The Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise visit to the Natural History Museum (NHM) for a children's tea party to give Dippy the Diplodocus – one of the museum’s best recognised exhibits – a royal send-off.
She joined primary children for dino-inspired crafts and a mini fossil dig in her role as patron of NHM. The Duchess then joined the museum’s director Sir Michael Dixon to cut a celebratory cake to bid farewell to the 21.3 metre plaster-cast Diplodocus, which is set to leave its coveted spot at the entrance to the museum for a nationwide tour. Kate stepped out for today's royal send-off in a new dress by one of her favourite high street brands, L.K.Bennett. She wore the label's 'Cersei' evergreen silk dress (£375). The midi dress features a sheer neckline and sleeves, and is crafted from a luxe silk-blend chiffon with textured velvet print. It is currently in stock at LK Bennett (UK) and John Lewis. This number is reminiscent of the brand's Addison dress which she wore for dinner with the Obamas back in April. Kate teamed the dress with a new pair of textured grey heels from a brand we have not seen her wear before. She premiered the Hugo Boss 'Staple P90-L' embossed leather pumps (£315) in the Anthracite colourway. The Italian-made BOSS pumps have a pointed-toe box and 9 cm stiletto heel. They are made from embossed calf-skin leather and feature a branded bar-shaped ornament at the heel.
She finished the look with her KIKI 'Lauren' Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Leaf Earrings.
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The Duchess of Cambridge made a series of private engagements on Friday. She visited Eastwood Park Prison in Gloucester to learn what support is available to women prisoners and their families with complex needs.
Kate's next appointment was with the Nelson's Trust Women's Centre as part of her ongoing work on addiction and mental health.
The organisation provides support to vulnerable women and works closely with Eastwood Park to provide ongoing support to women and their families, on departure from prison.
Yesterday's engagements follow a visit to HMP Send women's prison last September. These engagements reflect Kate's continued interest in social problems such as substance abuse, mental health, and family breakdown and what support can be offered to vulnerable families to help break the cycles at the heart of these issues.
Following a series of new outfits, Kate opted to repeat an ensemble for these private visits. She arrived wearing her sky blue Mulberry 'Paddington' wool-blend coat. You may recall we first got a glimpse of the coat when the Duchess was snapped boarding a helicopter on the grounds of Kensington Palace in February.
Underneath the coat, Kate wore an unidentified black turtleneck knit top we’ve seen on a few occasions, and her Dolce & Gabbana boucle wool blend skirt which debuted during her gig as guest editor of the Huffington Post UK earlier this year.
Kate accessorized the outfit with her favorite black suede combination of the Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch and Stuart Weitzman 'Power' Pumps.
She finished the look with with her Annoushka pearl/Kiki hoop earrings and a Royal British Legion traditional paper poppy.
I encourage you to visit the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop and buy a pin ahead of Remembrance Day!
UPDATE - 16th Jan 2017
New photos have emerged of the Duchess disembarking from a helicopter on her way to the engagements on 5th Nov 2016 (photo and ID via @theroyalsandi and @wwkd_official).
The large black tote is rendered in cross-grain calf leather and features a smooth external pocket. It has a contrasting navy suede lining, zip top closure, gold hardware, and removable internal pocket with zip top closure.
Established in 1887, Smythson represents over 125 years of British luxury leather. The heritage brand is based in London and manufacturers luxury stationery, leather goods, diaries, and fashion products. Smythson has long catered to the highly discerning, from European Royalty and the Indian Maharajas to the likes of Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert and Vivien Leigh.
The Duchess was also snapped returning from the engagement. She added a scarf and changed into flat shoes.
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Today, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry celebrated World Mental Health Day with a special Heads Together event at County Hall and The London Eye on London's Southbank. The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day focused on mental health first aid and the role everyone can play in supporting family & friends.
Kate arrived at County Hall sporting a new floaty floral frock by Kate Spade New York - a brand first for the Duchess. This continues an experimental trend for Kate. During the recent royal tour of Canada, she premiered some new labels such as Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and See by Chloé. Kate Spade is a favourite of her sister Pippa Middleton, so it was only a matter of time before we saw Kate don a piece from the American designer!
Today, she wore the Kate Spade New York 'Encore Rose' chiffon dress (US$498) - a delicate pink silk dress with a tonal rose print. The shirtdress features a buttoned-up front primly styled with a slender tie at the point collar. An inset waist nips the silhouette and the A-line skirt is finished with precise pleats.
The dress is currently available at Kate Spade, Nordstrom and Zappos. Kate Spade has also used the 'encore rose' print in several designs this season:
The Duchess accessorized with her trademark nude supplements. On her feet were the Ginavito Rossi Praline suede 'Gianvito 105' pumps.
She finished the look with her KIKI Morganite Cushion Drop & Diamond Earrings.
At County Hall, William, Kate and Harry attended a reception where they met young people who have been helped by one of the eight mental health charities brought together by the royal trio's Heads Together campaign.
Today's celebration featured speeches from The Duke and Duchess & Prince Harry. Kate revealed in a speech that she, William and Harry see it as their duty to "shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing."
Following the reception, the royals walked to the London Eye, where they climbed aboard one of the pods with people who had shared their experiences of mental health issues.
