Kate’s delay in getting to Grimsby this morning didn’t dampen the crowds’ enthusiasm, she wore old and new pieces for the visit. The community’s excitement was evident, demonstrated in the daily paper’s headline.
Royal Photographer Mark Stewart (@Regal Eyes) Twitter Feed
Grimsby is a seaport with a long fish-processing history. Kate’s first stop was the National Fishing Heritage Center, crowds started gathering early this morning, as seen in this photo from People magazine’s Simon Perry. You can also see the fog that delayed Kate’s helicopter.
Simon Perry/People Magazine Twitter Feed (@SPerryPeoplemag)
Kate was welcomed with cheers of “We love Kate! We love Kate!” and given flowers by Lucy Bell, she is only 3 years old.
Neil Warner/Splash News
The Duchess was given gifts for the baby, as well as flowers, cards and other presents. The Mirror has more:
Kate, who is around 21 weeks pregnant, was asked if she was feeling her baby move yet by well-wisher Bobbie Brown, 42.
Bobbi said: “I asked her if the baby has been moving or kicking.
“She said ‘Yes it is, very much so’.”
This next photo is from Paul Harrison of Sky News, many thanks to him for sharing such great images today.
Paul Harrison, Sky News
This was shared by Weezy203 on Twitter, taken during Kate’s walkabout outside the Heritage Centre.
Weezy203 Twitter Feed
After touring the Fishing Heritage Centre Kate moved headed to her next stop, the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service. Crowds also started forming early at the Peaks Lane Fire station, the Grimsby YMCA tweeted this photo.
Grimsby YMCA Twitter Feed
And personnel were ready for her arrival as well, as seen in this image from Regal Eyes.
Royal Photographer Mark Stewart Twitter Feed (@RegalEyes)
On her way into the station Kate spoke with patients from St. Andrews Hospice, located nearby. More from the Daily Mail:
Claire Moss-Smith, 86, told her: ‘I’m waiting for you to be Queen.’ ‘You might be waiting a long time,’ the Duchess replied with a smile.
Peter Foot, 76, got up from his wheelchair to give the Duchess a bow. ‘I stood up so I could bow to her,’ he said.
‘She said “Sit down.” I explained I could not stand very long, that’s why I’m in the chair. ‘I was always taught to be a gentleman by mother because that’s the thing to do.’
This was Kate’s first engagement on behalf of the Prince’s Trust, Prince Charles’s flagship charity.
The Prince’s Trust Twitter Feed
The Duchess met with young people taking part in a personal development course overseen by the Trust, it helps them with their resumes, team building and job hunting skills.
The Prince’s Trust Facebook
Kate speaking with some of those taking part in the course, more on why the Course is needed so much from a story about today’s visit on the Prince’s Trust site:
Unemployment hotspot Grimsby has one of the highest levels of youth joblessness in the country, with around one in three young people struggling to find a job..
The Prince’s Trust Facebook
She appeared poised and at ease throughout the visit.
The Prince’s Trust Facebook
After the engagement Kate posed with students from the Prince’s Trust and Fire Fighters.
David Wilkinson, CNN Twitter Feed
Kate’s third and final stop of the day was at Havelock Academy, the media presence was sizable, as seen in this Twitpic from the David Ross Education Trust.
David Ross Education Trust
You can just a bit of Kate’s dress in this image.
James Whatling / Splash News
Kate brought out her Cornelia James gloves, the Short Wool Glove with Side Bow. (Many thanks to those who were able to spot these long before your faithful scribe was!) We have it next to a lighter pair to better show the bow.
Cornelia James ‘Pure Wool Glove With Bow’
This photo from Jane Birch shows thick the fog remained throughout the day’s events.
Via Jane Birch/BBC Producer Twitter
CNN’s David Wilkinson shared this image of Kate chatting with students.
David Wilkinson, CNN (@
And ITV’s Georgina Brewer tweeted a photo of Kate speaking with more Academy students.
Georgina Brewer ITV Twitter Feed (@GeorginaITV)
Kate wore a new dress today, the ‘Cezanne Paintbox Pleated‘ dress by Great Plains, the more moderately priced arm of French Connection.
