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Kate Opts for Emilia Wickstead in Luxembourg

The Duchess went with a favored designer, Emilia Wickstead, for today’s visit to Luxembourg.©James Whatling

A quick video of Kate’s arrival.

The Duchess was accompanied by Princess Stéphanie, Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duchess. (More on her dress at the end of the post.)©Splash News

Kate started her visit at the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (MUDAM), MUDAM Luxembourg, where she and Princess Stéphanie were presented with flowers by Gabriel and Charles, six-year-old twins. (How cute are those two?) ©i-Images, Polaris / Kensington Palace

More about the visit and the country via Richard Palmer’s story in The Express.

Luxembourg is only a small country about the size of the county of Northamptonshire but over the decades it has become a thriving financial centre after suffering the depression of its iron and steel industries.

Her visit will help improve Britain’s strong relationship with Luxembourg, the Deputy UK ambassador to Luxembourg said.Diplomat Yvonne White, said Kate’s visit was in recognition of the close bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Duchess viewed exhibitions at the MUDAM featuring the work of British artists Sir Tony Cragg and Darren Almond. Kensington Palace

Here’s a lovely shot of Kate and Princess Stéphanie at the Museum via the MUDAM Facebook page.  

MUDAM Facebook (Click photo to visit MUDAM Facebook page)

MUDAM Facebook (Click photo to visit MUDAM Facebook page)

The Duchess met students from St. George’s School outside the Museum.

St. George's School Twitter @StGeorgesLux Click photo to visit St George's Twitter feed

St. George’s School Twitter @StGeorgesLux Click photo to visit St George’s Twitter feed

The primary reason for today’s visit is the formal commemoration of the 1867 signing of the Treaty of London, which confirmed Luxembourg’s independence and neutrality. Here you see the Duchess at a reception with “leading young Luxembourgers.”Kensington Palace

Leaving the MUDAM.©Stephen Lock / i-Images

The next stop, Place Clairefontaine for a cycling-themed festival.Kensington Palace

From a Hello! story

The Duchess, 35, spoke to professional cyclist Frank Schleck, who has two daughters.

“We talked about how they [children] really appreciate riding a bike. For kids, it’s great because they can exercise and – as long as it’s safe – go to school without their parents,” said Frank. “She said their kids have bikes and that they’re always excited about trying to ride.”

©James Whatling

She looked at jerseys children were painting for the Tour de France, it comes to Luxembourg in July.Kensington Palace

Here is a cute video of 3-year-old Teo Schleck, who became very shy when he was supposed to give the Duchess her flowers. 

Little Teo’s father is former Tour de France winner Andy Schleck. For more, we return to The Express story:

Upon seeing the Duchess, who was wearing a pale blue Emilia Wickstead coat, Teo appeared a little overwhelmed, and, as the Duchess crouched down to speak to him, dived into this mother’s arm for comfort.

His mum Jil later said: “She asked if he was shy and said not to worry, it’s totally normal at that age.”

©Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

The Duchess with members of the Grand Ducal Family at the Grand Ducal Palace. From left to right: Princess Alexandra, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Grand Duke Henri, the Duchess, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.   Kensington Palace

The ceremony marking the 1867 Treaty signing was at the Luxembourg City Museum; it just opened a new collection focused on Luxembourg’s history. Below, the Duchess and representatives of other countries pose for a formal photograph as part of the Treaty signing commemoration. Those countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Russia. Kensington Palace

Kate and delegates from other countries visited the Corniche of Luxembourg’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage City. The Corniche has been called “the most beautiful balcony in Europe.” Kensington Palace

Now to what Kate wore in Luxembourg.©James Whatling

Her Emilia Wickstead coatdress is a bespoke piece, crafted from a double wool crepe fabric.©Splash News/Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Nunn Syndication, Polaris

The piece features the fitted bodice and full skirt the Duchess is so fond of, with long sleeves, set-in waistband and peak lapels. The fabric very much resembles the material used in a piece from the designer’s a/w 2017 collection.

You can see the similarities between today’s piece and the Emilia Wickstead style worn to the Irish Guards in 2012. I have added in the yellow Wickstead first worn to Order of the Thistle in July 2012, seen again last year in Bhutan. Initially, I didn’t include it here because the bodice and collar are different from the other two frocks. From the comments on the post and email, it seems many of us have the same recollection of the item – it seems much like the other two.©Splash News/

When first seeing Kate this morning many thought she might be wearing the Christopher Kane coat from the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, worn again at Order of the Garter in 2014.©Splash News/PA Wire

Here you see the differences in the skirts of both pieces. The weight and weave of the two different fabrics impact the way the garments move; the Kane is expected to remain stationary, while the Wickstead skirt is intended to move along with the Duchess.©

Kate accessorized with her LK Bennett ‘Fern’ heels ($345) in the ‘trench’ colorway. The shoe is also available on the UK/International site (£195).©James Whatling / LK Bennett

She also carried her relatively new clutch by Etui Bags; this specific style is sold out, and Etui says it is difficult to say if it will be available again.Etui Bags/James Whatling

The company does have similar styles. We have heard from several WKW friends who purchased a bag directly from the company, and they all have been pleased with the process. Alex A. and Angela R.E. contacted the company via direct message on Etui’s Facebook page. In a comment on the WKW Facebook page yesterday Angela said Etui sent a photo of several clutches and she was able to select one from that group. The price is €75 (about $83) and €20 for shipping.

