Skip to Content

And He’s Off: George’s First Day of School & Our Poll on Kate’s 2015 Special Occasion Styles

We are back with the first of our annual polls, but first, we make a brief detour to share the darling pictures of George on his first day of nursery school.Prince George Montessori School First Day January 2016

Kensington Palace released two photos of the young Prince on Instagram and Twitter this morning, sending the interwebs into a frenzy. George 1st First Day Nursery School January 6 2016 first day Westacre Montessori School

Kate and William took George to Westacre Montessori School, located about 20 minutes from their country home in Norfolk. The Duchess actually took the photographs, here is the second picture. Prince George first day at Westacre Montessori School in January 2016.

George is not the first young royal to attend a Montessori school, more from Gordon Rayner’s story in The Telegraph:

Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended Montessori nurseries, though the Duchess of Cambridge went to a local pre-school in Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, where her family lived at the time. Princess Diana worked as an assistant at a Montessori nursery before marrying the Prince of Wales.

How did things go? Richard Palmer of The Express shared this on Twitter.

Richard Palmer, The Express

Richard Palmer, The Express

George wore a 2013 quilted jacket from John Lewis and carried a backpack/rucksack that we haven’t yet identified. For all of the details on what George was wearing visit this post at sister site What Kate’s Kids Wore.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now to the first of our polls ranking what Kate wore in 2015. We’ll start today with special occasion and formal dresses, pieces worn for events that are a step above standard engagements for Kate, in styles transcending the business attire we generally see for daytime functions. 

We begin in May, when Princess Charlotte was born. Kate wore a bespoke buttercup yellow Jenny Packham dress as she introduced her daughter to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing, and as she was leaving the hospital.

For Trooping the Colour in June Kate returned to Catherine Walker, wearing the Astrid coatdress in a “crisp textured woven ivory and ice blue silk.” The fitted style has a rounded collar, self-covered buttons and princess seams.Kate Middleton Trooping Color 2015 Catherine Walker

For Princess Charlotte’s christening, Kate wore a bespoke ensemble by Alexander McQueen in ivory silk. The knee-length coat was exquisitely tailored with multiple seams, gores, and darts. It showcased wide, winged lapels, a fitted bodice, and fuller skirt, and concealed front placket.Kate Middleton McQueen Princess Charlotte Christening July 2015

In October Kate attended her first state dinner at Buckingham Palace, wearing the Lotus Flower tiara for that occasion. (More on that in our Jewelry poll next week.) The Duchess engaged in more sartorial diplomacy, wearing a rich red gown for the dinner, the color a nod to the significance of that shade in the Chinese culture. The bespoke Jenny Packham gown features cap sleeves, what looks like a sequin and lace bodice, a satin belt or waistband and a full skirt. Kate Middleton Red Jenny packham Gown Tiara State Dinner Banquet China

The morning following the banquet William and Kate hosted President Xi and Madame Peng at a ‘collaborative entertainment’ event.  I struggled with putting this frock here or in with the standard business fare but ultimately chose this category, if only because this was an important event on the Cambridge’s calendar. Kate wore Dolce and Gabbana’s Lace Guipure Dress in an ‘eggplant’ color; the piece features a ‘turtleneck’ design with a high collar, a fitted bodice, concealed back zipper and internal slip dress with spaghetti straps. (The dress is still available in very limited sizes at Net-a-Porter, where it is discounted by 30%.)Kate Middleton Lace Dolce Gabbana China Visit Aubergine dress October 2015

We had the delight of seeing Kate in another party frock just days after the state dinner when she attended the premiere of the newest James Bond film, SPECTRE, with William and Harry. The Duchess wore another custom design by Jenny Packham for the gala evening. It featured a crossover halter-style top in the front that was sheer in the back with a slit open from the neck to the waist, the skirt was full with multiple layers.Kate Middleton Light Blue Jenny Packham Bond Premiere

Perhaps Kate’s most debated dress of the year was the Erdem Alouette gown worn to the 100 Women in Hedge Funds annual dinner. The silk gazar dress has some very intricate tailoring, with multiple pieces for the bodice, as well as darts and other details it is difficult to show in the photographs. The print is Erdem’s ‘Ohana Tulip’ design, the garment features a bateau neckline, deep-vee on the back and a tiered, gathered skirt. The upper portion of the skirt has box pleats in addition to the gathers.Kate Erdem Alouette Tiered Floral Gown October 27 2015 MontageKate and William joined other senior royals for the Festival of Remembrance in November. The Duchess wore another lace dress by Dolce and Gabbana, the brand’s black lace midi dress. Very similar to the eggplant style worn for the China state visit, the dress has a floral lace motif, high neck, sheer sleeves and upper bodice, with a scalloped collar and hem.Kate Middleton Black Lace D&G Dolce and Gabbana

We will be back Friday with more polls, including one on daytime dresses.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The post has been edited to remove the reference to Kate taking the pictures with her phone camera. I am unable to find the original information and without substantiation I don’t think the information belongs in the post. I apologize for any confusion the  deleted information may have caused.

