Kate In New LK Bennett Frock for Children’s Tea Party at Museum

Kate wore a new LK Bennett dress for a children’s tea party at the Natural History Museum today. Many readers will recall that the Natural History Museum is one of Kate’s patronages.

The event was a ‘goodbye’ party for “Dippy,” a Diplodocus skeleton that has been at the Museum for more than 100 years.

The students are from Oakington Manor Primary School.

Natural History Museum Facebook (Click on photo to go to NHM FB page)

Above you see Sir Michael Dixon, the Museum director, on Kate’s right. Below, say hello to “Dippy.”

We learn more about today’s event from The Express.

After making London his home for 111 years, Dippy the Diplodocus will soon be on the move out of London’s Natural History Museum and is heading off on a tour of the UK. And to mark the beginning of his adventure, the Duchess joined 20 youngsters from primary schools across London to wave goodbye goodbye to the beast which has stood at the museum’s entrance hall for 37 years.

While chatting with the children Kate spoke of George’s fondness for dinosaurs; more from Simon Perry’s story for People.

There, chatting with kids from Oakington Manor Primary School, in London, she asked them which was their favourite. Eduarda, 10, told reporters, “She said George likes the T Rex because he is the biggest and the loudest.” “We asked her about her home lifestyle and her children. She said that Charlotte is very chatty and likes doing play dates with George. George is interested in dinosaurs and volcanoes.”

Kate worked on craft projects with the students, making dinosaur eggs.

The event was not announced in advance; the Museum did not want to inconvenience patrons with the crowds that accompany an appearance by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Today’s event had a tie to Place2Be, the charity hosting Kate’s evening engagement.  From The Evening Standard:

Kate joined other pupils from the school, which supports one of her chosen mental health charities Place2Be, in activities which included a mini fossil dig, before she and the pupils cut a Dippy-shaped farewell celebratory cake.

The Duchess wore LK Bennet’s Cersei Evergreen dress (£375, roughly $470 at today’s exchange rates) for the tea party.

Design elements include the partially sheer bodice, high neck, long sleeves and the midi-length (what I might call tea length) that we are seeing the Duchess wear more often. The fabric is a silk/rayon blend described as “luxe chiffon with textured velvet print” by the retailer.  Here is a closer look at the material.

Pool, Polaris / LK Bennett

The dress is only shown on the LK Bennett UK/International site, it does not appear to be available in the US at this time. Additionally, the garment is offered at John Lewis (£375); and also at Brown Thomas, where it is on sale for €396 (roughly£338, or $420). The dress is reminiscent of the Addison dress by LK Bennett that Kate wore when President and Mrs. Obama visited Kensington Palace.

It isn’t the print that is similar, but the dress cut and details.

Our thanks to Middleton Maven for her speedy ID on the dress, as well as The Regal Look and What Would Kate Do. There is also a Cirsei Evergreen skirt (£225).

We will see you shortly for the the Place2Be Wellbeing in School Awards. We leave you with a video of Kate and the children.

The Duchess of Cambridge joins children in a craft session at the @NHM_London during a farewell Dippy tea party pic.twitter.com/YURh0VcxkK

— Georgina Stubbs (@georginafstubbs) November 22, 2016

Enjoy our post on Kate’s 2nd engagement of the day at the Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools Awards by clicking here. LINKAGE:

• Visit the Natural History Museum website here; the Museum’s Facebook page is here and its Twitter feed is here; information on Dippy may be seen here.
• The Express story is here; The Evening Standard’s article is here; Simon Perry’s People story is here;
• The Mirror’s fashion story is here;