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It’s Three Royal Race Starters for the London Marathon

Kate wore a Heads Together jacket and Breton stripe top for today’s London Marathon.Stephen Lock / i-Images

The young Royals had the honor of officially starting the mass race, which began an hour after the elite runners were off. It is the 37th year for the Marathon.

In some ways, this is the culmination of a year’s worth of work by Kate, William, and Harry. It was a year ago tomorrow that the formation of Heads Together was announced, an organization focused on destigmatizing mental heath issues.

Heads Together

Heads Together

This was also when it was announced that Heads Together was the official charity partner of the Marathon. The Royals hoped this year’s race would be thought of as the ‘mental health marathon.” There has already been significant benefit from the project; more from Sky News.

It’s anticipated the marathon will raise millions for mental health charities.

Figures seen by Sky News show that many of the eight charity partners for Heads Together, have already seen a huge increase in demand for their services.

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, said it has also boosted their lobbying power as charities push for more government funding

If I learn any more about plans for Heads Together, I will update the post.

The Duke, Duchess and Prince Harry with Team Heads Together runners before the race. William, Kate and Harry cheering on racers.

©James Whatling

©James Whatling

It looked like someone was enjoying his air horn.

©(Luke MacGregor/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

©(Luke MacGregor/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

From The Mirror’s coverage:

Among those pounding the streets of London along the 26.2-mile course are more than 700 running for William, Kate and Harry’s Heads Together mental health campaign – the chosen charity of the London Marathon.

The initiative aims to encourage the country to talk more about its problems and mental-health issues, or be a sympathetic ear for those in need.

© Zak Hussein / Splash News

© Zak Hussein / Splash News

They were lots of people rooting for Team Heads Together runners; you can see some of them in this photo shared by Alison Baum, OBE. Ms. Baum is the founder and CEO of Best Beginnings, one of the Heads Together primary partner charities.

Alison Baum, OBE

Alison Baum, OBE

One runner even managed a selfie with Kate. This photo was shared on Twitter by Joanna Walker. Joanna is undertaking 30 challenges on behalf of Heads Together, and this is one of them. If interested in sponsoring Joanna as she continues her challenges, here is a link to her Virgin Money Giving page.

Joanna Walker Twitter (@LydonWalker)

Joanna Walker Twitter (@LydonWalker)

From today’s Daily Mail coverage:

Many stopped to pose for selfies with the royals or ran over to high five them or shake hands in a more genteel way.

‘Wills and Harry!’ one runner shouted across to them, waving. Others applauded the trio as they ran by.

‘Well done guys,’ William shouted. ‘Thank you so much,’ Kate told some of the 700 competitors running on behalf of the Heads Together mental health campaign.

Here you can see some of the people posing for selfies.

©Matt Dunham / WPA Rota / Nunn Syndication/Polaris

©Matt Dunham / WPA Rota / Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Some wondered if the three might run the race; the answer via Sky News:

Asked if any of them had considered taking on the 26.2 mile challenge, Prince Harry said: “Yes I think all three of us were tempted, but it was probably safer and easier for us not to and to try and do our best to lead the campaign and let the focus be on the Heads Together runners which was 200 and is now 700.”

©Matt Dunham / WPA Rota / Nunn Syndication/Polaris

©Matt Dunham / WPA Rota / Nunn Syndication/Polaris

The big blue foam finger seemed particularly entertaining.

©James Whatling

©James Whatling

Here you see Prince Harry with the McEwan family; Harry served with Alex McEwan in the Household Cavalry.

Kate With Runners Marathon and McEwan Apr 23

Kensington Palace

The Royals were in their element.

London Marathon

London Marathon

They clearly enjoyed the day.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

Here is Prince Harry at Mile 22 in this video from Rebecca English, I thought it was worth the 3 seconds it takes to watch it.

The Duke and Duchess handing out water.

©James Whatling

©James Whatling

It would probably be quite a jolt if you happened to glance at who was handing you the bottle of water, realizing it was a member of the royal family.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

Rebecca English of the Daily Mail shared this photo of Kate.

Rebecca English, The Daily Mail & Mail Online

Rebecca English, The Daily Mail & Mail Online

Here you see the trio distributing medals to race finishers.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

The Royals spent time chatting with runners as they cooled down after the race.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

These photos are all via Kensington Palace.

William Marathon with Runners Cooling Down Apr 23 2017 via KP

Kensington Palace

To see all of the photos that Kensington Palace posted on Twitter, click here.

Kate Marathon with Runners Cooling Down Apr 23 2017 via KP

Kensington Palace

I think everyone had a great time.

