We’ve lots to cover today, including more polls, identification of the blouse worn in Kate’s portrait sitting and news from St. James’s Palace about Kate’s pregnancy. We begin with that final item, here is today’s brief statement from the Palace:
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July. The Duchess’s condition continues to improve since her stay in hospital last month.
The language used in the statement also puts an end to speculation about twins. Unofficially there is updated information about Kate’s possible return to public appearances schedule, Rebecca English of the Daily Mail posted this on Twitter:
Rebecca English, The Daily Mail Twitter Feed
As is frequently the case with such events, Ladbroke’s is accepting wagers on precisely when the child will be born, its sex, and more. They are also offering odds on likely names.
Ladbroke's
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We have an update on the blouse we believe Kate wore when sitting for her first formal portrait. You may recall we posted the official video about the process of creating the oil painting, it included sound with artist Paul Elmsley, and he spoke about the still pictures from which he worked. The good folks at RepliKate It on Facebook think Kate wore this French Connection top in one of the primary photos the artist used (seen below), and we think they are correct.
French Connection/National Portrait Gallery
That is the label’s Silky Tie Top, made of 100% polyester; it was offered in four colors on French Connection’s UK site, but just two colors on the US site. It is described this way:
Sub Silky Tie Top has a pussy-bow tie at neck, covered button placket through front and small cap sleeves. This top is demi-sheer.
The original selling price was $118 (£57) but the piece has been discounted to $49.99 (£28.50), it is sold out in almost all colors on both sites. Many thanks to RepliKate It.
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Now we move on to our polls. The first looks at shoes Kate wore in 2012, we are looking at new styles. We begin with the Episode Angel, first noted (I think) during the Diamond Jubilee visit to Leicester. Kate’s are black suede, not patent as seen in the product photo. Episode is only sold through House of Fraser, the Angel is no longer available.
Episode 'Angel' Shoe
Another new pair for the Duchess, or at least a pair we hadn’t previously identified, the brown suede “Valerie” pump (or court shoe) from Emmy. The shoe is available online for £400, roughly $650 at today’s exchange rates.
Emmy "Valerie"
Also new and also from Emmy, the shoes worn to the April première of African Cats, accessorizing Kate’s Matthew Williamson dress. Again, the shoe is available from Emmy.
Splash News
Kate sported a new pair of sandals when watching William play polo in May. The ‘Minx’ by Stuart Weitzman have braided leather straps at the ankle, and a cork platform wedge with a 4″ heel. Originally $395 they are on sale at 6pm for $216.99.
Stuart Weitzman Minx
We saw Kate in another new pair by Stuart Weitzman, the Corkswoon. We first saw the shoe when the Olympic Torch Run passed by Buckingham Palace, Kate wore them frequently throughout the summer and on the Jubilee Tour. The shoe is still available in very limited sizes on the Weitzman website (although not the navy suede), discounted from $375 to $188, 6pm has it in a variety of sizes/colors for $207.
Splash News/Stuart Weitzman/Splash News
Kate debuted a new dress shoe at an evening reception in July, the LK Bennett Harper. The shoe has a concealed platform, round toe, 4″ heel and is available in a variety of colors. Kate’s suede pair in light taupe is on sale, but leather styles do not seem to discounted.
PA Wire/LK Bennett
Another new pair for Kate was seen during the Olympics, the Adidas Supernova Glide. The shoe is no longer available in this color.
Adidas
While on the Jubilee Tour in September we saw another new pair of basic platform pumps, Russell and Bromley’s ‘Park Avenue’. Virtually indistinguishable from Kate’s LK Bennett Sledge, the Park Avenue also has a rounded toe, open platform and 4″ heel. (I could only find it in black patent, it is £165 (roughly $300 USD).
Splash News/Russell & Bromley
For the State Dinner in Malaysia we saw one more pair of party shoes, the ‘Dart’ by Jimmy Choo. The elegant sandal features metallic leather, delicate straps in an asymmetric ankle-wrap, and adjustable buckle for secure fit with a heel that is about 4.5″. The shoe originally retailed at $825, it appears to be sold out everywhere.
Splash News/Jimmy Choo
When out shopping in mid-November the Duchess was in a pair of “Estee” pumps by Kurt Geiger. This style has a slightly more pointed toe than many of Kate’s standard pumps, it is suede and has a 3.5″ heel. The shoe is still available in limited sizes. To see the limited photos available of Kate in this shoe, visit PopSugar here.
Kurt Geiger "Estee"
The final pair in our new shoe poll is an unlikely candidate, not terribly elegant but more-than-serviceable. We’re talking about the Brasher hiking boot worn by Kate in the Borneo rainforest, an outstanding boot with an all-leather upper and lined with Gore-tex.
Brasher "Hillmaster" GTX
Let us know your thoughts on Kate’s new shoes in 2012.
