The Duchess of Cambridge returned to the Anna Freud Centre today for their Family School Christmas party.
Kate first visited the centre in September to gain an insight into the provision of alternative education
for children with mental health issues. You may recall this was Kate’s first solo engagement following Princess Charlotte’s birth.
The Duchess got into the Christmas spirit and joined the pupils in festive activities designed to demonstrate their social and academic progress during the school term.
Kate's sartorial choice was perfect for today's Christmas festivities. She wore her red Alexander McQueen peplum dress, a fan favorite since it's debut during the Jubilee celebrations in 2012. It got another airing in February 2014 when Kate attended the Dramatic Arts Reception.
It's also speculated she wore the dress to the Queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace in 2013.
To refresh your memories, the dress is a bespoke version of this off-the-rack frock from McQueen's pre-fall 2011 collection. Kate had it tailored with long sleeves and opted for a bateau neckline. The wool crepe dress is defined by a pleated skirt and unique peplum waist.
There were no changes in Kate's choice of accessories today. She again accessorized with her favorite black suede combination of the Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch and Stuart Weitzman 'Power' Pumps as she has done for her last several engagements.
As a final touch, Kate added her KIKI 'Lauren' Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Leaf Earrings.
It's highly likely that this was Kate's last public engagement of the year. However, it is expected we will see the Duchess again by the end of the week, when she arrives at Buckingham Palace with her family for the Queen's Pre-Christmas luncheon.
I'll leave you with me favorite photo of Kate from today's Christmas party.
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The Duchess of Cambridge was in London on Friday and photographed doing a spot of Christmas shopping at Peter Jones/John Lewis.
She was seen leaving the Sloane Square department store carrying a John Lewis plastic bag and holding the John Lewis Gingham Check PVC Tablecloth in Mushroom.
Kate was wrapped up in the Reiss Rubik Houndstooth Coat, which she debuted the day before at her engagement at the Action for Addiction Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies.
In her left hand, Kate carried her trusty Tod's Dove Grey D-Styling Bauletto handbag, a long-time favorite since 2009.
On her feet were the Stuart Weitzman Half-n-Half black suede stretch boots which she first wore in November last year for a SportsAid athlete workshop.
Kate is expected to remain in London over the weekend because we will see her again on Tuesday when she attends the Anna Freud Centre's Christmas party.
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The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of Action on Addiction, visited the charity’s Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies in Warminster, Wiltshire this morning.
She was given an overview of its work providing training, education and professional development for those working in addiction and other related fields.
Kate arrived wearing a new Reiss 'Rubik' houndstooth coat (US$620). The Rubik wrap coat is woven with a striking houndstooth pattern. It has a high neck and removable self-belt. It is still available to purchase from Reiss, Harrods and Bloomingdales.
It appears that the Duchess is developing a fondness for houndstooth this season! In September, she debuted the Ralph Lauren 'Austin' houndstooth shirt dress for her first day back to royal duties following maternity leave.
Today, Kate accessorized with her trusty black suede Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch and Stuart Weitzman 'Power' Pumps.
She also wore her Sapphire & Diamond Oval Drop Earrings.
During the visit, Kate took off her coat to reveal the beautiful Emilia Wickstead 'Alice' frock.
The bespoke teal coatdress was first seen in New Zealand during the 2014 royal tour. The Duchess also owns this style in pink.
Kate's Mappin & Webb Empress pendant necklace completed the look.
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Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge participated in ICAP's 23rd annual Charity Day. ICAP is a UK-based brokerage firm and each year it donates a day’s revenue and commissions to a selection of charities. This year, ICAP selected SportsAid and Place2Be, both of which the Duchess is Patron. SkillForce, of which Prince William is Patron, was also chosen to benefit from the funds generated today.
William and Kate first took a tour of the ICAP offices where they met staff and brokers. Under the guidance of the brokers, The Duke and Duchess hit the trading floor and chatted with ICAP clients to 'close' deals over the telephone.
Kate took some time away from the phones to sneak in a game of table tennis with members of her SportsAid patronage.
Today, Kate recycled a teal L.K. Bennett suit she first wore for a visit to Leicester with the Queen and Prince Philip in 2012.
The separates consists of the 'Jude' peplum jacket and 'Davina' asymmetrical sheath dress.
We also saw the return of the Mappin & Webb Empress set:
Kate completed the outfit with her signature black suede Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch and Stuart Weitzman 'Power' Pumps.
Although Kate's outfit was familiar, she did mix things up with a new hair-do! The style is noticeably shorter and the bouncing curls are gone. What do you think?
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This evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended their second Diplomatic Reception hosted by The Queen at Buckingham Palace. The annual white-tie soirée is one of the most formal events on the royal calendar. It is a private function and the public only get glimpses as guests arrive at the palace.
Here they are arriving at the Reception in a chauffeur-driven Bentley.
At first glance, I thought these pictures were from the 2013 Diplomatic Reception because Kate wore the same dress; the Alexander McQueen ice blue lace gown. She also chose the same earrings loaned to her from Her Majesty. But tonight there was one striking difference! Kate debuted a new tiara, the Queen Mary Lovers Knot Tiara.
The iconic tiara was gifted to Diana, Princess of Wales upon her marriage to Prince Charles. Princess Diana wore it on many occasions and the piece came to be associated with the image of the popular princess.
The Queen Mary Lover's Knot Tiara dates back to 1913. It was commissioned by Queen Mary (the present Queen’s grandmother) and modelled after the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara worn by her grandmother, the Duchess of Cambridge. The tiara features large natural pearls hang down from 19 diamond lover’s knots (hence the name).
Upon her death, Queen Mary left the tiara to her granddaughter Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) who also wore it extensively. The Queen later gave it to Diana as a wedding present. On her divorce from Prince Charles it was returned to Her Majesty and remained in the royal vault until today!
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