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Kate Debuts New Brands for a Day of Engagements in Scotland

Kate was in Scotland today for her first solo engagements in that country. Her first appointment was at St. Catherine’s Primary School in Edinburgh.©James Whatling / Splash News

The Countess of Strathearn, as she is titled in Scotland, was at the school in her role as patron of Place2Be. The school’s Headteacher, Paul Hunter, has said that “kids can’t be educationally literate without first being emotionally literate.” Kate took part in a singalong of “It’s Good to See You Here” as shared by the BBC Scotland. (The link will take you to a brief video of the singing.)

BBC Scotland Twitter (@BBCScotlandNews)

BBC Scotland Twitter (@BBCScotlandNews)

The singing exercise.

From The Express:

After the enthusiastic singing… She said: “Good morning everyone.

“Everyone should start the day like that!

More from The Mirror’s coverage:

Place2Be had worked in Scotland since 2001 and now works in 28 schools in some of the most challenging areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Luke Alexander, 12, presented her with a Quaich cup – a special Scottish two-handled drinking bowl – to signify friendship.

A video showing the presentation.

Place2Be notes that Kate “…met children and parents. She also heard from health professionals who have trained with Place2Be to develop child counselling expertise.”

Kate leaving St. Catherine’s Primary.

Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal)

Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal)

Kate arriving at Wester Hailes Education Centre (WHEC) for a function with The Art Room; the school is also in Edinburgh. Kate was welcomed with flowers from Kelsey Evans and Scott Cunningham, both are WHEC students.

Wester Hailes students have been working on a project involving artist Frida Kahlo, something that probably resonates with Kate, she has a degree in art history. (It is also of interest to your trusty scribe; last year I was lucky enough to see the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera exhibit in Detroit.)©Pool/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Another look at the classroom project.Danny Lawson/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

The Countess clearly enjoyed her time at Wester Hailes.Danny Lawson/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate also spent some time chatting with Mitchell and Adam, two BBC School Report roving reporters covering today’s events. Mitchell looked very professional. I think he has a future at the network.

Wester Hailes Education Centre (@WHECSocial)

Wester Hailes Education Centre (@WHECSocial)

Then it was time for a change of pace as the Countess connected with Judy Murray for some tennis.  Many will be familiar with Ms. Murray, among other things she is the mother of Olympic gold medalist and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, as well as Jamie, also a Wimbledon champion.Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate is helping shine the light on a program started by Ms. Murray, Tennis on the Road. More about the project from its website:

Judy and her coaching team will aim to give parents, coaches, teachers and volunteers the tools needed to get kids active and to help further kick-start and develop tennis in Scotland.

And from The Mirror’s coverage:

Kate joined dozens of school pupils and teachers as they were taught how to coach and pass on the basics of tennis to children, at a clinic hosted by Andy Murray’s mother in Edinburgh.

Often seen in the royal box at Wimbledon and described as a “keen” tennis player, Kate showed off her skills as those taking part were challenged to balance and spin a racket at Craigmount High School.

The class was part of the Tennis on the Road project created by Judy in 2014, with the aim of capitalising on the success of her sons Andy and Jamie by increasing coaching capacity and growing the game at a grassroots level across Scotland.

Back to balloon tennis exercises.Andrew Milligan/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

A poster from Tennis on the Road program.

Tennis on the Road

Tennis on the Road

Kate chatting with Judy Murray in a photo shared by The Scotsman’s Courtney Cameron, and taking part in one of the exercises in a picture tweeted by Tennis on the RoadThe Sun’s Emily Andrews says Judy Murray shared why Kate is fond of tennis:

Emily Andrews, The Sun (@ByEmilyAndrews)

Emily Andrews, The Sun (@ByEmilyAndrews)

Kate practicing her racket spinning skills.

Andrew Milligan/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

From Tennis Scotland’s news release:

Tennis on the Road welcomed The Duchess of Cambridge to Craigmount High School, Edinburgh, to experience a taster of the grassroots programme developed by Judy Murray. The activity coincides with the announcement that the initiative is now supported by the LTA.

Hello! magazine’s Emy Nash posted a video of Kate in one of the sessions.

Emy Nash, Hello!

Emily Nash, Hello!