The trio chatted with guests as they took a spin on London's iconic tourist attraction.
We will see the The Duchess of Cambridge again tomorrow when she makes her first solo trip abroad. She will visit The Netherlands for a day of official engagements in The Hague and Rotterdam.
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The Cambridges' eight-day royal tour of Canada came to a close on Saturday afternoon when the family of four arrived at Victoria Harbour seaplane terminal ahead of their departure.
Prince George stole the limelight with his adorable double wave.
Little sis, Charlotte also showed off her royal wave.
The Duchess of Cambridge said goodbye to Canada in style, wearing a bespoke panelled cream coat dress by Catherine Walker.
Here's a look at the back of the princess-cut coat.
The Duchess has favored designs by Catherine Walker for previous royal tours. During her first visit to Canada in 2011, Kate wore two pieces by the British designer. She also debuted two Catherine Walker coat dresses during the Down Under tour in 2014.
Under the coat. we got a glimpse of an ivory pleated skirt.
It is most likely Kate's Whistles 'Lina' Ivory Dobby Pleated Skirt. Coincidentally, she premiered the skirt on the final day of the 2011 North American royal tour. Below we see Kate boarding a commercial flight at LAX airport for the return journey to the U.K.
On her feet were the LK Bennett 'Floret' courts in trench leather. We show the shoe at LK Bennett (UK), but it is also available at Nordstrom, and Shopbop. You may be forgiven for thinking they look just like her LK Bennett 'Fern' trench leather courts. The design is identical, but the 'Floret' has a shorter 3.5″ heel compared to the Fern’s almost 4″ stiletto heel.
For the third time this tour, the Duchess wore Queen Elizabeth's diamond Maple Leaf Brooch, paying tribute to the host nation's emblem through her jewellery.
Kate also wore her beloved Annoushka Pearl Drops and Kiki Diamond Hoop Earrings.
Here we see the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Stainless Steel bracelet watch.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two children, George and Charlotte bid farewell to Canada with a scenic flight in a sea plane. The family departed from Victoria Harbour shortly before 4 P.M. local time and flew to Victoria airport for the long haul flight home to the U.K. aboard a private jet.
If you would like a break down of Prince George's and Princess Charlotte's outfits, please visit Princess Charlotte Style.
Well, that's a wrap! We will do a review and break down of the royal tour wardrobe in next week's newsletter. Also, stay tuned for polls!
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Sadly. all good things must come to an end. On their final day in Canada, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a day of engagements in Victoria. William and Kate's first stop was the Cridge Centre for the Family which provides shelter, care and hope for children, women, families and the elderly from all walks of life and abilities.
Kate arrived wearing high-street labels from top to toe. She oozed understated elegance in a white Zara blazer and contrasting black skinny jeans, also by the Spanish brand.
We were unable to locate the winter-white blazer in Zara's current range and believe it's an older season piece. A closer look at the single-button blazer reveals it has a waffle-weave.
The blazer has sold out in Europe and the USA but is currently available in Australia (due to seasonal differences). Below, I provide a closer look at the blazer I found in store.
@theladywallace offers a closer look at the cuff button detail - note the middle button has grey stitching. Zara reissues similar waffle blazers every season with slight modifications. If you want to get your hands on Kate's version, please make sure it is unlined and features the grey stitching.
Under the jacket Kate wore the H&M Off-the-shoulder Rib-Knit Top which she debuted in Cornwall last month.
For the first time that I can recall, the Duchess coordinated her outfit with a patterned shoe! It helped add visual interest to her bicolour ensemble.
The retro-style plaid shoes were quickly identified by @bojanana as the J.Crew 'Avery' heels (US$278). They are made in Italy from a textured tweed fabric and feature a classic pointed-toe, tassel details and a covered 2" heel.
Kate accessorized with her Asprey London 'woodland' charms necklace, consisting of an acorn, oak leaf and mushroom charm. She also wore her beloved Annoushka Pearl Drops and Kiki Diamond Hoop Earrings.
Kate complimented her chic outfit with an elegant ponytail.
Following the visit to the Cridge Centre, the Duke and Duchess then headed to a café downtown to meet with members of the Kelty Mental Health Resources Centre. The charity assists children, youth and their families to locate and use mental health resources in British Columbia.
The final engagement of the tour took the royal couple aboard the tall ship Pacific Grace where they sailed into Victoria’s Inner Harbour with two youth and mental health charities; Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) and Jack.org.
Kate was in her element as she enthusiastically steered the tall ship.
Then it was all hands on deck to help hoist the sail.
As anticipated, Kate made a wardrobe change for the sailing trip.
She switched her jacket for the waterproof Troy London wax parka from yesterday.
The Duchess also ditched her J.Crew heels for a new pair of white canvas Superga' Cotu' sneakers.
The 'Cotu' sneaker is a staple part of the Superga range. The timeless shape trainer is a lightweight, simple canvas tennis shoe with a vulcanised rubber sole. The normally retail for US$64.95 but are reduced to $48.71 at Nordstrom.
In just over 2 hours, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge will officially bid farewell to Canada alongside their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the Victoria Harbour seaplane terminal.
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