It was such a pleasure to photograph The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family for the Christmas portrait this year. Without doubt one of the most relaxed and enjoyable sittings I’ve ever had, and I now have a whole new set of jokes that are right on my level thanks to the children… A huge thanks to the @princeandprincessofwales for having me. Mr. Shinner shared a sketch of how he originally planned to compose the photo, saying I gave up trying to draw faces long ago, and I felt like attempting to draw the @princeandprincessofwales was something that could only end in dismal failure, but this was the starting point for the final composition…. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Josh Shinner (@joshshinner) This year's photo is something of a departure from previous photos, but it is not the only time a formally posed image was used for the seasonal greeting. We have a quick review, beginning with last year's photo, taken by Matt Porteous in Norfolk over the summer. The Duchess wore the Mabel Shirt by MiH Jeans and her Superga Cotu Classic sneakers. In 2021, the family released a photo taken on vacation in Jordan. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a dress by Sea NY. This 2020 image was shot by Matt Porteous, and taken at the family's country estate, Anmer Hall. In 2019 there was one photo released without the Duchess because she took the photo. This photo was also used in 2019, taken during a family vacation. The Duchess wore a dress by Boden, the retailer's Aurora Wrap Dress. The 2018 photo was also shot by Matt Porteous at Anmer Hall, with the Duchess in a Fjällräven sweater and gingham checked shirt. In 2017, a formal posed image was used for holiday cards taken by Chris Jackson, Getty's royal photographer. The Duchess is seen wearing a Catherine Walker suit first worn during her solo trip to the Netherlands in October 2016. For their 2016 Christmas cards, the family used a picture from a children's party held during their 2016 Canada tour. The Duchess wore a See by Chloé dress in that picture. The first time the family released an official photo for Christmas was in 2015, sharing an image with a very young Princess Charlotte and older brother Prince George, taken by Chris Jelf at Kensington Palace. I don't believe we definitively identified the shirt or sweater seen in this image. For the 2014 holiday season, the family released a series of pictures showing a jolly-looking Prince George on the steps of Kensington Palace. Edward Lane Fox, Prince Harry's former private secretary, took them. The King and Queen also released their Christmas card photo this weekend. It was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace after the coronation in May. Hugo Burnand shot the photo portrait. 🎄 This year’s official Christmas card features a photograph of The King and Queen taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on Coronation Day by Hugo Burnand. pic.twitter.com/nTawKRUAFZ — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 9, 2023
The Princess in Winter White Ensemble for Christmas Carol Concert – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose a winter white ensemble for the taping of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas tonight. A quick video as the Princess arrived at Westminster Abbey, where the concert was taped. The Princess of Wales arrives for this year’s Royal carol service at Westminster Abbey. 📸Contains flashing images. ⁰#RoyalCarols#TogetherAtChristmas pic.twitter.com/LKqPeI0MQ3 — Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) December 8, 2023 The Princess and the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle MBE, Dean of Westminster. The carol service will air on Christmas Eve on ITV and ITVX—more from this ITV piece. The service, supported by The Royal Foundation, will honour those who work to support babies, young children and families in communities across the UK. Linked to Kate’s Shaping Us campaign, the service will showcase “the hope of new life and why it is so important to build supportive, nurturing worlds around children and the adults in their lives”. The Christmas Eve broadcast will also feature additional content, including an introduction by Kate and films emphasising the importance of early childhood. Also at tonight's concert, a host of royal family members, including the Duchess of Edinburgh. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and his son, Christopher Wolfie Woolf. Princess Eugenie. Savannah and Isla Phillips. The Phillips girls arrived with their father, Peter Phillips, and their aunt, Zara Tindall. Lady Sarah Chatto (Princess Margaret's daughter) and her husband, Daniel, with their son, Samuel. Lord Frederick Windsor, his wife Sophie, and their daughters Maud and Isabella. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'SY2WaDOKSCNHtgRcjB9reQ',sig:'Muv3vppqAhRNSWBX8RMdlltWEf25EQKebioMKxaxw6k=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1840461526',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Lord Frederick's sister, Lady Gabriella Kingston, and their father, Prince Michael of Kent. The Princess's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton. And her sister, Pippa, with her husband James Matthews. Performers were dressed in seasonal colors. Below, Beverly Knight. Adam Lambert, who has a duet with Ms. Knight in the concert. And ITV presenter Emma Willis. The Princess arrived before her family and spent time speaking with guests. I believe this is seven-year-old Oscar Burrow. The Telegraph reports, he climbed 12 mountains raising more than £40,000 for Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley, Lancs, at the age of six. More about tonight's guests from The Telegraph's article. They included young fundraising heroes, midwives, teachers, carers, health visitors, volunteers and families who have faced their own challenges and come to the attention of the Princess during the course of her work. The Princess spoke to four scouts from the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough that her family visited during the coronation celebration weekend, part of The Big Help Out event, aiding the renovation of their hut. The Princess told them that “it was really inspiring – seriously good job” and high-fived each scout in turn. A quick video from Richard Palmer of The Express. pic.twitter.com/bQa85AOBOM — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) December 8, 2023 ITV noted in its story, Attendees have been nominated by lord-lieutenants across the nation, in addition to charities associated with members of the royal family. The Princess also chatted with those performing in the concert. The Daily Mail reports, She told Lambert, who was the first singer on stage at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year when he sang We Will Rock You with Brian May: 'I was a big fan of your performance at the jubilee. Thanks for being here.' She then went back outside to greet Prince William and the three Wales children. Another quick video. The Princess of Wales greets The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for tonight’s carol service. #RoyalCarols#TogetherAtChristmas pic.twitter.com/hOtCdpu8WK — Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) December 8, 2023 The children as they greeted the Dean. This is the first year Prince Louis has attended the service. Last year, only Prince George and Princess Charlotte took part (seen below), and none of the children were at the first concert in 2021. This year, there was a special post box outside the Abbey. We return to the ITV story. New features this year include a Christmas post box located outside the abbey for children to send handmade Christmas cards and best wishes to other youngsters who might be struggling this festive season. The Wales children brought cards they made and placed them in the box. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'pC6bHacYTXJ8sFMRMHOpiw',sig:'Iec4_K4dMvw0y9Oqgp0pW_XnqgD0tCQW9v1X_aLjk_I=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1840496447',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Young Wolfie drops off his card. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'HFxcKRuuRtpAZoCxEx6pnA',sig:'UMdfyGUe9U9kZVIv05f3AegHELehS7sVdyKdpiUzyVY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1840439795',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from this Daily Mail piece. The Christmas cards will be distributed by charities, including Child Bereavement UK, East Anglia Children's Hospice, Evelina London and the British Red Cross, as a surprise gift to children. The Princess of Wales encouraged guests to bring a card for children who might struggling this year. Prince George's letter was addressed to Tony, potentially Tony Hudgell, the nine-year-old boy who has raised millions of pounds walking vast distances on prosthetics after his legs were amputated in infancy due to horrific abuse. The Princess with Tony at the 2021 concert. And just this past week at Evelina Children's Hospital Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'xiPw2T9QQ2dKsDfhkAg62w',sig:'5P_Q5WMZ9NwLNVoo1Klw_Inrq65srUiaf8nhVdtRqL4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825444130',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Princess Charlotte and Prince George as the family headed inside. Prince Louis was fascinated by a giant nutcracker. And inside the Abbey. Another view. In this image, you can see the Duchess of Edinburgh on the far left. More on the actual service from The Daily Mail's coverage. The service began with the popular carol, Once In Royal David's City, and the congregation also heard a duet by Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert who performed The Christmas Song, made famous by Nat King Cole. William read the passage from the Gospel according to Luke that describes how Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem to be registered and the birth of Jesus. The Mail also reports, The Abbey echoed with the voices of its choir and the congregation singing a selection of carols including Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy To The World, as well as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Some of the trees decorating the Abbey are from Windsor Great Park. They were donated by the King and will be distributed to local communities. The King did not attend the concert because he was hosting A Celebration of Craft at Highgrove. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zDTUNj42TZh68wE5zznGQg',sig:'8C3yfK7iZ7-zBXsPr7GyWuAl6WaRepQO64_lQsbE_70=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1833487187',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Wales children after the concert. Westminster Abbey posted a video of the family leaving after the concert. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis depart Westminster Abbey following tonight’s carol service. 📸Contains flashing images #RoyalCarols#TogetherAtChristmas pic.twitter.com/Fw7SRnQxpz — Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) December 8, 2023 The concert airs at 7:45pm local time on Christmas Eve. If I find a link allowing those outside the UK to watch it, I will post it here and on Facebook. Here is a video from tonight shared by Kensington Palace. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our special carol service, Together at Christmas. From the performers whose voices filled Westminster Abbey, to the early years workforce of carers, midwives, nurses and so many more who are not only making a difference to children… pic.twitter.com/JxTFfabG0x — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 8, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore, beginning with the surprise designer of her coat. The coat is a bespoke piece by Chris Kerr, a Savile Row tailor catering primarily to male clients. The single-breasted coat features peaked lapels, angled flap pockets, a deep back vent, and flared cuffs with one button. More on the look from Bethan Holt's column in The Telegraph. After an autumn in which many of the Princess’s outfits have been some variation on a suit, this immaculately tailored bespoke coat represents her firm commitment to sleek suiting. “Part of a generation of tailors who were trained in Savile Row tradition but set up shop in Soho, Chris Kerr – which was founded by Kerr’s father Eddie – specialises in classic, masculine suiting. Nothing wildly experimental, just handsome, exceptionally made tailoring,” says Stephen Doig, The Telegraph’s men’s style editor. “Part of the appeal for the Princess may well be the fact that the brand is well-versed in celebrity and the importance of discretion, and that the end product just works – Chris Kerr has made suits for myriad films, including dressing Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible and the debonair cast of the Kingsman movies. Beneath the coat, it looks like the Princess brought back her Kiltane Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper ($153) in soft white. She sported a new pair of trousers that appear to be Holland Cooper's High-Waisted Straight Trouser (£299, about $375 at today's exchange rates). The style is hand cut and made in England using wool woven in the UK. It features a wide waistband and belt loops, side pockets, a front zipper, and goldtone Holland Cooper hardware. Thank you to Middleton Maven for this ID. The Princess carried a new bag by Strathberry, the Scottish-based brand's Mosaic Top Handled Bag ($555) measuring roughly 5 x 7 by 3.5 deep. The Mosaic has a removable shoulder strap, one interior pocket, and the label's signature metal bar on the front flap. I show the bag at Saks in a color called 'vanilla.' It is available in a slightly larger size at Strathberry in multiple colors, including 'oat,' but not the lighter-toned 'vanilla' shown here. Thanks again go to Middleton Maven for the ID. UPDATE 11 PM: The bag is available called the Mosaic Nano on the Strathberry site ($555). It is also available at Bloomingdale's. The Princess wore her Bisque Suede Gianvito 105 Heels ($795), the classic point-toe style with a 4 stiletto heel. We saw the return of the Van Cleef and Arpels' Alhambra' earrings ($6400) in 18K gold and mother of pearl. Here is a look at all three ensembles, tonight's, and the Eponine London worn last year, with the Catherine Walker 'Beaux Tie' worn in 2021 on the far right. Also tonight, a look at a promo for the concert released yesterday by ITV. Together at Christmas🎄✨ The Princess of Wales returns to host a special Christmas Carol Service in Westminster Abbey. Watch Royal Carols: Together at Christmas on @ITV and @ITVX at 7.45pm this Christmas Eve! pic.twitter.com/HQyuydWAbr — ITV (@ITV) December 8, 2023 In the promo, the Princess says, Join me this Christmas Eve for a special carol service, as we say a heartfelt thank you to all those supporting the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years. It looks like the Princess was in a Self Portrait Pearl Trimmed Jacket ($502, no longer available). The piece is crafted in a poly/cotton/wool bouclé fabric embellished with faux pearls and sequins. It features four pockets fastened with pearl buttons, a rounded collar, and a button front. A similar cropped version is available. The Princess accessorized with her J. Crew earrings, shown here when worn on another occasion. I will leave you with one more photo from tonight's concert. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel offers 2:30 of coverage in this video.
The Princess Wears Alexander McQueen for Evelina Children’s Hospital Visit – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose a new suit by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for today's engagement at Evelina London Children's Hospital. You see the Princess above with Gubby Ayida, Evelina London's Women's and Children's Services chief executive. You may remember the Princess has been the hospital's royal patron since 2018. People's Simon Perry shared a brief video of the Princess after she arrived. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Simon Perry (@sperrypeoplemag) The Princess was at the hospital to officially open a Children's Day Surgery Unit. The unit started operations in July, so today's engagement was a ceremonial event—more from this People piece. The Children’s Day Surgery Unit is housed within the Children’s Day Treatment Centre and treats a variety of conditions such as tonsillitis, removal of adenoids, hand injuries, minor plastic surgery and ophthalmology. One of the first people that Princess Kate spoke to inside the unit was receptionist Alice Green.I was really anxious earlier, but she was really lovely and down to earth, Green tells PEOPLE. I thought it might be formal and strict, but it was so comfortable speaking to her. She was asking about our roles — and said that we are the face of Evelina, the first contact people. She wished us Merry Christmas.” Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'o8p4efD6QwxP-PU3kAEwAw',sig:'H5JgswDP5XfbmgL8fplzcXTUOFdWl-r20nXrmAmB1yM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825444019',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We learn more about the facility from the Evening Standard's piece. Evelina London cares for around 104,000 children and young people each year across its dedicated children’s services, in hospital and in the community. The new facility aims to transform care for those who need surgery, by providing everything in one place, enabling Evelina to treat an extra 2,300 children a year in addition to 11,000 already receiving surgery. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'VihaoABgSGBCHWg0jj_7Hg',sig:'pGcQg2OleRR5U7H4ZY2BS8U8CRWTJYwVDoEAKkSRHh0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825444155',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess saw the new operating theaters and heard how families benefit from a one-day service, with pre-surgery checks, the operation and recovery all taking place in one purpose-built unit, per the Standard's story. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'LW9_e4-xTdlUF_Map4LJCg',sig:'CSvq-sQDUG7dwEO76dbuqoBg3KiGrSoeuGJxY754Prw=',w:'435px',h:'594px',items:'1825442729',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess also met a four-year-old who had surgery this morning and the little girl's mother. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'CA3PPH-XSdp8CXr65MosLg',sig:'ytsQghOuauKBw8zg_TBMNV5hmfCyRRcSjINZ2Ev5wu8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825444055',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Daily Mail offers more. In the recovery area she met four-and-a-half-year-old Saya Stephenson, who was resting in bed after an operation that morning to remove excess skin for her ears. The Princess hugged her mother, Miwa Stephenson, who said she had been anxious about the surgery despite it being a relatively minor procedure. Kate replied: ‘It’s always a worry though for a parent. We have to keep our cool. It’s so hard.’ Below, the Princess and Ms. Stephenson. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gU4r923VR-1dqBLx2Vwegw',sig:'Ie3VVqeRPV6CsT7rR2_omBhyc9Kk8yljMe-AKXURxBw=',w:'594px',h:'410px',items:'1825442643',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); During the visit, the Princess connected with nine-year-old Tony Hudgell, a young man she had met before. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GOz4w1sFQpR4m10E76zqqw',sig:'iv7YmXKpFeVb8HDWNreFKyNt5I6tLpz-5aHpyUDGUuk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825444130',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We return to the Daily Mail article. Kate also reunited with Tony Hudgell, nine, a young boy who lost his legs after being abused by his birth parents. He raised more than £1.6 million by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs in aid of the Evelina London Children's Hospital which cared for him. The young amputee previously charmed Kate and Prince William at her festive carol concert in 2021. It was reported at the time that the royal couple 'spent ages' chatting with Tony, and his adopted mother. Here you see the Prince and Princess with Tony at the 2021 carol concert. The Princess with another young patient. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'r-tYpbzGSvJxyqd5SFrEaA',sig:'ZkKKZX9nP9S4EQGqDD8J85ssHoZfo3BWJiSx0T8ZTg8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825443850',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Back to the Daily Mail's story. During today's outing, Kate also met Ella Moth, nine, who won a competition to design the artwork for the new unit at the Evelina Children’s Hospital. Ella’s space-themed drawings were inspired by the death of her father, Piers, who was treated for brain cancer at Guy’s hospital before he died in 2021. She says he has now ‘gone to the stars’. In this video from The Mirror's Russell Myers, you see the Princess with Ella and another young patient, Chloe. Kate meets 9 year old Ella who designed the artwork on the wall and Chloe, 10, the unit's first patient pic.twitter.com/BUVMjrXTbj — Russell Myers (@rjmyers) December 5, 2023 Ella and Chloe also helped the Princess with the official ribbon-cutting. The Princess of Wales officially opens the Children's Day Surgery Unit at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London. Full story 👆 pic.twitter.com/qvLrbgk1Z7 — Russell Myers (@rjmyers) December 5, 2023 Before leaving, 11-year-old Burac Abrahams, the unit's second patient, gave the Princess a lovely bouquet. We return to the People coverage. The first portion quotes the young man. “She was being nice and saying thank you for these flowers. She is a good person,” he says. His mother, Gamze Oksuzoglu, tells PEOPLE, “It’s fantastic she is here. It sheds a light on all the sick children that they have at the hospital and, hopefully, do good. She was so engaged with the children upstairs, sat down and asked their names, smiled. Kensington Palace posted a brief video about the visit. Thank you to all the brilliant staff for your commitment to looking after the children in your care. pic.twitter.com/6Cto3g1HBD — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 5, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore for today's engagement. Today's ensemble had the answer for those of us curious about the Princess debuting new looks by Sarah Burton after the designer's departure from Alexander McQueen this fall. The Princess was in a new trouser suit by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, likely acquired before Ms. Burton left the label. The blazer is the Peak Shoulder Leaf Crepe Jacket ($2590) in what I think is the 'electric navy' color. The single-breasted style is made in a blend of 52% viscose and 48% acetate, with peak lapels, sharply angled front flap pockets, and a double back vent. Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus offer the blazer in color called 'denim blue,' but it looks like it could be the same as the electric navy at McQueen. The Princess also wore the brand's Leaf Crepe Cigarette Trousers in matching fabric, featuring side pockets, a front zipper, and a jetted back pocket. (I've not found these available online in this colorway.) If my count is correct, today's ensemble would put the McQueen trouser suit collection at six. It is a key component of her working wardrobe, essentially a part of her uniform. From left to right, you see the blue from today, the black tuxedo jacket and trousers worn at a January 2023 Early Years advisory board meeting, the purple shown here when arriving in Boston in November 2022, the navy seen during a September 2022 Windsor Castle audience with crew members from HMS Glasgow, the pink worn for a June 2022 Early Years meeting, and the white, seen here at Windrush Day engagements in June 2022. Sarah Burton was honored at last night's British Fashion Council Fashion Awards. Below, the designer at last night's gala with British Vogue editor Edward Enninful. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'oRQaIyaeQoJPuZEe1QmReQ',sig:'eGmZAPNlF_s_CsVwHxuluSGJAV9IHJyjrhIKS037Ej4=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1822739454',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from Vogue's coverage of the event. One of the most powerful moments came when British Vogue’s departing editor-in-chief Edward Enninful presented a special achievement award to the former creative director of Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton: a leading light of British fashion over the past decade (and, as Enninful’s speech made clear, even further back). Describing the East End as a “playground” on his nights knocking about with McQueen in the early ’90s, Enninful recalled the legendary designer telling him about a new girl he’d just hired, whose talents he was immediately excited by. “This excitement was well founded, as it transpired that this young woman was the incomparable Sarah Burton,” said Enninful. “Not just one of the great British designers, but one of the greatest designers on the planet. You have given us a lifetime of beautiful designs, but you’ve also given us a legacy for Lee that—through the pain—we didn’t know was possible at that time.” Burton’s own speech was self-effacing, in her typical style. “I’m definitely not worthy of all that, Edward,” she said, as the room erupted into cheers. Returning to today's outfit, it looked like the Princess brought back her 'Katherine' Cloud Cashmere sweater by Jigsaw, first seen during the 2016 Canada tour; the ribbing at the neckline and cuffs look the same. The piece is 100% cashmere, semi-sheer, and long ago sold out, but Jigsaw still offers pieces in its Cloud Cashmere line. Thank you to the Canadian Duchess on Instagram for the ID suggestion and Parky's Princess for sharing it. We saw the return of the navy suede Ginavito 105 pumps ($795), and the UFO navy blue belt. The Princess wore her hair down. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'x3q7el08TLluaiMPocDs6g',sig:'rre_0yF38_2ytQwV6kfQHAdG9HBW5J7c50_F1lYtbvI=',w:'552px',h:'594px',items:'1833139544',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); She had on the sapphire and diamond pendant and earrings she has previously worn. (I added some repliKates to the RepliKate Jewelry page.) We'll see you tonight for the annual diplomatic reception with its white-tie dress code, which means evening gowns and tiaras. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel has almost three minutes of coverage in this video.
