Kate is the Epitome of Understated Chic in Catherine Walker (UPDATED: Shoe Information)

Kate was the picture of grace and elegance today as she and William enjoyed their third day in Canada.

Canadian Heritage

The Duchess chose a very chic piece by Catherine Walker, the ‘Kensington’ dress.

From a diplomatic perspective wearing a French-born designer was very savvy as Kate and William headed to Montreal in the afternoon, the location where the couple was most likely to encounter protestors opposed to the monarchy (they did).

Canadian Heritage

The dress featured short cuffed sleeves, princess seaming, and a deep vee on the back with sharply angled lapels.

From a symbolic standpoint, it was a lovely choice, as there are multiple family ties to the designer, who died last year after battling cancer. Princess Diana was an enormous fan of Ms. Walker’s creations, the late Princess was seen in many stunning (and notable) gowns by this designer over the years, several were recently sold at auction in Toronto. Some may also recall that Carole Middleton wore a Catherine Walker ensemble for Kate and William’s wedding in April.

The couple started their public events with a tree planting at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall, where visitors have been planting trees for more than 100 years, also where William’s parents also planted a tree back on his first birthday.  It was touching to watch them pay a visit to that tree all these years on.

Canadian Heritage

Then it was time to meet military veterans at the Canadian War Museum, we can safely say the young couple charmed everyone with whom they spoke.

Canadian Heritage

Kate accessorized today with another Hobbs piece, the Somerton Clutch in silver. (Also a piece we would have *never* identified without Chiara on Facebook, thank you!)

Hobbs

While that color is sold out it remains available as of this writing in ‘Aquarius‘, thank you to Tweeter Caroline who let us know about the second color.

We owe another ‘thank you’ to FB friend Anna, her wise eyes noted that Kate is once again wearing the Links of London Hope Egg Earrings, you can almost see them in this next photo.

Links of London

If unfamiliar with the earrings, Kate wore them for one of her engagement photos and has sported them several times since; they can be categorized as a “go to” pair at this point.  While sold out, US customers may register interest in purchasing them; click here to go to the company’s online signup or waitlist.

The Duke and Duchess’s next stop was at the Institut de tourisme et hotellerie du Quebec in Montreal. They took part in a little cooking class.

©Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

They took part in a little cooking class.

Canadian Heritage

The only item we have been unable to identify thus far is the shoes worn by Kate.  We have hunted high and low to no avail, thus far your trusty team of sartorial search artists has not been able to locate the shoes anywhere.  However, we remain undaunted in our mission and will continue the hunt, with a promise to update here if we discover anything noteworthy!

UPDATE #1: With thanks to Hilary at Huffington Post Style, it seems Fashionista is reporting the shoes are by breakout designer Tabitha Simmons.  US Weekly editor @mio on Twitter also let us know the shoes are from the fall/winter 2011 collection, the ‘Dela’ pump in cream and grey.

Tabitha Simmons

Thank you also to Perfect Sinner on Twitter and Sarah on Facebook for digging up information. Here is the same shoe in plain leather from the designer, currently available at Matches Fashion at £209.00, originally they were £415.

“Deal” Pump by Tabitha Simmons at Matches Fashion

Go look at Tabitha’s blog to see her collections, click here to read Style.com’s story on the launch of Tabitha’s biggest collection yet. Online sales only started on Friday, that is fun.

UPDATE #2: We noticed the comments about the ‘stripes’ visible on Catherine’s left insole in the photo above. Several WKW Facebook friends (thank you Anne & Catherine!) say those are what one sees on the bottom of John Lewis No Slip tights/hose.  Here is a link to that product. 🙂

It was a refined, polished look for Kate today. Subdued? Yes, but very much appropriate to the day’s functions: memorial trees, war veterans and their families, a children’s hospital.  The detailing on the back of the dress provided a zippy little edge, giving it a contemporary look and feel. The dress fit like a dream and was very flattering on the Duchess, it also wore well during a day packed with engagements and travel.

I imagine we will see a more casual look this evening as the Duke and Duchess board the navy frigate taking them to Quebec City. If appropriate, we’ll be back to update or share another post.

For those who may not have voted yet in our poll asking what Kate wore best on Thursday (the Roland Mouret, the Erdem or the Issa Bird Print dress) click here to go cast your vote. We’ll post results tomorrow.