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It’s Alexander McQueen for Trooping the Colour

It was a glorious spring day for this year’s Trooping the Colour Ceremony; you can see the sun and clouds at Buckingham Palace this morning in a photo shared by royal photographer Mark Stewart on Twitter.

Royal Photographer Mark Stewart Twitter Feed

Mark Stewart Twitter Feed (@RegalEyes)

The Queen attended with the Duke of Kent; Prince Philip remains in the hospital where he is recovering from abdominal surgery. It is thought to be only the third time Prince Philip was not part of the event.

Paul Harrison/Sky News Twitter Feed

Paul Harrison/Sky News Twitter Feed

HM has participated every year of her with the exception of 1955 when there was a national railroad strike.  Just behind the Queen’s carriage, you can see Princess Anne, Prince Charles and Prince William on horseback.

Grewal Gagan Twitter Feed(@RadioGagan)

Grewal Gagan Twitter Feed(@RadioGagan)

Kate, Prince Harry and Camilla shared a carriage this year.

James Whatling/Solash news

James Whatling/Splash News

The annual event is the official celebration of the Queen’s Birthday, a day for more than 1,000 soldiers and horses to shine, as noted by this tweet from the Grenadier Guards Band.

via

via

Below we see last-minute preps by the Blues & Royals Band, one of two mounted bands in the British Army.

Blues & Royals Band Twitter (@RHGDBand)

Blues & Royals Band Twitter Feed

Here we see the Blues and Royals ready to go.

Blues & Royals Band Twitter Feed

Blues & Royals Band Twitter Feed

Below, Her Majesty is resplendent in a blue Angela Kelly ensemble, with the Duke of Kent accompanying her on the dais.  You can also see Prince Charles, Prince William, and Princess Anne in the photo from Paul Harrison of Sky News. Princess Anne is Colonel of the Blues and Royals, Prince Charles is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, and Prince William is Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Paul Harrison/Sky News (@SkyNewsRoyal)

Paul Harrison/Sky News (@SkyNewsRoyal)

The pageantry is remarkable.

The Queen’s actual birthday is April 21, for centuries this public celebration has been held in the summer when the weather is much nicer. Below, the Band of the Scots Guards.

Band of the Scots Guards

Band of the Scots Guards

Another view of Kate and Camilla.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The event concludes with a flypast (fly by in the US) Buckingham Palace, a wide variety of military aircraft take part.  

Kate was in a custom piece by Alexander McQueen.

James Whatling / Splash News

James Whatling / Splash News

The coat looks to be a lightweight wool crepe. It features a wide collar, side darting, three-quarter sleeves and oversized pearl buttons.

Splash News

Splash News

A  better look at the domed buttons, you just about see their ornate filigree decor.

Splash News/PA Wire

Splash News/PA Wire

Many will recognize Kate’s hat; it is a piece by Jane Corbett, previously seen at one of the Queen’s Buckingham Palace Garden Parties in 2012.

Splash News/Jane Corbett/PA Wire

Splash News/Jane Corbett/PA Wire

The Duchess carried her grey McQueen clutch and wore Annoushka pearl earrings.

Here we see many of the royals gathered with her majesty, including (from left to right) the Princess Royal, HM, the Duke of York, Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and the Duke of Kent.

James Whatling / Splash News

James Whatling / Splash News

Following today’s festivities, the Queen was off to the hospital to pay a visit to Prince Philip.

Today’s appearance by the Duchess is being billed as her “last public appearance” until after the birth of her first child in July, although there are some reports she will take part in Monday’s Order of the Garter events.

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Tiffany

Saturday 22nd of June 2013

Any idea on her nail color? It looks a bit pinker and more opaque than past manis... any way to get a close-up? I can't afford to dress like her, but sometimes I can pull of the beauty products - or find dupes! :) Thanks!

Annie

Wednesday 19th of June 2013

For me, I'm disappointed once again in the short length. It’s not that it’s inappropriate, it’s just that I was so sick of mostly only having short dresses available when I was pregnant. Somehow all maternity designers seemed to be under the impression that since my abdomen was swelling, I must want to feel sexy by showing off my legs and cleavage. Not cool at all in a business setting or when chasing small children. Also I am on the short side, so short maternity wear made me look VERY stumpy and round.

I was soooo hoping that HRH would do for maternity wear what she did for sleeves on wedding gowns – change the style back to something the rest of us were looking for but couldn’t find. No such luck.

katefanatic

Wednesday 19th of June 2013

Can you please tell me where you saw pics showing how long the coat is? In every picture I saw (on multiple websites) the only pics were of her in the carriage with a blanket in her lap or up on the balcony where the wall and the bunting prevented seeing the hem of the garment. Therefore, no idea how long it is or isn't.

Me

Wednesday 19th of June 2013

I like Kate's coats, but I don't love this one. I think the color and the pearls = kind of bleh for me. And this is a McQueen? Really?

Do like the hat, although I think her hair looked better the last time she wore it.

Kim

Monday 17th of June 2013

I love the coat. I know some are complaining that it is matronly or old fashioned (50's/60's) - I love that era of class when Audrey Hepburn ruled along wtih Jackie Kennedy and I think Kate is well on her way to becoming a icon like them. Also, you have to remember there are not many things to wear while that preggers looking that classy. Heaven forbid she wear something young, tight and tacky like Kim Kardashian.

Melissa212

Sunday 16th of June 2013

Just wanted to say that there is nothing wrong with this coat - the color is lovely and the fit perfect. But, all these coats that she wears - buttoned up from head to toe are just too matronly for someone her age. If you look at some of the outfits Camilla has been wearing, they are coats, but usually partially buttoned so you can see the dress below, and I think she looks great! I understand she has to be on the conservative side and is not going to wear a clingy dress, but these coat dresses are just boring, along with those Sledge nude heels.

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