It’s Jenny Packham and the Lover’s Knot Tiara for the 2023 Diplomatic Reception – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales brought back a Jenny Packham gown for tonight's glittering diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. A refresher on the event via a 2016 Daily Mail piece. It is also the largest reception held at Buckingham Palace, requiring hours of intricate planning by the Master of the Household and the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the commandeering of almost every member of waiting staff. More than 1,000 people from around 130 countries, including members of the British government, past Prime Ministers and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York attend the gathering. I don't know if the King has kept the guest list the same, but the event is a highlight of the social season for many. In a news release, Buckingham Palace notes, The Reception, which usually takes place annually, sees The Sovereign invite the Diplomatic Corps to an event in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The Reception celebrates the presence in London of one of the largest Diplomatic Corps in the world and will see Their Majesties, The King and Queen, meet representatives of countries accredited to the Court of St. James. The occasion provided the chance for a photo portrait of the King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. It was shot before the reception by Chris Jackson in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bq6qma_sReFKq3j7U6ZZyg',sig:'SvbiyXxPw4V0FeYaLrUqJBOkfhxQO1rVqFdFeRMEwCU=',w:'594px',h:'417px',items:'1833488726',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); This is the second time the King has hosted the reception. Below, a photo from last year's reception. The Prince and Princess of Wales. A solo shot of the Princess. Prince William greeting guests. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'SBl42ml_TYZ_DKLwYSD90w',sig:'1ycnvZMU6OVjco71dBeLDBLoKHDsKBKrrDkgd43MbW0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1825454044',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Now, let's take a look at what the Queen wore this evening, beginning with her embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare, a go-to designer for her. (With apologies, we have very few photos from tonight's event.) You see her Order of the Garter sash and star, and a pair of earrings from her own collection. She also wore the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, described by the Order of Splendor as ...a diamond design of festoons and scrolls set on a bandeau base of round and lozenge-shaped diamonds. This is just the second time she has worn the piece—more from The Court Jeweller's coverage of tonight's festivities. The diamond tiara, with its elegant fleur-de-lis and festoon designs, was given to Queen Mary as a wedding present in 1893. The gift came from a committee of young women, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland. (Hence the usual name for the jewel.) Originally the tiara had a row of pear-shaped pearl toppers, but Mary later had those removed and repurposed. Queen Mary gave the tiara to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, as a wedding present in 1947. She wore the tiara for the next seven decades. Here you see the Queen wearing it for the first time at an October banquet. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'oJheqf5uQNVmzd3IYlaRNQ',sig:'WCBWatfjI2bzdi-5rmNp7xlOs2-sSUqhdmUSvMnGWoM=',w:'412px',h:'594px',items:'1743522489',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And the late Queen wearing it at a 2018 state banquet. Queen Camilla wore a bracelet belonging to the late Queen and a striking piece called a stomacher that belonged to the Queen Mother. More from Bethan Holt's Telegraph column. Camilla also re-introduced a rather unusual piece of royal jewellery to public view at the diplomatic reception. She opted to wear a diamond ‘stomacher’ which belonged to the late Queen Mother on her cream gown by Fiona Clare, one of her most trusted couturiers. This large piece of jewellery, sometimes referred to as a devant de corsage because of the way it decorates the bodice of a dress, once featured heavily in royal women’s jewel rotations, creating opportunities for maximum adornment and status-signalling. We return to The Court Jeweller for more on this piece. The most exciting aspect of Camilla’s jewelry this time around, however, is the corsage ornament that she pinned to the front of her evening dress. The diamond stomacher looks to me like a late nineteenth-century piece, with its interesting diamond tassel design elements. This piece isn’t one that I can ever recall seeing the late Queen Mother wear, even in portraits from the days when she was Duchess of York. I don’t believe it matches any of the pieces described in the official lists of her wedding gifts from 1923. Could it possibly be part of the Greville Bequest? (It looks so familiar, but I can’t place it!) NOTE: The post originally included a social media post suggesting the Queen’s gown was the same worn by her sister, Annabel Elliot, to the coronation. It turns out that is not the case, so I have deleted that content. Now for our review of what Kate wore this evening. If tonight's outfit looks familiar, that's because it is, including the accessories. The same ensemble was worn this June for the reception celebrating the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. Below, a look at the Jenny Packham Georgia gown, a style from the A/W 2019 runway collection. The style features rose pink sequinned tuille with a row of crystal embellishments accenting the waist and neckline. The Princess also owns the gown in a rich green color. Most recently, it was seen at the Royal Variety Performance in 2021; it was first worn during the 2019 Pakistan tour. Here, you see the Princess wearing the gown on both occasions. Many immediately recognized tonight's tiara, the Lover's Knot. Background on the tiara comes via the Court Jeweller: …the piece is definitely the most famous lover’s knot tiara today, it was originally a copy of another almost-identical sparkler that once belonged to the Cambridge family. The lover’s knot motif was very popular in the nineteenth century; the knots are the pretzel-like elements at the top of the tiara — the part from which the pendant pearls are suspended. Below, a chronological look at the tiaras worn for all eight receptions the Princess has attended. You see the Papyrus/Lotus Flower twice and the Lover's Knot six times. We return to Bethan Holy's Telegraph story. The Princess of Wales wore her favourite tiara, the Cambridge Lover’s knot which dates back to 1914 and was created by Garrard for Queen Mary as a replica of a piece belonging to her aunt, Princess Augusta of Cambridge. The ornate design features a diamond frame with a row of drop pearls. The tiara was used by Queen Elizabeth II before being loaned to Princess Diana who wore it numerous times despite complaining that it gave her a headache. The Princess wore Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Greville diamond chandelier earrings. The earrings were a wedding present for the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and said to be a favorite of the late Queen. In this photo, you see her wearing them in Canada during a July 2010 tour. The Princess wore the sash, badge, and Maltese Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, anchored to her shoulder by her Bentley and Skinner deco-style diamond brooch, and the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II. Here is a better view of the insignia, shown when worn at a 2022 state dinner. More on the Royal Family Order from a previous post. The Order is a gift that was personally bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to female members of the Royal Family. It features an image of the Queen in formal attire and wearing a tiara. The oval is surrounded by diamonds and topped by a red enameled crown. Looking closely at tonight's wearing, you will see that the yellow ribbon holding the Order has been folded under, most likely in anticipation of a new King Charles III royal family order. Rebecca English of the Daily Mail reports that a portrait of King Charles has been chosen for the new Order, but the piece hasn't yet been created. We saw the return of the salmon/peach Prada clutch, a piece dating back to at least 2011. The satin hard-sided bag has rounded edges, a goldtone clasp, and the Prada logo. Tonight's shoes look like the Gianvito Rossi 'Rania' style ($2695). The pointed-toe pumps are handmade of transparent organza silk with suede trim, and embellished with 4500 crystals. (A few repliKates I found can be seen here.) Here is a look at the ensembles seen at previous diplomatic receptions. From left to right, you see the red Jenny Packham' Elodie' gown worn last year with the Lotus Flower Tiara and the Queen's Diamond Frame earrings. In 2019, we saw the Lover's Knot tiara and Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, as well as a diamond ring and earrings worn with a dramatic black velvet Alexander McQueen gown. For the 2018 reception, a soft, sequinned Jenny Packham design was accessorized with the Lover's Knot tiara and the Collingwood earrings. At the 2016 reception, a Jenny Packham gown was repeated and paired with the Lover's Knot tiara, the Queen's Wedding Gift bracelet, and Diamond Frame earrings. We do not have great shots of two other styles worn by the Princess, including the white gown from 2017 paired with the Lover's Knot tiara, the Queen's shimmering collet/rivière necklace, and the Collingwood earrings. And the lacy blue Alexander McQueen gown believed to have been worn in 2013 and again for the 2015 reception. These images are from an ITV documentary shot at the 2015 event. I'll leave you with one more view of the Princess. I will see you Friday for the Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess Debuts a New Brand for Royal Variety Performance – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose a gown by Safiyaa for tonight's Royal Variety Performance. People's Simon Perry shared a quick video of the couple arriving at Royal Albert Hall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Simon Perry (@sperrypeoplemag) Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden joined the Prince and Princess of Wales. This is the fifth time the couple has attended the performance. Most recently, they attended the event in 2021. Funds raised through tonight's event will go toward providing expert care for residents at Brinsworth House—more from the Royal Variety Charity site. Set within over three acres of land, Brinsworth House is a beautiful mansion on the outskirts of Twickenham and for over one hundred years has become the home of many retired artists and those of who have spent their lives serving the entertainment industry. Appropriately labeled the Old Pro's Paradise, it can accommodate residents in 40 bedrooms who are cared for by a dedicated team of highly trained nurses and care assistants. Funds are also used to provide grants to those in the industry needing assistance. Below, another view of the couple. And the Swedish royals. Also on tonight's red carpet, Hannah Waddingham, who performed with the English National Opera. Others performing this evening included singer, songwriter, and actress Beverly Knight. Pianist Lang Lang. Here you see the Princess as she goes inside. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ZS-cw_VfTQx1YcmD6s-yRg',sig:'oKIfFI7jpNppK0pJ3rvGKz4sJYiv6E2eE5CUblAHGNU=',w:'594px',h:'414px',items:'1822863708',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Below, the Princess was given flowers when she was welcomed inside. The Crown Princess was also given a bouquet. The Independent notes this bouquet contained Campanulas, the national flower of her home country. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'zLlBRwzUSxtSbhrPipCo5w',sig:'maA_jErDYs0sf3fPItklIpBoePTETvoSpQpvuajhMoQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1813806374',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from The Independent's story by Pol Allingham. Meeting at the entrance of the Royal Albert Hall in London where the performance was taking place, Absolutely Fabulous actress Selfe, 95, said that the princess was tall, and Kate laughed: “I have high heels on, I’m cheating.” Smiling, William added: “I don’t have high heels on, not yet.” Selfe wore a silver dress patterned with roses and finished with red feather cuffs, which Kate complimented. She said: “Hello Daphne, I love your outfit. She looks fantastic.” Below, the royals chatting with Ms. Selfe (silver dress) and another woman tonight. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'OcuxQwwFSl5Q7zEEjcuEtA',sig:'L_kDI6APQCp_6B0yYP_ZdEWI25jFucDWjjtigGnBULQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1813805030',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Rebecca English of The Daily Mail shared several videos of the royals chatting with performers, including headliner Cher. The Prince and Princess of Wales meet @RoyalVariety star performers @cher and @mcflymusic pic.twitter.com/4HrJNEa1Bv — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 30, 2023 Here, you see the couples in the royal box during the national anthem. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'L0encUs2TYVIrtSuA3ORog',sig:'SbAwjqIkrHpg7CylVjjujn-vfr1AUaMJQo3r-TZMH7I=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1813806467',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); A wide shot. And now we turn to fashion, starting with Crown Princess Victoria's ensemble. Bethan Holt reports in The Telegraph that tonight's dress, scarf, bag, necklace and bracelets were all by Swedish 'It' label Totome. Royal Fashion Police notes the scarf is the Maxi Triangle style, and the bag is the black evening clutch. Now for our look at what Kate wore this evening. Her gown was by London-based Safiyaa, a new label for the Princess. It is the brand's 'Destiny' style ($2445) in a color called 'Poseidon Blue.' The piece is made of a heavy crepe fabric that is 92% polyester and 8% elastane. It features a fitted silhouette with dramatic floor-length split sleeves, a concealed back zipper, crystal embellishment at the neckline, and a strong shoulder with shoulder pads. Here is a closer look at the neckline. Thank you to Laura for her work on this ID and UFO No More for letting us know the exact dress became available online. Thoughts on tonight's look from Alice Newbold's Vogue column. Toeing the line between red-carpet wear and royal regalia, Kate’s evening look epitomized her appeal as a modern-day Princess. Since assuming her new title in 2022, she has cut back on any albeit subtle frou-frou and zeroed in on tailoring. This precisely-cut teal dress by a London label is an evolved version of a Kate signature, but spells out a quiet kind of confidence. It is aeons away from the woman who wore a Cinderella-blue Jenny Packham gown with a crystal overlay to the 2017 Royal Variety Show, for example. Background on Safiyaa comes via The Telegraph. If anyone understands the need to look good and feel good, without being distracted by your clothes, it is Daniela Karnuts, founder and creative director at Safiyaa. Her quietly elegant designs have been worn by Michelle Obama, the Duchess of Sussex, Gillian Anderson and most recently, Penny Mordaunt for that starring role in King Charles’s Coronation ceremony. “As women, we bear the weight of multiple roles, our clothes need not be one of them,” Karnuts says. “What we wear should accentuate and elevate how we feel and what we project. As a designer, it’s my job to incorporate this spirit. If I can help any woman with that, I know I have succeeded.” Here you see the Penny Mordaunt style referenced in The Telegraph piece. The heels worn this evening are a topic of debate: are they the teal Gianvito Rossi pair worn in March for St. Patrick's Day, shown below left? Or the Emmy London Rebecca in the Lake colorway shown below right? I am on the fence and don't think we will know unless we get a clear photo of the sole. Tonight's handbag is the Casa design by Jenny Packham. The Princess wore her hair down this evening. She brought back the J. Crew earrings first noted at the 2018 Festival of Remembrance. The earrings are no longer available, but I added a couple of possibilities to the repliKates Jewelry page. The Princess wore a bracelet we hadn't seen previously. It remains unidentified at this point. Here is a glance at all of the Royal Variety ensembles. For 2014's performance, the Princess opted for the 'Zarita' lace evening gown by Diane von Furstenberg; at the 2017 performance, we saw an icy blue Jenny Packham gown with illusion tulle covered in sequins and crystals; in 2019, the Duchess chose a black lace Alexander McQueen design; in 2021, the Princess brought back a Jenny Packham gown first worn in Pakistan. Earlier today, the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel to Windsor Castle. More from this People piece by Simon Perry. The two couples greeted each other warmly with hugs and kisses on the cheek. The Swedish royals are on a few days' visit to the U.K., and William and Kate wanted to cement their relationship with their counterparts. With William and Victoria both heirs to their respective thrones, they share a unique bond and are uniquely placed to continue the close relationship between the two royal families and their two countries. For this event, the Princess brought back a dress similar to an Emilia Wickstead design that was first worn in May 2019. It is similar to the lavender 'Kate' A-line Wool Crepe Dress first worn in Germany in July 2017 and also the blue style worn for a November 2019 engagement. The fit on the bodice and the waistband on today's dress are much like these styles, but as Rosanna pointed out in a comment, today's dress is much longer than these designs. We saw the return of the Emmy Rebecca heels ($490) in the 'greenway' color. The Princess also wore her diamond and sapphire cabochon cluster earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. They are shown here as worn on another occasion. Royal Fashion Police reports that Princess Victoria was wearing the Alice + Olivia Landon Cropped Tweed Jacket ($730), a blouse by Swedish label Stenströms, and a Saint Lauren' Le Maillon' bag she has frequently used. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel's video. Richard Palmer of The Express posted several videos on Twitter. THE Prince and Princess of Wales are joined at the Royal Variety Performance in the Royal Albert Hall by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, who are on an official visit to the UK. pic.twitter.com/4dqbsndP8E — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) November 30, 2023
The Princess Mixes Old and New Styles for Baby Bank Visit – What Kate Wore
The Princess mixed old and new styles for a baby bank visit today. Her engagement was at Sebby's Corner in north London. The baby bank has supported more than 5,000 families since it opened in January 2021. In this photo, you see the Princess with Sebby's Corner founder Bianca Sakol (center) and Emma Parker (left), the operations manager. One of the reasons she visited the baby bank was to kickstart an initiative from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to support families with young children in the run-up to Christmas—more from this Telegraph story by Hannah Furness and Victoria Ward. The Princess warned of the “desperate” times that families faced in the run-up to Christmas and expressed concern that the country’s 250 baby banks were a “hidden” resource and should be “more visible”. She visited the charity....as she sought to encourage members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time to support their local baby banks. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'IHZPcj2sQttSmIWqR1_ukQ',sig:'b7v7cCUgKLfeyDOa5tkBi0tjGi4TxboIo8637apT9_A=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800499565',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And from a piece in the Telegraph and Argus. Speaking to members of the newly formed Baby Bank Alliance, Kate said: “The work going on here is so essential… you are such a lifeline in so many ways, but you’re also hidden. “We need to be able to normalise this and make this more visible.” Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Tg7e1TlzQuV0Hj8q9qUmPA',sig:'LkXQJzoU3CLMBTWU4oiTtlA85uugDbrXOiHVRBk_gho=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800480275',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess spent time speaking with a mother helped by Sebby's Corner. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GXbTzA77Ra9y8iXkTRWVYg',sig:'i4YspUg0odIRhT_N4xxJQM4EFm5JY27BfK4gF6_lfK8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800483933',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More on that conversation via this Sky News article. The woman, called Jennifer, told Kate she had cried the first time she visited the centre. She said: There is a stigma but… sometimes we don't realise how much we need help. I'm just so thankful for this incredible support. That stress has been taken away. The Princess met volunteers and staff, as well as representatives from the Baby Bank Alliance. In this photo, you also see Shaping Us champion Giovanna Fletcher (emerald green dress). Ms. Fletcher is an author and podcast host. Some readers may recall the Princess recorded a podcast episode with Ms. Fletcher in 2020. While at the baby bank, the Princess helped restock the Sebby's Corner Christmas pop-up shop. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6zpBdvqaTiFawX6Qw_Ij5A',sig:'GhNlWRzrXMfg44eJaRNLNJlkdiFfW0dbcPwx-DSnQCw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800513315',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from a Sebby's Corner post about today's visit. This unique shop allows parents to choose gifts for their children but at no cost so they can experience Christmas and receive gifts that they otherwise might not. We are expecting to give out over 4,000 new gifts to families in need in the coming weeks. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'MdRB3YW_TOlw0OoPW58FCg',sig:'HsR5b-kgSe2lJvx-NyVUBx0arM7_OstjHfgpQFpu4xY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800567659',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In this photo, you see the Princess and Ms. Fletcher holding softcover books, some of the fifty copies of The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark ($7.99) donated by the Princess today. The children's book is said to be a favorite of all three Wales children, and Sky News reports, As the princess and Giovanna put the books she had brought on the shelves, Kate said: 'It's one of the books I enjoy reading with the children.'. As part of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week in 2022, the Princess read the book as a CBeebies Bedtime Story. A Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood post notes, The Princess joined a conversation with representatives from Baby Banks from across the UK to discuss the increasing demand on their services. There are more than 200 baby banks around the country, all of which are currently seeing rising demand for their services. Below, the Princess with some of those representatives. We return to the Telegraph piece; the quotes are from the Princess. “Every child should have the basic essentials,” the mother of three told volunteers. “The baby banks need to be in the community. They are a real lifeline for people facing poverty. “We need to normalise it and make it more visible, put them where families and children are.” Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'F2QbUUYWQSJwvq1TE-blHQ',sig:'MSccqt_vMb7F40SZDJAZb5hzq_1x987jfm0jZqpetuY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1800504004',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Now for our review of what Kate wore, beginning with her coat. It very much looks like the 'Ezor' by Sportmax, with the exception of the pocket flaps, which are not visible in photos from today. It's possible they were tucked into the pockets, or that she had the pockets done in a welted style. This past-season design is made of 95% virgin wool and 5% cashmere in a felted weave. The single-breasted style features a fitted, darted bodice, broad notched lapels, a deep back vent, self-belt, and the flap pockets. There is also a closely spaced row of tortoise buttons. An almost identical style, minus the belt, is available at LN-CC (£423, roughly $535). Thank you to Regal Monarchist via Middleton Maven for this ID. Today's skirt appears to be the Flippy Suede Skirt ($575) by longtime favored brand Really Wild. It is 100% suede with a tiered panel and concealed back zipper. Thanks to Danielle for this ID; the information also comes via Middleton Maven. I don't yet have a positive ID on the turtleneck. The Princess brought back her black bespoke Gianvito Rossi boots. The closest style to her pair remains the Glen ($1750), but it lacks the sharp pointed toe seen in her pair. We saw the return of the black Polo Ralph Lauren Crocodile-Stamped Leather Belt ($168). The belt is 1.75 (45 mm) wide with a double-prong brass buckle. The Princess wore her hair down today. She accessorized with a familiar pair of earrings, the Rhodochrosite Gold Mini Pyramid Charm Hoops ($92 on sale, usually $115) by Missoma. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel's coverage runs just more than a minute. Richard Palmer of The Express shared several videos on Twitter. The Princess of Wales has been visiting Sebby’s Corner in Barnet to kickstart an initiative from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood supporting families with young children in the run up to Christmas. pic.twitter.com/gQq5enJCnO — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) November 24, 2023 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Here are some of the Black Friday deals on brands and items with a connection to the Princess. I am including those from Wednesday's post, for those who may not have seen that content. Missoma is offering up to 40% off, including the Mini Pyramid Charm Pink Rhodochrosite earrings worn today (on sale for $92, usually $115) and the Zenyu Chandelier earrings (now $144, normally $180). Strathberry is taking 25% off everything, including the Multrees Chain Wallet (on sale for $319, regularly $425) in the navy color carried by the Princess. DeMellier London has 20% off its entire site. This includes the Princess's Nano Montreal in Navy Smooth and Deep Toffee Smooth, bringing the price down to $360 from $450. Aspinal of London is offering the Princess's Midi Mayfair Handbag (usually $790, on sale for $635) in both deep shine black croc and deep shine lavender croc. Monica Vinader is doing 30% off the entire site as well as daily flash sales. This makes the Siren Wire Drop Earrings £87.50 instead of £125 (roughly $150 down to $110). The Nura Baroque Pearl Pendant is also 30% off at Monica Vinader. The earrings are also available on sale at John Lewis and at Selfridge's and John Lewis has the Nura Baroque Pearl Necklace at £87.50. At Soru, jewelry is 30% off. This includes the Ruby Drop Earrings (normally $194, now $136) and the Baroque Pearl Double-Sided Earrings (also regularly $194, now $136). Orelia is offering 25% off, making the Chain Huggie Hoop Earrings $18 instead of $24. At Catherine Zoraida Many items are 30% off, including the Double Leaf Earrings (now $135, normally $195); the Fern Hoop Earrings (currently $145, usually $210); the Spread Your Wings bracelet (regularly priced at $555, now $390). Annoushka offers 20% off almost everything, including the Eclipse Eternity Ring (priced at $1520 on sale, typically $1900), but not the Baroque Pearl Drops ($480) worn by the Princess. Sorel is offering 25% off the Tivoli IV boots (now $109 from $145). It is also this price at Dick's Sporting Goods and DSW (use promo code BLACKFRIDAY). Hobbs is offering 25% off everything on the US site and 20% off everything on the UK site. The Hobbs' Lara' Merino Wool Roll Neck Sweater in the 'granita pink' colorway worn by the Princess is included in the sale (now $93.75, normally $160). The Hobbs Tilda Wool Coat worn by the Princess is available in a mix of colors and sizes; red, green, and navy are almost 50% off, priced at $315 (usually $600). Black and camel are $506 (discounted from $675). At Reiss, the offer is 25% off full-price merchandise; no promo code is needed. This brings a current version of the Larsson Blazer to $386 from $515. (The Princess's color is a shade lighter than the product I linked to; it is no longer available at Reiss.) The Larsson in the original color is available in limited sizes at Bloomingdale's, now $390 from $520. LK Bennett is offering 30% off everything. This includes the Fern heels (from $375 to $262, limited sizes) and the Floret pumps (also $262 from $375). At Cornelia James, all online orders receive a 15% discount. This includes the Imogen (usually $174, on sale at $148) and Alice (normally $218, $185 with the discount). The Superga Cotu Classic is on sale at Zappos for $60 in very limited sizes. In previous years, it has been discounted at many retailers, but not this year. Bobbi Brown, the cosmetics brand the Princess wore on her wedding day, is offering 30% off sitewide. Other retailers/offers: Boden's site offers 40% off 'select full-price styles,' and 20% off everything else with promo code E3N4. J. Crew is offering 'up to 50% off everything' (no promo code needed) and an additional 60% off sale merchandise with promo code FRIDAY. Net-a-Porter's discount arm, The Outnet, offers 25% off everything with promo code BLACKFRIDAY. There are loads of brands worn by the Princes, including Gianvito Rossi, Alexander McQueen, and Jimmy Choo, as well as the Outnet's own brand, Iris & Ink. Really Wild is offering up to 60% merchandise. Seraphine is also in the 30% off everything zone. Beauty retailers Ulta and Sephora are both offering a variety of deals.