Kate William Harry With Runner Marathon Apr 23 2017 via KP

Kensington Palace

Now for what Kate wore to the Marathon.

©i-Images/Polaris

©i-Images, Polaris / Stephen Lock, i-Images

Kate was in a Heads Together jacket by Regatta.

©Stephen Lock / i-Images

©Stephen Lock / i-Images

I’m looking for the exact model and also trying to discover if the same version is available to the public. UPDATE: Louise (@Loubou82) suggested on Twitter that it may be the Regatta Professional Softshell Jacket. This style is described as being fitted, which Kate’s is, and other details look the same. We show the jacket at Amazon, where it is $27.45.

UPDATED APR 24: Regatta Professional verify that Kate is wearing the brand’s Softshell Print Perfect jacket. The piece is treated with a water-repellent finish; it is wind-resistant and quick-drying.

Regatta / i-Images

Regatta / i-Images

Here is a closer look at the front zipper tabs.

Regatta/Polaris

Regatta/Polaris

Regatta is family-owned and based in Manchester, so it is a case of the royals waving the flag for British industry. The consensus is that beneath her jacket Kate wore her ‘Drew’ Breton stripe top first noted in a Heads Together video.

MiH

MiH

The rib-stitch sweater is made of a midweight merino wool, it features a wide boatneck, and it is machine washable. The blue and white version is now sold out, but the piece is offered in a navy/orange design, it is on sale at The Outnet, where it is priced at £85.80.

©Zak Hussein / Splash News

©Zak Hussein / Splash News

The Duchess also wore her Superga Cotu Sneakers. They are on sale for $37.99 at Soft Surrounding; they’re also available at Nordstrom in all sizes ($65), and at Shopbop in all sizes ($65).

Superga / i-Images

Superga / i-Images

And we saw the Kiki McDonough Lauren leaf earrings with pavé diamonds.

Kiki McDonough / i-Images

Kiki McDonough / i-Images

Kate wore her Ray-Ban folding sunglasses.

©James Whatling

©James Whatling

We don’t yet know the brand of jeans Kate has on, but we’re looking for them. We take a speedy detour through the land of what William wore to let anyone interested know he was in the Stormtech Cruise Softshell Jacket.

Polaris /

Polaris /

We leave you with this terrific shot from James Whatling.

©James Whatling

©James Whatling

LINKAGE:

In today’s Linkage we share the mental health charities partnering with Heads Together.

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Susan

Saturday 29th of April 2017

In these photos you can see how layered her hair is- I don't think it has eve been cut this way before and that must be why it is looking so consistently fabulous. I believe in the past it has been a single length or layered only around her face/fringe. But now the length has significant layers. She looks fabulous and happy!!

Anne

Friday 28th of April 2017

Kate looks great! I love that the trio is so sporty-- Kate wears this look particularly well, and it's probably because it comes naturally to her. I agree with the other commenters-- her makeup is looking so flattering these days, and her hair is wonderful. The fringe was not as becoming to her, for some reason. She is beautiful, so I'm not sure why that hairstyle did not work on her-- one would think that anything would!

Larissa

Thursday 27th of April 2017

I'm running my first ever marathon in a few weeks in Copenhagen. I actually wanted to sign up for the London Marathon, not realizing that it's a difficult process to get in. But Heads Together is a charity I would definitely want to support. Having the royals handing out medals at the finish line would be an absolutely huge motivational boost for me! I checked the royal calendar and sadly I won't be getting the same treatment from Frederik or Mary here. :(

I'm so impressed and proud of all the work the three royals have put into this charity. Showing up for the race too and cheering on runners just show how dedicated they are to the cause. I am so glad they did this and they sure seemed to enjoy it as well!

admin

Thursday 27th of April 2017

Good for you Larissa, marathon training is an amazing accomplishment on its own merits. I know everyone sends you good thoughts for the race! :)

Beth

Wednesday 26th of April 2017

I love this look for Kate. Of course she's naturally elegant and looks great in formal gowns, but when she's just casual, she really shines. Catherine is absolutely BRILLIANT

Stephanie

Monday 24th of April 2017

Thank you for curating such a detailed and fun blog, I'm really loving this community of people and am appreciating the vibrant discussions! Not much fashion this time, but wow does she ever look wonderful. The hair, the skin, the happy glow. Personal choice, I'm not a fan of heart shaped jewelry but the styling was proportioned and spot on for the event. And I'm a massive fan of black tailored outfits so this is a hit for me.

Beth

Wednesday 26th of April 2017

I agree with you Stephanie. The heart-shaped jewelry doesn't really bring out the true Kate. My favourite is her chunky pearl earrings - the ones she wore to last year's Trooping of the Colour.

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