According to the Court Circular, on Tuesday night, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the Chairman's Dinner of their Royal Foundation. The private dinner was held at their London home in the Kensington State Apartments.

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Although this blog is dedicated to the Duchess of Cambridge, I think it's worth mentioning that Prince William commenced his solo royal tour of Japan and China this week. You can follow the tour on Storify.

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UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS

9th March 2015 @ 3:15 PM
The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will attend the Commonwealth Observance in Westminster Abbey.

11th March 2015
The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery will visit the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.  This will be followed by a visit to the Resort Studios in Cliftonville.

13th March 2015 @ 11:00 AM
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge will join The Queen and other members of the royal family at a  service of commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Below are my favourite repliKate finds of the week ...

Earlier in the week, I posted a repliKate for the Seraphine 'Natasha' coat from Forever New.  Coincidently, Katie already owned the coat and was kind enough to write a review.

Katie writes: "Every time I walked into my local Forever New store I was drawn to this beautiful, pale blue winter coat as it had always reminded me of something the Duchess of Cambridge would wear. I gave into my temptation and have not regretted my purchase in the slightest. Funnily enough, a few months later Kate wore a very similar one from Seraphine and I could not get over the similarities with my Forever New one. While Kate’s coat extends to the knee, this ‘Lucy’ Single Breasted coat comes to mid-thigh and is actually a shade lighter than it appears on the website. It is quite fitting; however it allows enough room underneath for winter layers and can easily be worn year round. The coat, which retails online for AU$99.99, is very true to size and has faux flap pockets with large enamel buttons down the front as well as on the sleeves. Considering the large amount of wear I have had from it during both day and night, the quality of the coat is excellent and it is extremely comfortable. No doubt it will remain a favourite in my closet for a long time!"

If you would like to submit a review of your recent repliKate purchase, please send an email to admin@katescloset.com.au. Please include a short review about the quality and fit, the product link, and photos (optional but recommended).

I have received a few reviews for the Mirabelle 'Lolita' earrings and the consensus is they are wonderful! As one reviewer put it: "they are light and make a lovely tinkle sound when you move your head."

I just received my pair this week and now I know what all the buzz is about!  

They are a very versatile addition to my jewellery box. I can envision wearing them with a kaftan down at the beach, or with a cocktail dress at a city bar. 

Kaftan | Stuart Weitzman Minx wedges | Mirabelle Lolita earrings |LK Bennett Sledge pumps | Kaliko dress | LK Bennett Natalie clutch

I'm usually sensitive to earrings made from non-precious metals, however I have no discomfort wearing these because the hooks are made from sterling silver, plated in gold. Another thing I love about these hand-made beauties is that they are Fair Trade.  This ensures the producers receive a fair price for their goods, plus healthy and safe working conditions, economic development of their communities, and educational oportunities for their children.

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Beth, from Minnesota has kindly reviewed her purchase of the Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges:

I have to admit that I did not particularly care for the Corkswoon wedges the first few times I saw The Duchess of Cambridge wearing them; but they started to grow on me the more I saw them.  Last spring when they were reissued, I started thinking about a custom pair.  By the time that I decided I was going to invest, I had missed the ordering window.  I happened to stop by the Stuart Weitzman store at the Mall of America and saw the Jean wedge in the same navy blue suede.  As soon as I saw the material, I fell in love and decided that I needed a pair of the Corkswoons.

The blue suede is absolutely stunning in person.  Pictures do not do it justice.  The only one that I have seen that comes close is a picture from the South East Asia tour.

Usually I wear a size 8W in SW shoes however because of the pitch of the Corkswoon; I went down a size to a 7 1/2.  This is consistent with reviews that I have previously read about the shoes.  The toe box leans to the narrow side.  If you purchase these shoes at a Stuart Weitzman store, you can ask them to stretch them for you which I did; took about 30 minutes because I asked them to do it twice.  For almost $400 I wanted them to fit perfectly before I left the store.  The suede has also stretched a little over time.  I can understand why Catherine wears her pair all the time in the spring; with a 1 1/4" platform the shoes feel like you are walking on a 3 1/4" heel.  The shoes are also surprisingly light which makes them easy to walk in all day.  I prefer to pair these shoes with dresses.  If I wear them with pants, it is with longer jeans to cover up most of the wedge, not the ankle length jeans Catherine prefers.  The sales person at SW did tell me that they do not anticipate these shoes ever going on sale.  I am trust that this may be the case since they have reissued the shoe due to its popularity.

If you've been lucky enough to snag a genuine aso Kate item and would like to brag or leave a review, please send me an email at admin@katescloset.com.au

To commemorate London Fashion Week 2015, L.K. Bennett has created a capsule collection that blends contemporary trends with eternal British style and quality. Here are a few pieces I can see the Duchess of Cambridge wearing:

 Shop the complete Fashion Week Collection >

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Temperley London launched their Winter 2015 collection this week.  The collection is described as "relaxed and decadent, with tribal and nomadic inspiration."