Some of the exercises required intense focus.Andrew Milligan/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

One more tennis photo.Andrew Milligan/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

And now to what Kate wore for today’s events. We start with the morning ensemble. Many will recognize the Max Mara Sportmax piece, the label’s ‘Long Belted Coat’ in green virgin wool coat, initially seen on Christmas Day.

@Polaris/Polaris

This is the piece that prompted quite a bit of discussion, primarily because of the fit, the placement of the belt, and the pocket flaps.

Sportmax Max Mara Green Coat Christmas Day and Edfinburgh Scotland Feb 24 2016 All Product Shots

The Countess wore a piece by Le Kilt, the brand’s Classic Houndstooth Long style.©Danny Lawson/Pool/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

The label is based in Scotland, and its products are manufactured there as well, a very good fit in terms of sartorial diplomacy.

Le Kilt

Le Kilt

The piece is 100% British wool with a flat-fronted apron, black leather side buckles at the waist, and a traditional kilt pin.

Le Kilt/Polaris/Le Kilt

Le Kilt/Polaris/Le Kilt

It is available directly from Le Kilt, priced at £470, about $650 at today’s exchange rates. It is part of the brand’s classic collection, so it is restocked throughout the year. Harvey Nichols carries the brand and will have the style back in stock. Dover Street Market in New York is the US retailer for Le Kilt.

Emma Spedding of The Telegraph spoke with Le Kilt’s founder about the Duchess wearing one of her company’s skirts.

Le Kilt was only founded in 2014 by Samantha McCoach, whose grandmother was a traditional kilt maker in Scotland for over 40 years. The London fashion Week brand gives traditional kilts a modern update, bringing a punky attitude to heritage tartan. The name comes from the popular 1980s Soho nightclub, Le Kilt.

Below, some of Le Kilt’s other styles.

Le Kilt

Le Kilt

Emma Spedding reports that Le Kilt’s founder is also a Max Mara fan:

Samantha says she has had lots of texts and calls: “My grandmother is over the moon.” She is a fan of how Kate styled her kilt with a Max Mara coat, adding: “I love Max Mara, I still have an amazing camel Max Mara coat I brought from a charity shop in London whilst studying at the RCA.”

A few more pieces.

Le Kilt

Le Kilt

Kate was wearing the same black turtleneck/polo neck seen with the Michael Kors suit at Sandringham.

©Polaris/i-Images

©Polaris/i-Images

She wore her Power pumps from Stuart Weitzman and carried her Bayswater clutch in black suede by Mulberry.

©

©Robin Nunn, Polaris/Pool, Nunn Syndication, Polaris

Kate also wore her Kiki McDonough Lauren earrings.

©James Whatling, Splash/Nunn Syndication, Polaris

©James Whatling, Splash News/Nunn Syndication, Polaris

We proceed to the afternoon wardrobe.  For the tennis workout Kate wore another new brand, her trackpants/sweatpants are by Monreal London.

Kate Edinburgh Scotland Tennis Feb 24 2016 Monreal London Tuxedo Track Pants Product Shots

The ‘Tuxedo Track Pant‘ is $345 and described this way by Monreal: “Inspired by the timeless glamour of the tuxedo, our slim-fit Tuxedo pants have inbuilt shorts for lift, support and to add layer of opacity.” They have side zips at the hems, an elastic waist, concealed pockets, and made from a luxury performance jersey material.  They are on sale in limited sizing at Saks Fifth Avenue ($146),and offered in other colors at YOOX ($409).

Kate wore the Nike Baseline Half-Zip Tennis Top ($70), made of wicking fabric with contoured seams for enhanced ease of movement.

Nike

Nike

We saw the Countess in a new pair of Asics, the brand’s Gel Solution Speed 3 in white/blue steel/crystal blue We show it at Athleta, where it is $130 and available in most sizes.

Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Nunn Syndication/Polaris

We have additional photos that will be posted as they are edited.Loads of thanks to everyone who IDed pieces today, including Kate Middleton Style, What Would Kate Do, A Petite Princess, Middleton Maven, From Berkshire to BuckinghamKate’s Closet.