Pin It
Click here to cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

KimH

Saturday 23rd of January 2016

That red state dinner dress was the least flattering thing I've seen Kate wear. The color was too bright. The bodice and cap sleeves were very Mamie Eisenhower and the whole effect made her look matronly. Some of her other choices indicate a younger spirit trying to cover it all up with lace, which is totally appropriate, given the role that she is in. But we have to remember that Diana didn't have any problem baring her shoulders. She looks great in deep jewel tones and is one of the only people I've seen who can pull off yellow. But I would probably avoid bright red in the future. It's just not her color.

Larissa

Monday 11th of January 2016

I know it wasn't popular when she wore it but I really love Kate's Erdem dress for being so different from her usual choices. I will always admire McQueen's tailoring and the christening outfit was a close second for me. I think the Duchess looks great in Jenny Packham as well but other than the bold colour there was nothing really new about the state dinner dress. It was a silhouette we've seen before and I was more wowed by the glamour of the occasion than the dress itself. But the Erdem stands out for me in print and colour and of course its silhouette. It may not be the most flattering but it was just so out there that I have to admire Kate's decision to wear it!

And George, what can I say, I will never tire of pictures of the royal children. Cute as always and Kate has a wonderful way of capturing candid shots of her kids.

Grace

Friday 8th of January 2016

The Christening outfit was a good look but the poll choice overall is poor. I think these garments are Kate experimenting with growing her look up. I would love to see her exude the flare and stamp of her European counterparts. These are not amazing outfits. They are at best pretty and/or appropriate. One off bespoke pieces are her forte and rightly so. I'd like to see her in more garments that are not so available and discounted. Alexander McQueen is a good example of our regal duchess looking amazing. I have no idea why a dress with an upside down buttercup pattern (primroses?) features in this poll. As for George. He is a gorgeous little chap who looks very inquisitive and busy here. His coat suits him very well

Brandy

Friday 8th of January 2016

Did anyone notice that Kate has her hair up in all three of our top dress pics? Hmmm. Could be a pattern... lol

Raman

Thursday 7th of January 2016

The polls are my favorite!! Very interesting to read the comments about how people picked up their favorite dresses :) I knew the McQueen Christening dress would be on top and deservedly so.

I personally voted the Spectre Jenny Peckam ice blue gown. I think this dress really polarized people, they ether loved it or hated it. I thought the Duchess looked like a dream! Floaty, multi layered, sheer with a touch of bling on the waist. Hair in a pretty chignon, she was perfection (reminded me of the teal laced at the back Jenny Peckam she wore in 2012). Young, pretty and daring - Kate does this look once in a blue moon and I love it when she does :)

Rose Spring

Friday 8th of January 2016

Among the special occasion dresses I liked the bespoke icy blue Jenny Packham gown for the Spectre premiere best, too.

I found it to be so Bond, so Spectre. I especially liked the colour, the back, the flow, as well as the ethereally diaphanous, quietly timeless, old school feminine, calmly assured quality of the gown - and the wonderfully corresponding chignon.

I liked all of the other dresses as well, especially the bespoke yellow Jenny Packham gown for the Lindo Wing with its soft welcoming shower of flowers for a little joy from Heaven.

As for the bespoke Alexander McQueen ensemble for Princess Charlotte’s christening: I would have preferred the coat to be slightly more cream in colour to go with the christening gown and would have opted for the coat to be a bit less sailory, with especially the lapels & the neckline being a little softer - thus corresponding to/with the mood of the beautiful hat, (pram), and again Charlotte's gown.

(In case the white colour had a We're-saddened-because-Diana's-not-among-us-today component to it, then of course the whiter the better.)

admin

Thursday 7th of January 2016

You are right about it being a polarizing style, it is one of the most hotly debated looks I can remember! :)

Raman

Thursday 7th of January 2016

And it is *Packam I guess :)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.