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Kate Makes It McQueen for Jubilee River Pageant

Today’s Jubilee River Pageant honoring Queen Elizabeth was amazing to behold.

The guest of honor was resplendent in a creation from her favorite designer, Angela Kelly. According to a Palace news release the fabric was a boucle embroidered with gold, silver, and ivory and adorned with Swarovski crystals, all done specifically to reflect the River Thames. The Queen’s hat was done in the same fabric with matching embellishments, she looked absolutely lovely.

Royals arrived at Chelsea Pier to board the royal barge, William in his RAF uniform, Harry wore his Household Cavalry uniform.

PA Wire

Kate was in her go-to designer for major events, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The bespoke style incorporated multiple McQueen design elements, resembling this dress from the McQueen pre-fall 2011 collection most closely.

Neiman Marcus

Sleeves were added to the wool crepe frock, the hemline was lowered and the neckline altered to one more like a standard boatneck, possibly a nod to the occasion itself. The version of the dress shown above originally sold for $2045 in the US.

Our thanks to WKW Facebook friends Margaret and Ashley Margot, along with Kate Middleton Style blog for identifying the dress so quickly. Carly at KMSB also remembered it was previously worn by Tulisa of the UK’s X Factor. Others pointed out it was also worn by Kim Kardashian, click here for the Grazia story with those photos.

Many thanks to Rebecca English of the Daily Mail for enlightening us about the tartan, and Michelle for letting us know about the bag. The bag’s modification involved removal of the skull, it was replaced by three large rhinestones.

Via Ginny Brumback Blog

Kate’s hat was by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock and Company.

Kate wore a new brooch in the shape of two dolphins, a wedding gift from the RN Submarine Service, William is Commodore in Chief of that unit. And she had on her Kiki McDonough Citrine Drops.

The Duchess carried a modified version of the McQueen Classic Skull Clutch with Bow, along with a scarf crafted of Strathearn tartan; when in Scotland she and William are the Earl and Countess of Strathearn. 

Initially, the inclement weather did not appear to impact spirits of those watching from the riverbanks.

Via City Cruises Live Twitter Feed

Everywhere you looked it was a sea of patriotic flags. Below, City Cruises passes under the Westminster Bridge.

Via Royal Navy Facebook

Here we see the Pageant reaching Tower Bridge, with the HMS Belfast in the forefront.

Official Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant Facebook

And another view.

Diamond Jubilee River Pageant Twitter

The Queen never sat down for the duration of the Pageant, more than three hours.

Unfortunately, the weather worsened as the afternoon went on, forcing the cancellation of several highly anticipated Pageant elements, including military fly-overs.

Official Diamond Jubilee River Pageant Twitter

But the event was an enormous success despite the weather, this tweet from royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo summed things up nicely.

Rafe Heydel-Makoo Twitter Feed

What others wore:

  • Princess Eugenie wore a coral Roland Mouret dress, LK Bennett shoes, Anya Hindmarch bag,a black and coral Stephen Jones hat, and a Moschino cardigan
  • Princess Beatrice was in a navy coat by Marni, silver and navy dress by Suzannah, Russell & Bromley silver tip shoes, a Le Meresca bag in pink, her hat is by Stephen Jones

Our thanks to Richard Palmer of the Express for that information.

Links for more watching, reading and viewing:

An update on tomorrow’s Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace, The Telegraph reports the younger royals will host an after-party following the evening’s entertainment.

Following a very public party outside the Palace, where artists including Sir Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue will perform at the Diamond Jubilee concert, the young royals will entertain pop and rock stars at an intimate ‘after party’ to personally thank them for their contribution to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry will then welcome many of the performers to a party at Buckingham Palace, with the guest list expected to include Sir Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Dame Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox and Sir Elton John.

According to the story the Queen asked the younger set to hold the function, hosts include William & Kate, Harry, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, along with Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindall.

Kate looked very pretty in the red ensemble, but it was the Queen’s day and she shone despite the torrential rain and cold winds.

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Kate

Monday 4th of June 2012

I thought the red McQueen was a stunning choice. I also thought this was interesting- other celebs who have worn this dress before seem to pale in comparison to Kate! http://bit.ly/K8ESTR

goes to show that it's the woman, not the dress :)

Jill

Monday 4th of June 2012

New commenter here. I thought Kate looked lovely in red, and given the occasion, the boatneck is so perfect! I don't have a problem with the nude shoes. Maybe she could have gone with navy (she has some navy pumps I think?) but wouldn't think suede ones in June. Love the hat and clutch with modified clasp (somehow, I thinnk the Queen would not have been Amused by the skull of the original).

ElizaMo

Monday 4th of June 2012

Kate is in red, the Queen is in white and William is in blue...???

ester

Friday 8th of June 2012

William is always in blue...

ester

Monday 4th of June 2012

the red dress clearly refers to Scotland, so it's an "official" choise for Catherine, I think. William is sooo gorgeous in uniform!!!

Iris

Monday 4th of June 2012

I'm not sure the red dress refers to Scotland. Blue is normally the traditional colour of Scotland. - The Scotish national flag is blue (azure) and white (St. Andrew's Cross). I think she is wearing red because is one of the colours of the union jack (red, blue and white) ...So, she may be coordinating with the men (Blue) and the ladies (white) - esp. the Queen. [It may also explain why Camilla is wearing a colour similar to the queen]

ester

Monday 4th of June 2012

maybe I have to explain :) I think she had an official role, like in Canada, when she wore the red hat with maple leafs. "White and Red" is the flag of England, but the hat has lily (fleur de lys), I suppose, as in the Royal Coats of Arms of the United Kingdom, where we see also a red lion, symbol of the King of Scotland. (sorry for my orrible English!)

princess zara

Monday 4th of June 2012

What a brilliant choice of colour, kate has obviously made sure she didnt upstage or clash with the queen. As for the shoes not going with the outfit i think she made a good choice because red would have been too much. She could have gone with black and maybe a black fascinator. The hat though should have been maybe a cute fascinator - my only criticism.

Belle

Monday 4th of June 2012

I thought Kate looked fabulous at the Thames Pageant. I tuned into the BBC online toward the end when she was wearing her gold plaid scarf with the red and looked wonderful. I had to look for her on the platform, however, she was standing discreetly behind the Queen with Camilla. The men all looked great in military uniform and all complimented HM in her dazzling white. As for Kate's shoes, I expect she went for comfort over style. The royals were all on their feet during the entire event, it seemed, even HM who has amazing stamina for an 86-year-old! I'm only sorry the weather was so terrible, but spirits seemed undimmed by the rain. Looks like a great weekend-long party over there, no matter the weather.

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