We did learn how Kate ended up with this bag, as well as the green Etui clutch she has carried. Harper’s Bazaar Poland reported yesterday that, as we thought, the handbags were purchased at a retailer. They were not sent to Kate as a sample in hopes she might use and/or purchase one. They are carried at Peter Jones, as well as the John Lewis Oxford Street store and Topshop’s Oxford Street store. I will ask Anna of My Small Obsessions to translate the article and will update the post if needed.

The Duchess wore a new pair of earrings, the Blue Topaz Diamond Drop Earrings ($3500) from Kiki McDonough. Our thanks to Royal Romance for her speedy ID of the earrings.©

The Mappin & Webb Empress pendant.

Mappin & Webb / James Whatling

Mappin & Webb / James Whatling

This gives you a sense of how much shorter Kate’s hair is since we last saw her.©Splash News

A quick note about the dress worn by Princess Stéphanie; it is Paule Ka’s Satin Back Crepe Dress (€650, roughly $710). The frock is a triacetate/poly blend that is also offered in black. Thanks for this ID also go to Heaven on Twitter.

Paule Ka

Paule Ka

We’ll leave you with this 1:50 ITV video of today’s visit. (Rebecca Deacon fans will notice the personal assistant just behind Kate in a navy dress.)

UPDATE: With thanks to Diffyred for her comment, I have corrected the post to reflect the presence of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume in the formally posed photo at the Grand Ducal Palace, not Hereditary Grand Duke Prince Félix (the original caption).

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Anne

Saturday 13th of May 2017

She looks quintessentially English and unfussy. Really stands out among all those ruffles. Love the way she relates so empathetically to children - considerately going down to their own level rather than towering over them as so many adults do.

Faith Poole

Saturday 13th of May 2017

I know that this Kate's "uniform", but it gets a little old. Same blue, same style, same shoes ,same clutch. Only thing exciting about this look is the earrings, they are beautiful !

Fliss

Saturday 13th of May 2017

This is a nice look and for me almost there but as is often the case for me, not quite followed through. Just one change to accessorise, eg changing her shoes to deep red would charge it up. There is a debate whether Kate is interested in clothes or not and I can't help but think she is, otherwise, she would charge someone else with the task. Kate does look very elegant and is always appropriate. Part of her role is to be noticed on the international stage which is a terrifying thing but she has so much goodwill behind her that she could try some tiny risks, just a different style bag or shoe colour, nothing major.

Kate

Saturday 13th of May 2017

I love this color blue. I really love it with people with brunette hair because it just seems to bring their hair alive and you can see that effect on Kate. I love the big circle skirt. It really moves with her and creates that ladylike vibe that she loves.

The picture of her with all of the Luxembourg royals really shows how her clothing creates this air of warmth and quite English “quaintness” (ladylike-ness) over a modern and cold air that you see in the Luxembourg royals. She banks on the idea of being approachable royalty. Kate has fabric that moves, an approachable body stance, a color that’s as approachable as it is right for the season and the occasion, a loose yet fitting hairstyle and her smile is genuine. She very much thinks about being approachable. The Luxembourg royalty, however, all stand very stiffly, like in all royal portraits of the past, wear their hair quite severely and wear quite severe colors; there’s nothing joyous in it. This puts on a very cold and stiff presence.

I was a bit put-off that anyone would think there should be a “bump watch” with this dress. If anyone has ever worn a very full skirted dress like this that starts flaring at the waist, one would know the slight bump is normal; this is usually where the crinoline or petticoat starts. It’s impossible to eliminate it. I suspect that underlayer you’re seeing is a very high end, one or two layer crinoline.

Hannah

Saturday 13th of May 2017

I beg to differ In a perfectly tailored dress or coat the "bulging" you refer to should start over the hips - thus emphasizing a female silhouette with a slim waist and rounder hips. This could easily be achieved by having the belt an inch or so lower (as I am aware others pointed out many times before). I have to say that seeing the topmost picture my first impression was "maternity style " That seems to be a recurring issue for the duchess, so that I really do wonder why no one in her teams seems to notice (or care) or whether it is by design (for a reason I don't get).

Bonnie

Saturday 13th of May 2017

I agree that Kate looks approachable. I disagree, however, that the Luxembourg Royals look stiff and severe, especially in colour. In the group photo of the Royals, the women are wearing red, green and yellow. These are certainly not severe colours...that would be charcoal grey, brown, black, perhaps even navy. And at times Kate wears severe colour, but she is not stiff, nor unapproachable. Your generalization is not fair to this other Royal Family.

jane

Saturday 13th of May 2017

looked beautiful as usual and the flow of the skirt was gorgeous. Love those nude pumps, they are so elegant and blends with the outfit, nothing worse than a shoe that screams different, different at an outfit.

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