Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kate Steps Out for Some Retail Therapy

Popsugar.com
 
Just hours before Kate attended a charity dinner for Action on Addiction at Kensington Palace, she stepped out for a little retail therapy.

Popsugar.com
 
The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted in Chelsea, accompanied by a protection officer, where she stopped into a Zara Home Store to pick up some home wares, no doubt to furnish her new home at Kensington Palace.

Popsugar.com
 
Popsugar.com

 Jack Wills
 
Mint Velvet
 
Mulberry
 
Kate dressed casually in navy skinny jeans by Zara and wore a white, silk floral-print Jack Wills 'Debarn' blouse (2012 collection and sold out. Originally retailed for $99) under a white cardigan. Completing her outfit, the Duchess wore her Mint Velvet Plimsolls and carried her Mulberry bag.

Popsugar.com
 
'My Small Obsessions' on FB
 
 Kiki McDonough
 
She accessorized her outfit with a long gold charm necklace (looks like a new necklace - possibly a push present - I will update if I get further info) and her Kiki McDonough citrine drop earrings. Kate swept her long brunette hair into a ponytail.

Popsugar.com
 
Additional Details
 
People Magazine has shared some additional details about what Kate bought.
 
zarahome.com
 
zarahome.com
 
Store employees reported that the Duchess bought oval serving dishes, which come decorated with either cockatoos or parrots, and retail for £29.99 each.
 
Update  2/15/2014
 
'choukii75' on Ebay
 
Kate's cardigan has been ID'ed! Thanks to 'choukii75' on Ebay, we now know the Duchess is wearing a white, cashmere button down cardigan by Zara. It is from a previous season and no longer available.
 
Update 2/17/2014
 
Merci Maman
 
Thanks to Hello! Magazine, the Duchess' charm necklace has been ID'ed! It is 'The Duchess Necklace' by Merci Maman. It was gifted to her by Pippa Middleton to celebrate the July birth of Prince George.
 
 
Details:
 Kate's necklace features 3 charms suspended from a gold plated long chain:  a mini heart engraved with W representing Prince William,  a disc with her baby son's full name George Alexander Louis, and a sweet little boy charm.
 
· 18ct gold plate or sterling silver 925.
· Two chain lengths: 80cm or 45cm.
· Charms measure 1x1cm (mini heart), 2x2cm (disc), 1.5x1cm (boy, girl).
· Engraved by hand in our London studio.
· Includes double-sided French cursive engraving.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Official Family Portraits of Prince George's Christening Released!

Daily Mail/Jason Bell/Camera Press
 
They're here! The official family portraits from Prince George's christening have been released.

Daily Mail/Jason Bell/Camera Press
 
They were taken in the Morning Room at Clarence House by acclaimed photographer, Jason Bell. His pictures reside in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery. They happened to catch the eye of the Duchess of Cambridge, who is the gallery’s Patron.

Daily Mail/Jason Bell/Camera Press
 
An event that has not been seen for 119 years – a reigning monarch shown with three generations of future kings.
 
Mirror/Getty
 
1894 - Queen Victoria was pictured with her son, later Edward VII, grandson, later George V, and great-grandson, who became Edward VIII.
 
Daily Mail/Jason Bell/Camera Press
 
Daily Mail/Jason Bell/Camera Press
 
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Kate Glows in Jenny Packham at The 100 Women In Hedge Funds Gala Dinner

Daily Mail/PA
 
This evening, Kate turned heads as guest of honor at the 100 Women Hedge Funds Gala to benefit one of the charities close to her heart, Action on Addiction.

Daily Mail/PA

The Duchess of Cambridge did not have to travel far for the gala as it's being held at the Kensington Palace State Apartments (She, Prince William and Prince George reside at Apartment 1A).

Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
Guests at the glamorous event have reportedly paid up to £60,000 for a table.
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
During tonight's dinner, the Duchess will present Dame Amelia Fawcett with the 100 Women in Hedge Funds' 2013 European Industry Leadership Award.

Daily Mail/PA
 
Action on Addiction is involved in tackling addiction through research, prevention, treatment, professional education and family support. It has centers in Dorset, London, Merseyside and Wiltshire.
Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/PA

The Duchess of Cambridge, looked elegant in a floor-length dark blue gown with short sleeves by one of her favorite designers, Jenny Packham. The frock is from the designers Autumn/Winter 13 14 collection and is still available for a steep $5,655.

 
 
Ian West/PA Wire/WKW
 
Additional info on the dress:

Ink silk, wrapped front, V-neckline, gathered short sleeves, black velvet sash, hidden back zip
Tailored bodice, full skirt
100% Silk
Lining: 100% Polyester
Silk Gown in Liquo/Ink

Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
WKW
 
She finished off her look with her diamond bracelet and matching earrings and a sleek blow-dry with minimal make-up.

