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The Duchess Wears Michael Kors & ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’ Hat for War Memorial Dedication

Kate was in Michael Kors for today’s Service of Dedication and unveiling of the Iraq-Afghanistan Memorial in London.©Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock

HM and Prince Philip as they were greeted before the ceremony.

Royal British Legion

The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry arriving at the event.The Royal Family

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, chatting with Chancellor Philip Hammond, Kate, and William.©2017 Crown Copyright/MOD/Sgt. Rupert Frere

More about the Memorial from The Daily Mail’s coverage:

… it commemorates the duty and service of those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the nation’s interests far from the UK, helped those in danger or worked to improve the lives of those in the Gulf region, Iraq and Afghanistan from 1990 to 2015.

You can see other senior royals and dignitaries in this photo, including the Duke of York; the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall; Prime Minister Theresa May.© 2017 MOD Crown Copyright Sgt. Ross Tilly

The special drumhead for today’s service. (Historically, drums were used in the field to create a temporary altar.)©2017 Crown Copyright Ministry of Defence/Sgt. Rupert Frere

Back to the Mail’s article:

Around 2,500 invited guests, including representatives of veterans, serving military, bereaved families, charity workers, civil servants and politicians, are at the military Drumhead Service on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

Nearby, members of the public and schoolchildren (in some very snappy hats) watching the events.The Royal Family @RoyalFamily

From The Telegraph’s story:

Prince Harry marked a sombre tribute to the start of the ceremony, quoting “A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace,” from the Bible, as acting and former servicemen watched on.

The sculpture features a medallion between two monoliths; one representing Iraq and the other symbolizing Afghanistan.

© 2017 MOD Crown Copyright PO Phot Owen Cooban

© 2017 MOD Crown Copyright PO Phot Owen Cooban

More about the Memorial from The Plymouth Herald.

Artist Paul Day gave the Queen and Philip a guided tour of the memorial he created, pointing out features of the double-sided bronze tondo, or circular sculpture, between two large stones.

He also designed the nearby Battle of Britain Monument as well as The Meeting Place, a large bronze statue of a couple embracing at St Pancras railway station in the capital.

Below, HM and Mr. Day.© Crown Copyright MOD

The Memorial honors both military personnel and civilians. t

Closeups Iraq Afghan War Memorial

©2017 MOD Crown Copyright

The Queen was given a flower posy by Alfie Lunn.©Mod 2017 Crown Copyright/Owen Cooban

More about Alfie and his parents from The Plymouth Herald’:

Before leaving the site of the new memorial, the Queen received a posy from the Lunn family – Sergeant Mark Lunn, 29, who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during a fire-fight in Basra, his wife, Corporal Michelle Lunn, 26, and their two-year-old son Alfie.

©Crown Copyright MOD /

Following the service and unveiling, there was a reception.Royal British Legion

Veterans, active duty military personnel, and family members attended.Royal British Legion @PoppyLegion

Prince Harry served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Below, with Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry, awarded a Victoria Cross for “acts of great heroism” in Iraq, and his wife Mallissa at the reception.©2017 Crown Copyright MOD Sgt Ross Tilly

William appeared amused by something on the table.©Nunn Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate meeting Royal British Legion beneficiaries.Royal British Legion @PoppyLegion

Now to what Kate wore for today’s ceremony and reception.©NunnRota/NunnSyndication/Polaris

Many readers will recognize the Duchess’s coat by Michael Kors.©Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

We first saw the piece on Anzac Day in Australia during the 2014 tour. Kate wore it again last year to open the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace.©

From our original post about the garment:

The garment is single-breasted with flap pockets on the front, a full skirt. It is described as an “indigo twill jacquard swing coat” by Hello! magazine, who also reports the piece retailed at £1870, that is roughly $3150.

Kate’s hat is by Lock and Company.

©NunnRota/NunnSyndication/Polaris

©NunnRota/NunnSyndication/Polaris

The ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s‘ style is described this way by the milliner:

This ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ hat is a style saviour. The stunning, lipped drop-brim and wide Petersham band make this hat a real classic which is perfect for dressier social engagements. 

©Lock & Co./ Lock & Co.

©Lock & Co./Polaris /Lock & Co.

Thanks to Franciele for her suggestion on the Facebook page that the likely reference is to this hat from the classic film. The hat retails at Lock and Company for £325.

The Duchess wore her Cornelia James ‘Beatrice’ gloves.

Cornelia James / PA Images

Cornelia James / PA Images

The gloves are made of 100% Australian merino wool and adorned with a bow at the wrist. They retail for $85 and come in a rainbow of colors.

We saw Kate’s Rupert Sanderson ‘Malory’ heels ($675) in navy suede.  The pump features a 4″ heel and pointed toe.Rupert Sanderson/REX, Shutterstock

The tanzanite earrings and pendant we first saw back in 2015 at a service honoring those who served in Afghanistan returned today. The gems are by royal warrant holder G. Collins and Sons.

G. Collins & Sons

G. Collins & Sons/James Whatling/G. Collins and Sons/PA Images

The company currently offers a similar pendant with diamonds and tanzanite (£8475), as well as almost-identical tanzanite/diamond earrings (£8750).

G. Collins and Sons

G. Collins and Sons

Kate’s hair was up; I *think* she may have used a thin hair net to keep it in place.©REX, Shutterstock/James Whatling/Nunn Syndication, Polaris

There was a bit of an update on George and Charlotte; more from a People story:

“She said that Charlotte is growing up really fast. She is the one in charge,” Samantha Burge, wife of Warrant Officer Class 2 Chris Burge, told reporters. “We have both got 2-year-olds and they are ruling the roost. It was a bit of a mummy chat,” said Samantha, who is mom to daughters Isabella, 4, and Amelia, 22 months — similar in age to George and Charlotte.

“[She said] they are both becoming really good friends, George and Charlotte,” Samantha said.

We’ll leave this portion of the post with a 1:30 piece about the Memorial from the Ministry of Defence.

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Also today, some quick notes.

  • Kensington Palace announced today that Kate and William will distribute shamrocks to the Irish Guard next Friday, the 17th. They will then leave for their two-day visit to Paris.
  • LK Bennett is offering an additional 50% off sale prices; this is only on the USA/CAN site.

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Lynda

Tuesday 14th of March 2017

for crying out loud, Kate is a young lady! Why dress like a granny? and all those saying lovely. Yeah it may be lovely but not for her youthful age. A times I begin to wonder if this site is for grannies. The only thing youthful about Kate's style is her shoes; besides that she needs a revamp.

The Way We Were

Monday 13th of March 2017

This look, IMHO, is flawless.

MeLaNie9

Sunday 12th of March 2017

Love the hat and this whole look. For me, however, the star is the jewelry. This set is my favorite Kate "everyday" jewelry by far.

KateZena

Sunday 12th of March 2017

The tanzanite earrings and necklace set is one of my favorite sets the Duchess has. Tanzanite has such a unique color and I hope one day she wears these with something more in the bluish-purple range because tanzanite shines with that color scheme too.

I love the outfit as she echoes the queen without stealing the spotlight. Same color family but darker, kind of like a shadow, which is apt as she is contender to be queen after the Duchess of Cornwall, yet she shares something the Duchess of Cornwall does not with the HM - she's seen her husband battle with idea of serving his country in times of war yet not being able to serve in the way he wishes to. She's very much like the queen in many ways - charismatic, charming, charitable and a keen study for fashion.

Liora

Sunday 12th of March 2017

This is a very classy, elegant look. I really like the coat and am glad she wore it again. I think she wore it best this time. The hat and other accessories look very good although I think that pearls would have been a little better on this occasion.

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