While Kate has been a fan of  Temperley since 2010, many of these pieces are probably too sheer, low-cut and elaborate for her tastes.   If I had to pick one item from this collection that I think the Duchess might add to her closet, it would be the 'Esen' coat.

To conclude, I'm FINALLY on Instagram. I'm not sure what took me so long, but better late than never :)  You can follow me here: https://instagram.com/katesclosetau

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

This week, the Duchess of Cambridge released a special video message in support of Children's Mental Health Week. The touching message was recorded during Kate's private visit to Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School last week.  Click to read the full story >

On Thursday, The Duchess had two engagements. She first visited the Emma Bridgewater pottery factory who designed two exclusive mugs for Kate's charity, EACH. Later in the day Kate visited the Cape Hill Children’s Centre as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.  Click to the read full story >

Emma Bridgewater announced that the mugs will dispatch as earlier as next week. They are now available for pre-order >

This week, Kate debuted two new pieces from her closet:

Below are my favourite repliKate finds of the week ...

This week I have reviewed two pairs of shoes from opposite ends of the price spectrum. The first is a repliKate of Kate's beloved LK Bennett 'Sledge' pumps, and the second is a product review of the Stuart Weitzman 'Minx' wedges.

I bought these repliKates of the Sledge heels over a year ago from Payless, who aptly named the style "Kambridge".

I usually don't buy non-leather shoes so I hesitated to purchase these at first but with a price tag under $29 it was hard to resist.  When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with both the quality and fit. Being a size US 5, I struggle to find shoes for my tiny feet and these fit like a glove!  They have a 4" heel with a 1/2" platform but they are very sturdy and comfortable.  They don't pinch my toes and I can stand and walk in these with no discomfort. I loved them so much that I bought another pair in black patent. Due to their popularity, Payless have now made the Kambridge available in more colour options and fabrics. I now have my eye on the navy suede pair :) 

Click to buy >

If you would like to submit a review of your recent repliKate purchase, please send an email to admin@katescloset.com.au. Please include a short review about the quality and fit, the product link, and photos (optional but recommended).

I received these 'Minx' wedges as a gift from a fellow repliKater so that may bias my review :)

Despite seeing the Minx wedges on the feet of the Duchess of Cambridge, I initially had no desire to purchase them because I never buy shoes with ankle straps. I am only 5'2" and ankle straps have the effect of visually cutting my legs at the ankle, so my legs appear even shorter than they are. However, when I was gifted with a pair and slipped them on my feet, all my "short-leg" concerns disappeared. These wedges are a neutral colour and they blend in with my skin tone, hence the ankle strap issue does not apply.  I normally wear a size US 5 but found the size US 4.5 to be an excellent fit. Despite their heel height, they are lightweight and comfortable. They have a well formed footbed and the straps don't rub against my toes. If you are a wedge lover, I say these are a must-have in your closet. The neutral colour goes with everything!    

Click to buy from Zappos >
Click to buy from Stuart Weitzman >

If you've been lucky enough to snag a genuine aso Kate item and would like to brag or leave a review, please send me an email at admin@katescloset.com.au

This week, Jenny Packham showcased her Fall 2015 collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.  Packham stated that this line up of 'experimental' dresses took inspiration from paintings by Spanish artist Raimundo de Madrazo Garreta, who often portrayed the elaborate fashions of the 19th century.

'This season I was in Madrid and I went to the Prado museum. I was absolutely overwhelmed by the really beautiful and classic paintings; lots of them of coquettish society women really dressed up. I think what I came back with was the idea of color and texture,' Packham explained.

View the full Jenny Packham Fall 2015 collection. Which do you think Kate may wear?

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John Lewis has announced that their exclusive Somerset by Alice Temperley boat print dress will be restocked in May. So don't pay the over-inflated prices on eBay, and hold out for when it returns in a few months.

For those who love the Peid A Terre 'Imperia' wedges and want to add to their collection, Dune London has discounted the red colourway by over 50%. Credit to Kate Middleton Style for the sales tip.  SHOP >

This week, new photos emerged of William, Kate, and Prince George boarding a plane at St Lucia airport after their two week vacation on Mustique.

Kate had her hair tied back in a pony tail and was wearing a black or navy belted tunic with skinny jeans. Prince William was seen carrying Kate's Joules Women's Overnight Bag, Bluposy.

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After returning from Mustique, The Duchess of Cambridge made two private engagements. The first was a visit to a hospital school for children suffering from mental health problems.  Kate spent around an hour and a half meeting youngsters and staff at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School in Beckenham, Kent.  This visit was arranged through Place2Be, of which Kate is Royal Patron.

In a second private engagement, the Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception as patron of the Royal Foundation to discuss its support of palliative care hospices for children.

