Kate, William & Harry mark Battle of the Somme in France

1/7/2016

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry, traveled to France today for two days of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

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The Somme Offensive was the largest battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. More than one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history. The royals received a historical briefing on the battlefields of the Somme at Thiepval Memorial.

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This was followed by a vigil at the Thiepval Memorial, where over 70,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave are commemorated.

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For the somber occasion, Kate paired a new coat, the Missoni Metallic crochet-knit coat, with an unidentifiable black sheath dress underneath. (Coat identified by ‏@HeavenQRF)

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The Italian brand Missoni is instantly recognizable by its zigzag patterns and signature crochet knitwear. Kate's coat is a classic example of Missoni's hallmark design Made in Italy, the coat features front button closure and patch pockets. It is described: "Silver metallic threads shimmer within the monochromatic hues defining a textured A-line coat that's visually shaped with an angled zigzag pattern." The £1,568 piece appears to be sold out for some time, but can be viewed at Nordstrom and The Outnet.

Kate donned a new black pillbox hat with a bow appliqué and hairnet. It is reminiscent of her Lock & Co Betty Boop hat and Monique Jessen from People magazine confirmed it a bespoke piece by the same milliner.

Kate accessorized with her mabé pearl earrings which she recently debuted at Trooping the Colour. They are the Balenciaga Medium Pearl Stud Earrings. The Italian made earrings are on sale at Matches Fashion (60% off) and Neiman Marcus (35% off).

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Kate carried her Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch and on her feet were the black suede Gianvito Rossi 'Gianvito 105' pumps.

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Tomorrow, the royal trio will be back at the Thiepval Memorial to officially open the Visitors Centre. They will tour the centre, viewing the Somme tapestry and meet visiting British and French school children.

Later they will join the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for the National Commemorative Event to mark the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Memorial to the Missing, Thiepval, France.

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