This morning, the Duke and Duchess headed west out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains, one of Australia's most majestic areas of natural beauty. They meet with emergency services personnel, as well as locals impacted by the recent bushfires in the region that destroyed 195 homes. Kate wore a flowy cotton wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. The DVF 'Patrice' dress is a faux wrap style made from cotton voile. It is rendered with a blue and black ikat print on a white background. It has cuffed 3/4 sleeves and a subtle flare skirt. At time of posting, it has sold out but retailed for US$325. Kate brought back the navy suede Stuart Weitzman 'Corkswoon' wedges which coordinated perfectly with the blue printed frock. She also carried her navy suede Russell & Bromely 'Muse' clutch, also known as the Stuart Weitzman 'Raz' clutch in the USA. Again, we saw the sapphire & diamond drop earrings, Mappin & Webb 'Fortune' necklace and the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch. SHOP KATE'S 'BLUE MOUNTAINS' LOOK FOR LESS ... The meet and greet was followed by lunch in the Winmalee Girl Guides Hall where they later planted a flowering gum tree out the front of the Hall. The Royal couple then headed to the Echo Point lookout in Katoomba to view the impressive Three Sisters rock formation. The Duke and Duchess concluded their day trip at Narrow Neck Lookout where they observed an abseiling demonstration by the Mountain Youth Services. Prince William boldly stood just inches from the 100-metre cliff face. He made many onlookers nervous as he peered over the edge. You can read further details of today's events on the official website of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Tomorrow morning, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will remain in Sydney where they will visit the Royal Easter Show. If the afternoon, they head to Manly for two events. The first, a visit to the Bear Cottage Children's Hospice, followed by a surf life-saving display at Manly Beach.
Today, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in Dunedin for their Otago visit which started with a church service and ended with a white-knuckle jet-boat ride! Kate turned to New Zealand born designer Emilia Wickstead to outfit her for the Palm Sunday church service. The dress is the same style as the pink pleated Wickstead coat dress Kate wore twice in 2012. The double crepe wool frock is a bespoke piece, and this teal colour appears to be from Wickstead's Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collection. Kate donned a matching teal hat by Jane Taylor Millinery. It is a modified version of the 'Dolly' cocktail hat. The hat is made from velour felt and features a handcut felt feather and crystal detail. The Duchess contrasted the teal outfit with her Emmy 'Natasha' clutch and 'Valerie' pumps in carbon suede, last worn to the St Patrick's day parade in March this year. Kate again wore the diamond Silver Fern brooch, on loan from the Queen, and completed the outfit with her Kiki McDonough green amethyst drop earrings. SHOP KATE'S STYLE FOR LESS ... Following the church service, the Royal couple changed out of their Sunday-best and into some comfy casual clothes to participate in the Rippa Rugby tournament at Forsyth Barr stadium. Kate wore a chic waffle-knit sweater by Jonathan Saunders. The 'Deborah' jumper is a mix of blush, white and aqua. It has a solid white ribbed crewneck, cuffs and hem. It is made from 100% cotton and retailed for about US$555. Kate teamed the sweater with her navy Zara skinny jeans and Mint Velvet taupe suede plimsolls. Both styles have been discontinued. SHOP KATE'S 'RUGBY' STYLE FOR LESS ... Following the rugby match, the Duke and Duchess took a short flight to Queenstown and made another wardrobe change for their visit to Amisfield Winery. Kate repeated most of the pieces she wore on Day 5 of the tour in Auckland; Zara blazer; Zara skinny jeans and Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges. However, she changed up the outfit with a preppy navy/white gingham shirt. We think the shirt is by GAP. The Duchess was spotted in GAP only a week before the royal tour commenced, so there's a good chance she picked this up during her shopping spree. We also got a glimpse of Kate's Mappin & Webb 'Fortune' necklace. GET KATE'S 'WINERY' STYLE FOR LESS ... After the tour of the winery, William and Kate had high-speed tour of the Shotover River aboard a jet boat. The 'Shotover Jet' is capable of speeds of 85 kps in just 10cm of water and can do numerous 360 degree turns. Kate changed back into her Mint Velvet plimsolls and swapped her blazer for her waterproof Musto BR1 Channel jacket. She also donned her folding Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses. You can read further details of today's events on the official website of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