The Princess of Wales in Jenny Packham and a Surprising Tiara at State Dinner – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales surprised royal watchers and fashion followers with her tiara choice for this evening's state dinner. Below, the Princess as she arrived at Buckingham Palace with the Prince of Wales. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they arrived. The Royal Collection Trust shared a video showing some of the preps involved in a state dinner. Tonight, The King and Queen will host a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace as part of the State Visit for The President of the Republic of Korea. Find out more about the history of State Banquets: https://t.co/yhCVdFCozK pic.twitter.com/O2NWG7vXKJ — Royal Collection Trust (@RCT) November 21, 2023 The Telegraph reports, The flowers included ferns dug up and repotted repeatedly under the King’s quest for sustainability. And here you see the King and Queen giving the preparations a final look late this afternoon. One final glimpse ahead of tonight… ✨ 오늘 밤 만찬을 앞두고… ✨ 🇬🇧🇰🇷 This evening, The King and Queen are hosting a State Banquet for the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/Ig0KqfWlEl — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 21, 2023 The dinner honored South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. Here, you see them with the King and Queen. More about the dinner from this BBC piece. These are opulent occasions, with diplomacy fuelled by fine dining, using a 19th Century dinner service with more than 4,000 pieces. The table settings are as precise and symmetrical as the military parade that greeted the president - each guest getting a place setting of 46cms. Each guest had a nameplate on their place, which probably got smuggled out in a few pockets later as souvenirs, even with the Archbishop of Canterbury in the room. The Queen and First Lady. Below, the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Duchess of Edinburgh. The President and King as they walked to the Buckingham Palace Ballroom, where the dinner was held. It is the largest of the state rooms at the palace. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'y2e3LnaFTFpNt1UbEKWzJQ',sig:'AFbkN3Tn2VQldBkyKEmEFE-MAOHTesCABOzMypxEOGA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795005421',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The First Lady and Queen. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'nBx15mTmS51zClv7NIF3jg',sig:'iuTuc2xxb7fpFkQaG_-WS5gJG4UnUPRUw3yplLucaY8=',w:'594px',h:'446px',items:'1795007218',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Prince of Wales and a guest I do not recognize. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'E-URrlDaS_dvKvfJfXMjfQ',sig:'OTb91DY8m1wRACeUkpbumxKCGQY_YyUGXXEX7heBGEg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795059444',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess of Wales with South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Choo Kyung-ho. The Duchess of Edinburgh and South Korea's Deputy National Security Advisor Cho Taeyong.Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'fRhqcOAYTTp36GKmNutvkA',sig:'hWEaGHpfvmG6Ef93vvfTR4EeyMykQ2Zj4BeCeJ6chWY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795106386',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In this photo, you see Princess Anne with Bang Moon-kyu, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, is on the far right in the photo. The Duchess of Gloucester with Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'metvGRAySxBflKunbddj_g',sig:'-sPv1beyPDd3iL4zdArzuaQmWr8EQnXvlsTCqv1Dn88=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795060801',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'SQOiXyl7QzFs7AQovmPyZg',sig:'KsCA32WpFCvBctYVJZ4uMjLWUyhwroCDKclVoQdRb5o=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1794951917',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Also attending tonight's dinner were members of the extremely popular South Korean band Blackpink. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mB7QiUJdTQx58S8MS8vqXw',sig:'5PlTGvJCDP89fZz6SmkUB8FWGRYbUZFx6SMDL-HEIBg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1794946936',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Times has more in Valentine Low's story. In what is undoubtedly a K-pop first for a white-tie palace dinner, the 171 guests also included all four members of the Korean pop group Blackpink, said to be the biggest girl group in the world. Cho So-hyun, who plays for the South Korean women’s football team and Birmingham City, was also a guest. Town and Country reports in this piece, Blackpink is believed to have traveled to the UK specially to attend the state banquet. In July, they made history as the first Korean band to headline a major UK festival when they played at the BST Hyde Park festival. Below, a wide shot after guests were seated. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'4l8_8Vn_TzBXRidXedXUNw',sig:'0m5klz03pmgA4DcR-r7edDjv9C2fILje7Y7wT3wWLFA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795110874',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We return to the Times of London article. The banquet did, however, include telling clues about the transition of reign. The glasses on the top table had been re-engraved with Charles’s cypher CIIIR, while other guests had glasses with the late Queen’s EIIR. Most — but not all — of the side plates, which were from the 1953 coronation set, had also been updated. The Princess, President, King, and Queen standing as national anthems were played. As always, there were speeches at the dinner. (You can read the full text of the King's speech here.) Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'CA01GBBlRaRL6d7AvM7Qqw',sig:'FBrPJeSoXOHKtC_cIUw7_gCzezzBUH4hbFr53J4n1lg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795098502',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from this People article. King Charles began his address with a welcome in Korean, which was met with applause, and praised the relationship that South Korea and Great Britain share, further commending South Korea’s strides in sustainability — a longtime cause close to heart for sovereign — and BLACKPINK’s impact. “It is especially inspiring to see Korea’s younger generation embrace the cause,” King Charles said. “I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, better known collectively as BLACKPINK, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as Ambassadors for the U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.” And there were toasts. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'3f4kzLduSDlArAx-eoZftQ',sig:'RhFSKgT_soBwz020t92KayUY1_YgmQl-OREcW5pvJas=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1795053182',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Now for a review of what some of the royal women wore at tonight's dinner. Her Majesty the Queen was in a velvet evening gown by Fiona Clare, accessorized by magnificent rubies and diamonds. More from The Court Jeweller's coverage. ...including the late Queen’s Burmese Ruby Tiara and the Crown Ruby Necklace from Queen Victoria’s Heirlooms of the Crown collection. She also added ruby and diamond clip earrings from her own jewelry box—the ones previously worn in 2015, I think, with the lower section removed—plus a diamond bracelet. Lauren at The Court Jeweller also notes, ...the Burmese Ruby Tiara is a rare piece that Queen Elizabeth II commissioned herself. The Telegraph reports the King wore his white tie with the Garter Star and Thistle Star along with a new Grand Order of the Mugunghwa, presented to him earlier that day by the president. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Z7sWFbHSQHhRY6dZVXob2Q',sig:'mA3w0vJjJQpcc77pLgGrLD8wQHXk_eU_sV9zGRv5asg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1794936640',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duchess of Edinburgh was in the Susannah London gown she wore for the coronation in May, her aquamarine tiara, an aquamarine pendant, and diamond earrings. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'D9a9u8BPT1Fgu4SMtgbhNw',sig:'vgwSPUFm4OQanAEW1AVuoTsa0UzYCoSyXCkIG5EJViU=',w:'334px',h:'594px',items:'1794940573',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess Royal was also in white this evening, wearing her Diamond Festoon tiara and necklace. The Court Jeweller reports she also wore her diamond ribbon and tassel brooch (second from the left), as well as her Garter sash and star and her late mother's Royal Family Order. The Duchess of Gloucester wore diamonds and emeralds from the collection of her late mother-in-law, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. Her tiara is Princess Alice's diamond and emerald bandeau, which was a wedding gift to Alice from her new husband, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, in 1935, per The Court Jeweller's post. I am still looking for information on the ensemble worn by First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Now for our look at what Kate wore. The Princess was in a customized gown from Jenny Packham's spring/summer 24 resort collection, with thanks to Katie and Laura for their speedy ID work. The Princess's dress is most like the Anemone gown ($4834) seen below left, but I included the Dreamland ($3820) on the right so you could see how the gold embellishment looked against the ivory fabric. The floor-length gown features a slim silhouette, slash neckline, a fitted bodice with a full skirt, concealed back zipper, and wide cape-effect sleeves. The piece also has structured shoulders with shoulder pads. The sleeves are only 'cape-effect,' and no cape fully covers the back, as you can see in this pink version of the Anemone ($4834). All of the off-the-rack gowns are described as being made of stretch crepe, and I would guess the Princess's dress is as well. The gown worn tonight (shown in the center photo) does not have the level of embellishment seen on the off-the-rack dresses. It lacks the beading and larger sequins used on the Anemone and Dreamland; the pattern itself looks different. More on the embroidery from Bethan Holt's column for The Telegraph. ...delicate floral embroidery which may have been chosen especially to tie in with the Strathmore Rose tiara. It could also be seen as a tribute to the South Korean national flower, the mugunghwa or South Korean hibiscus which is also referred to as the Korean rose. The biggest news about tonight's ensemble, by far, was the Strathmore Rose Tiara. It has not been worn for nearly one hundred years. We learn more from The Court Jeweller. The Strathmore Rose Tiara became a royal jewel in April 1923, when it was given to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon by her father, the Earl of Strathmore, to celebrate her marriage to the Duke of York. Acquired from Catchpole & Williams, the antique nineteenth-century tiara was described as “a diamond bandeau of five roses, with diamond sprays between, forming separate brooches.” The Queen Mother wore the tiara on occasion when she was Duchess of York. She placed it low across her forehead, in trendy 1920s fashion, and also later wore it atop her head on a second, more traditional tiara frame. But the Strathmore Rose was largely consigned to a place in the vaults when she became Queen Consort. Most recently, the tiara was photographed for Sir Hugh Roberts’s book on royal diamonds, published in 2012 to coincide with Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. A closer look. And this from Vogue's story. Upon the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, inherited the tiara. Yet it stayed in the royal vault for decades—reportedly, it hasn’t been worn by a royal woman since the 1930s. Rumors arose that perhaps it was too damaged or too fragile to be worn again. Now, however, the rare diamond diadem has been given a new life by the Princess of Wales. The tiara was a surprise because the Princess primarily wears the Lover's Knot, and she occasionally wears the Lotus Flower. We return to The Telegraph piece by Bethan Holt for additional thoughts on the Princess's jewelry. The royal jewellery collection is now under the control of the King so it will have been his decision to allow Catherine to wear this almost-forgotten piece of royal jewellery history. It’s a touching gesture given the close relationship which the King enjoyed with his grandmother and the fondness with which he’s spoken of his daughter-in-law. Earlier this month, he referred to her as ‘beloved’ during a speech in Kenya. Lauren at The Court Jeweller offers an interesting theory. Kate has often indicated through jewels and photographs that she’d like to emulate the same kind of supporting royal role as the late Queen Mum, and the use of this tiara is just one more sign that she’s aiming to be like a modern-day version of the beloved QEQM. After all, the Strathmore Rose is the third tiara from the Queen Mother’s collection that Kate has worn, after the Cartier Halo Tiara and the Lotus Flower Tiara. We also saw the late Queen's Diamond Frame Earrings. The Princess wore her Queen Elizabeth II Royal Order, as well as her Royal Victorian Order sash, star, and cross. The Princess carried an Anya Hindmarch clutch I don't recall seeing before. It looks like the Pearls Maud Clutch (£395, about $495 at today's exchange rates), so-called because of the pearl closure. It may be a bespoke version, as it looks darker than the ivory color shown in this product photo, although that could just be lighting. In case you missed today's earlier post covering the official welcome, you can read it here. VIDEOS: Sky News offers coverage of both the King's and the President's speeches.
The Princess in Catherine Walker and Jane Taylor for South Korea State Visit – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose a dramatic ensemble by Catherine Walker and Jane Taylor for the official start of the Republic of Korea state visit. The Prince and Princess of Wales officially welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, at their central London hotel this morning. The couple arrived in London last night. Below, the couples leave the hotel this afternoon. The two couples traveled to Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome. Below, the King and Queen arrive at Horse Guards Parade. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'F-fb3cdpTu9z5ItaAw50fQ',sig:'X6aLGTUuKyfgwGllcEPn9fktJZ9zb2H-wQ59ktrPy28=',w:'594px',h:'484px',items:'1806129228',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from this Hannah Furness story in The Telegraph. The visiting head of state and his wife were accompanied from their hotel to Whitehall by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were seen to be deep in conversation in their respective cars. The Princess appeared to be explaining what would be happening at Horse Guards Parade, where a line-up of politicians awaited them alongside the King and Queen. Rebecca English shared a video of the arrival at Horse Guards Parade. The Prince and Princess of Wales have now arrived with the President of the Republic of Korea and The First Lady pic.twitter.com/mNawlBKiYz — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 21, 2023 The Princess as she went up the pavilion steps. This is the first incoming state visit hosted by the King since his coronation. Another view. The Queen and First Lady. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mmQGfdwYSqxb7RqjO3OvbA',sig:'sVaZgT4Jmrr4sGIXSZ0a8Zw3GGY77lOo_HoXYrYrxmc=',w:'415px',h:'594px',items:'1806026705',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Prince and Princess. And from People's story by Simon Perry. After a royal salute, the Republic of Korea’s national anthem was played and the president, accompanied by King Charles, carried out the official inspection by walking along the Guard of Honour of F Company Scots Guards. Next on the agenda, a traditional carriage procession to Buckingham Palace. The view along the Mall. From The Daily Mail's coverage. The royals and their guests then departed in a procession of carriages. The King and President riding in The Irish State Coach, while the Australian State Coach contained the Queen and First Lady. The Prince and Princess of Wales rode in The Scottish State Coach with His Excellency Choo Kyungho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Another view. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bk_pGWhpS0ZZ6QH6qH1mfw',sig:'rj8hUgJWPO0Yy4MdsZ8SxI0RdxP-NRUJRg9kKJFeaec=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1805857513',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Queen and First Lady Kim Keon-Hee as they arrived at Buckingham Palace. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GXj3m1MdS6BVOqauNL6vBw',sig:'2Y1yx0YNbkkH2kt4xTpnKUW-x8KnbnXS3vfMMsvmA7Y=',w:'594px',h:'465px',items:'1794153263',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived at Buckingham Palace. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ElpiW9D-RFR1tokPtAL4Pw',sig:'8cxu7sHfCPo_zZfTzs2TPsmT8OYrrzJTWshgxEiWhGk=',w:'594px',h:'415px',items:'1794154545',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, members of the Royal Family and the President and First Lady viewed a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection Trust that are related to the Republic of Korea. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'nqkz6zTcT_Z5z6HJLUwu8Q',sig:'qWMSoxnguAFeHDcO_MEcbwtS1mzzZYqF-83wKacuoAs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1794341163',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also at the lunch and the exhibit viewing, but I have been unable to license photos of them. The President and First Lady. The Prince and Princess. A quick video from The Daily Mail's Rebecca English as the Prince and Princess were leaving the Picture Gallery. A very sweet moment between the Prince and Princess of Wales as they depart the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery #statevisit pic.twitter.com/7xtKYvxtaR — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 21, 2023 Part of any state visit is the exchange of gifts. We also thank Rebecca English for sharing details about the gifts for this visit. What a fabulous touch amid the wealth of gifts given to the President of the Republic of Korea and his wife today….Queen Camilla gave the First Lady a pashmina embroidered with the names of her dogs (the First Lady’s that is) by The Royal School of Needlework 🎁 pic.twitter.com/D3Nqtk9HWx — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 21, 2023 This afternoon, the Duke of Gloucester accompanied the President and First Lady at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial. The memorial honors the 81,000 individuals who served in the Korean War. The President and First Lady also visited Westminster Abbey, where a wreath was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'M8KHCO9ORBB9YCvwp0OcEg',sig:'RBn264WI0RJYqc7wNZKJcNOvIramA9uNEFjiF_uXVSA=',w:'594px',h:'423px',items:'1794408208',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Both the Queen and Princess of Wales wore the colors of the South Korean flag. The Queen was in a blue Anna Valentine coat and dress, with a Philip Treacy hat. Now for our look at what Kate wore. She brought back the Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat worn for the December 2021 Carol Concert. She wore a dress beneath the coat, but if it is the dress worn for the carol concert in 2021, it has been shortened. The cape is likely modeled on something similar to the Catherine Walker Loden. However, the Princess's cape has significant differences from the Loden: the collar is different, creating room for the tie of the coat, and the shoulders are not as elevated. The Princess wore her hair in an updo for the first part of today's welcome but removed the hat and wore her hair down for the lunch and exhibit viewing. With thanks to Emma on Twitter, it looks like her new hat is by Jane Taylor. It is similar to the Decima Style. The Princess accessorized with her 'Bow Embellished Suede Shoulder Bag' by Miu Miu. It was first carried during the 2016 Canada Tour. And Gianvito Rossi 105 heels. The style is available at Farfetch ($795), at 24S, and at Gianvito Rossi The Princess wore the sapphire cabochon and diamond cluster earrings seen last week at the Early Years Symposium., The pair originally belonged to Diana, the Princess of Wales. Here is one more photo from today's events. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jNfCWe12TzF9Bko60Kv3cA',sig:'02nlrRnosqIgu3RiVD1wbb--vpEks5G-hQb25lK7P2k=',w:'505px',h:'594px',items:'1806225617',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And a very quick video from the Royal Family. Following a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, The President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea, The King and Queen, and The Prince and Princess of Wales, process by State Carriage to Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/iNhOepJSm8 — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 21, 2023 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also today, a video that was released on Friday to open the BBC Children in Need fundraising appeal. Delighted to support this year’s #ChildrenInNeed 💛 We must nurture every childhood, which is why the projects supported by @BBCCiN are so important. Thank you to everyone around the country taking part in challenges and the amazing fundraising effort 👏 pic.twitter.com/z7oOTbtHMJ — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 17, 2023 More on the video from this People piece. Since it began in 1980, the broadcast has raised over £1 billion for disadvantaged youth in the U.K. Speaking directly to the camera, Princess Kate said she was delighted that she was invited to kick off the festivities. Tonight is all about helping to support, champion and empower all children to be the very best they can be, which is crucial for their future health and happiness, she said. Our relationships, surroundings and experiences during the earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives. And yet sadly, we know that for too many people, stressful and traumatic situations in early childhood can cause harm and it can take many years to overcome. In the video, the Princess wears the Betty Blue Rainbow Print Silk Shirt ($225) by Lisou. The shirt was initially worn for the Pride of Britain Awards in October 2020. Her belt appears to be the Anderson's Croc Effect Leather ($160) style she has worn several times. UPDATE: It looks like the belt worn in the video is actually the navy blue UFO belt we have seen previously. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And finally, here's a quick look at some of the sales and savings opportunities available at brands the Princess has worn- many have started their Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts early. LK Bennett is offering 30% off everything. This includes the Fern heels (from $375 to $262, limited sizes) and the Floret pumps (also $262 from $375). Monica Vinader is doing 30% off the entire site as well as daily flash sales. This makes the Siren Wire Drop Earrings £87.50 instead of £125 (roughly $150 down to $110). The Nura Baroque Pearl Pendant is also 30% off at Monica Vinader. The earrings are also available on sale at John Lewis and at Selfridge's and John Lewis has the Nura Baroque Pearl Necklace at £87.50. DeMellier London has 20% off its entire site. This includes the Princess's Nano Montreal in Navy Smooth and in Deep Toffee Smooth, bringing the price down to $360 from $450. Aspinal of London is offering the Princess's Midi Mayfair Handbag (usually $790, on sale for $635) in both deep shine black croc and deep shine lavender croc. We'll see you tonight for coverage of the Princess's Jenny Packham gown and surprising tiara choice for the state dinner! NOTE: Comments need to be respectful; those that are disrespectful won't be published. It's fine to dislike an outfit or an element of an ensemble, but not with pejorative words and phrases. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel's coverage of the hotel meeting. Here is coverage of the Horse Guards Parade events. And the viewing of the Royal Collection Trust exhibit. The Daily Mail offers more than an hour's worth of coverage in this video. This post from the Royal Family offers background. 🇰🇷🇬🇧 Today, The King and Queen will welcome The President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Kim Keon Hee, for a three-day State Visit to the United Kingdom. — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 21, 2023