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On Thursday, Kate made a public appearance and visited the new headquarters of Ben Ainslie Racing and the 1851 Trust in Portsmouth. Click to read full story >

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UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS

Wednesday 18th February 2015

The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron, East Anglia's Children's Hospices will visit the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent, to tour the factory and to see a mug the company has launched in support of EACH.

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit a children’s centre in Smethwick operated by Action for Children, to learn about the charity’s work in supporting vulnerable children and families and developing child emotional wellbeing.

This week, Kate debuted three new pieces from her closet:

Below are my favourite repliKate finds of the week ...

If you've been lucky enough to snag a genuine aso Kate item and would like to brag or leave a review, please shoot me an email at admin@katescloset.com.au :)

This week, Books, Birkins & Beauty posted a photo of the Kenneth Jay Lane Duchess Clover earrings.

She also kindly shared a review of her purchase: "These beauties were waiting for me when I came back from work today! Aren't they gorgeous?! I'm only a teeny tiny bit disappointed with packaging (they came in an unbranded black velvet pouch, secured to the JKL card you can see in the photo - I'd have been ok with it had it been a cheap pair of earrings, but this is one of the most expensive pieces of costume jewellery in my collection, so the lack of a proper box was a bit underwhelming).  Customer service was great, though, and these are real beauties, large but not OTT "bling", so you can probably get away with wearing them during the day, if you like statement jewellery!

After making its debut in 2011, LK Bennett has FINALLY reissued Kate's beloved 'Natalia' clutch!

Shop now >

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As promised, Mirabelle have restocked their popular 'Lolita' earrings.

Outofthecity.co.uk still has the Really Wild autumnal scarf in stock, and it's been discounted!

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For a limited time, LK Bennett USA is offering a massive 40% discount on already reduced stock! Use code PRES40 >

Happy Valentines Day! Wishing you all a LOVELY day :)

This week, photos emerged of the Cambridge's and Middleton's enjoying their annual holiday on the Caribbean island of Mustique.   Click to read the full story >

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UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS

Thursday 12th February 2015

The Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, will visit Portsmouth to see the progress on the new home of Ben Ainslie Racing and the 1851 Trust and view an art project by the local community.

The Duchess of Cambridge will attend a reception at the Spinnaker Tower to meet Portsmouth community members involved the Ben Ainslie Racing project and to view exhibits destined for the Visitor Centre for the Trust at the team’s Portsmouth headquarters, opening in July 2015


Wednesday 18th February 2015

The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron, East Anglia's Children's Hospices will visit the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent, to tour the factory and to see a mug the company has launched in support of EACH.

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit a children’s centre in Smethwick operated by Action for Children, to learn about the charity’s work in supporting vulnerable children and families and developing child emotional wellbeing.

Here are my favourite repliKate finds of the week ...

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After seeing Kate in the adorable Beulah heart jumper, it inspired me to create this casual Valentine's day outfit :)

SHOP: Sweater | Scarf | Bag | Jeans | Sneakers

If you would like to submit a review of your recent repliKate purchase, please send an email to admin@katescloset.com.au. Please include a short review about the quality and fit, the product link, and photos (optional but recommended).

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Giulia Giusto has kindly reviewed her purchase of the Cartier watch repliKate from AliExpress.‎

"Here is a new review about a product I'm sure you like so much! Ballon Blue watch! As you can see in pics the product is sooooo good! Very rich in details, shiny material and just perfect! This item is available in two sizes, I ordered the small one since my wrist is only 13cm (circumference). On the back there is Cartier logo but the word "bleu" misses an L. The product comes protected by a thin ...adesive film, with box, velvet little soft support and a battery (one battery is already inside the watch so you can wear it immediately). The bracelet is a little bit large for me (but as I said my wrist is so small). Conclusion: 5 stars product especially for price: 15€ I absolutely recommend it!"

Click to buy from Aliexpress >

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We have another Aliexpress review from Auds Rulz‎. She bought this lovely repliKate of the Zimmerman 'Roamer' day dress:

Audz writes; "Today, my RepliKate Zimmermann Day Roamer Dress from AliExpress arrived in the mail. I was so excited and the dress is absolutely beautiful, an exact copy of the real deal! I was a bit skeptical of the fit since I'm skinny with a large bust, but I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The material is a soft white cotton lace with a matching satin underlining and a hidden zipper in the back. I'm 5'6" and normally wear a US size Small, but I ordered this dress in size Medium and it fit me perfectly, hitting right above the knee. I paired the dress with my SW Minx RepliKate wedges (Archipelago Cork Wedges) and voila."

Click to buy from AliExpress >

The CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane 'Duchess Clover' earrings have been restocked and available for purchase for $175.

If you have longed to own a pair of Kate's beloved Aquatalia 'Rhumba' boots now is a good time to buy, with Nordstrom offering 35% OFF! Click to buy >