For the first time since the tour began, the sun came out to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they disembarked from the grey Royal New Zealand Air Force plane at Whenuapai Air Base near Auckland. Their first stop was a meet & greet with Royal New Zealand Air Force families at the military base. Kate wore a nautical inspired outfit, and added a touch of military chic with a new Zara navy blazer. The double-breasted jacket with goldtone buttons is from the current Zara collection and retails for US$139. Under the blazer, she wore a new Breton top from London based label ME+EM. The top features cobalt blue and white stripes, a scoop neckline, ¾ length sleeves and ruched detailing to the bottom hem. It retails for £48. Her ensemble included some familiar pieces; the Zara skinny jeans and Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges in navy suede. Kate wore her Kiki Grace earrings and Cartier Ballon Bleu watch. Shortly after, William & Kate made their way to Waitemata Harbour where they raced each other in Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup yachts. Kate made a quick wardrobe change, exchanging the Zara blazer for a sailing jacket, and her 5" wedges for her comfy Sebago 'Bala' deck shoes. The sailing jackets worn by the Duke & Duchess are by Musto. It is the BR1 Channel jacket described by the manufacturer as "ideal for coastal sailors who want a high level of protection from the elements but are conscious of weight and bulk of the garment." The company was established by Keith Musto, a British Olympic sailor, and in 2010 the company was granted two Royal Warrants from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburg. There was some healthy rivalry between the royal couple, but the Duchess triumphed! I initially thought Kate wore a classic pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers in tortious, however some astute observers on WhatKateWore, noted they could be the foldable Ray-Ban Wayfarers. The eagle-eyes of Trisha Snyder spotted this photo of Kate wearing a braided brown belt. One possibility is the Mulberry Unisex Plaited belt. To wrap up their fifth day, the royal couple had an impromptu meet and greet with crowds after travelling on a Sealegs craft, an amphibious boat, to Westpark Marina in Auckland. GET KATE'S NAUTICAL LOOK FOR LESS ... You can read further details of today's events on the official website of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Royal Tour Day 4: Kate wears blue Alexander McQueen coat dress to Blenheim and Omaka Aviation Center10/4/2014
This morning, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continued their royal tour of New Zealand with a visit to the Marlborough region located on the north east tip of the South Island. They started the day with a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony in Seymour Square, Blenheim. Price William and Kate were joined by a group of WWII veterans, politicians, and thousands of spectators. The service was held to pay tribute to those who have died in combat during the first World War, which marks its 100th anniversary later this year. For today's solemn service, Kate wore a bespoke cornflower blue coat dress from her favourite designer, Alexander McQueen. The piece appears to be a fusion of the Utility Coat Dress and Belted Crepe Coat from McQueen's current ready-to-wear collection. Kate's coat dress is described as a double leaf crepe coat, with utility pockets, waist belt and pleated back skirt. It features a collared neckline and has concealed snap fastenings through the front. On her feet were bespoke Alexander McQueen navy blue suede pumps, first seen during her first Royal Tour of North America in 2011. SHOP REPLIKATES OF THE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN NAVY SUEDE SHOES ... Kate coordinated her shoes with her navy suede Russell & Bromley 'Muse' clutch also known as the Stuart Weitzman 'Raz' clutch. She wore her Sapphire & Diamond Oval Drop Earrings, which were a gift from Prince William and originally owned by the late Princess Diana. SHOP REPLIKATES OF THE SAPPHIRE EARRINGS ... On Kate's left chest was a poppy pin. The pin is a symbol of the "Remembering WW1 - 100 years on" commemoration, and identifies First World War centenary activities, events, or projects in New Zealand. Following the memorial service, William & Kate had a private lunch at Wither Hills winery. The restaurant staff tweeted: "It has been a right royal day at Wither Hills! We are so proud to have hosted the royal couple at our restaurant". After lunch, the Duke and Duchess headed to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre for a tour of the 'Knights of the Sky' exhibition, a display of First World War aircraft collected by Lord of the Rings film director Sir Peter Jackson. This evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend a state reception at Government House. Prince William will give a speech at the event and unveil a new portrait of Her Majesty the Queen.
You can read further details of today's events on the official website of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Duchess of Cambridge braved the cold this morning as she stepped out to attend the Place2Be forum; a children's mental health charity of which she is patron. You can read more about today's forum here.
Kate wore a navy Max Mara moto-style jacket featuring an off-centre zip, club collar, and front flap pockets. Unfortunately there are no stock images or any further details about the piece. However we do know that the skirt is the Orla Kiely Solid Crepe Blend Pleated Skirt. The skirt is from the designer's S/S 2012 collection. The mini skirt features wide knife pleats in crepe fabric and originally retailed for €150. Kate coordinated her bespoke Alexander McQueen navy suede pumps with her Stuart Weitzman 'Muse' navy suede clutch, also known as the 'Raz' clutch in the USA. Kate also debuted a new pair of navy gloves with bow detail. The gloves were designed by Andy Shiels in collaboration with Dents Glovers and The Worshipful Company of Glovers in London. They are bespoke, made especially for the Duchess.
The Duchess wore her hair in a simple half up-do which showed off her Annoushka pearl drops with Kiki hoop earrings.
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I have retired the "Bits and Bobs" section of the website and started a new segment title "Outfit Chronicle".
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December 2014
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