It’s Emilia Wickstead for Landmark Speech at Early Childhood Symposium – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose a familiar Emilia Wickstead look for today's Shaping Us National Symposium in London. Below, the Princess arriving for the event. The Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood hosted the symposium at the Design Museum in Kensington, London. The Centre described the event as bringing together cross-disciplinary leaders, child and adult specialists, and global thinkers for the first time to consider how we grow, think, and behave throughout life, in order to build resilience for the future. Last night, Kensington Palace posted a teaser video. Tomorrow we are hosting The #ShapingUs National Symposium. We will bring together cross-disciplinary leaders, child and adult specialists, and global thinkers for the first time to consider how we grow, think, and behave throughout life, in order to build resilience for the… pic.twitter.com/TMTao1irUt — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 14, 2023 Below, the Princess with Fearne Cotton, a Shaping Us champion, who hosted today's event. More from The Mirror's piece by Russell Myers and Jennifer Newton. Asked by mum-of-two Feane how she was feeling, Kate replied: Good, but nervous but excited too. She added: So nice to see it all coming together and different people along with it. All of us are still learning and sharing experiences with each other. The pair discussed the fact that guests will join afternoon workshops to discuss findings from her project. Kate said : I've asked everyone to be really honest and added that there needs to be tangible action. The Shaping Us project aims to highlight the significance of the formative years of a child's life. Kensington Palace said the centre has conducted a global listening exercise, involving experts from 21 countries to unite the thinking and agree on the key foundational skills laid in early childhood, but continue to grow beyond it, that help establish happy, healthy adult lives. The Princess also spoke about Prince Louis and his class while chatting with the TV presenter and author. The Daily Mail has details in this story. ...[she] revealed her five-year-old son has taken part in her study for early years and said: 'Louis' class, they came back with a feelings wheel, it's really good. '... These are five or six-year-olds, and going with names or pictures of a colour that represents how they feel that day, so there is a real keenness in school particularly to get involved in conversations.' A feelings wheel is often a circle that displays colour-coded 'core' emotions - ones that are more easily expressed - at the centre, with more complex or 'secondary' emotions around these. Children are encouraged to try and pinpoint their feelings. The Princess delivered today's keynote address. Here is more on her speech from this ITV article. She told a conference on Early Years at the Design Museum in London that we should care about child development as much as we should care about the health of our planet. The princess said: Just as we need to restore, protect, and invest in our planet, so we must restore, protect, and invest in our societies, communities, relationships, and ourselves. The Telegraph reports, Christian Guy, director of the centre, said of her speech: It's almost a manifesto for social and emotional skills. More from the address. This is not just about the youngest children in our society, who are, by their very nature, vulnerable. It is also about the many young people and adults who are suffering. We must do more than simply meet the short-term needs of these individuals. We must also look at creating long-term, preventative change. ...why does it so often take individuals to reach breaking point, rock bottom or even a prison sentence to finally find the support they so desperately need? Here is a clip from the speech. If we can create a society which sees the child within every adult – and the adult within every child - we will finally start to change it for the better. We want to make the link between the skills we develop in early childhood and the core foundations that set us up for… pic.twitter.com/bMdmJZJwdu — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2023 And from Victoria Ward's piece in The Telegraph. The Princess of Wales has said children’s social and emotional skills are just as valuable as reading, writing and maths for children. She warned that “new thinking and action” is needed at every level in order to strengthen emotional development in both children and adults. The symposium included additional speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Among those taking part, former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Lord Hague. More from this Telegraph story. Sir Tony joined Lord Hague, the former Conservative leader and chairman of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, at the event at the Design Museum in central London. He said he agreed with the Princess’s crusade to improve social outcomes by focusing on skills learnt between birth and the age of five, noting that empathy and resilience were key leadership qualities rooted in childhood. Lord Hague, who was leader of the opposition during Sir Tony’s first four years as prime minister, agreed with his one-time political adversary. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'yOQlWo4iQt1rLxUrnFFuIg',sig:'Rf-R1iG1ocCDW-QG6K4OzSqVWKaQl7kLGHKe3klNHhk=',w:'594px',h:'364px',items:'1783272295',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess at one of the day's breakout sessions. The Royal Foundation also offered this in its piece about the symposium. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has conducted a first of its kind global listening exercise, involving experts from 21 countries around the world, to unite the thinking and agree on the key foundational skills we lay in early childhood, but continue to grow beyond it, that help establish happy, healthy adult lives. This work has been undertaken to agree a set of common core skills that can apply equally to children and adults, so we can bring people together with a united language and vision to drive action at every level. The Shaping Us National Symposium will share the findings from this exercise and focus on the action needed to make social and emotional skills a greater priority. Among those speaking today, Harvard Professor Jack Shonkoff, whom the Princess met when visiting Boston last year. In his People magazine story, Simon Perry offers additional information on today's symposium. Princess Kate’s foundation instituted new research involving 21 countries around the world. The director of the Centre of Early Childhood called the report “a manifesto for social-emotional skills.” It also marked her first time working with global leaders in this area and is her “signaling” that she wants this to be worldwide, those close to her say. Below, a panel discusses the new research. The Princess watching one of the discussions. On her left is Christian Guy, the Director of the Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood, and on her right is Professor Eamon McCrory, an advisor to the Early Childhood Centre. Mr. Perry also reports, Among the audience were representatives from Kate's mental health and well-being charities like Place2Be, which was one of her first patronages and helped instill in her the need for early intervention. The workshops at the event were designed to look at what action can be taken at every level to protect and strengthen these skills for current and future generations across disciplines and across sectors. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood posted on social media after the event wrapped up. A key milestone for the Centre for Early Childhood at the #ShapingUs National Symposium. pic.twitter.com/sg6kKJizKB — The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood (@Earlychildhood) November 15, 2023 And Kensington Palace posted a 1-minute video about the symposium. 📌 The #ShapingUs National Symposium Social and emotional life skills do not receive enough attention, either during early childhood or throughout the rest of our lives. In fact, for many adults, the only time they are encouraged and supported to work on these skills, is at some… pic.twitter.com/LH45IJTh6y — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore. She was in pieces by Emilia Wickstead, done in a custom color. The Dida Wool Flannel Jacket (most recently priced at $430 on sale, sold out) is 100% wool and described as being made of a midweight flannel. The double-breasted silhouette is a classic cut, with flap pockets, peak lapels, and self-covered buttons on the front and at the wrist. The trousers are a version of the Gus style ($1030), a slim cut with a high waist and tapered legs. The Gus trouser is available in different fabrics; the current style does not have a cuff. Below, a closer look at some of the jacket details. The separates were first worn in September 2021 when the Cambridges were in Northern Ireland. Thoughts on today's look from British Vogue. This time she put a royal spin on her tailoring via a vibrant shade of purple (that is remarkably similar to a Quality Street wrapper). This bold hue has famously been associated with royalty since ancient times, with natural purple dye historically among the most expensive. In the 16th century, Elizabeth I refused to allow anyone except her innermost circle to wear purple and it has continued to play an important role in coronations and celebrations with pomp and ceremony ever since. British Vogue’s November 2022 cover featured this deep purple, in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, which mirrored the March 1952 issue which commemorated the passing of King George VI. A trouser suit is an ideal choice for a modern-day princess: it’s polished, practical and also reinforces the message that The Firm is working hard. Given that she was speaking about her future plans and focuses, it figures that she would decide to stick to traditional codes of executive dressing, and continue to dress like a “corpcore” princess in a commanding trouser suit. The Princess accessorized with her Gianvito 105 pumps in navy suede, a point-toe style with a 4.1 heel. The shoes are available in limited sizes at Cettire (on sale for $452 - $489), at 24S ($795), at My Theresa ($795), and at Gianvito Rossi ($795). I added some more wallet-friendly options to the RepliKate Footwear page.) The Princess wore her hair down today. And the sapphire cabochon cluster earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. In this image, you see the late Princess of Wales wearing them at a White House ball hosted by President and Mrs. Reagan in 1985. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GGWDf1NwRNNpnS_M8SEqEQ',sig:'BH_IsjcDHyA2qzomEieztg9MetZhb-8BIa0pxoEyLzE=',w:'386px',h:'594px',items:'1172532704',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Last night the Princess rehearsed her speech and attended a reception ahead of today's symposium. This event was also at the Design Museum. The Princess with Archbishop Justin Welby. She spent some time rehearsing her remarks. We quickly look at last night's ensemble, beginning with the Roland Mouret separates. Here you see the maroon Cady Blazer ($1100) and Stretch Cady Flared Pants ($650), both done in an acetate/polyester blend. The blazer features a fitted, single-breasted silhouette with peak lapels, angled flap pockets, a self-covered front button, and four buttons at the sleeve hem. The trousers are also made of acetate/polyester with a wide leg and side zipper. The jacket is available in just two sizes at Baltini ($608), a mix of sizes at Roland Mouret ($1100), limited sizes at Net-a-Porter ($1100), and in mixed sizes at Farfetch ($1568). The trousers are in stock at Roland Mouret ($650), and in small sizes at Net-a-Porter ($650). This is the third time we have seen the suit. It was first worn in Boston last December, and again in January 2023. It looked like the Princess paired the suit with her Holland Cooper Bodysuit (£149). From what I could see, the Princess appeared to wear her black suede Gianvito 105 Pumps. UPDATE 8 PM: A friend points out that in the video teasing the sym[osium, you can just see a pineapple on the bottom of one sole, so these are more likely the Aquazzura Purist, shown here as worn Saturday night for the Festival of Rermembrance. There are some similar but much lower-priced designs I added to the RepliKate Footwear page. She also wore her Shyla London Chunky Knot Baroque Pearl Style Earrings (£72). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Princess was busy yesterday. It looks like she attended a formal celebration of the King's 75th birthday after the reception at the Design Museum. I am not able to license photos, but several sites have images and stories. Prince William, Kate Middleton seen leaving King Charles’ birthday bash after late night of partying https://t.co/fZMUrR19GX pic.twitter.com/wHaD56mjGG — New York Post (@nypost) November 15, 2023 More from Danielle Stacey's story for Hello. The King was joined by some of his closest friends and family members for his private birthday dinner at Clarence House. Pictured leaving Charles's London residence on Tuesday evening were the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall, who all put on a glamorous display. Multiple reports say the Princess was in a gown by Needle and Thread, the brand's Alicia Sequin Scallop Gown (now sold out) in emerald green. From what I can see, the Princess's dress very much looks like the Alica, but the shoulders look different. Of course, it's possible the Princess had her gown modified. Needle and Thread currently offer the dress in white and pink ($1089). Sue asked in a comment if the Princess had a similar dress in red, and ElizaMo graciously responded, telling her it was the 'Aurora' dress worn for a January 2020 reception at Buckingham Palace. The Aurora Ballerina Dress ($719) is still carried at Needle and Thread. VIDEOS: Here is the Princess's full speech. The Royal Family Channel has almost four minutes of coverage in this video.
A Somber Remembrance Sunday – What Kate Wore
It was a damp, chilly day in London for the annual Remembrance Sunday service. Below, Major General James Bowder, Commanding Officer for the London military district, and his team as they await the King's arrival. Today's service commemorates servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the First World War, per the Royal British Legion. The weather didn't stop the crowds from turning out to honor those who died serving their country. More from The Telegraph's coverage. Thousands of well-wishers who had lined the streets to observe the ceremony watched as the Royal Marines Band made its way from the Palace of Westminster to the Cenotaph in the rain. The band made several loops around the monument, with the Royal Marines infantry marching in tow. At 10:58 a.m., the King, other members of the Royal Family, and equerries participating in the service leave the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development offices and move to the Cenotaph. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'92ciWVc_RjNOKe1O4dWuPA',sig:'22AoO8S-oZFiVnieeQaVmsDKEkQXE1vBi3plmbO0BUk=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1778217988',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); At the same time, Royal Family members viewing the ceremony move to the balconies where they will watch the event. Below, the Queen and Princess of Wales. The Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'CtqaWQsSStBZ4T_M08Spiw',sig:'olDt2yYLslWwQbFMaB8zSZzoZvf5STIZa_NP_C3RyeY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1778253438',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6rZE6o2UTVFUXkd0DE-XrA',sig:'5NxLAgi9XLhGdLYIhcvOmr28IxtZzpa4dRcIgLiDWUQ=',w:'594px',h:'446px',items:'1778180679',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Another view. The formation at the Cenotaph. At Big Ben's first stroke of eleven, a gun is fired at Horse Guards Parade, and a two-minute silence begins. Below, the Princess of Wales during the two-minute silence. The silence ends with another gun firing, and the buglers of the Royal Marines play the Last Post. This is followed by the placing of wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph. Cenotaph means empty tomb. The memorial was opened in 1920. King George V unveils the Cenotaph before laying a wreath. He is joined by Prime Minister Lloyd George. Armistice Day, 1920. © IWM (IWM 505) pic.twitter.com/6TFTzi5OeR — Imperial War Museums (@I_W_M) November 11, 2023 The King lays the first wreath as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. An equerry laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen. Below, His Majesty after he placed his wreath. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'fuowyWCUQTxDW0tVw8IOnw',sig:'7hftA3bcPlfWkgKGEmlz3VCbgqD5Agdc2VYkjnszNJ0=',w:'410px',h:'594px',items:'1789364150',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Prince of Wales places the next wreath. Followed by the Duke of Edinburgh. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RrQxV9KEQI9BDkC5c49rPg',sig:'8E4swh6xHjGZJQO-O3y_o1zqLmSjQn8L5fHkeD1ur0U=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1778195020',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And the Princess Royal. An equerry placed a wreath for the Duke of Kent, who was unable to attend the service because of mobility issues. Below, the mass of wreaths after today's service. We return to The Telegraph story. The event concluded with a short service, including prayers and hymns, before the Royal British Legion March Past commenced. The national anthem. God save the King. 🎥 Sky #RememberanceDay pic.twitter.com/04vvY3fynY — ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) November 12, 2023 More than 800 active service personnel took part in today's service. Below, members of the Blues and Royals. Ahead of the service, veterans gather at Horse Guards Parade for the March Past. D-Day veterans. For some, it is a chance to renew friendships. And make new memories. After gathering, the veterans march past the Cenotaph. Chelsea Pensioners in their distinctive red coats. The Royal British Legion notes, The number of people who can take part in the March Past is limited to 10,000 people due to capacity and the amount of time participants can reasonably be expected to stand. Members of the FANYs, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. I believe these are Gurkha veterans. More veterans gathered for today's service. A view as the veterans march. Princess Anne took the salute from the veterans as they marched. She is seen below with Vice Admiral Johnson (right) and Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps, MP. A brief video. Following the Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph, HRH The Princess Royal takes the salute at the March Past @RoyalFamily #RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/actp9WMskI — Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) November 12, 2023 The Remembrance Sunday service isn't limited to England. Below, the scene today in Edinburgh, Scotland. This image is from a service at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland. And a view of a service aboard the HMS Spey, a Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel. Now for our look at styles worn by some of the royals in attendance at today's service. The Queen was in a coatdress by Fiona Clare with a Philip Treacy hat. She also wore the Royal Lancers brooch. The Duchess of Edinburgh brought back the Suzannah London coat featuring lilies of the valley that she wore to the late Queen's funeral. She accessorized with a Jane Taylor hat—more on her jewelry from The Court Jeweller. Sophie wore pearl drop earrings from her collection for the occasion. She secured a trio of paper poppies with a poppy-shaped brooch featuring the badge of The Rifles. She has been the Royal Colonel of the 5th Battalion since 2007. And a look at what Kate wore, starting with her Catherine Walker military-style coat that was first worn for Remembrance Sunday in 2019. As I wrote then, it features a high point collar, front zipper, padded shoulders...and swagged trim, reminiscent of the braided aiguilette trim found on some uniforms. Today the Princess paired it with a familiar Philip Treacy hat; she also wore Philip Treacy in 2019. This was the fourth time we have seen the design. It was first seen at Prince William's passing out parade at Sandhurst, then on Remembrance Sunday in 2012 and 2017. A look at the back of the Princess's updo. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Sd2f9UMxRi5MkKk13DeB8Q',sig:'ZcXxCAgJhJ38CRqyvakqof7Ed2-XSzu5OT0dWuvZYyc=',w:'539px',h:'594px',items:'1778552339',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In a few photos, you can see the handbag the Princess carried. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5rWh_wLLS2BGI3FJ50Y7rA',sig:'-e9D9jWz6Ra0YQm2ZZn2VuydTlnjO7D8bHbhAAAkd7c=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1778293333',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess carried a new handbag by Jennifer Chamandi, the LE 8 with Gold Buckle (£730, about $890 at today's exchange rates) in black suede. The design is inspired by an envelope shape; it is made in Italy and has a magnetic closure and detachable strap. The Princess has worn shoes by Jennifer Chamandi, and the brand notes that 10% of proceeds from the sale of Le 8, via our website, will go directly to Anna Freud, a UK-based world-leading mental health charity. Thank you to House of Windsor for the ID and Middleton Maven for confirmation from the designer. Today the Princess wore a pin of the Fleet Air Arm; you may recall she was appointed their Commodore-in-Chief by King Charles in August. She also wore three poppies. The following is from a Remembrance post a few years back, but it still applies: There is always speculation about the number of poppies worn by the Duchess and any significance attached to that number. Here are theories about that number as detailed in this Grazia story: Some theories suggest each poppy stands for a different branch of the military. Others say that it’s just easier to see a large clump of flowers than a singular one. And a third theory speculates that she might wear the poppy trio to honor her great-grandmother’s three brothers who died during World War I. She also had on a pair of earrings we'd not seen her wear previously. The earrings are part of a set that belonged to the late Queen. The Princess was first seen wearing the brooch from the set in July 2017 at services in Belgium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. Thank you to Couture and Royals on Twitter for noting the earrings' tie to the brooch. We learn more from The Court Jeweller's coverage of today's service. The earrings appear to be part of the same suite that includes the late monarch’s Diamond and Pearl Leaf Brooch, notably worn by her in South Korea on her birthday in 1999. It’s possible that the earrings are either separate pieces that match the brooch, or two detachable leaves from the brooch itself. The Court Jeweller's post also has photos of the late Queen wearing the earrings a swell as the brooch. Below, you see just the base of the brooch affixing poppies to the Princess's dress at the 2018 Festival of Remembrance. The Princess also wore gloves today; the Data Duchess on Twitter suggests that they look like the pair worn at the Queen's funeral. The Royal Family posted a portion of Rudyard Kipling's Recessional on social media ahead of today's service. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel offers almost five minutes of coverage. The Telegraph has more than 45 minutes of coverage. This Sky News story runs about two minutes.
The Princess Wears Emilia Wickstead for Festival of Remembrance – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales brought back an Emilia Wickstead design for tonight's Festival of Remembrance. A video of the Prince and Princess arrived. Prince and Princess of Wales ✨ pic.twitter.com/z0SEDdmHuz — سعد 🇬🇧🧣🇮🇱 (@crowndefensx) November 11, 2023 Put on by the Royal British Legion every year, the festival is held at Royal Albert Hall. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'vN2gANJ_TXlfDvHOaDeIcQ',sig:'X1_OCtHU15RLrLOV0L-Uh8UuGbWAKLrbs44FB2DQ2Yw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1787978269',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The King and Queen led the royal contingent. Also attending, the Duchess of Edinburgh. And her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XmMmplFVTFNBjdpIDySjxg',sig:'tL0mMcqlsNxCotkCqeqwRKx09TgFaXWNX4KhaSKUc0Y=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1788015208',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Princess Anne. And her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'N1ONtc6OR5RcH7gmGvTfxg',sig:'CetVNP7vfQXNvZdYmU-yYAWAoEljQDqor_wR1I15t-4=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1788028045',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Here you see the Duchess. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'QroTwFYbRWZxrPgYkKWCuQ',sig:'huryPIn5xmKrim_0c4MPtaAQelPDqzk2wHH_qHlGg7w=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1787963110',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In this photo, you can see all the royals except the Edinburghs. Here you have a better view of the Gloucesters. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'VkfS72rkR2BCwcUgL7xtiA',sig:'on6rG_ya-p6lDrl4ZWZ2BS0sfYQinMNGbHrOflm01-4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1788010980',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); And a very wide shot of the royal box. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'HZFb4NvzSoJ-UtO7qfOqFg',sig:'Fq2Gg7ooL2nuANZ6TzLQL0h6UgJkry7AYn6z51a0QbE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1788052021',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); This year's event paid tribute to National Servicemen...marking 70 years since the end of the Korean War. It also acknowledges the unique contribution of the Windrush Generation, 75 years after their arrival in the UK, and honours those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic 80 years ago, per the Legion's description. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'3rwt2NG9SHREGuG-R-Sy1Q',sig:'WLJEj6nMH_NnL_jJzZbePPbkKNQQ4s9q3LV45MbroD8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1787976147',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Legion also noted, As exemplified by the participants of the Invictus Games, we also salute the courage and resilience of those recovering from injuries. It emphasises the unity of people from diverse backgrounds who defended our freedom and way of life. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'IjWK5gXBTjFsIv9rIN57Dw',sig:'xudAQfqjOn52u1tGhUG8XE5AvGnGhX8r11ZvyzHQcw8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1787984585',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More on tonight's events via The Evening Standard's story. Hosting the annual Royal British Legion event, Clare Balding said that servicemen and women who have lost their lives are “kept alive with our words, our memories, our tributes”. There were performances from British soul singer Mica Paris, pop star Calum Scott, Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery and tenor Alfie Boe, who performed Bring Him Home. Below, journalist and author Clare Balding. More about the poppy as a symbol of remembrance via the Imperial War Museum. The poppy is the enduring symbol of remembrance of the First World War. It is strongly linked with Armistice Day (11 November), but the poppy's origin as a popular symbol of remembrance lies in the landscapes of the First World War. Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. They flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. The flower provided Canadian doctor John McCrae with inspiration for his poem 'In Flanders Fields', which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres in 1915. Here is the text of the poem. The festival wraps up in silence as poppies fall from the ceiling. Followed by Serving personnel leading three cheers for The King. Before tonight's performance, King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled statues at the Royal Albert Hall of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In the photo above, you also see the President of the Council of the Royal Albert Hall, Ian McCulloch—more from The Daily Mail's coverage. The life-sized bronze artworks, commemorating the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's dedication to the Royal Albert Hall, were erected as part of the building's 150th anniversary. The commissioning of the sculptures was awarded following a competition involving a shortlist of seven sculptors supported by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), a charity supporting excellence in British craftsmanship. Ian McCulloch, president of the Royal Albert Hall, said: 'It is particularly fitting for our distinctive building to mark the contribution to our history of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who supported and attended the hall devotedly for so many decades.' The two-metre bronze monuments were created by sculptor Poppy Field. Below, the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'efUZYzcVQq1szBqPJDkt2g',sig:'Q0jwliVCzlFiixvutSWOMHksW1Kbg-7SzpDIMJZ-0pc=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1776453427',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The King during the unveiling ceremony. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DkOrCs1NQ1J8BDEv155RIA',sig:'FtLSFDwo7kTqtuj-GjkefXkjLmioFUsFQjysCmRL0T8=',w:'594px',h:'395px',items:'1776321771',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Now for our look at what Kate wore. She was in the Emilia Wickstead dress initially worn for the Governors-General luncheon hosted by King Charles the night before the late Queen's funeral. It looks like a custom version of the Jorgie Ruched Flared Crepe Midi Dress (long since sold out) from the pre-fall 2020 collection. You see it below at Harrod's when the dress was available for purchase. It showcases an A-line silhouette, ruching at the bodice, a pleated and full skirt, and a back zipper. Thank you to Carly of Kate Middleton Style for her background info on the dress. The Princess accessorized with her Stuart Weitzman 'Muse' clutch, a piece dating back more than a decade. And her Aquazzura 'Purist' pumps ($638) that were first worn when the Princess met with Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska the night before HM's funeral. Thank you to Middleton Maven for a refresher on the shoe! The Princess wore the same necklace she paired with the Wickstead dress in September 2022, a triple-strand pearl necklace that belonged to the Queen. Her earrings tonight were the Bahrain Pearl and Diamond Drop earrings, so-called because the pearls used for the earrings were a wedding gift from the ruler of Bahrain to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding. The Princess wore a single poppy this evening, pinned to her dress by the Queen Mother's Dragoon Guards brooch. There were reports that Brigadier Alan Richmond gave the Princess the brooch on Wednesday when she visited the Guards Regiment. It appears those reports were accurate. You see the Queen Mother wearing it in this photo. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5OwVhbllRY5LKh435uWsgw',sig:'d5utzSQbCz-uoVSMJL93hUbJNZqpE6qVgYEHopf2rmo=',w:'400px',h:'594px',items:'51027619',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Last year, the Princess wore the Self-Portrait Crepe and Chiffon Midi Dress (no longer available) I will see you tomorrow for the annual Remembrance Sunday coverage. VIDEO: ITN's Royal Family Channel has coverage of the statues being unveiled. A quick video on the evolution of the poppy.
