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Kate in a Familiar Look That Turns Out to be New for Ronald McDonald House Opening

Kate chose blue tweed separates by Rebecca Taylor for today’s engagement at a new Ronald McDonald House in London. (But look closely; despite their familiar appearance, these are not pieces we have seen the Duchess wear before.)

© Zak Hussein / Splash News

Kate was on hand to officially open the facility that serves families with children being treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Kate was given a posy by Isabelle when she arrived this morning.©Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Isabelle is eight years old and her brother Luke, who is 6, is staying at the children’s hospital.Rebecca English, The Daily Mail & Mail Online @RE_DailyMail

More about the new House from Rebecca English’s story for The Daily Mail:

Just a five-minute walk to the Evelina London, the location also helps families remain as close as possible to their child.

The facility is also equipped with kitchens, play rooms, and laundry facilities, and has communal lounges so that families can feel at home.

© Zak Hussein / Splash News

The Duchess met staff, family members, and volunteers.Kensington Palace

Here she is with baby Jack, born with only half a heart.Kensington Palace

Kate also met baby Mia, who has been at the hospital for seven months.Kensington Palace

The Standard tells us more about Mia:

Eight-month-old Mia Mifsud was born in Gibraltar but bought to the UK at just three days old, owing to the rare illness autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

She has had both of her kidneys removed, and is waiting until she is heavy enough to have a transplant.

Kate chatting with families in the multi-purpose room.Kensington Palace

When talking with James, whose younger brother Lewis is in the hospital, Kate shared what Prince George was up to today. Richard Palmer’s Daily Express story has details:

Kate laughed and replied: “George? I should have brought him. He’s at his Montessori nursery today making pancakes” James then returned to his colouring-in but told Kate: “There’s a thunderstorm coming.”
Kate replied: “Yes I know all about those. George likes storms too.”

At about :20 into this video you can hear James talk about the storm coming. #kate was asked by James, 4, where George was. “Making pancakes at his Montessori nursery!” She replied. “I shd have brought him today!” pic.twitter.com/zcY9XRbRn7

James’s mother spoke about her chat with Kate:

Rebecca Bridges-Wheeler, an NHS auditor married to navy officer Robert, told Kate about son Lewis’ traumatic birth during a visit by the Duchess to the Ronald McDonald Evelina London House in Lambeth.

Mrs Bridges-Wheeler, from Epsom, said: ‘I got a bit emotional talking to Kate. She stopped talking and let me compose myself. You could see the sympathy in her eyes, she was so warm and down-to-earth.’

A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the day’s events.© Pool / Nunn Syndication / Polaris

Now to what Kate wore for today’s engagement.©Zak Hussein, Splash News / Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris

She was in a new ensemble of Rebecca Taylor’s ‘Sparkle Tweed’ pieces.Kate Rebecca Taylor product Shot Jacket J What Feb 28 2017

The ‘Sparkle Tweed Ruffle Jacket‘ showcases frayed trim at the cuff, collar, placket, pockets, hem, and waist seam. The fitted piece has a split collar, front pockets, and wide front placket concealing a snap closure. It is made of a cotton/acrylic/poly/acetate blend.

Rebecca taylor, Rebecca Taylor, The Daily Mail

Rebecca Taylor / Rebecca English, The Daily Mail

When first seeing Kate many initially thought she was in the same Rebecca Taylor suit worn on several occasions.i-Images, Polaris

This comparison shows the difference in both fabric and design.Rebecca Taylor

It looked like Kate might have worn the coordinating dress beneath her jacket.Rebecca taylor

But it must have been altered or been in another style because the fit and flare style of the dress brings much more fullness than what was worn today. It’s also possible the dress was cut down to a skirt.© Splash / Rebecca Taylor

Michelle of Perth’s Fashion shared a photo on Twitter of a sparkle tweed dress style in another color with a skirt/lower half that looks similar to Kate’s, but it doesn’t have the same fringe at the hem.