We wrap up with a look at some of Kate’s other houndstooth styles, from left to right: the Rubik coat by Reiss first seen last December for an Action on Addiction event, bespoke Christopher Kane pieces worn when visiting Scotland last October, and the Austin shirtdress by Ralph Lauren seen at the Anna Freud Centre in September of last year.

Polaris/

Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Splash News/Polaris

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Victoria

Friday 4th of March 2016

Overall, her formal outfit is lovely. I don't agree at all that the black turtleneck was a poor choice. I find that black and any sort of true colour (versus shade) looks cheap and tacky - especially red!. The kilt is lovely and seems to fit her impeccably...it's also nice to see her pay tribute, even if sartorially, to Scotland. I have the same feelings about the coat that I had when she wore it on Christmas Day - it just doesn't flatter her and certainly doesn't fit right. I also wonder, given the price tag, whether or not this was really a smart buy, given the similarities between this and the dark green Hobbs coat we have seen Kate in before - it was so much more flattering and accomplishes a very similar look. Obviously money is not a concern, but this coat is a dissapointment, whether belted, fastened, etc.

The gym outfit is horrid - the Nike top is fine, and suitable for the occassion as she knew she was going to participate actively. The pants are down right UGLY - not sure why anyone is fussed with the price of these, as my eyes were too focused on trying to see something flattering about these pants. They remind me of something a 60-something would throw on before going to the grocery store. I am not saying she needs to be in tight workout-style leggings when active, but aside from the cut, the yellow stripe is foul and an overall horrible shade. Clearly I feel very strongly about this, but I just wish that she'd worn something on the bottom a little more similar to what I suspect are lululemon leggings, which she had on when shopping the other day.

Looking desperately forward to pictures of the India and Bhutan tour - counting down the days!

Michelle

Tuesday 1st of March 2016

Why are people offended by $300 track pants, but no one bats an eye at $2000 day dresses or designer bags or owning an unreal amount of expensive coats? Surely, these are all areas where a normal person would have spent much less or owned less. I don't see any difference in this case, and we wouldn't even know how expensive her pants were if we (as a public) weren't so nosy. They are not emblazoned with a name brand or a price tag, and I doubt anyone at the actual event knew how much they cost.

Emily

Tuesday 1st of March 2016

I'm super late on commenting so maybe I'm posting into the void, but here goes. The skirt is unflattering. Someone mentioned a red top would have looked better, I agree. Those track pants....Seriously? Obnoxious and disappointing for her to choose those for a photographed event. I don't begrudge her for being insanely wealthy but to spend so much on something so casual and then wear for an event, it is tone deaf.

Paige

Sunday 28th of February 2016

A red sweater would have looked better with the hounds tooth skirt or even a dark pink. Both look great with hounds tooth and you used to always wear those colours with hounds tooth. Dark tights and or boots would have looked better and then a black coat. Turtlenecks really do not flatter most people. A crew neck or other style more flattering. The track pants, I don't like the bright yellow band at the top and Nike and several others make very similar pants. I like the Nike top and why wouldn't she wear trainers to participate? Any other type of outfit and shoes would be ridiculous. She planned on participation. When she wore the wedges and such to play volleyball ball, I think It wasn't planned for her to participate. I also think Kate should avoid wearing black so close to her face, like a turtleneck. With her dark hair, it drags her down. Red really would have brightened her whole look and she looks good in red.

Rebecca

Friday 26th of February 2016

I love the athletic outfit. The price on the pants seems outrageous but that doesn't detract from the overall appropriate and professional look this outfit has. She looks comfortable without looking like a Nike advertisement or a starlet showing off pricey "athleisure" wear. It's wonderful to see such an athletic woman in her element.

ElizaMo

Tuesday 1st of March 2016

I think I see those pants as something a bit like sporting equipment -- like a good tennis racquet or pair of running shoes. These particular pants may work for her in ways known only to Kate herself in terms of fit fabric, and I can understand investing in them in that way. I think her down-to-earth side is shown by the standard Nike top she's wearing. I know when I went out hillwalking it wasn't the price tag on the outdoor jacket I was looking at but its toughness vs its ability to give me flexibility of movement. On top of which it's Kate's money and as far as I'm concerned she gets to spend it whichever way she likes, especially when she looks so good!

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