The Princess in Camouflage for Dragoon Guards Engagement – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales wore camouflage and a Holland Cooper jacket for a visit to the Queen's Dragoon Guards. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'JUEUoUlmSJ13Udi47rF08Q',sig:'bivRiFRsa6m7HH5X_JxGkBSkx13eDamiEafhoL58PsE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1771031683',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); This was her first engagement with the Guards as Colonel-in-Chief, an appointment made by King Charles in August. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jp4R1P7zSp5RvxdWLplfUA',sig:'A25F8Dq3kDaTbZhrZocCyxtEPlWat6Dt7h8WrH2chTg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1771083414',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We learn about the Guards' background from Stephanie Petit's People article. The QDG was formed in 1959 from the amalgamation of the two senior Cavalry regiments, 1st King's Dragoon Guards and the Queen’s Bays. The QDG specializes in reconnaissance: the art of seeking out the enemy and understanding how they operate. They've moved all over the world, most recently deployed to Mali as part of a peacekeeping operation. After arriving at Roberston Barracks in Norfolk, the Princess donned a combat vest and helmet and saw how the regiment works in the field. She learned about different equipment, including reconnaissance drones used by the Guards. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'QxpcTzl8QwxoV1KvmRXEIw',sig:'PLK-KqmZaA-cEQjI-rnfCiQjyzi5XlL24RwQiOREQEI=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1771094403',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Here you see her operating one of the drones. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'IFW4Swd8S-hL6EMVYVoJ-Q',sig:'kFdetAX0KKU7zM3qB-r1dKLKz8cpTY6wWaEWBZMC288=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1771105328',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); She also drove a seven-ton Jackal 2 armored vehicle. More from the Wimbledon Guardian's story. Corporal Darreyl Tukana, a driving instructor, sat beside Kate in the Jackal 2 on Wednesday. He said afterwards: “She was a natural. “She drives a Land Rover back at home – I told her it’s exactly the same, just take it slowly and go back to where we started off from. “She was enjoying every bit of the journey itself. Danielle Stacey tells us more in her Hello story. Asked if he had to teach her much, he said: “Not really, I just needed to switch on a few toggle switches before start-up, because it’s different from a car. “But I switched it on, put it into gear and I told her it’s just like a normal car.” The Ministry of Defence describes it as the Regiment’s primary vehicle...ideal for its reconnaissance role due to its speed, endurance, and maneuverability. After participating in the field operations, the Princess awarded Long Service and Good Conduct medals. The medals are awarded to soldiers who have 15 years of exemplary service. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'uv5mDU3qQHNBvTljodwsPg',sig:'9F6jsR2ekygg36xS6Qu6l9oIbLUIvUceV3_BZhDo8j4=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1771168137',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess spoke with service members. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'wgq4CGU-T3hlSul2NzN5GQ',sig:'FKoehFYGwzhLblTkZvqAydqSdFWhdKsN_yydPv4eWQE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1770880145',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); As well as family members. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ZrmQvq22QVZfAIhpfBHL5Q',sig:'etX4xvpFuGofW8q0DN4fAZUFSrjCBz3T8LgjPSO5ZfA=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1770851010',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from The Daily Mail's coverage. Kate Ormston, 31, whose 38-year-old husband Staff Sergeant Paul Ormston is attached to the regiment, was with their two children Joey, 10, and six-year-old Jackson when she spoke to the princess. She said: 'It was really exciting. She asked about Army life and my husband being deployed, and just generally she was just really down to earth and friendly, it was really nice. 'She spoke to everyone individually, she introduced herself to the children and asked their names and ages which was really nice. 'I think they were a little bit overwhelmed as well.' She added: 'She's done it herself, hasn't she, William's been in the military so she knows what it's like.' The Princess had one more task before leaving: promoting the regiment's mascot from Lance Corporal to Corporal. The Bay Welsh Mountain pony is called Trooper 'Longface' Emrys Jones. The pony has served with the regiment since 2016. Here is a quick Kensington Palace video on the visit. A pleasure to meet with members of 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (@TheWelshCavalry) and newly promoted Bay Welsh Mountain pony, Trooper ‘Longface’ Emrys Jones, in Norfolk today. Looking forward to working with you in the years ahead. pic.twitter.com/9WDdlgoMGF — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 8, 2023 Now for a quick look at what Kate wore: a camouflage jacket, combat vest, and helmet. For the engagement inside the barracks, the Princess brought back the Holland Cooper Twill Double Breasted Blazer (£549, about $675) first worn in May 2021 when visiting the University of St. Andrews. The design features classic double-breasted styling with a slim, long-line silhouette. It is made in England using wool woven in the UK. The Princess also brought back her See by Chloé 'Mozart' Ankle Boots. The boots have a rounded toe, stacked heel, and heavy tread rubber sole. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also today, a couple of collaborative collections you may be interested in. The first is the Jigsaw X Roksanda collection. It is described as Blending a mastery of craft with a love of art, the collection encompasses ROKSANDA’s signature architectural forms, distinctive cuts and clever use of colour, whilst giving a contemporary take on Jigsaw’s heritage tailoring, playful approach to print and considered design aesthetic. Styles include a chunky Fisherman Ribbed Sweater ($280), a Silk Velvet Dress ($500), a Plisse Knit Turtleneck ($190), and a Satin Colorblock Skirt ($210). There are also accessories like a Teardrop Necklace ($125), Teardrop Earrings ($115), and a Silk Twill Scarf ($115). The Uniqlo X Anya Hindmarch collection is all knitwear, except for a reusable bag, with styles for adults and children. The pieces showcase the whimsical style associated with many Anya Hindmarch designs and also have Uniqlo's wallet-friendly price points, with wool sweaters for children at $29.90, adult sweaters at $49.90, and beanies at $19.90. The collection will be available online and in stores on November 24th. You can view the lookbook here. And finally, it looks like we may have a tiara engagement in a few weeks when there is a state banquet honoring Korea. Below, a few updates from the Kate's Calendar page. Tuesday, November 21: The Prince and Princess of Wales will welcome the President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, at their hotel. They will travel to Horse Guards Parade for a ceremonial welcome. Tuesday, November 21: The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace for Korea’s President and First Lady.
The Princess Wears Burberry for Scotland Engagements UPDATED with Boot ID – What Kate Wore
The Duchess of Rothesay was in casual separates for a day of engagements with the Duke of Rothesay in Moray and Inverness, Scotland. Today's engagements focused on organizations supporting rural communities. The couple's first stop was at a local primary school, where the royals were greeted by students. More from Planet Radio's article. Another pupil Oliver was told by Kate to go easy on the fist bumps following a half-term accident for the Princess of Wales. She said she hurt her finger playing on the trampoline with her kids She also said she couldn't give too many fist bumps or high fives as it hurt! The Prince and Princess were at the school to connect with Outfit Moray, an award-winning charity delivering life-changing outdoor learning and adventure activity programs to young people, per the organization's website. They watched some of the young people taking part in a mountain biking exercise. More about the organization from The Daily Record's story. Outfit Moray supports young people aged between eight and 18 and has worked with more than 16,000 youngsters since its creation in 2003. It runs a large range of activities including mountain biking, paddlesports, rock climbing, archery and bushcraft. The Princess consoled one rider who fell off his bike. Here is a quick video of her chatting with the young man. Princess Kate comforts a young boy after he fell off his bike. The Prince and Princess of Wales have been in Scotland today.#PrincessCatherineOfWales #RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/33nQhNdLJn — Greatest Hits Radio News (@GHRNewsUK) November 2, 2023 Then the pair went for a ride on the course. A quick video. Two royals on two wheels! Here are the Prince and Princess of Wales having a go at mountain biking today in North Scotland. #RoyalFamily #PrinceofWales #PrinceWilliam #PrincessCatherineOfWales pic.twitter.com/jiigEFUZXf — Greatest Hits Radio News (@GHRNewsUK) November 2, 2023 More from the Daily Mail's story. They spoke to the chief executive of the charity and a group of schoolchildren before boarding their bikes, with William asking children questions including what sports they enjoy and what football teams they support. He was later overhead to say he found a see-saw on a bike 'tricky', but both he and Kate managed to complete the circuit unscathed, encouraged by shouts of 'Go on, William' from well-wishers. They also spent time speaking with well-wishers. The Princess was given flowers by students Ruby Grant and James Young. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'1OWOTWi2SrNYKk3kFB7Ghg',sig:'nTzbl0iaVry5VeBktBjRw72yoTMtN0fE5TfgHzpgmxo=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1760215409',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); They were also given three teddy bears, one for each of the Wales children. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Ff3H5EweTdhTrh9wza5nHA',sig:'G-bmYhlKAXrb-Ye3Cxwh1Q4VKWflzUQf4Zevz45mBd0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1760292599',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Kensington Palace posted on social media after the engagement. Their next stop was about 15 minutes away at Brodieshill Farm, a family-run enterprise. They were at the farm to learn about ...efforts being made to better support the mental health and wellbeing of young people, per a Palace news release. The news release also notes the farm has a space for young children to explore and learn... an indoor and outdoor area for child-led play where families, including those based at nearby RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth, can focus and reconnect with their children, and get together regularly as a group. The couple also met with young farmers. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5TOwJAYkSclhFO_QGyR4qg',sig:'9LfjwMLOVAAY2QJ054K4Y4HSgLTdHUDHoQK8QwgvpKg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1760321649',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from The Mirror's coverage. At Brodiehill Farm, they met members of the Lower Speyside Young Farmers group and representatives from Farmstrong Scotland. The group has recently taken part in the “Are ewe okay?” campaign, led by the Scottish Association of Young Farmer Clubs, encouraging members to talk about mental health and break down stigma associated with the subject. The final engagement of the day was at DAY1, described by Kensington Palace as a Highland-based charity which provides mentoring, training, personal development and employability services to vulnerable young people. The organization offers a year-long mentoring program that helps disengaged youngsters build resilience and achieve their potential, noting on its website that Since 2005, 93% of young people matched to a DAY1 mentor have achieved a positive destination such as work, further education or training. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qr7GwTwnRZ5nPcPoQlV90w',sig:'zcFHQ_e6SDMZEfyKd4gx7ZrPDxqtDvd6qz7TEJIBlAE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1760506743',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Princess with some DAY1 participants. DAY1 owns the Inverness Kart Raceway, where its Automotive Skills apprenticeships are based. More on today's visit from this Northern Times story. The Prince of Wales revealed his passion for motorsports and all things mechanical in Inverness – and joked he would have loved the chance to take on wife Kate around Inverness Kart Raceway’s indoor circuit during a visit to the site today. The Duke of Rothesay talked light-heartedly of his and the Princess of Wales’ fierce “competitive streaks” at the close of an hour and a half visit to the youth mentoring charity DAY1 and said they would have loved to tackle the kart circuit in a race. We return to The Northern Times piece. Dylan Mackay (13), a third year at Inverness Royal Academy, said: “I’ve been here a year and a half and it has been brilliant getting on the track, meeting with like-minded folk and learning new skills. It has given me a lot of confidence. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to stand and chat to the royal couple and probably wouldn’t have been able to not so long ago, but they were very down-to-earth and they chatted away very easily. It was all very light-hearted. “They were first class to us, a lovely couple.” Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'sRDTQt2TTAhUCSON_9Ybkg',sig:'Po51Vxv3zr5IfWq9NhKDv36RbNo7nGGFRhShxgQxtxY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1760505681',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});Here is a video Kensington Palace posted after the DAY1 engagement. It’s Lights Out and Away We Go at DAY1’s Inverness Kart Raceway 🚥🏁 Here, 100% of profits go to the DAY1 youth charity, helping to steer young people towards a brighter future through mentoring and automotive training pic.twitter.com/HOjgrgSWYL — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 2, 2023 Here is one more photo from today's engagements, the Princess meeting a little girl with angel wings. Now for our look at what Kate wore today. We begin with her jacket, a past-season piece by Burberry, the label's Check Diamond Quilted Checked Jacket. The garment showcases the brand's signature check in a wool/polyester fabric. The jacket has a fitted silhouette with a nipped-in waist, angled front pockets, bias trim, goldtone front snaps, and a black corduroy spread collar. Thank you to Middleton Maven for this ID. A closer look at the collar, pockets, and rubber logo patch at the cuff. Beneath the jacket, the Princess wore a turtleneck we'd not seen before. While it's difficult to tell without seeing more of the sweater, Middleton Maven suggests it is the Polo Ralph Lauren Wool Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater ($398). The piece has a boxy fit with ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and hem. I have not been able to take a really good look at the jeans, but will do so later this evening. UPDATE: The jeans look like another pair by Mother, the Weekender Style, in a color called Deep End. I show them below at Saks ($258), but they are also in stock at Mother, as well as at Nordstrom and at Neiman Marcus. Thank you to Kate Middleton Styled for this ID. The Princess was in the same boots worn yesterday, which I have moved into the UFO category. Having a much better photo today helped me see these are not the Reiss Thea. One big distinction: the Reiss has stitching at the sole, while the boot worn by the Princess are not stitched. UPDATE 9:45 PM With thanks to UFO No More, the boots look like a style by ba&sh, the brand's Codalie Chelsea Boot in chocolate brown (€179, about $190 at today's exchange rates). The boots are 100% leather in a pull-on design, with a lug sole, and elastic inserted. It is available in black at ba&sh ($460) and at Bloomingdale's ($460). The Princess has also worn a belt by the brand. It looked like the Princess may have been wearing her Removable Teardrop Garnet Charm Hoops (£95, about $115) by Welsh jeweler Spells of Love. The hoops are recycled 18K gold vermeil over sterling silver with removable garnet charms, and they are available for preorder with delivery expected in 10-12 weeks. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel's video. MFR News offers two minutes of coverage in this video. 👑 Pupils at @BurgheadPrimary are explaining what the Prince and Princess were talking to them about, including how Kate hurt her finger recently, while playing on the trampoline! We’re also hearing how the Duchess of Rothesay helped console a little boy who fell pic.twitter.com/ZzH6fdeaSo — MFR News and Sport (@MFRNews) November 2, 2023 Outfit Moray posted a 1:25 video from today's engagement.
The Princess in Familiar Pieces for Dadvengers Engagement – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales was in familiar styles today for a meeting of the Dadvengers, a group that inspires and champions fathers throughout their journey of parenthood. The Telegraph has more in this piece by India McTaggart. The Princess of Wales has visited a pub in north London to discuss the importance of early childhood with a group of fathers. The Princess, 41, met the Dadvengers community at the Arnos Arms in Arnos Grove, where they discussed parental well-being and building communities of support around fathers. The Dadvengers group was started by CBeebies presenter Nigel Clarke in 2019 to provide resources for new fathers and support positive mental health for men, primarily online. The organization has four core pillars. Dadvengers notes on its site that Tackling the issues dads face isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Men don’t engage with resources in the same way as women. Therefore we believe in tailoring our resources and making them engaging to our audience. We engage dads by building communities through recreational activities, such as our Podcast, Dad Chats, Quizzes, Meet-Ups or Dad Walks. The group's name is said to come from Mr. Clarke's fondness for Marvel's Avengers. Below, you see the Princess with five-year-old Grayson Stevenson and Nigel Clarke. A Kensington Palace news release notes, Dadvengers is predominately an online community which works to support dads on their journey through parenthood. It has a strong focus on mental wellbeing and supports new fathers in a variety of ways including through online training programs, podcasts, and more recently the in-person ‘Dad Walks’. Dad Walks provide a new way for men to meet other fathers in their local community in an informal setting. We learn more about Dadvengers in this Daily Mail piece. Nigel Clarke, the founder of Dadvengers, said: 'Fathers have a hugely significant role to play in their children's lives, right from the start. Even before their baby is born, fathers can get involved and Dadvengers is on a mission to support them to do that in ways that work for them.' 'We provide them with information and advice to help look after their own wellbeing, while also supporting them to build the nurturing relationships and surroundings we know are so important in the very earliest years of their children's lives. It's what Dadvengers is all about.' More from Danielle Stacey's Hello piece. As the royal joined fathers and their little ones around the table, she said: I think the thing is raising the importance of family time and the role dads are playing in raising kids. Through what you guys are doing the kids are seeing the importance of socialising and getting together. It's not just mum will do X and dad will do Y, one of the fathers added, to which Kate agreed and said: It's shared. Today's engagement was part of the Shaping Us initiative. After their meeting at the pub, the group took part in a Dad Walk. Below, the Princess with 3-year-old Maya Sanmuganathan. We return to the Hello article. As the children played in the playground, Kate was seen crouching down to speak with one little girl, who was wearing a floral raincoat and wellington boots. I love your stripy tights, the Princess told the youngster, I should have worn my stripy tights. The Princess posed for a group photo with Nigel Clarke and his family, including 11-month-old Cassius. We go back to the Hello article one more time. Speaking after the visit, Nigel said the fathers were in shock to be visited by the princess. He continued: They were amazed she's taken the time to come and visit a group like this. We discussed how it’s important to have groups and spaces like this. Dads are worried they're going to feel awkward, but in a space like this they relax and open up. He added: We discussed how it's difficult reaching dads, and she asked how we've managed it. I'd like walks like this to happen up and down the country. The goal is to normalise seeing dads spending time with their kids. Kensington Palace posted a video following today's engagement. Fathers, like any other caregivers, play a vital role in the social and emotional development of a child. Today The Princess of Wales joined @Dadvengers - a community for dads and their children - on a 'Dad Walk' on what was a rainy but excellent day!#ShapingUs pic.twitter.com/dwhSA7R3dj — The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood (@Earlychildhood) November 1, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore for her visit with the Dadvengers. Many will have recognized her 'Edith Jacket' from the 2020 Barbour x Alexa Chung Collection. The jacket has an oversized silhouette and distinctive gingham checked lining. It also features a corduroy collar, slightly cropped sleeves that hit just above the wrist bone, flap pockets with snap closure, a covered zipper placket with snaps, and an angled front pocket with zipper. It was first noted in a November 2020 Early Years video. Here you see the Princess wearing it during a Wales visit this past April. The Princess brought back the MOTHER Dazzler Mid-Rise Straight-Leg jeans. The style is available at MOTHER ($228), as well as at Tuckernuck ($228), Revolve ($228), Neiman Marcus ($228), and Net-a-Porter ($240). She also wore her Erdem 'Lotus' sweater in 100% cashmere with ribbed detailing at the hem, neckline, and cuffs. The piece was first noted during a 2021 visit to Scotland. It looked like the Princess was in a new pair of Chelsea-style boots today, the Thea Leather style ($330) in chocolate from Reiss. The 100% leather boots have a rounded toe, elastic at the ankle, and heavy lug sole. Thank you to Middleton Maven for another fab ID. (I added some repliKate possibilities to the Footwear page.) The Daniella Draper Mini Cupid Hoop Earrings ($270). The Princess also wore a poppy today, something we've come to expect in the month of November. I'll see you tomorrow! In case you missed it, here is the listing from Kate's Calendar with info on tomorrow's engagements. Thursday, November 2: “The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay (as the Prince & Princess of Wales are titled in Scotland) will visit Scotland, where they will meet organizations supporting rural communities in Moray and Inverness. Their Royal Highness’ will visit organizations working with young people to support their mental health through improved access to the outdoors as well as through practical learning opportunities.” VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel offers more than three minutes of coverage in this video.