Via Perth's Fashion Twitter (@

Via Perth’s Fashion Twitter (@

The jacket and matching dress were featured in a post we did in February of last year about the Sparkle Tweed collection.6pm/Rebecca Taylor/

The line remains a core element of the Rebecca Taylor collection. Below you see a Sparkle Stretch Blazer in cream and navy ($395), both at Rebecca Taylor; along with a Sparkle Tweed Dress ($395) at Saks. You can also find discounted pieces, like the Sparkle Tweed Fit & Flare Dress ($159.99) at Saks Off 5th seen on the far right below.Rebecca Taylor / / Saks Off 5th

If interested in styles similar to what Kate wore today, we have added several to our repilKate Tops page.RepliKate for Rebecca Taylor New Blue Sparkle Tweed jacket 3 Three Options Feb 28 2017

This morning I was asked on Twitter what I thought about Kate buying such similar pieces. Below, the first Rebecca Taylor Sparkle Tweed suit, M Missoni tweed coat, and today’s Sparkle Tweed look.©

It is something she has done previously and is likely to continue doing when adding to her daywear wardrobe. Kate probably finds that once she finds a designer and styles she likes it cuts down considerably on the time dedicated to purchasing workwear if she buys several pieces at the same time, putting some away for future use. We have seen her purchase multiple before like these Amanda Wakeley ‘Felled Seams’ dresses.Amanda Wakeley/POLARIS/POLARIS/Amanda Wakeley

Kate may also prefer wearing older styles in hopes of cutting down on some of the frenzy associated with her clothing and accessories. My sense is she doesn’t want to dedicate enormous amounts of time to fashion, and this makes it much easier to have appropriate styles she is comfortable in on hand.

The Duchess accessorized with her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps ($675).© Splash News/Rupert Sanderson

And her navy Russell & Bromley Muse clutch (£275, about $350) by Stuart Weitzman.Russell & Bromley / Splash

In the jewelry department, we saw sapphire and diamond earrings.©Splash/Polaris/Splash

Kate’s hair was partially up.©

This was a good look for the Duchess, the color is flattering on her, and she seems very comfortable in the separates.Britain's Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge speaks to a child at the Ronald Mc Donald House, the accommodation for families of children being treated at Evelina's children's hospital in London

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Patricia

Wednesday 8th of March 2017

What an amazing look, the Duchess looks good in anything really. I always wonder how she can go bare legged or with just skin toned tights though, isn't it cold in the UK right now?

SaraF

Thursday 9th of March 2017

She is wearing nude hose; I don't think Kate ever goes barelegged during public appearances except when she's wearing long dresses. It may have been cold but she's not outdoors for long and hosiery does add warmth even if it's sheer.

Kylie

Monday 6th of March 2017

I remember that last time Rebecca Taylor reissued the original suit Kate wore due to popular demand so fingers crossed they will do the same here. I would urge everyone who is interested in buying it to email or Facebook Rebecca Taylor to ask and show there is demand!

Another Kate

Sunday 5th of March 2017

Technical question about the earrings - do you think the top diamond is a stud or are they the kind that hook, like sleeper or French hooks? I can't tell from the photos.

Akaleistar

Saturday 4th of March 2017

I really do like the blue tweed, and Ronald McDonald House is such a great organization!

Annie

Friday 3rd of March 2017

Just seeing the pictures and reading the stories of these children was heart-wrenching, I don't know how she can keep it together talking face to face.

I like this - she looks great in this color, and it's a fabric she likes. It is quite similar to the other suit, but I can't find it in me to quibble about it. I have some old favorites that I would buy again in a heartbeat if I could find something similar: things that are the perfect color and fit, at the magical intersection of comfortable and flattering.

I'm one of those who has very strong opinions on the correct fit for peplums, but this one sits on Kate the same way it does on the model, so I'm in the minority there.

Like others, I'm a little confused about the bump at the back of her head. Not sure what the stylist was thinking. I don't think she needs to cut her hair, though. It's beautiful, she seems to like it longer, and I recall her saying once that William preferred it long as well. That said, she's had long hair for such a long time I'm surprised she doesn't have a repertoire of quick styles. A couple ways to put it half-up, a ponytail, a quick tidy bun, a French roll. All things she can do at home without needing a complicated salon blowout and nicely suited for work events like this. Does anyone know how often she uses a stylist versus doing it herself? I assume she uses the stylist for big events, red carpets or palace dinners, but for things like this, does she just do it herself?

SaraF

Sunday 5th of March 2017

Prince William once commented that Kate's hair is very difficult to work with. I assume that she has a hairdresser for all her public appearances. When we have seen her off-duty, her hair has basically always (that I have seen) been in a ponytail, which might just be the repertoire she can do herself.

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