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The Duchess Wears Alexander McQueen for Memorial Service

Kate and William were among the many royal family members at today’s memorial service for the sixth Duke of Westminster.©LNP/Splash

From Victoria Murphy’s Daily Mirror story:

They were joined by Prince Charles and wife Camilla as well as a host of other royals and VIP guests in the 2,000-strong congregation paying respects to the Duke, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor.

 

The service was at the Chester Cathedral in Cheshire, about 200 miles north of London. From The Daily Telegraph:

As the Grosvenor family and their guests sang hymns such as Praise My Soul the King of Heaven at the memorial service, the streets of this small cathedral city were lined with people huddling together in the crisp autumn chill hoping to pay their respects to a man who did so much for Chester and its surrounding countryside.

There are many ties between the families. From The Daily Mail’s article about the service:

A confidante and close friend of many senior royals, Prince Charles asked the Duke of Westminster to become a private mentor and guide to a young Prince William.

Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge are all regular visitors to the Grosvenor properties.

Lady Tamara is married to Prince William’s best friends, Edward van Cutsem, and William and Harry were both ushers at their wedding in 2004.

©LNP/Splash News

It was the late Duke who loaned Kate and William his private jet several times when the Cambridge family traveled on vacations. Natalia Phillips, the Duke’s widow, is one of Prince William’s godmothers. Hugh Grosvenor, now the 7th Duke of Westminster at just 25 years of age, is godfather to Prince George. Back to The Telegraph’s coverage:

 

A look through the lens of royal photographer Mark Stewart, aka RegalEyes.

Now to what Kate wore for the service.

Many readers recognized her bespoke Alexander McQueen coat, first seen at Remembrance Sunday in 2015. On that occasion, the Duchess paired it with a hat by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co©James Whatling, Splash News / LNP, Splash News

As noted in our original post, Kate’s coat has a fitted bodice and full skirt, slightly padded shoulders, double-breasted styling, a buttoned tab at the back waist and a center back pleat. The garment’s most distinctive feature is its panels of black velvet mixed with the black wool. The coat shared several design elements Alexander McQueen’s Double-Breasted Patchwork Compact Felt Coat from the pre-fall 2015 collection.kate-bodice-mcqueen-coat-remembrance-sunday-with-patchwork-jacket-side-by-side

These photos have been digitally treated to lighten them up in an effort to better show some of the coat details, including the way the cuff flares out at the wrist, shown below right.Splash News/Splash News

This offers another view. You can just see the scalloped edge of something Kate has on beneath her coat. NOTE: In comments, Blair and Tina suggest that is just fabric bunching up a little bit, not a separate garment, I think they are correct.Both Photos © LNP/Splash News

Here you can better see the back waistband details and the flaps/peplum detail at the side hip. They are a decorative component, not pocket flaps.©i-Images

How they appear from the front.©LNP/Splash News

The Duchess was in a familiar pair of heels, her Gianvito Rossi black suede pumps. We show them below at Net-a-Porter ($670), where they are available in a mix of sizes. They are offered at My Theresa in most sizes ($675); as well as ©LNP, Splash News / i-Images

The chapeau is the John Boyd design worn earlier this month for Remembrance Sunday.©Splash News/i-Images

Kate carried her Pretty Ballerinas velvet clutch with the floppy bow.©LNP/Splash

You may have recognized the earrings as one of the pairs on loan to Kate by the Queen. Most recently they were worn in October when Kate visited the Netherlands (c); the pearls were first noted in September when the Duke and Duchess spent a day in Vancouver during the Canada tour (r)

kate-queens-pearl-drop-earrings-closeiups-duke-westminster-memorial-netherlands-canada-montage-made-nov-29-2016

Here you can see a little bit of Kate’s updo.©i-Images/ LNP, Splash News

One ancillary note: It was announced yesterday the Queen’s very close friend and confidant, Margaret Rhodes, passed away. From The Sunday Express:

THE QUEEN is mourning the death of her “best friend” and beloved cousin, the Honourable Margaret Rhodes.

“They remained close throughout the Queen’s reign and Her Majesty continued to be a regular visitor at Mrs Rhodes’s Windsor home until very recently.

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We leave you with a quick reminder about our giveaway with StyleRocks: if you’ve not yet entered, scoot on over to this post and get yourself entered. The contest closes at midnight Wednesday night, and you could be the lucky winner of this beautiful StyleRocks Woven Diamonds ring.StyleRocks

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pca

Monday 12th of December 2016

Perfect look for a somber event. The Duchess can pull off this style that would perhaps be "bulky" on others - just a first rate, appropriate look.

Margaret

Wednesday 7th of December 2016

I must say I love everything about this outfit, Kate looks stunning and of course as always appropriate. To me everything about this outfit complements another element so as a whole it is superb. Well done Kate.

Cathy C.

Sunday 4th of December 2016

I thought this look was very elegant and appropriate for the occasion. The post was very well written...nicely done Susan.

On a side note does anyone know how many stamps are needed to send a christmas card from the US to England? I'm working on sending out my Christmas cards and I wanted to send one to the Duke & duchess of cambridge (which I've never done before) but the USPS website is a little confusing.

Lolo

Tuesday 6th of December 2016

A letter to any international destination is $1.20. Or you can affix 3 forever stamps as they are currently valued at $0.49

Caitlin

Sunday 4th of December 2016

Hi Cathy, when you go to the post office just ask for an international stamp. I've sent Christmas cards to friends in London using one of these stamps with no problem. They cost about $1.50 each ( I think a little less).

Ilaria Zatti

Friday 2nd of December 2016

Vorrei sapere se indossa le calze. Did she wear collants tights?

admin

Saturday 3rd of December 2016

Yes, I believe she wore tights/hose. :)

BerlinLondon

Friday 2nd of December 2016

on point

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