Kate in 2011 MaxMara Studio Dress for Visit to Hope House

For Kate’s return to public engagements this morning, she chose a past-season MaxMara Studio dress, opting to go coatless under London’s sunny skies. Below, Kate arriving at Hope House.

The Duchess was visiting Hope House Treatment Center in south London.  

The program is part of Action on Addiction, one of Kate’s patronages, and works with women recovering from substance abuse and compulsive disorders.

Some may recall that this is actually Kate’s second visit to Hope House. She spent time there in the fall of 2011 as she was researching different groups to support as a Royal Patron. Shortly after that visit to Hope House, the announcement was made that Action on Addiction would be one of those charities she would work with.

Kate’s dress is from the 2011 collection. Officially the garment was called the ‘grey long-sleeved dress,’ it was part of the MaxMara Studio fall line.

The design is one Kate favors, a v-neck wrap style with long sleeves and self-belt. Kate elected to wear the belt tied in the front, as opposed to the back. A bit down in the post, we share several other contemporary styles Kate could be wearing from MaxMara.

More on today’s visit from the Prince of Wales website:

During the visit, The Duchess was taken to the centre’s kitchen and watched as a lunch of chicken and bacon pasta with salad was prepared by some of the clients.

Some of the ingredients for the meal – packs of chicken and bacon and packets of brown pasta – were laid out on a table and Her Royal Highness asked one of the women who was chopping mushrooms: “Do you like the menus and do you enjoy the cooking side?”

She got the reply: “I find it very therapeutic.”

The Duchess looked rested and healthy.

Victoria Murphy of The Mirror is also pregnant and due in July. She spoke with Kate about her pregnancy.

Kate accessorized with her Annoushka Pearl Earrings; we have a better view of them from a photo taken during the Royal Tour.

She also wore her Asprey Button Pendant.

There has been significant discussion on Facebook, and elsewhere regarding the ring on Kate’s right hand; I am adding a photo for everyone’s benefit.

The Duchess also repeated her Episode Angel heels.

On a related note, there is word that Action on Addiction and 100 Women in Hedge Funds (one of William’s charities) will be working together on a number of initiatives to raise money for Action on Addiction. The partnership kicks off on March 14 with a party at the Jimmy Choo New Bond Street boutique.  I wonder if perhaps this is a result of Kate getting to know the shoe designer when they met at the British High Commission Residence in Malaysia, which was the location for an elegant high tea party. (One FYI, neither William nor Kate are expected to be in attendance for the function on the 15th.)

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Next today, news about another series of engagements being added to Kate’s calendar. Tuesday, March 5, the Duchess will spend her day in the seaport community of Grimsby in Lincolnshire.  Places Kate will visit include:

• Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
• the National Fishing Heritage Centre, for decades Grimsby
• Havelock Academy, shown below

More on Kate’s visit to the community from Victoria Murphy’s story in the Mirror:

During her trip to the fire station she will meet people on a course run by her father-in-law Prince Charles’ charity The Prince’s Trust – the first time she has carried out an engagement for the cause.

In contrast to rural Berkshire where Kate, 31, grew up, Grimsby has one of the highest levels of youth joblessness in the country, with around one in three young people struggling to find work.

A reminder that you can always check for upcoming appearances by looking at the “Calendar” page up at the top of the blog.

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As mentioned, we have been looking at possible non-maternity styles for Kate to wear; it happened that several we pulled are by MaxMara. Below left, the Abate dress in a poly/elastane blend that provides some stretch, the belt is optional and can be removed to provide a more forgiving fit, the boat-neck and 3/4 sleeves are accents Kate favors. We show the frock at Matches fashion ($501). On the right is the Aceto ($409), also a jersey knit, the pleated neckline is a touch Kate would like; this would obviously require a sweater or jacket if Kate were to be outside for any length of time.

Two more possibilities, these by Diane von Furstenberg at Matches Fashion. On the left, we show the Jeanne Two ($482) in a stark chain link print; the cut is DVF’s classic wrap style in silk jersey. On the right, we show the same style, the Jeanne Two, this time in a dark green grass print; Shopbop offers it at $365.

There are also many pieces that would work for the next month or two by Roksanda Ilincic, a designer Kate has worn several times. Below, the Pemberton, a cut that would be forgiving; it also offers design elements Kate likes, detail at the waist, the exposed zipper. It is available in three colors, including the navy we show.

Below left, Roksanda Ilincic did a Swing Coat coat ($710) exclusively for Matches Fashion. The lines are elegant, but they may be too bold for Kate. Another spring outerwear option is seen below right, Erdem’s Whitley tweed coat ($3780), a 50’s silhouette in a blend of fibers. It bears a strong resemblance to Kate’s M Missoni coat; it’s unlikely anyone would have such similar pieces in their closet.

There have been statements in the media that Beulah London is making maternity wear for Kate. There are several styles they currently offer that would work, including the Ondria dress (£425, approximately $650 USD at today’s exchange rates), depending on where the waist hits Kate.

Other possibles include (from left to right) the Brionna, Luanne, Andra, and Naomi top on the far right.

More reasonably priced options can be found in the Alice Temperley Somerset Collection for John Lewis.

Above left, we see the Navy Jersey Dress (£99, about $150 USD); on the right, the Contrast Trim Silk Top (£79, roughly $125).

We’ll see you again later this week with a look at fall styles from several of Kate’s favorite designers.

LINKAGE:

• Learn more about Action on Addiction by visiting the website here, Facebook page here, and Twitter feed here
• The Prince’s Trust news release on Kate’s visit is here
• Visit the 100 Women in Hedge Funds site to learn more about that organization
• For ITN’s videos about today’s visits, click here
• Read The Telegraph’s story on today’s visit here
• The Daily Mail story is here
• Read the story posted on the Prince of Wales site here