The Princess in Casual Styles for SportsAid Workshop – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales was in casual pieces for a SportsAid mental fitness workshop she attended with Prince William today. The Princess has been SportsAid's royal patron since 2013. Today's event was at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre west of London. Here is a quick video as the couple arrived. NEW: The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to learn about the mental wellbeing support offered by @TeamSportsAid to young athletes and their families. Perhaps we’ll see some friendly sporting competition between the royals? 👀 pic.twitter.com/SBpJNy14xe — Cameron Walker (@CameronDLWalker) October 12, 2023 Today is the third and final day of engagements tied to World Mental Health Day. On Tuesday, the royals hosted a mental health forum with young people. Yesterday, the Princess visited Nottingham Trent University to learn about mental health support for students. More on today's engagement from The Daily Mail's coverage. As the visit got underway Kate and William sat down with parents of young athletes who are supported by SportsAid - and as a passionate advocate for young people, the Princess of Wales appeared eager to learn about the children. The couple are teaming up with SportsAid ambassadors including Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and Commonwealth gold medallist Ama Agbeze. In the photo below, I believe you see British hockey player Shona McCallin, an Olympic Gold Medalist, on the Princess's right. In this video from Richard Palmer of The Express, the Princess discusses praising youngsters. Kate on giving her children praise and helping them get the right mindset. pic.twitter.com/liYU9TvKzC — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) October 12, 2023 A news release notes today's visit comes on the heels of an Athlete Mental Health Survey conducted by SportsAid with input from Believe Perform. Results from the survey found that 42% of young athletes said they ‘occasionally’ feel anxious in their day-to-day life with 20% saying they ‘often’ or ‘always’ feel anxious and 40% of all athletes have ‘little’, ‘none’ or are ‘not sure’ of how much access they have to mental health services or support1 . The Prince and Princess participated in two practical sessions focused on building mental resilience. In the first exercise, they tried to shoot baskets under various forms of added pressure, such as performing against the clock or with crowd noise. A quick video. He joked 'you're going to hit me in the head' pic.twitter.com/OzbL4y1Jwy — Eleanor Burleigh (@EBurleigh_) October 12, 2023 Another view. The Evening Standard offers more in this story. The teams first practiced shooting hoops, then tried to score while under pressure, to mimic playing conditions, with William and Kate – joined by Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds – distracting opposition players by waving their arms. Despite still having two fingers strapped up as a precaution after a recent trampoline accident, Kate was eager to take on her husband, and the session ended with the princess trying to score as William defended the hoop, though she missed four times. The royals also played goalball, a Paralympic sport for visually impaired athletes. More from The Daily Mail's story. On a course set up like a small pitch, with a goal either end, the Princess was blindfolded while carrying what looked like a heavy blue ball. She then threw it underarm towards the goal ahead of her, where a blindfolded goalkeeper was tasked with saving it. However, Kate's ball went straight into the left side of the goal, leading the sports hall to cheer at her victory. Eleanor Burleigh shared a video of the Princess's throw. The Princess got it in! pic.twitter.com/f9AAHThswE — Eleanor Burleigh (@EBurleigh_) October 12, 2023 The Princess looks surprised her ball went into the goal. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'As-h_UecTld6uQZBQ8ashg',sig:'q3c6mx0_jCXidLqy0yMoy0D-5FWn2uJCRKr-DoUiVMU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1719652329',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); A happy smile after her accomplishment. Kensington Palace posted the following message on social media after the engagement. Now for our look at what Kate wore. She brought back Zara's Tailored Double-Breasted Blazer ($89.90, no longer available) in cobalt blue. Made in a poly/viscose/elastane blend, it features peaked lapels, two flap pockets, and a jetted (welt) pocket at the chest. It also showcases gold-tone crested metal buttons on the front and at the cuffs. A closer look at the details. The jacket was first seen in a May 2021 video call the Duchess had with a community nurse midwife. It was worn again in May 2021 for the first day of engagements during a Scotland tour. Beneath the jacket, the Princess wore her Lauren Ralph Lauren 'Nadalia' top, a cotton/nylon ribbed knit with a squared neckline and puffed sleeves. It is a piece she often pairs with casual ensembles. Below, you see the top worn with Marks & Spencer trousers in September 2020 and beneath a Chloé jacket in June 2021. Today's jeans appear to be the MOTHER Dazzler Mid-Rise Straight-Leg style ($240), with thanks to Caroline P. Parr for the ID and Middleton Maven for sharing the info. The official color name is Now or Never. They are made in a viscose/cotton/Lyocell blend with a touch of elastane and polyester described as Mid-weight, stretchy fabric. The jeans are available at Revolve ($228), Nordstrom ($228), Shopbop ($228), and Net-a-Porter ($240), The Princess brought back her Veja Esplar Sneakers ($150). The style is available at Zappos ($140), Net-a-Porter ($150), Neiman Marcus ($150), Bergdorf Goodman($150), and Matches ($150). The Princess wore her hair down today. But we could still see her Issy Star Earrings ($33), the pair Sarah Renton gave to the Princess as a gift. They were created in memory of Sarah's daughter, Issy, who took her life earlier this year. They are being sold at Earsass as a fundraiser for mental health charity Brave Mind. As you might imagine, there has been tremendous interest in the earrings after they were worn for the first time by the Princess on Tuesday. The 18-karat gold-plated earrings are available for preordering at Earsass, with a 4-6 week window expected for delivery. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel offers more than 2 minutes of coverage in this video.
It’s Sézane Separates for Nottingham Mental Health Engagement – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose an ensemble anchored by Sézane separates for an engagement today at Nottingham Trent University. Today's visit is part of a series of engagements the Prince and Princess of Wales are doing this week related to World Mental Health Day. Yesterday, they hosted a mental health forum for young people in Birmingham. The Princess was at the university to learn how it and the University of Nottingham are ensuring their students have the right mental health support. A Kensington Palace news release notes: Both universities encourage proactive mental health management. At Nottingham Trent University they support students by focusing on participation and helping them to develop a sense of belonging and connectivity to their community. The two universities work together to share best practice on this and many other issues, as part of their ‘Universities for Nottingham’ approach to positive collaboration. The Princess met with students and colleagues who go above and beyond to help students with their mental health before participating in wellbeing sessions. More from Simon Perry's People story. The mom of three held a discussion with three students about peer-to-peer mentoring and then participated in a step in circle, which is part of the university’s Welcome Workshop. It is designed to encourage students to share experiences to help them build confidence, proactively manage their well-being, and raise awareness of the wide range of support networks available to them. Kate also learned about an initiative the university uses to measure a student’s engagement with their course. When a student stops engaging, this can be a sign that the student is struggling and it will prompt the university or tutors to reach out and help them find the right support. The Daily Mail has more in this article. Kate told students about her love of sport, saying: 'I love to be outside'. In particular, she noted how she tried out hockey and tennis at St Andrews, where she met her future husband Prince William. She also said she developed her photography skills through joining clubs at the university. The Princess said: 'University, for me, was when I learnt to try out because there's so much on offer.' She then joked: 'I'd love to be a student again!' to which the room erupted in laughter. The University of Nottingham wrote the following in a post on its site. She also spoke to Jessica Nuttall, Union Development Officer at University of Nottingham’s Students’ Union, about how the university is supporting students with their mental health. After speaking to the Princess, Jessica said: It was so good seeing the importance of looking after your mental health being asked for from such a significant place and figure, and highlighting how important it is for students.” The Princess spoke with people waiting to see her as she left. The Princess with students. Princess of Wales takes time to meet students and even have photos with a lucky few as she leaves Clifton Campus. Hear from Kyra Jade, Charlotte and Crystal on how they felt about meeting the Princess on Notts Today at 5.30pm pic.twitter.com/Ofpd8DuHGr — Notts TV (@Notts_TV) October 11, 2023 A quick video. The Princess of Wales visited Nottingham today to mark World Mental Health Day . The Princess met with staff and students at NTU Clifton Campus and learned how students are supporting each other through peer-to-peer mentoring at the University of Nottingham. Catch up on her visit… pic.twitter.com/PjE3JmZGFH — Notts TV (@Notts_TV) October 11, 2023 There were requests for selfies. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Ond_MjMURyF-8w7-dlDzNw',sig:'a7b2G8sn9GJaw8rcrau3vIAIlGbZaYJ0_OvaouccsIY=',w:'594px',h:'417px',items:'1718881743',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Another image of the Princess with students. Kensington Palace released a video about today's engagement. A great morning seeing how @TrentUni and @UniofNottingham are working together to build a stronger, more connected community which supports the mental wellbeing of all students and ensures everyone feels at home. pic.twitter.com/vorTRzc4gv — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 11, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore. The Princess returned to a skirted look with separates by Sézane. On top, she wore the 'Sami' Jumper in Natural ($145). The ribbed knit piece is a blend of 53% merino wool and 47% organic cotton, with a round neckline and a 5-button placket and buttons on the sleeve. The style is also offered in several other colors, including black, navy blue, natural/navy stripe, and bottle green. The jumper was paired with the 'Naelle' Skirt in Natural ($175). It is constructed of the same wool/cotton blend in a midi length with an elastic waist. The Naelle is also offered in additional colors, like black, the natural/navy stripe, purple, and green. Thanks to Gabi for both of these IDs. The Princess carried her Mini Holly Bag ($495) in taupe by Tusting, the British brand that manufactures all of its bags in Britain. We saw the return of the Gianvito 105 Bisque Suede Pumps ($795), the brand's classic point-toe style with a 4 stiletto heel. And the Simone Rocha Faux-Pearl Curb-Chain Earrings. VIDEOS: About :20 into this Notts TV video, you can hear the Princess speak about her university days. Princess of Wales speaks of her time at university on visit to Nottingham pic.twitter.com/BbNo9GbHtk — NottinghamshireLive (@nottslive) October 11, 2023 Notts TV also put together a piece on today's visit. More from the visit by the Princess of Wales to #Nottingham today. Staff and students @TrentUni who met her say #mentalhealth is clearly a cause close to her heart. 🤳In a touching moment she even stopped for a few selfies from well-wishers who had waited in the rain. 📺More… pic.twitter.com/Ngb2rLQiBo — Notts TV (@Notts_TV) October 11, 2023 The Royal Family Channel offers more than 2 minutes of coverage in this video.
It’s “Hello Yellow” for World Mental Health Day – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales brought back a blazer by LK Bennett for an engagement marking World Mental Health Day with the Prince of Wales. A video as the couple arrived. Prince William and Kate Middleton are in Birmingham and we’re here with them now - we’ll be bringing you live updates on @birmingham_live pic.twitter.com/aTOMOVLX5t — Naomi deSouza (@naomi_desouza) October 10, 2023 The Prince and Princess hosted Exploring our Emotional Worlds, a forum for 100 young people in Birmingham. Today is the first of three days of mental health engagements for the couple. Mental health and youth engagement charities nominated the 100 young delegates to the forum. Today's function focused on highlighting the importance of managing our emotions and building positive relationships. The royals joined young people participating in a series of workshops. In her Town and Country story, Victoria Murphy reports, Kate took part in a workshop called Understanding Our Emotions, where participants took turns in describing their emotions. A video via Richard Palmer of The Express. The couple will be taking part in workshops and discussions on how to manage emotions and build healthy relationships to navigate bumps in the road in life. pic.twitter.com/UykoTUl4WP — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) October 10, 2023 More from Simon Perry's People story. ...Kate and the others took...turns to describe a feeling from an emotion wheel and the others around the table had to guess what they were explaining. Sharvari Patil, 21, a volunteer with The Mix, said Kate was very invested and I thought that she was really listening to us. She got very involved with the games. I felt very well listened to. Sharvari added of Kate’s participation: “I was a little bit nervous but because she was very chilled, after she started interacting my nerves left. It was really nice running the workshop and feeling like she was so invested…She really threw herself in and she really embraced it. And she tried to give reflections as well, so when I asked everyone how they found it, I think her reflection was that having better emotional vocabulary would help people talk about their emotions more.” The Prince and Princess at another workshop. More from Birmingham Live's coverage. ..both of them joined two teams of youngsters competing in team building exercises. The exercises involved toilet rolls, spaghetti pipe cleaners and card - prompting William to joke that his team were miles ahead of Kate's. Louise Lyons-Appiah and Brady Isaacspearce volunteer for Beyond, a youth mental health charity, and were both at the table with the Royals during the exercises. Brady said she spoke about mental health and relationships with William and Kate: It was brilliant, it is really great learning about things that are crucial in relationships. Today's event resulted from a Royal Foundation partnership with The Mix and BBC Radio 1. Here you see the Prince and Princess with BBC talent (from right to left): Katie Thistleton, Vick Hope, and Jordan North. The royals laughing with Vick Hope and Jordan North. Some readers will recall the Prince and Princess participating in BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat for last year's World Mental Health Day. Both the Prince and Princess delivered remarks at today's event. Here is a portion of the Princess's speech. Back in 2016, we launched Heads Together, a campaign supported by so many wonderful partners, thathelped break the stigma around mental health, and encouraged more people to have everyday conversations about it.Alongside the efforts of many others, we have seen real change. Today, more people feel empowered to talk about their mental health than ever before. This is a major step forward. It is important, however, to remind ourselves of the big picture as we meet here today. What are we trying to improve by focusing our efforts on mental health? Ultimately, we are working to build a happier, healthier world.We want to shape fairer, safer, kinder, more equal societies - societies that seek the common good and a better future together. So, if we talk about mental health with this in mind, it need not have so many negative connotations. We can choose to see our emotional worlds and mental wellbeing in a different light, we can normalise it and recognise it as something we all have, and require, as human beings. This will be a key focus for us both as we build on Heads Together. Thank you all so much for joining us today. Together, let’s build a brighter, more resilient future. In a news release, Kensington Palace noted, Work is currently underway on the next phase of The Prince and Princess' efforts on this vital issue, so I think we can look for a significant mental health initiative at some point in the future. In conjunction with World Mental Health Day, the Royal Foundation released research on young people and mental health—more on the data via this Telegraph article. The survey, released on World Mental Health Day, found nearly 40 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds questioned felt they were not managing their emotions very well, while 95 per cent of the group said they thought their peers were having some sort of problem with their mental health. Additional data from the research project: Six in ten (59%) 16-24 years old think it's very important for young people to have greater awareness and understanding of social and emotional skills Four in ten (39%) 16–24-year-olds feel that they don't manage their emotions very well Around two-thirds (65%) of 16-24-year-olds say their mental health is very important to them You can read the full research report here. Now for our look at what Kate wore. Many will have recognized the Mya Yellow Tailored Jacket (no longer available) by LK Bennett. Made of a viscose/rayon blend, it features curved peak lapels, a single horn-effect button at the front with one at each cuff, and welt pockets. The jacket was first worn in May for a Mental Health Awareness Week engagement. The color is likely a nod to the Hello Yellow campaign from Young Minds, the UK's leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. Beneath the jacket, it looked like the Princess wore her Boden Cashmere Crewneck ($175, now sold out, similar style available here), first noted in February 2022. Today's trousers could be the Roland Mouret' Axon' style, but it is difficult to tell without better photos. We saw the return of the black Russell & Bromley 100 Point Blade Heels and the black Anderson Croc-Effect Belt ($190). The Princess wore her hair down. The earrings worn by the Princess today carry a message as well as being a promise kept. You may remember when a pair of earrings was given to the Princess in May by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton, seen below with the Princess. The earrings were made in memory of her daughter, Issy, who took her life earlier this year. The Princess promised Sarah Renton she would wear the earrings when receiving the gift. The Issy Star Earrings ($32) were designed by Issy's cousin, Sophie, and are available at Earsass, Sophie's online shop. Earsass is donating £5 to mental health charity Brave Mind for every pair sold. Bonnie F. purchased the earrings and commented about them on today's post, saying, they are very well-made, seamlessly snapping shut. I love them…. they are a simple, classic style that goes with anything, yet a little more unique than just hoops. And I think of their significance every time I wear them. UPDATE OCT 12: Because of the enormous interest in the earrings, they are now available for preordering, with a 4-6 week window expected for delivery. Kensington Palace posted on social media following today's engagement. Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and a reminder to prioritise our mental wellbeing 🧠 It’s always so insightful listening to young people share their experiences, and today's event ‘Exploring our #EmotionalWorlds’ has been full of important conversations. pic.twitter.com/g9txbkg5Nb — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2023 I expect to see you again in the next few days as the Prince and Princess have additional mental health engagements. VIDEOS: The Royal Family Channel has almost three minutes of coverage in this video.
It’s Roland Mouret for ‘Streets of Growth’ Engagement – What Kate Wore
The Princess wore Roland Mouret for today's engagement at Streets of Growth in East London. More from The Evening Standard's story. The charity, established in 2001, specialises in targeted outreach and intervention to re-engage young people aged 15 to 25 at risk of isolation, exploitation, violence and crime. Kate was greeted by Streets of Growth founder Darren Way and spoke of her admiration for large communal spaces and “places where everyone can come together to be creative – it’s really precious”. The princess said an effort must be made to understand the people as individuals, before adding: “I love the fact that you’re going out into communities.” Streets of Growth was founded on some of the practices and principles used by Roca, an urban violence prevention organization the Prince and Princess of Wales visited when they were in Boston last year. Since its founding in 2001, Streets of Growth has helped more than 5000 young people. We learn more from The Daily Mail's article. Speaking with a team of frontline workers, the royal said: ‘Young people get judged on their external behaviour but you have to understand their backstory. ‘They haven’t probably seen trusting relationships in their lives so that’s so important.’ The Princess said she was keen to ‘connect the dots’ with her work in early childhood and the importance of meeting families and young people before they reach ‘crisis point’. The Princess met with a group of mothers and daughters. And viewed some of the jewelry and shoes they made in creative workshops put on by Streets of Growth. We return to The Daily Mail piece. One of the girls said: ‘Doing these workshops has really helped - I used to be so shy, I didn’t really talk.’ Kate said: ‘What’s so fantastic is there’s an organisation in the community that works with a whole family in this way. ‘It’s tools and skills and being able to express yourself. All these things are what so many people like this and the country need. ‘It’s also meeting families and young people before they get to crisis point and there’s a huge amount of intervention that can be done.’ The Princess took part in a mental health workshop. We return to The Evening Standard piece. She joined three young people engaged in a mental health session styled as a podcast, with topics including social media and body image under discussion. The Princess met actor Eddie Marsan, who is the charity's patron. And posed for photos, including a selfie. Now for our look at what Kate wore to the engagement, a custom suit by Roland Mouret. The single-breasted jacket has angled flap pockets, peaked lapels, and a slight flare at the cuff. The trousers have a side zipper and flat front. The pieces are identical to the burgundy styles worn in Boston last December, and again in January for a reception at Hampton Court Palace. Here you see the maroon Cady Blazer ($1100) and Stretch Cady Flared Pants ($650), both done in an acetate/polyester blend. Thank you to UFO No More and Middleton Maven for their ID work on today's suit. It looked like the Princess accessorized with her Gianvito 105 Bisque Suede Pumps ($795), shown here when worn to Wimbledon in July. We saw the return of the Kiki McDonough Cushion Citrine Detachable Drops (£900) suspended from unidentified plain hoops, shown as worn for yesterday's engagement. I will close the post with one more photo from today. A quick reminder that comments need to relate to what the Princess is wearing. VIDEO: The Royal Family channel offers more than three minutes of coverage in this video. Richard Palmer of The Express posted several videos on Twitter. The Princess of Wales is visiting Streets of Growth, a not-for-profit youth intervention charity in east London which is working to transform the lives of young people at risk of becoming trapped in a cycle of isolation, exploitation, violence and criminality. pic.twitter.com/ThJXQyx1lG — Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) September 19, 2023
The Princess Wears Holland Cooper for Royal Navy Air Station Visit – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales wore Holland Cooper for her visit to RNAS Yeovilton today. The Royal Naval Air Station is in Somerset, and this was the Princess's first engagement in her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. More from this BBC story. The Princess of Wales has visited one of the busiest military airfields in the UK, just weeks after after the King appointed her Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Catherine was shown around Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset - where King Charles had his helicopter flying training in 1974. The Royal Navy notes ...4,300 personnel, Service and civilian, including MOD employees and permanent contractors are employed on the site. The air station also hosts a large support staff from the Defence Equipment and Support organisation, and the world famous Fleet Air Arm Museum. The Princess started her visit in the Air Traffic Control Tower. While there she donned a headset and spoke to an airborne Wildcat helicopter crew. More from a Royal Navy story about the visit. Her Royal Highness’ introduction to naval aviation began with a roar as an F-35B Lightning ‘buzzed’ Yeovilton’s control tower; the stealth fighters are the most advanced aircraft in the UK’s military arsenal and are currently operating aboard the nation’s flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, on her autumn deployment. The Princess then visited a hangar and spoke with personnel. Here you see her looking at a Banshee drone used by the Royal Navy. We return to the Royal Navy story. Personnel from 700X Naval Air Squadron, normally based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, showed the princess their Banshee drone – used for developing tactics to defend the nation’s aircraft carriers against air attacks. “She was fantastic, genuinely interested, really personable and for me it was a great opportunity and a privilege to meet her,” said Lieutenant Commander Marcus Pennant, the squadron’s Commanding Officer. Here you see her getting out of a Merlin helicopter. And a final portion from the Royal Navy post. Able Seaman Danielle Beckinsale, who maintains Merlin helicopters which support Royal Marines operations, explained how busy her squadron was – currently deployed in the Middle East, gearing up for a winter in Norway. “I’ve never met royalty before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was very down to earth,” she said. “She was really, really nice, really genuine and interested in the role of a female engineer.” Her last stop at the base was the Wildcat Training Centre. The Princess learned about safety equipment used by Royal Navy personnel. She tried on one of the inflatable life jackets. More from the Daily Mail's coverage. As she pulled on the toggle, she closed her eyes and winced as the device inflated quickly and with force, just as it would in an emergency situation. Appearing a little taken aback by the fast inflation, Princess Kate burst into a fit of giggles, before staff aided her in removing the lifejacket. More from the Daily Mail article. After the exercise, Louise Evans-Hughes, a leading survival equipment technician, revealed she knew exactly what was going to happen the moment the lifejacket inflated. She said: 'I told the princess there might be a bit of a bang because sometimes when the Velcro rips open there is a bit of a noise. 'I think that was why she was a bit apprehensive to pull it. As soon as she pulled it, it inflated. 'I gave the princess the option whether she wanted to put it on or whether one of my colleagues would put it on. 'I didn't know if she would or not, but it was really nice that she got hands-on and got really engaged in what we do and making the kit work.' Captain Duncan Thomas, RNAS Yeovilton’s Commanding Officer, said “I am delighted and privileged to have welcomed Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, at the start of what I am sure will be a long and rewarding relationship in her capacity as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.” Kensington Palace posted a video featuring today's visit. Visiting RNAS Yeovilton for the first time as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Thank you to all the brave men and women who serve in the Royal Navy and across the Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/fbLyvSgJ9r — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 18, 2023 Now for our look at what Kate wore for today's engagement. The Princess brought back her Holland Cooper Double-Breasted Twill Blazer (£549) for today's engagement. The jacket has a slim silhouette; it is made in England of 100% UK-woven fabric. It was first worn in May 2021 in Scotland. I don't know the designer of her trousers or her top. She also brought back her Gianvito Rossi Piper 85 Pumps ($675). The black suede pumps feature a pointed toe and 3 block heel. The style is widely available, including at Farfetch ($675), at Matches Fashion ($680), and at Gianvito Rossi ($795). It looked like the Princess wore the Anderson Croc-Effect Leather Belt we have seen several times. The Princess wore her Kiki McDonough Cushion Citrine Detachable Drops (£900) suspended from plain hoops. I am not convinced they are the plain Kiki McDonough Hoops (£500) she has previously worn, shown below right. She also had on a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pin.
