Kate in Hobbs & Oasis for Liverpool Engagements, Official Kate & William Barbie

Kate selected a Hobbs coat purchased back in September for her visit to Liverpool today.

The day started with a visit to The Brink Liverpool, an alcohol-free bar, restaurant and entertainment center.

More on the restaurant where Kate began her appointments today from its website:

The Brink is a revolutionary new venue that’s so much more than your usual cafe bar. We’ve taken alcohol out of the mix to provide a truly welcoming, creative and intelligent space where people from all backgrounds and walks of life can dine, hang out, socialise and relax.

Here you see Kate behind the bar with Jacquie Johnston-Lynch, head of service for Action on Addiction and Paula Carey. They are making a smoothie called the ‘Duchess’.

The Brink is affiliated with one of Kate’s patronages, Action on Addiction. Kate during her walkabout today. 

This is also the first time she did a walkabout on her own.

Below left we see Jaqson Johnston-Lynch waiting to present Kate with a bouquet.

A Daily Telegraph story shares some of what Jaqson planned to say to the Duchess:

“…he said: “I have wrote in the card ‘Dear Kate, Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you, from Jaqson’. “I’m also giving her some flowers, red roses, and little cupcake.

Jaqson, who attends St Vincent de Paul School in Liverpool, said he had a little speech prepared. “I’m going to say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, your Royal Highness. I’m sorry Prince William can’t be here’.”

Jaqson did say that the Duchess is “not my type,” click here for that story, it is very cute.  

After that stop Kate moved on to her appointment at the renowned Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where one young patient was said to have been practicing her curtsey, little Aimee Haswell was designated to greet Kate. When Aimee was only 9 days old she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, here we see her at Alder Hey after her very first surgery. 

 

You can learn more about Aimee and see her amazing progress here on the Alder Hey site. The Duchess spent time meeting patients, family, and staff and also toured the hospital.

Kate then moved on to the Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey, it is the largest Ronald McDonald House in Europe, offering free accommodations for families and caregivers of children being taken care of at the hospital. More than 15000 families have been accommodated at the House since it opened, but more space is still needed; learn how you can help by clicking here or make a donation here.

How did Kate do on her first walkabout, as well as the rest of the visit? Longtime royal photographer Mark Stewart shared his insight on Twitter:

We first learned about the piece via a post written by UK blogger Social Beautify.

These images are digitally enhanced just a touch to better show the seaming and belting.

The coat is a familiar silhouette for Kate, it is made of wool crepe and “adorned with leather stud fastening cuff straps and a matching belt” according to the website. It is now sold out, the coat had been discounted from its original price of £369 (about $575) to £182 ($285).

The Duchess had on her Episode ‘Angel’ pumps and carried her suede clutch.

She also wore the Kiki McDonough earrings first seen on Christmas Day, many believe they were a Christmas gift from Prince William.

The earrings showcase green amethysts and diamonds. 

With thanks to Victoria Murphy of The Mirror for sharing information on Kate’s dress, it is by Oasis.

The always-on-top-of-things Kate Middleton Style Blog says the dress is an older piece, that would explain why yours truly wasn’t able to locate it online.

Us Weekly reports that Prince William sent Kate a bouquet and card (although not the flowers shown in the photo), he remains in the Falklands continuing his RAF training mission.

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A few additional appointments for Kate you may want to make a note of:

• A week from today (February 21) Kate will visit The Art Room at Oxford Spires Academy, recent projects at this branch of the program have involved artists Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Julian Opie
• March 1 Kate, Camilla and the Queen will tour Fortnum and Mason’s Picadilly store, considered the company’s flagship shop. The three will also enjoy tea together at the newly remodeled St. James restaurant, it is to re-open this spring.

• March 8 the Duchess will once again join Her Majesty, as well as Prince Philip, for a visit to Leicester, where there are Diamond Jubilee events planned.

Next, a closer look at the Luisa Spagnoli Kate wore for her visit to St. Andrews with William just a bit less than a year ago, February 28 of 2011.

Some may recall that a lovely commenter, Olympe, shared via email that the suit was not a skirt and jacket as originally thought, but a dress and jacket. Kate elected to wear a turtleneck over the top of the dress, below we see the “Sushi” jacket by Luisa Spagnoli, along with the dress.

In these images, you can more clearly see the detailing at the waist.

Many thanks also to lovely WKW Facebook friend Tiffany, she alerted us to this auction for the ensemble.

Finally, word today of Kate and William Barbie dolls.

The dolls will be released April 7, priced at £99.99. More from Marketing Week:

Each will be wearing an outfit inspired by their wedding, including Prince William’s red Irish Guards uniform tunic and Kate’s Alexander McQueen gown.

The Daily Mail story says they may be preordered now on Amazon UK, it is also available for ordering in the US on the Barbie Collector site.