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Kate Is Regal In Another Bespoke Bridal Gown for Olympic Gala, A Garden Party On Her Horizon

It was another formal affair for Kate and William tonight, they were guests of honor at the Greatest Team Rises event, something of an official launch party for Team GB and ParalympicsGB, marking the final countdown to the Games. The Duchess returned to a favorite designer for tonight’s gown, Jenny Packham.

SplashNews.com

Once royal journalists tweeted word that Kate was wearing Jenny Packham, the brilliant Anna of My Small Obsessions rapidly discovered the dress Kate’s was modeled after.

Via Raihan-Wed.com

Kate is in a bespoke version of Jenny Packham’s ‘Aspen’ gown, a design showcasing beautiful silk chiffon, light and lacy cap sleeves and an ornately embellished waist. All the design traits combine for a knockout dress, this one is a head-turner.

We see another angle from the always wonderful David Wilkinson of CNN, he shared this image as Kate and William arrived.

David Wilkinson Twitter Feed

The back of the dress is exquisite, arguably prettier than the front.

SplashNews.com

This is how Jenny Packham describes the frock:

The style combines an emerald lace bodice embellished with Swarovski crystals and a pleated skirt, ribbon waisted with a crystal and flower embellishment and matching bespoke clutch bag.

Here we zoom in a bit to better show the stunning lace and shimmering crystals.

SplashNews.com

That image also shoes Kate’s elaborate updo of multiple braided sections. Below you can see a side angle of the style, as well as what appear to be new earrings for Kate, rhinestone or diamond-set dangles.

SplashNews.com

The dress is lovely, here we see it on model Ally Murray, she actually tweeted her delight in wearing the dress.

Ally Murray Twitter Feed

The MSRP on the Aspen gown was £2875, approximately $4620 USD at today’s exchange rates.

Kate carried a matching clutch in the same silk and lace, she also sported the glittering Jimmy Choo Vamp dress sandals.

Splash News

The shoes remain available on the Jimmy Choo website and also at Nordstrom.

Jimmy Choo

Guests signed messages of support for Olympic and Paralympic athletes on their way in to the event, below we see 5-time Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave writing well wishes, with thanks once again to CNN’s David Wilkinson for sharing his wonderful photos.

David Wilkinson/CNN Twitter Feed

More on the event from People‘s story:

Five-time gold medal-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave escorted Kate into dinner, which included free-range chicken, lightly smoked ham-hock terrine, slowly braised British beef on spring cabbage and pancetta, and bitter chocolate mousse on shortbread, accompanied by passion fruit yogurt and freeze-dried mango and coconut.

Tonight saw the first performance of “One Vision,” the official Team GB and ParalympicsGB song, as well as other excitement, including adventurer/survivalist Bear Grylls making an aerial entry.

Team GB Twitter Feed

William addressed the crowd before dinner, Hello! magazine editor Rosie Nixon posted this photo.

Rosie Nixon, Hello! Magazine Twitter Feed (@Rosie_Nixon)

Paul Harrison of Sky News shared some of William’s remarks via Twitter.

Paul Harrison, Sky TV Twitter Feed (@SkyNewsRoyal)

The Duke also displayed his sense of humor:

Paul Harrison, Sky News (@SkyNewsRoyal)

This was an outstanding look for Kate, the gown offers a level of sophistication that very much suited her. The rich teal or turquoise (the jury is out on the precise color) enhanced Kate’s coloring, while the sheer elements of the frock provided a little va-va-voom without being inappropriate. The Duchess oozed elegance without being overpowering, a very tough combination to pull off.

As A Petite Princess pointed out, this is the second time we know that Kate has chosen a designer’s bridal gown for a formal event, Kate wore a bespoke version of a Temperley bridal dress to the War Horse premiere (more on that here) in January. 

The Telegraph’s story is here, Daily Mail’s story on the event may be found here, and a nice ITV video piece is here.

ITV News

The BBC’s story is here.

BBC News

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We have a few quick updates to share as well this evening, beginning with word that Kate will be attending an upcoming garden party, Rebecca English of the Daily Mail has the exclusive story:

The Duchess of Cambridge is to notch up another major royal first when she attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace later this month.

Considered to be one of the highlights of the summer season, all eyes will be on Kate as she joins the Queen to take tea with 8,000 guests in the gardens of the royal residence, Mail Online can exclusively reveal.

Unfortunately the Duchess will have to carry out the engagement on her own as her husband, Prince William, cannot get time off from work at RAF Valley on Anglesey where he is a Search and Rescue pilot.

Rebecca reports the date hasn’t yet been disclosed because of security reasons. As soon as we know when it is we’ll be sure to let you know.

Also new since yesterday, photos of Kate on a camping trip with Lupo and some Scouts, PopSugar has the photos.

The event is part of Kate’s volunteer work with Scouting, she sported Paige Denim’s ‘Skyline Peg’ jeans (WKW Facebook friends Kerianne identified the jeans, Ashley Margot received confirmation from Paige), Le Chameau boots and an unidentified gilet.

UPDATED: Feb 2014: It turns out the vest is from UK retailer John Lewis.

The vest is shown in an eBay auction, discovered by eBay seller CopyKate. The piece is made of brown leather, with a full front zipper, interior drawstring waist and front pockets. (The vest has long been out of stock.) I have updated the original blog post, but wanted to note this is a great reminder for me: even retailers and designers can be mistaken in claiming an item is theirs, as in this instance.

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One final note tonight, a quick reminder to be sure and enter the Great Kate $500 Giveaway from Shop It To Me. To learn more about the contest, read yesterday’s post. Or, scan this shortened version of things:

  1. Sign up for Shop It To Me (either at ShopItToMe.com or ShopItToMe.co.uk).
  2. Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite Kate-inspired clothing brand.
  3. For an extra entry, tweet this and let us know you did: Hope I win the @WhatKateWore @ShopItToMe $500 Kate Middleton-inspired shopping spree! To enter, RT and visit http://bit.ly/JerRED.

Good luck!

 

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Blanche

Friday 3rd of April 2015

I love the blue wedding dress

Emma

Friday 21st of February 2014

For the copy Kate's I just stumbled across this version of her teal Jenny Packham dress. Not exactly the same, but almost there!

http://www.jjshouse.com/A-Line-Princess-V-Neck-Floor-Length-Chiffon-Charmeuse-Evening-Dress-With-Ruffle-Lace-Beading-017019722-g19722?gver=oEgVH&ver=xdegc7h0

Reds

Friday 25th of May 2012

First, I LOVE this blog!!! Thanks so much for your hard work!!!

I don't think this question was asked before but, here it goes:

Does anyone know where you can buy the boot socks (or similar ones) that Kate is wearing in the scout camping photos? I have similar high rubber boots to the ones Kate is wearing in the photos, and the regular sized socks I wear with them always get bunched up and work their way off my foot while still in the boot. These boot length socks would be perfect for me! AND they're SO CUTE!!!

Thanks in advance for the WKW crew for their help!!!

Franziska

Thursday 24th of May 2012

I love this dress on Kate. The colour is great and the detail on the back.... wow! She looked absolutely stunning!

German girl

Wednesday 16th of May 2012

I just saw the picture of Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg in the red Packham dress on your FB page. It is red because of the RUBY Jubilee of Queen Margrethe and it also echoes the Danish flag, red dress and white/silvery lace. So I think this is a really nice thought of her!

admin

Wednesday 16th of May 2012

Thank you so much for sharing your insight, I shared the information on the FB post. It is a wonderful tribute to the occasion!

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