The Princess in Separates for Hereford Engagements – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales wore separates for engagements in Hereford with the Prince of Wales today. The couple's first visit was at Madley Primary School's Forest School. Outdoor learning is a priority at the school and all children take part in the Forest School curriculum at least once a week, attending classes outdoors in a woodland setting. Students learn national curriculum subjects as well as environmental awareness, conservation, and woodland management. This Express story: reports, The royal couple helped pupils prepare food around a campfire as they explored the premises...and also helped students debark logs as well as make a tree den. And from The Daily Mail. The Waleses, who were gifted books for their children, George, Charlotte and Louis on arrival, took part in skimming bark off logs before crouching down and using a saw to help make a tree den. The Duchy of Cornwall and Madley Primary have been partners with the Forest School initiative for the last twelve years. Some readers may recall that as heir to the throne, Prince William became the Duke of Cornwall with the accession of King Charles, and the Duchy now belongs to him. The Duchy owns land in twenty counties in England and Wales; Prince William trained for more than a year for the role he knew he would fill one day running the Duchy, spending time with his father and Duchy managers in preparation for the eventuality. Today's Telegraph has a piece by royal correspondent India McTaggart that examines Prince William's efforts in one area of Duchy management. The Prince of Wales has announced that he will put mental health schemes at the heart of his approach to running the Duchy of Cornwall. The move marks the first significant change from how the estate, which generates an annual income of some £24 million for his family, was run by his father. His new strategy will aim to provide mental health care and support for all tenants of the 130,000-acre estate he inherited on the death of his grandmother. Returning to today's activities, the Prince and Princess also visited Kings Pitt Farm, where they met with Duchy of Cornwall farming tenants, Sam and Emily Stables. We learn more from Hello's coverage. Sam and Emily set upWe Are Farming Minds to remove the stigma attached to mental health issues in the farming industry. The charity works tirelessly to improve the mental health of farmers living in rural communities throughout Hereford. Hello notes that the We are Farming Minds program ...provides farmers in Herefordshire fully funded access to a range of services including counselling, a 24-hour phone and text support line, free mental health awareness workshops and social events throughout the year to break feelings of isolation. Kensington Palace released a video about the very real problem of suicide among farmers. Trigger warning: suicide In the UK, at least one farmer a week takes their own life. It’s a harrowing statistic that shows just how important The Duchy of Cornwall’s new Mental Health Strategy is going to be. pic.twitter.com/hSdM20nrYv — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 14, 2023 We return to the Telegraph story. It is understood to be an initiative that the Prince has been actively working on behind the scenes since taking the reins of the Duchy last year. “He has been keen to get his hands around the Duchy and continue the great work that his father did, but he is also trying to do it in his own way,” a source previously told The Telegraph. The Princess meeting a youngster during the day's visit. One more photo from today's engagements. Now for our look at what Kate wore, beginning with her new blazer from Maje. The Vincio Fitted Check Blazer is a double-breasted style, made of a viscose/poly blend. It features peaked lapels, front flap pockets, a welted chest pocket, buttons at the cuff and a center back vent. Thank you to UFO No More for this ID. The Princess also wore her See by Chloé Liegi Ankle Boots. It also looked like the Princess wore her Daniella Draper Trio Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace ($1700). The Princess wore what appears to be a pair of earrings by Spells of Love, the Welsh brand's Teardrop Garnet Charm Hoops in 18K recycled gold atop sterling silver with removable garnet. I had almost forgotten many of us thought the hoops were worn by themselves when the Princess visited the Irish Guards in March. Below, a photo from that March engagement. Thank you to Gabi and a Facebook friend who wishes to remain anonymous for this ID. I will see you for Monday's engagement, if not before then.
It’s Tailored Separates for Prison Visit & Big News About Alexander McQueen – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales chose tailored separates by Alexander McQueen for an engagement at HMP High Down in Surrey. HMP High Down is a men's facility with around 1,100 prisoners. The Princess was at the prison in her role as patron of the Forward Trust. More from Hello's story by Ainhoa Barcelona. The Princess became Patron of The Forward Trust in June 2021 when the charity merged with Action on Addiction, which was one of Kate's first patronages in 2012 following her marriage to Prince William. The trust works in 25 prisons across the UK, helping people address issues including substance misuse, mental health, housing and employment for those leaving prison, and improving relationships with friends and family, including children. The visit began with the same security check other visitors undergo when visiting the prison. More from The Telegraph's piece by India McTaggart. During the visit, the Princess heard about how The Forward Trust was working to support some of the inmates to manage their addiction and to help break the intergenerational trauma of addiction. The charity delivers a range of services at HMP High Down, including an intensive abstinence-based programme called The Bridge and a course of workshops focused on restoring communication and confidence with loved ones, titled Family Ties. The Princess spent time with family members visiting loved ones to hear about the visiting process. The Princess also visited The Clink, an on-site restaurant at the facility. We return to Hello's live coverage of today's engagement. Kate also makes a stop at The Clink, the prison's on-site restaurant that is open to the public and is run by prisoners in partnership with The Clink Charity. Prisoners study for National Vocational Qualifications in cooking, food service, and cleaning while they work. They also receive mentoring upon release, including support with employment and accommodation. This is the Princess's third visit to the facility. Here you see her in 2015 when she learned about work done by the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPt). In 2020, part of the rollout of the Early Years 5 Big Questions survey was at the facility. For those curious about the bandage on her right hand. The Evening Standard story has more information. She revealed during the tour that she had suffered the hand injury during a trampolining session at her home in Windsor. A Kensington Palace spokesman said it was “a small injury, nothing serious”. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On a related note, there is big news in the fashion industry: Sarah Burton is leaving Alexander McQueen after 26 years at the brand. We learn more from Elizabeth Paton's New York Times piece. Ms. Burton, 49, who has worked at Alexander McQueen for 26 years, half of which she has spent as its creative director, said in the statement that the label’s show at Paris Fashion Week later this month will be her last. A successor has not yet been named. “I am so proud of everything I’ve done and of my incredible team at Alexander McQueen,” Ms. Burton said in the statement. “I am looking forward to the future and my next chapter and will always carry this treasured time with me.”Below, Ms. Burton at the ELLE Style Awards in London last week. Below, Ms. Burton at the ELLE Style Awards in London last week. And from this Caroline Leaper column for the Telegraph. Burton had worked under the label’s founder, Lee McQueen, for more than 14 years before his untimely death in February 2010, and was appointed as his successor that May. She is credited for successfully continuing his design legacy, adapting the house’s darkly romantic codes to suit a new generation of fans – including bringing in the Princess as a star client. Of course, the designer famously designed the Princess's wedding gown. But she has been so much more, a vital go-to for the Princess, with an enormous impact on her royal wardrobe. Here you see Ms. Burton with Mr. McQueen on her wedding day in 2011. We return to the Telegraph piece by Caroline Leaper. Despite being kind and chatty backstage at her shows, she rarely gave formal interviews and shied away from the spotlight that so many other designers chase. In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Burton was asked whether she had any interest in being a “star designer” and confessed that she hadn’t ever actually wanted the job of fronting a fashion house. “There have been times when, if I could have disappeared from this industry, I would have,” she admitted. “I had to battle with it. I don’t look like a fashion person, I’m not cool, and I always just loved people who are good at what they do.” Ms. Leaper notes in her story the news is prompting speculation she may set up her own label. Now for our look at what Kate wore for today's engagement. In some photos from today's engagement, it looked like the Princess was in the amethyst separates by Alexander McQueen, which we first noted during the visit to Boston in December (below left). In other photos, it appeared to be the navy version. I am going with this being the amethyst color Alexander McQueen Leaf Crepe Jacket ($2510) and the High-Waisted Cigarette Trouser. Her top appeared to be a cream or ivory knit piece. There is not enough detail in the photos to identify it. It looked like the Princess also had on her Gianvito 105' Navy Suede Pumps ($795). Today, the Princess wore familiar jewelry, her 'Lauren' Pavé Diamond Leaf Earrings ($2300) by Kiki McDoungh, and her Daniella Draper Trio Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace ($1700). This is something of an abbreviated post, lacking the standard detail about the engagement and forcing me to keep the Sarah Burton news much shorter than I would like it to be. I am traveling for a little vacation!
Familiar Designs for Rugby World Cup & The Princess in “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby” – What Kate Wore
The Princess of Wales was in a familiar look for today's Rugby World Cup match between England and Argentina. Also in today's post, the Princess is part of an entertaining rugby-related video. The match was at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, southern France. The England team during the national anthem. More from this Yahoo News piece. Kate, patron of the Rugby Football Union, was greeted by RFU president Rob Briers, France 2023 chairman Jacques Rivoal and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont before being shown to her seat in the Presidential Box at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome. Dressed in a white trouser suit, she spoke with each of the administrators in turn but spent longest with Sir Bill, the former England captain. “We’re really excited to be here. Shame we can’t be here longer,” she said. Sir Bill replied: “It’s been a very busy and hectic few weeks for the build-up.” Kate said: “I’m sure it will be brilliant.” In many of the photos, you see the Princess with Sir Bill (below, right, I believe). Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regional council, shared a photo welcoming British fans and saying it was an honor to meet the Princess. Très honoré d’avoir rencontré, en marge du match #AngleterreArgentine, Son Altesse Royale Kate Middleton, la Princesse de Galles. Bienvenue en France à nos amis britanniques, tout au long de cette Coupe du monde #rwc2023 ! pic.twitter.com/0EBs8PYvUm — Renaud Muselier (@RenaudMuselier) September 9, 2023 A wide shot of the Presidential Box. We also saw some funny faces from the Princess during the match. It was a good day for England; they won the match 27 - 10. Kensington Palace shared this message following the match. Well done @EnglandRugby! A great start to the tournament and so looking forward to following your progress in #RWC2023 🌹 pic.twitter.com/tBu3WtUtjQ — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2023 The team's next match is Sunday, September 10, when they take on Japan. Below, a full-length photo of the Princess after the match. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'wcTC-id5RydfqDI2Lqv5xg',sig:'faK64ZMGPyU5Eynwr0aXEpQQ6GiI4Xi5U6sU6RlN9SA=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1670605258',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Also today, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne, are part of the latest episode of The Good, the Bad, and The Rugby. That is the podcast co-hosted by Mile Tindall and another former player, James Haskell (center), and broadcaster Alex Payne (left). Here is a promo for the episode. With the Rugby World Cup underway the boys were invited to Windsor Castle for a very special podcast with The Prince & Princess of Wales and The Princess Royal. Watch/Listen now. Search Good Bad Rugby 🔎 pic.twitter.com/Kr4E2g4nbX — The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) September 9, 2023 The podcast was recorded on Wednesday in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. Here is one clip with the Princess. The Princess of Wales talking about watching sport live and how challenging it is to stay neutral following Wimbledon matches live. 🎥 Good Bad Rugby pic.twitter.com/ACeJEiqkVs — ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) September 9, 2023 More from this Telegraph story. Challenged by fellow host James Haskell that she and her husband are “super, super competitive”, the Princess of Wales said, “I’m not that competitive”, while her husband laughed and winked. She went on to say: “If I asked both my parents who is the most competitive, I think probably, like William and I, they’d sit down for quite a long time arguing who was the most competitive and who was the most sporty of the two of them.” And one more clip. Great chatting all things rugby and much more on @GoodBadRugby 🏉 Best of luck to all the Home Nations! #RWC2023 ▶️ https://t.co/ITtd9XZfoS pic.twitter.com/Xh9oYc6ZdX — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2023 As many will recall, the Princess of Wales is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Prince William is the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) patron, and Princess Anne is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU). And from People's coverage of the video: The princess also shared that her daughter plays both rugby and football, both of which “weren’t school sports when I was growing up.” “Charlotte's playing both the sports now, and it's really good to see youngsters, particularly girls, playing these types of sports now,” she shared. There is a full-length video of the podcast. Now for our coverage of what Kate wore for the match and the podcast taping. At today's match, it looks like she wore the Alexander McQueen blazer seen at the March launch of an Early Years business task force (below left) and coordinating trousers. Or she wore the optic white McQueen separates seen at October's Windrush engagements (below right). The white blazer was first noted when worn in Jamaica during the Caribbean tour. I think today's separates are the optic white pieces because of the way the ivory or eggshell clutch looks against the outfit worn today. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'J9dIWqXNQMBJOc1C9rPBCg',sig:'7PcQzMt21eb79Aoews3guMOtF5jHIxtJ4i41ZRqq4FI=',w:'396px',h:'594px',items:'1670558473',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); The Massimo Dutti clutch is made with strips of woven sheepskin leather, and it has a top zipper; it also comes with a detachable shoulder strap. Today's jewelry pieces are familiar to many readers. We saw the return of the Mappin and Webb Empress necklace (on sale for £1500, roughly $1870) and matching earrings, (£3750, about $4700 at today's exchange rates) and the sterling silver England Rugby Rose brooch (no longer available). In The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby video released today, it appears the Princess wore her Catherine Walker Prince of Wales check blazer. The jacket was first noted last February at a London engagement. It is single-breasted with a fitted silhouette, notch lapels, flap pockets, a center-back vent, and four buttons at the cuff. It's possible the Princess wore her Holland Cooper Bodysuit (£149) beneath the jacket, but without better photos, I can't say that is the case with certainty. I am not sure what trousers the Princess wore, but we do know which pair of shoes she had on - the Hugo Boss Staple P90-L heels in anthracite grey embossed leather. She was wearing two necklaces in the video. Middleton Maven believes one is the Daniella Draper Three Star Necklace ($655), as suggested to her by Chrissy, and I think they are spot-on. It is made of recycled silver and yellow gold, measuring 17 in length. The other necklace *might* be the Daniella Draper Trio Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace ($1700), personalized with the initials of her children. (It is shown below when worn on another occasion.) Her earrings may be Kiki McDonough's Green Amethyst Pear Drop Earrings (£695, about $866 at today's exchange rates). And finally today, a 1-minute video released by Buckingham Palace covering highlights of the King Charles's first year. 👑 Looking back on an extraordinary year … Thank you for all your warm welcomes and generous support. pic.twitter.com/IbeDILzpGR — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 9, 2023 NOTE: The post has been updated to show both the ivory and the white Alexander McQueen designs. I originally wrote that I thought it was the ivory set, but as outlined above, I think it is the white.
The Prince and Princess of Wales Honor the Queen During Wales Engagements – What Kate Wore
The Prince and Princess of Wales marked the first anniversary of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's death today with a visit to Wales. They were in St. Davids, where they attended a small private service at St. Davids Cathedral. Earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a private service commemorating the late Queen's life at Crathie Kirk, the parish church near Balmoral. They were joined by two of Princess Margaret’s grandsons, Arthur and Samuel Chatto. More from The Mirror's coverage. King Charles and Queen Camilla were spotted receiving a card and flowers from schoolchildren as they left the church service near Balmoral. They later went on a walkabout and smiled and shared jokes with Balmoral Estate staff, members of the royal household, Crathie Primary pupils and residents from the nearby town of Ballater, who treated the Queen as one of their own. The Royal Family posted a message on social media after the service. Thank you for all your kind words of condolence as we remember Queen Elizabeth II together. pic.twitter.com/pXg5DPTUey — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2023 There was also a message from the Princess and Princess of Wales this morning. The letters W & C indicate it was a post the couple personally wrote. Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C pic.twitter.com/SkmGtmpNEE — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 8, 2023 Last night a statement from the King was released, for whom this was also the first anniversary of his Accession. In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us. I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all. There were gun salutes fired today to mark the anniversary of Her Late Majesty's death as well as the Accession of King Charles. We now return to the Prince and Princess of Wales and their visit to St. Davids Cathedral. The royals were greeted by clergy as they arrived at the historic structure. More about the Cathedral from this story in today's Telegraph. St Davids has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 1,400 years, since St David - the patron saint of Wales - settled there with his monastic community in the sixth century. Since the Reformation, one of the quire stalls has been in possession of the Crown and is known as the Sovereign’s Stall. This makes St Davids the only UK cathedral where the sovereign has a special stall in the quire among members of the chapter, the governing body of the cathedral. The couple as they were shown to their seats. The Order of Service for today's commemoration. Rebecca English reports, that during the service, ...The Very Revd. Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St. Davids, acknowledged the service of the late Queen: ‘It is particularly poignant to welcome you here, Your Royal Highnesses, on Accession Day, the first anniversary of the death of Her Late Majesty QEII. She came here four times: the only monarch to sit in the Sovereign’s stall, the seat of a Chapter member, which came into the possession of the Crown at the Reformation. Today countless numbers will be remembering her, with both sadness and with great affection; giving thanks again for her long life of dedicated service – as we do here.’' The couple laid flowers by a photo of Her Late Majesty. A quick video via The Daily Mail's Rebecca English. The Prince and Princess of Wales lay a floral tribute of white roses in front of a photograph of #QueenElizabeth at St David’s Cathedral in Wales. An incredibly poignant moment for all present. pic.twitter.com/a45Ly8NYgp — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 8, 2023 After the service, the Princess signed a book of condolence. More from Danielle Stacey's Hello coverage. Speaking to media after the service, the Very Rev. Dr. Sarah Rowland Jones, spoke movingly about the emotions that the Prince and Princess displayed when they paid tribute to the late Queen. I was struck that they spent quite a time as they laid the flowers, she shared. In many ways our job is to give them the space for their remembering, because even if we had fleeting encounters with Her Late Majesty, none of us are part of that immediate family. It's not for us to really question what they were going through, but to give them the space to do whatever they needed to do. The royals also met with local community members after the service. The guests included local residents who met Her Late Majesty during her visits to the city. A small reception was held outside. The Daily Mail reports on a conversation the Princess of Wales had. Outside the cathedral, she then met local flying instructor Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE who spoke of the Queen's warmth. And the Princess told her: 'We all have wonderful memories of her, we have to hold on to them, cherish them.' When the couple left the church, a group of children was waiting to greet them, and the Princess was given some lovely flowers. Prince William chatting with one of the youngsters. A video from People's Simon Perry, via Anna on Twitter. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeting well-wishers today 😍 🎥 Simon Perry pic.twitter.com/keyGNBJr3U — anna (@tokkianami) September 8, 2023 The royals did a walkabout. And the Princess posed for a few selfies. And a wave goodbye. A social media post from Kensington Palace after the St. Davids service. A moment of reflection at St Davids Cathedral honouring Her Late Majesty and all that she did for communities like this around the UK, the Commonwealth and the world. pic.twitter.com/44JXfwCc4S — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 8, 2023 This was not the Prince and Princess's only engagement of the day. They then traveled to Câr-Y-Môr Seaweed Farm – the first ‘regenerative ocean farm’ in Wales. Câr-Y-Môr translates to ‘For the Love of the Sea.’ The organization aims to improve the coastal environment through regenerative ocean farming. More from the Western Telegraph's coverage. In 2022 Câr-Y-Môr raised £50,000 through a community share offer. This and other funding has allowed a three-hectare ocean farm to be established, growing various species of seaweed, mussels, native oysters, and scallops. The business supports the local community through job creation, supply of fresh local seafood and environmental restoration. This is not the first Royal visitor to Câr-Y-Môr , Princess Eugenie visited the seaweed farm in June last year. Câr-Y-Môr is considered a key partner of a company called Notpla, a sustainable packaging start-up and winner of the 2022 Earthshot Prize for ‘Build a Waste-Free World.’ Prince William visited Notpla this May. Below, you see the Prince with co-founders Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, (L), and Pierre Paslier (R). The couple met staff and volunteers at Câr-Y-Môr and learned about the impact the farm’s work is having on the ocean environment. More from The Independent's story: Dressed in casual clothes the Prince and Princess of Wales were taken on a tour of the three-hectare seaweed farm in Ramsey Sound on a barge. They were shown the seaweed lines where various species of seaweed, mussels, native oysters, and scallops were grown. More from this Daily Mail piece. The Prince quipped that seaweed produced at a seaweed farm off the Welsh coast tasted salty when asked what it was like to eat. William made the comment to veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards, saying: 'What did the seaweed taste like?' He replied: 'Salty.' A video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Voyages Of Discovery (@voyages.of.discovery) As you can just see in the video, the Prince and Princess then transferred from the barge to a lifeboat from RNLI St. Davids. The St. Davids lifeboat station has been launching lifeboats since 1867.Below, a social media post from the RNLI. We were honoured to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales to @StDavidsRNLI today as part of the Royal couple’s visit to Wales to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/zTDsdczEQO — RNLI (@RNLI) September 8, 2023 Her Late Majesty was Patron of the RNLI from 1952 until her death last year. Below, the Princess speaking with personnel at the station. The couple met Isla Evans-Kohler, who is four, and her younger brother, Albie Evans-Kohler, age two. Their parents are deputy coxswain Judd Kohler and crew member Ellen Evans. Isla gave the Princess a posy and Albie had a jar of honey for Prince William. We return to The Independent article. Kate asked Isla: “Have you been on the lifeboat?” The little girl shook her head and her mother explained she had been on the boat but not out on the water while Albie interjected and said: “Me.” Kate asked the toddler: “Have you been on the boat? It goes very fast, and your daddy has got a very cool job.” Albie then started mimicking the boat’s siren and the princess said: “I didn’t hear the siren, but it was a lovely day on the water. Thank you very much for coming to see us.” One more photo from this engagement. Now, a look back at the events that started a year ago today. If more interested in today's fashion information, you can just scroll past this section. It's hard to believe it was a year ago we saw this message from Buckingham Palace on a Thursday morning. Followed by this. Just two days before, on September 6, the Palace released a photo of Her Late Majesty as she greeted the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral. The situation brought to mind the quote from Mary Renault's The Charioteer, There is only one kind of shock worse than the totally unexpected: the expected for which one has refused to prepare. So many of us knew the day was coming, but we found ways to avoid contemplating what that would be like. Below, the Daily Mail's front page. For its special cover, The Telegraph used a quote from the Queen's message of support to families of the British victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. It's odd what one remembers and what one doesn't. I had forgotten the rainbows at Buckingham Palace that afternoon. And at Windsor. I did remember specific photos, like this one of Sophie, then the Countess of Wessex, now the Duchess of Edinburgh, as she looked at floral tributes outside Balmoral Castle. And Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie as they viewed the tributes at Balmoral. The references to Paddington, including this one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, were a constant throughout the days following the Queen's death. The Queen's children and grandchildren released statements as the week went on; this was Prince William's message. I distinctly remembered the face of Frank Groves in Ballater, the village closest to Balmoral. He arrived early on September 11 so he would have a good view of the cortége as it left Balmoral Castle and started the trip to Edinburgh. The scene in Edinburgh that day as the seven-car procession arrived remained top-of-mind for me. As did the faces of the Bearer Party from the Royal Regiment of Scotland as they carried the coffin into the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where it remained until the service at St Giles’ Cathedral the next day. And Princess Anne's curtsy at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. King Charles and Princess Anne the next day as the Queen's coffin was taken to the Cathedral for a Service of Thanksgiving. I remember deciding I would stop trying to write and I would simply sit and watch the remarkable scene on September 13th as the Queen's coffin traveled through London on its way to Buckingham Palace. 