Ian West/PA Wire/WKW
 
On a side note, I noticed a new ring on her finger (see picture above). As details become available, I will post additional info.

A Side Note

Jenny Packham on FB
 
Today, Jenny Packham shared a similar bridal version of Kate's gorgeous gown (shown above) on their FB page. This will be part of their new bridal line.


 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Kate Wears Alexander McQueen to Prince George's Christening

Daily Mail/PA
 
This afternoon, Prince George was christened in intimate ceremony in the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in front of his proud parents, and close friends and family.

Daily Mail/JAlamasi/Xclusive Pix
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
Among the first to arrive at the chapel were Carole and Michael Middleton, with their son James, and daughter, Pippa.

Telegraph/Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

Daily Mail/PA

Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/AP
 
The young prince arrived being carried by a beaming William, and wearing a replica of the 172-year-old Honiton lace royal christening robe in which the Duke was himself christened.

Daily Mail/Getty Images
 
The service began at around 3pm. Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton were chosen to read passages during the service. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby used water from the River Jordan and made the sign of the cross on Prince George’s forehead. The Archbishop then trickled water on baby George's head three times to symbolize the Holy Trinity. Prince George, by all accounts, was completely unfazed. It lasted around 35 minutes and when it came to an end Philip and the Queen were the first to leave.

Daily Mail/Reuters
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
After the service the christening party walked the short distance across a courtyard to Clarence House for a champagne reception hosted by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, where they were offered slices of one of the tiers of the Duke and Duchess’s wedding cake, saved for the occasion.

Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
Lyst
 
Lyst
 
The Duchess of Cambridge once again chose London fashion label Alexander McQueen for the occasion. The jacket is a modified version of the 'White Ivory Wave Ruffle Jacket' ($3,975) for their 2012 ready to wear line. The leaf crepe jacket features a wave ruffle panel running front and back and up the closure of the jacket, rounded padded shoulders and silk lining.

PA Wire/Jane Taylor Millinery/WKW
 
Russell & Bromley
 
 
Completing her outfit, Kate accessorized with a velour felt 'Georgie' beret with delicate silk/organza rose & classic veiling trim by Jane Taylor (£755), her beige Russell & Bromley Park Avenue Platform Court (£165), and her Kiki McDonough citrine drop earrings.
 
Additional Details
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
 *How many guests were invited?
 Only 22 guests were invited to today's service.
 
*Who are the god parents?
 
Daily Mail/AFP/Getty Images
Zara Tindall, William's cousin and Princess Anne's daughter
 
Daily Mail/PA
Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who was at Marlborough College with the Duchess
 
Daily Mail/PA
William van Cutsem, a childhood friend of the Duke
 
Daily Mail/PA
The couple's university friend Oliver Baker
 
Daily Mail/PA
William and Harry's Private Secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
 
Daily Mail/PA
The Duke of Westminster's son Hugh Grosvenor
 
Daily Mail/PA
 Julia Samuel, an old friend of Princess Diana's
 
*What is the history behind Prince George's christening gown?
 
Angela Kelly
Daily Mail/REX Tim Rooke
 
George wore an ivory gown made of delicate Honiton lace and ivory satin with bows and high collar. It was an exact replica of the original which was designed for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, in 1841. The replica was made by the queens dressmaker Angela Kelly and was used for the first time in 2008 for Viscount James, son of Edward and Sophie.
 
*Who created the original christening gown?
 
Janet Sutherland
Daily Mail/Ents Images
 
Seamstress Janet Sutherland who was the daughter of a Scottish coal miner. Victoria commissioned her to make the gown and resemble the wedding dress worn by Queen Victoria for her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840.
 
*Who was the last to wear the original?
 
theroyalpost.com
 
Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, was the last royal to wear the tiny gown in 2004.
 
*What other traditions started with Queen Victoria and have been continued in royal christenings?
 
Daily Mail/EJ and W Barnard
 
Along with the gown, Victoria and Albert started another tradition for their daughter’s christening when they ordered a new baptismal font, made of silver gilded with gold and decorated with water lilies (a symbol of purity) and putti with harps. The font, which is displayed with the rest of the Crown jewels at the Tower of London when not needed by the house of Windsor, has been used at every subsequent royal christening (except Princess Eugenie who was baptized at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham in 1990). And, by tradition, the holy water comes from the Jordan River.
 
The silver gilt font was made by silversmiths EJ and W Barnard and cost £189 9s 4d when it was commissioned. Now, it is priceless.