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The Duchess in Familiar Look for Balmoral Church Services & The Return of Kate’s Bangs (aka Fringe)

Kate was in a favorite coat today for church services near the Queen’s Scottish estate, Balmoral.

© Jesal Parshotsam/Niraj Tanna/Splash News

© Jesal Parshotsam/Niraj Tanna/Splash News

The couple has been in Scotland for several days. More from Camilla Tominey’s story in The Express:

The Cambridge family were spotted disembarking the aircraft at Aberdeen airport last Tuesday on the eve of a celebratory dinner at Balmoral to mark the Queen becoming Britain’s longest reigning monarch on September 9.

Many will recognize the coat, it is the ‘Celeste’ by Hobbs.  Kate first wore the chestnut brown coat in February of 2012 for engagements in Liverpool.

@James Whatling/Splash News

@James Whatling/Splash News

She also was in the piece on Christmas Day in 2012, for church services with the Middletons.

Kate Chruch Christmas 2012 Hobbs Celeste coat

Kind Courtesy Jesal Parotsham

Kate brought the coat back for a visit to Grimsby in March of 2013.

James Whatling / Splash News

The Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as William and Kate are titled in Scotland, were among members of the royal family attending services at Crathie Kirk.

Jesal Parshotam/Niraj Tanna/Splash News

©Jesal Parshotam/Niraj Tanna/Splash News

The wool crepe coat is from the Hobbs fall 2011 collection. It is “adorned with leather stud fastening cuff straps and a matching belt” and originally sold for £369 (about $575).

Hobbs

Hobbs

Initially I thought Kate might be wearing the same turtleneck (aka ‘polo neck’) dress seen at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on February 14, 2012. Anna of My Small Obsessions notes the fabric in today’s pictures looks finer and thinner than that of the Oasis dress from 2012.

Kate Liverpool Oasis Turtleneck polo Neck Dress Liverpool February 14 2012

©Paul Edwards/Splash News

Others suggested it might also be the Seraphine Vanessa, worn for the Duke and Duchess’s arrival in New York last December. The fabric is different from the Vanessa as well, the turtleneck on that frock is substantial enough it almost stands on its own. Today’s has a slinkier feel, it looks like it could be a blend with rayon and/or spandex.

The photos are not detailed enough to state unequivocally what earrings Kate is wearing, although Anna of MSO suggests they might be her Kiki McDonough citrine drops. Kate elected not to wear a hat this morning, or at least not while in the car. Below you see her on the way to Crathie Kirk in September of 2013.

Kate Moloh Workeers Coat Crathie Kirk Balmoral September 2013

IKM /SplashNews.com

The coat is a good look on the Duchess.

James Wgh

PA Wire/Jesal Parshotam, Niraj Tanna/Lynn Cameron, PA Wire, Splash

I expect we will see the Celeste at some point in the future; I hope so, it is too nice a piece not to wear again.

Many have noted Kate’s bangs, or fringe as they are know in Europe. Below left we see the Duchess sporting the style at the Natural History Museum in November of 2012, and on the right, at her prep school, also in November 2012.

©Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Abaca USA/Polaris Images, Arthur Edwards/The Sun/Abaca USA/Polsris

©Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Abaca USA/Polaris Images, Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire/Abaca USA/Polaris

From The Daily Mail’s story:

The royal mother-of-two showed off a flattering fringe and shorter style as she sat in the passenger seat of the Range Rover driven by Prince William.

And from The Mirror:

The Duchess of Cambridge was with her husband Prince William in Scotland, where she sported a new hairdo.

Looking smiley and relaxed as the Duke of Cambridge drove their Range Rover, Kate showed off her new parted fringe in a roll-neck top.

I don’t recall seeing Kate wearing bangs with a centered part, which is how the Duchess has styled her hair today.

A reminder that we will see Kate this Thursday when she visits the Anna Freud Centre, a children’s mental health charity.

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Sofía

Wednesday 16th of September 2015

El rostro de Kate luce igual a cuando estaba embarazada de George.

Nancy

Tuesday 15th of September 2015

Can anyone comment, protocol-wise, on when a hat is worn?

Marie

Wednesday 16th of September 2015

There aren't any 'official' rules so interpretations could vary. Usually for church services including weddings and funerals, so it's unusual that the Duchess isn't wearing a hat here. Perhaps she felt the service was informal enough to go without a hat.

Otherwise the most formal occasions such as military engagements (e.g. presenting the shamrock to the Irish Guards) or other 'formal' engagements (e.g. visiting the Tube station with the Queen in March 2013, ship christenings, or for the arrival in New Zealand).

Also they are worn to Remembrance Sunday, Trooping the Colour, royal garden parties, Order of the Garter, and for Ascot or other races.

Of course the Queen wears a hat for almost every occasion so she is in her own category!

This website answers a lot of hat-related questions: https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2226-2/

Sarita_f

Monday 14th of September 2015

I really doubt she's pregnant already. I think the fuller face is a result of the turtleneck and new bangs, IMO that combo serves to make everyone's face look full. I'm excited about a new hairdo, and conceptually love the idea of bangs/fringe. However, I think this execution is off. Parting bangs in the middle closes in on her face, obscures her fantastic bone structure and generally draws her features down. Much like a sad old sheepdog.

I would love to see sideswept bangs on her - in fact, these could probably work but the entire fringe needs to be swept to one side or another, deleting the heavy piece on the opposite side. That very last pic in this post (I think she's playing hockey at St Andrews?) is getting there. This picture illustrates what I'm trying to get at:

https://www.google.com/search?q=side+swept+bangs&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS566US566&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=778&tbm=isch&imgil=pdh1kjyPgWJspM%253A%253BiWYkxieIEQOaKM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fexplore%25252Fside-swept-bangs%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=pdh1kjyPgWJspM%253A%252CiWYkxieIEQOaKM%252C_&usg=__N7WVnMIOmbUgmSTv9-CdZe_Bfhk%3D&ved=0CC0QyjdqFQoTCLOo_uXF98cCFQUSkgodt3gJ4A&ei=UUb3VfO7OIWkyAS38aWADg#imgrc=pdh1kjyPgWJspM%3A&usg=__N7WVnMIOmbUgmSTv9-CdZe_Bfhk%3D

Lastly, I just don't love the combo of a turtleneck with a heavy coat, I think it looks way too bundled up. Turtlenecks need to be styled the way she did in NYC - hair back, light jewelry.

Lastly, I would LOVE to see her switch it up a bit with her accessories. I get having nice, classic pieces to go back to time and again, but I find it boring :). I know some people have cited Carole stating that her daughter just isn't into fashion but I don't believe that for one moment. Didn't Kate do a jewelry collaboration with Claudia Bradby some time ago?

Sarita_f

Monday 14th of September 2015

Oh, and I dislike winging out the bangs, I think they need to be smooth and the curling iron needs to go the opposite direction. Again, much like how she's pictured in your last picture.

mewells4

Monday 14th of September 2015

The new hairdo makes her look years younger. very becoming this time...

Stacey

Friday 18th of September 2015

Funny, because every time she gets bangs, I feel like it makes her look 10 years older! :)

Brooke

Monday 14th of September 2015

So glad to see Kate out again! I'm ready for some new engagements, and (hopefully!!) some new outfits! I know she's got to do her maternity leave, but I'm ready! Bring her back!

And I agree with most everyone - the bangs are an interesting choice, and I'm not sure I like the part in the center, but beautiful as always!

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