'These pictures are astonishing' remarks @nightingaleitv as the Queen's coffin makes its way through the streets of London travelling to Buckingham Palace.https://t.co/Orxz65sc6I pic.twitter.com/B16XNlw56n — ITV News (@itvnews) September 13, 2022 The outriders bowed their heads as the cortége arrived at the gates of Buckingham Palace. All of this on a chilly, rainy evening. I had forgotten the special signs that went up for the queue to see HM lying in state. I also remember the King's salute the next day, the 14th, as his mother's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall. And the Wessex children as they left Westminster Hall following the service. Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Prince Michael of Kent at Westminster. All are cousins of the Queen. The Prince and Princess of Wales as they left Westminster Hall. And on social media that day, a post from the Prince and Princes of Wales. Also on the 14th, this view of mourners lined up their respects. The next day, the Prince and Princess of Wales traveled to Sandringham to view tributes honoring the Queen. I recall writing, It is an awful lot to absorb, especially in public settings and circumstances are such that you become the repository for others’ grief. Eight-year-old Elizabeth Sulkovska brought flowers and a Corgi to Sandringham for the Queen. I remembered the Wessexes viewing some of the cards and flowers left at Windsor. And this image of the couple as they headed back inside. I think we all remember the long lines to see Her Late Majesty Lying-In-State at Westminster Hall. The wait reached 24 hours during that long week. At times, the queue was more than five miles long. But I had forgotten all about the Lying-In-State Queue Tracker. The scene at Tower Bridge on the 17th as people waited in the queue to see the late Queen. There are many memories of the Queen's children standing vigil in Edinburgh and at Westminster. Her grandchildren also stood watch on the 17th. And overnight rehearsals were underway for the funeral. I vividly recall the photos of people bundled up against the cold while waiting in the queue to pay their respects. And the way the crowds just kept coming. As well as the faces of these Scouts as they viewed the coffin the night before the State Funeral. On the 19th I wrote, The world said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II today, in scenes unlike any we have seen for more than seventy years. Scenes most of us will not experience again in our lifetimes. And I remembered Mike Tindall with James, Viscount Severn, as they arrived at Westminster Abbey. Along with this image of King Charles and the Prince of Wales during the procession. And this photo of Princess Charlotte entering the Abbey. Mourners in London along the Mall. The Queen’s Piper, Warrant Officer Paul Burns, playing “Sleep, dearie, sleep,” a traditional lament. Her Majesty’s coffin as the procession left the Abbey. The Princess of Wales, Countess of Wessex, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte outside the Abbey as they watched the procession to Windsor get underway. Many will remember what has become an iconic photo of the Princess of Wales. The crowds along the Mall were enormous. As were the crowds along Windsor’s Long Walk. As the procession drew near Windsor, marchers saw a horse off to the side - that was Emma, Her Majesty’s Fell Pony. Also there, her two Corgis, Sandy and Muick. Along with members of the household staff greeting the procession. Who can forget this image as the Bearer Party carried the coffin into St. George's Chapel for the committal service? Or King Charles, as he placed the flag of the Grenadier Guards on his mother's coffin. And that evening, the Royal Family released a new photo of the Queen. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for our look at what the Princess wore for today's engagements, beginning with her Eponine London coatdress. The design is midi-length and features a vee-neckline, a ‘wrap-style’ front, padding at the shoulder, a fitted waist with side belting and decorative buttons, and a softly curved hem. The design was first worn last December for the taping of the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas concert. A look at the two different engagements where this style was worn. The Princess's hat is by a brand we've not seen her wear before, Sahar Millinery. The label is by Sahar Freemantle, an award-winning milliner based in London. She is a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust winner; the Trust supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships, and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson.... Below, the Sahar Freemantle home page. The Princess's design looks similar to this teardrop-shaped style shown on the Sahar Millinery Instagram page. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sahar Millinery and UglyLovely (@saharmillinery) The British Hat Guild writes, Sahar’s work has been exhibited at the V&A, featured in The Guardian, The Independent and Evening Standards list of best Ascot Hats, on Screen in Downton Abbey, and on celebrities such as Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, Katy Perry and Celeste. The hats are available via the website; a selection is also offered on etsy and at Not on the High Street. You may have recognized the earrings, a sentimental touch for today's events, the late Queen's Silver Jubilee Diamond and Pearl Earrings. A closer look. Here you see Her Late Majesty wearing them after the Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'n3J8SuKkROJSaqJFrA5SXQ',sig:'lTqs7i-qp07cVa5sgcx3U8igzgDvFe_W99hPoBFlw5c=',w:'594px',h:'400px',items:'839143156',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); More from Bethan Holt's column in The Telegraph. In choosing the diamond and pearl earrings, which were first seen on her husband’s grandmother during the celebrations for her Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Princess is continuing a longstanding royal tradition of wearing diamonds and pearls during a time of mourning. Today's other accessories were understated pieces we have seen on multiple occasions, including the Bayswater Clutch by Mulberry. And the Gianvito Rossi 105 suede pumps. As seen in the photos, the Princess changed into a more casual look for the engagements at Câr-Y-Môr Seaweed Farm and St. Davids Lifeboat Station. For the other two engagements, it looked like the Princess brought back her Troy London Parka in khaki ($408), a lightweight design with a cinched waist and drawstring hood, described as offering fully waterproof protection. It was first noted when worn in Canada during the 2016 tour. The trousers appeared to be the G-STAR RAW Kafey Cargo Ultra-High Skinny Jeans first noted during the Big Help Out in May. After taking a closer look, I think the trousers could be the G-Star Raw High G-Shape Skinny Cargo Pant worn to the Maya archaeological site during the 2022 Caribbean tour. She also wore her Veja Net Sustain Esplar Metallic-trimmed Sneakers ($150). Above, you see the shoe as offered at Net-a-Porter; it is also in stock at Zappos ($140) and Tower London ($125). I believe she also had on her Medium Twist Hoops (£60, about $80 at today’s exchange rates) by Spells of Love, a Wales-based brand. The earrings are crafted of sterling silver with 18k recycled gold vermeil. Here you see them as worn on a previous occasion. I'll see you tomorrow when the Princess of Wales attends the World Rugby Cup in France. VIDEOS: Sky News offers more than an hour's coverage from today's engagement. This link takes you to an ITV story about the Queen's death and funeral with a 5-minute video off the top (that I can't embed for you to view here). An ITV documentary, A Kingdom Says Goodbye. This two-minute piece from the Royal Parks looks at the incredible floral tributes at Green Park. The Telegraph offers almost nine hours of coverage in Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession, service and committal The documentary, Elizabeth at 90 - A Family Tribute.
A New Engagement for the Princess and Polarizing Looks Part 2 – What Kate Wore
Welcome to our final post on ensembles worn by the Princess of Wales that I describe as polarizing. But before we get started on our primary topic, a quick update to the calendar: This Saturday (the 9th), the Princess, in her role as royal patron of the Rugby Football Union will attend the Rugby World Cup 2023 match between England and Argentina at the Stade de Marseille in France. Saturday's match begins at 3pm EDT/8pm in London/9pm in France. The match will be aired on ITV1 in the UK and Peacock in the US. On Sunday, the Prince of Wales, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, will watch Wales take on Fiji in another opening-round match at the Stade de Bordeaux. I also think we will see the Prince and Princess of Wales on Friday, the one-year anniversary of the Queen's death. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now for our final group of looks worn by the Princess that stirred debate and discussion. One final refresher on how the styles were selected, as written in my initial post on the topic. I looked at the number of comments on posts, the content of those comments, people’s reactions when commenting on the outfits a second time in year-end polls, and how people reacted on the WKW Facebook page and other media. A couple of notes to keep in mind: These are not the most disliked outfits worn by the Princess. In most cases, comments were divided fairly evenly between those fond of specific styles and those not fond of a look. The items are listed chronologically. The underlined dates link to the original post for each ensemble. If items worn by the Princess are still available to purchase, I have included links to retailers offering the items. I’m sure there are ensembles I missed in compiling the lists. Please leave a comment or send an email to Susan@WhatKateWore.com. July 2017: We begin with a look worn during the 2017 visit to Poland when the Duchess chose a dress by Gosia Baczyńska, a Polish designer. The event was a party hosted by Jonathan Knott, the British Ambassador to Poland at the time. The Duchess accessorized with her black Prada clutch, her Gianvito Rossi Ankle Strap d’Orsay heels, her Balenciaga ‘Eugenia’ faux pearl and silvertone clips, and her asymmetric pearl necklace. Ms. Baczyńska is one of Poland's most notable designers, and she was also at the event where the Duchess wore her dress. As noted by Bethan Holt in her Telegraph piece, The jagged, black-edge pleats on the bottom part of the dress offer a playful contrast to the delicate floral black applique at the waist while the deep v-neckline framed her pearl necklace - debuted during a visit to Paris in March - elegantly. Below, a closer look at some of the dress details. As I said at the time, this was a dress with an edgier design (no pun intended) than what we normally saw the Duchess wearing. In the Telegraph story, the designer is quoted as saying, I would like women who wear my outfits to feel special and modern. Classy and a little bit rebellious... and I thought this dress fit that description. A fan of the look, Fashionista wrote, This is an edgy, avant-garde piece, and the Duchess “balanced” that edginess for this official event with safe, conservative accessories and hair…and she pulled it off! Ulku also appreciated the ensemble, writing, The more I look at this look, the more I like it. Sophisticated, with a little edge. Everything about this dress is thought and planned, the fabric, the jagged pleats with black details, and the pointy darts at the bodice. She is wearing a piece of art, and it looks divine. And JR wrote, This dress is so cool – to me it’s beyond edgy and straight into avant-garde territory. I almost called it an Eastern European influence, but it’s even more specific than that – it communicates an absolutely Polish vibe, so striking, and certainly not conservative, despite the demure length. The primary quibble for those who didn't care for the look: the darts on the bodice, with Sara writing, Oh, those bust darts. As a sewist, I understand the demands of the design and fabric, but it looks like the darts are purposefully exaggerated and I just can’t be a fan of the torpedo-bra look. This issue was followed by the choice of jewelry to go with the dress. Rachel wrote, At first, I liked the necklace but after reading some responses I changed my mind. It’s too costume-y for this look. Another commenter, Mocro said, Love the dress, but not as Kate styled it. Her hair down, a la Wimbledon, would have been better but I think this architectural dress was a miss with an updo and a clutch. It felt to me like she just couldn’t commit to the dress. JANUARY 2018: Now for a design many think of immediately when raising the topic of polarizing choices worn by the Princess, the Erdem floor-length style worn during the Sweden tour. The event was a black-tie dinner at the British Ambassador’s residence. Before the dinner, the Duke and Duchess had a private meeting with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and his wife Ulla. The Duchess carried a clutch by Jimmy Choo and appeared to be wearing Gianvito Rossi heels. Her jewelry included the Collingwood diamond and pearl earrings, as well as a pearl bracelet that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. The dress was the designer's Stephanie style from the Autumn/Winter 2017 collection in a print called Winterbourne. Made from 100% silk satin, it showcased an Edwardian-influenced high neck with a ruffled placket and collar, gathers at the shoulder, a tiered skirt, belled sleeves, and a self-bow or sash. The yellow-gold background color (described as 'mustard' by many) and blue flowers would have been a nod to Sweden's flag. No one will be surprised to read there were more than 200 comments on this post. Ellen H. summed up her thoughts this way: I have no idea how I feel about this haha. Part of me hates it…if I saw this in a store, I wouldn’t have touched it with a ten-foot pole. After going through the pictures, however, I find myself liking it more and more on her. Traveling Blush wrote, A stunning look, very opulent without being stuffy! Such a treat and refreshing choice in a sea of boring black, while Maryam said, This dress has everything I would normally love to HATE, but for some reason, it actually seems to work! I think somehow it just looks flattering ...it’s amazing that she can pull off that color, but it works…. Another commenter appreciative of the ensemble, Fliss, wrote, I love this look. This dress is pure ‘English eccentric’ just the thing a duchess should wear to dinner then eventually in the garden to feed the chickens with a pair of welly boots – v Mitford sisters. Below you see the Duchess with the British Ambassador to Sweden, David Cairns. Among those not fond of the ensemble was Celeste, who commented, The Duchess of Cambridge is unfailingly lovely and in good form so my comments apply only to the Erdem dress. It is hideous. I can see from the photographs that the fabric and the design on the fabric are luxe and gorgeous. The problems stem from the darting, the belting, and the ruffling in various locations which all serve to chop the design of the fabric into quarreling quadrants. Hannah articulated what several others said in their comments, writing The dress is fabulous, it is the styling that lets the look down. Alyssa noted, This is my least favorite thing she’s ever worn and I have TRIED to like this dress for hours today (I know that sounds excessive, and I’m okay with that). Emily K. summed up the thoughts of those who went back and forth on the look, trying to determine if they liked it or not; she said, I really can’t decide how I feel. On one hand, I love that she chose such a different dress than what many would probably expect. The colors look good on her and it looks comfortable. I agree with a few who said unbuttoning the top would make it look like a dressing gown – that was my first thought when I saw the model wearing it that way. Something about it though is just not doing it for me. FEBRUARY 2018: Two days later, another gown prompted discussion, this one a blush Alexander McQueen design worn at a black-tie dinner in Norway. The event was hosted by King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace in Oslo, and attended by other members of Norway's royal family. Below you see (l to r): Princess Martha Louise of Norway, King Harald, Queen Sonja, the Duke and Duchess, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Astrid of Norway. Martha Louise is the older sister of Crown Prince Haakon and fourth in line to the throne. Princess Astrid is King Harald’s older sister. The Duchess accessorized with a Celeste handbag from Jimmy Choo, her Cabrina lamé heels by Oscar de la Renta, the Queen's diamond drop earrings, and the Queen's Wedding Gift Bracelet, so called because it was a gift from Prince Philip to HM when they were married in 1947. The blush pink gown by Alexander McQueen looked like it was made from lightweight silk embellished with a hand-sewn floral motif at the round neckline, a sleeveless bodice, and a sheer overlay that transformed into a cape covering the sides and back of the dress. Those who liked the ensemble included Jenn, who said, Now, THAT is an evening gown. Simple and elegant, and somehow daring and unquestionably classic at the same time. Tracy B. wrote, It is – by far – my favorite formal dress on her of all time! And, absolutely perfect for when pregnant. The sheer cape feature is NOT aging at all…IMO. If anything, it adds to the “floating” statement of the dress. Sara commented, Such a beautiful, ethereal, queenly gown, she looks absolutely gorgeous. This is perfect from head to toe, I love the sparkle of the cape, jewels, and shoes along with the floaty lightness of the fabric. Dislike of the cape was top of mind for several, including SG, who said, I may be the only one, but I am not into this dress. It is SO matronly to me…it is very mother of the bride. I really want to like it too, because I am very into capes/cape dresses at the moment. But I just think it is very aging on her, particularly when combined with the stiff updo. JK wrote, For a woman under 40, who is fortunate to have a lovely maternity figure, direct access to designers and bespoke clothing, this gown while beautiful, is to me very matronly. I actually think a shorter hem, like the similar gown shown, might have helped along with a more vibrant color but even then don’t think I’m sold on it. Casey noted, As to this particular gown, the cape effect ruins it for me. I find that feature in combination with the hairstyle to be aging the lovely Duchess. Some readers of the Erdem Stephanie post expressed curiosity about how the Erdem gown would fare in our year-end evening gown oll. Here are the results of that vote with the blush McQueen at the top and the Erdem Stephanie at the bottom. OCTOBER 2018: Another Alexander McQueen prompting debate was the icy blue design worn for the Netherlands state dinner in October 2018. The function was in honor of King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, held during their two-day state visit. This was the first time we saw the Duchess of Cambridge wearing the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II. (The order was first worn to the 2017 diplomatic reception, but we do not have photos from that event.) Jewelry worn by the Duchess included the Lover's Knot tiara, the Collingwood pearl and diamond earrings, and the showstopping necklace from Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Gift Parure. The necklace was described by Her Majesty's Jewel Vault as featuring 8 pearls surrounded by diamonds, each connected with festoons of diamonds, and three detachable diamond and pearl drop pendants. The Duchess also carried Jenny Packham's Belle clutch. The figure-skimming gown was crafted with layers of ruched and pleated silk on the upper portion of the dress, a soft rosette at the right shoulder, and a dropped waist flaring into a dramatic trumpet-style skirt. (I say 'trumpet' because the flare starts above Kate's knee). Opinions were really divided on this one, as noted by Brandi, who wrote, Wow, I don't recall a dress Kate has worn recently that has had such a split reaction! Haha... at first I wasn't blown away. Another blue dress. But I looked again and thought it had sort of a vintage feel to it? Stephanie, a fan of the look, commented, I love state dinners, go big or go home! The jewels are Royally Fabulous. The dress is unique and difficult to pull off, which she does flawlessly. JuLee commented, I think the dress is right for the occasion, and jewels like these require a dress with substance and “presence”. Something with fullness or weight. Many commenters said they loved one half of the dress; MickyO noted, I am in line with the camp that loves the dress from the skirt up. The fit is perfect and I love the color. And the jewels - stunning. LeeLee commented, I really like the top half of this dress. I think it suits her and I like the color. Sue D. wrote, I love the top of the dress but cannot stand the shape of the skirt bottom. LOVE the jewelry, hair, giant necklace. MARCH 2022: Our next look is the Alessandra Rich design worn as the Cambridges departed the Bahamas at the end of their Caribbean tour. The couple boarded an evening flight after departure ceremonies at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. The Belted Floral Silk Jacquard Peplum Dress was an 80s-inspired design in a finely woven polka dot silk jacquard with a roses motif. The product description at one retailer noted the dress had a bow-detailed ruffled collar, puffed sleeves, and a pleated peplum at the waist. The crystal-embellished buckle and faux pearl buttons are a nod to the decade’s glamorous excess. The Duchess accessorized with a Ferragamo clutch, white Gianvito Rossi pumps, and her Patrick Mavros Ocean Tide Milky Quartz earrings. Below, a closer look at some of the dress details. There were more than 250 comments on the post and while some related to the tour wardrobe as a whole, that volume also speaks to the divided opinions on this look. Sam liked the ensemble, writing, Quirky indeed, fun, reminiscent of 80s styles, pleasant color combination, fitting for the tropical theme and let’s be honest, it looks amazing on her! Larissa noted the mixed opinions, writing, This is certainly an interesting dress, and I can see how it would divide people. I actually don’t mind it. Yellow can be a hard colour to wear on light skin tones, so I think the floral pattern making an almost creamy mixture of yellow and white is a great way to wear it. Another fan of the look, Ye, commented, This dress is so out there that I actually love it. I doubt that the DOC would wear anything like this in normal life outside of the context of an official tour. I have a feeling the dress actually felt very much in place where it was worn. For some, the 1980s inspiration was not a plus, including Kiki in Vancouver, who said, It has absolutely every terrible feature of 80s dressing all in one garment – puffy sleeves, deep frill, bow, large peplum, jeweled belt buckle, pearl buttons and a shiny printed fabric – good grief. Laura even referenced the Erdem Stephanie dress seen earlier in today's post in her comment, Okay, first, Kate wears the heck out of this dress. She looks confident, poised and relaxed. Her hair, smile, makeup, shoes, and accessories are perfect. This is…. quite a dress. It reminds me intensely of the mustard floral Erdem dress Kate wore when pregnant and on her Scandinavian tour. I think if the designer had subtracted about three or four elements, I would have liked it. FEBRUARY 2023: We conclude our look at the more polarizing designs worn by the Princess of Wales with the Alexander McQueen gown worn to the 2023 BAFTA awards. The gown was very much a favorite look for many readers when it was first worn to the 2019 BAFTA Awards, but it received a different reception when paired with black opera-length gloves this February. Another view of the Prince and Princess as they arrived at the awards in February. The dress was updated with alterations to the left shoulder: the floral petals were removed, and additional fabric was added and anchored to the shoulder. The Princess accessorized with her Aquazzura Fenix pumps and Celeste clutch by Jimmy Choo. Her statement earrings were by Zara, the brand's Cascading Flower style. This engagement generated more than 300 comments. Fans of the look included Izzy, who wrote, I love the black gloves! White ones would have looked too wedding-dressy and none would have looked, well, repetitive. I thought it was glamorous. Sue V commented, For myself, the more I look at photos and clips the more I like/appreciate the ensemble in general. The bit I like the most is that so many of us (me included) often bemoan that Catherine plays it too safe (more in the UK than abroad, perhaps) that this ‘risky look’ dressing was such a jaw-dropping sight to us all. And she carried it off with aplomb. Berenike noted, I absolutely loved Catherine’s whole outfit. The white dress is impeccable and changing the shoulder embellishment was a great idea. It gave the dress a more modern look. Those long opera-style gloves are fashion right now, and gave her look the edge that is so often missing, as she usually dresses quite conservatively. Annie wrote, Love the update – much less bridal. I actually like the graphic mixing of black and white – somehow long black gloves always read “super hero” to me, and also edgy. The ensemble grew on several readers, including Sophie, who wrote, The gloves are a really bold contrast, that I didn’t like initially, but I’ve changed my mind! K van Voorhees was not fond of the updated look, writing Sadly, the longer I look at this ensemble the less I find it works and the problems become more glaring. As many others have noted the too-long black suede gloves are bulky with the white floaty delicate Grecian style Alexander McQueen gown. DuchFan commented, I loved the 2019 version of this gorgeous frock, and while I’m also enthusiastic about experimenting and having fun, this particular mix didn’t do it for me. The two looks are worlds different…apples and oranges. Kate-in-Canada commented, While I love the gloves by themselves, to me they don’t belong with a floaty gown. Had she been wearing a structured white satin gown yes. Our final comment by a reader who didn't care for the ensemble is from Bonnie, who wrote, The dress is light, flowing, frothy and so very delicate. The black gloves add such a heavy touch, in their exaggerated length, velvet texture, and dark colour.