Great Plains
The most distinctive feature of the dress after its print is the pleating, it also has cap sleeves, a modified boat neckline and matching skinny belt. It is 100% polyester, probably beneficial in keeping the pleats looking fresh and avoiding wrinkles.
For those who find the print appealing, there are other pieces available. Below we show the top, only £11.50 at Great Plains, the skirt is just £19 at House of Fraser.
House of Fraser & Great Plains
If interested in the separates shown above and/or Kate’s dress style in another colorway, Amazon has some stock remaining.
Many are familiar with the coat Kate wore, the Hobbs ‘Celeste’ style. It is made of wool crepe in a cut that Kate likes, embellished by leather stud fastenings at the wrist with a matching belt. The coat was originally purchased in September of 2011, the original price was £369, about $550 USD.
Hobbs ‘Celeste’ Coat in Chestnut Brown
You can see some of those studded wrist wraps and belt in this image, but I can’t make out Kate’s black gloves at all.
James Whatling/Splash News
The piece was previously seen previously when the Duchess visited Liverpool on Valentine’s Day of last year, as well as Christmas Day of 2012.
PA Wire/Kind Permission of Jesal Parshotam, IKON Pictures
Kate accessorized with her black suede clutch, one of our oldest UFOs (Unidentified Fashion Objects) and her Annoushka pearl earrings. She also wore the gold ring with small ruby or garnet stones again on her right hand, as seen in this photo from Weezy203 on Twitter.
weezy203 Twitter Feed
CNN’s David Wilkinson shows Kate waving goodbye to students and staff from Havelock Academy.
David Wilkinson, CNN Twitter Feed
And we have one final photo from the day.
Splash News
One note: I have received multiple emails and messages asking/suggesting this is the dress Kate was wearing when she and William were at St. Georges Park. It could well be, but until I can see better photos I am not comfortable claiming definitively that it is.
LINKAGE:
- For multiple videos, visit This is Grimsby’s page dedicated to coverage of today’s visit, scroll down for videos
- See more photos from the National Fishing Centre in Lindsay Cowie’s blog
- Learn more about the Prince’s Trust charity by visiting its website here, its Facebook page here, and its Twitter feed here. You can also read a story about Kate’s first visit to a Trust program on the Trust website
- For a video of Kate meeting hospice patients at the Fire Station, click here, for video of her arriving at the Fire Station, click here
- The Mirror’s live blog is here, it’s outstanding
- Socialite Life’s Gallery with 35+ photos is here
- ITN’s 3-minute+ video story is here
Just wanted to say that I was looking at pictures of the Countess of Wessex and it appears that she and Kate have both worn the same dress, but in different colors. The dress Kate wore in May 2012 for a reception at Buckingham Palace and a garden party (http://www.justjared.com/2012/05/29/duchess-kate-buckingham-palace-garden-tea-party/) appears to be the same as the one the Countess of Wessex wore in March 2012 for the opening of Leeds Hospital. http://yorkshirepost.newsprints.co.uk/view/20687082/jh1_6679_jpg
In that picture with the 3-year-old Lucy Bell, does anyone know about those awesome blue ribbon lace-up pumps with the grommets in the background? I’ve done some cursory searching but can’t find them …
I noticed those myself, though I thought they didn’t really go with what appeared to be the rest of the outfit. Chunky shoes like that also shouldn’t be worn with a below-the-knee skirt.
I don’t know who made them, but if you continue to search, that color is often called “cobalt”. Using that as a search term might help.
She looks gorgeous. And also I’ve noticed her wearing that gold ring for many years now, I wonder who it’s by?
Thanks for a lovely post!!
Found this while browsing for clothes I will never be able to buy!
http://www.harveynichols.com/womens/categories-1/designer-coats/evening/s435049-boucle-tweed-coat.html?colour=BLACK+AND+OTHER#
It’s a version of Kate’s blue M Missoni coat worn last year.
She’s the same height as the 5’10” Sophie Winkleman (picture shows this) and taller than the 5′ 7¾” Her height different between her and William in flat is the same as William and Joss Stone, who is also 5’10” in flat.
Kate and Oksana… separated at birth? http://imgartists.com/artist/oksana_dyka1
Kate is only 31 years old. Why does she dress like someone much older? Kate be young because one day you will be old and won’t be able to turn back the clock.
When did dressing in an elegant and sophisticated manner begin to equate with looking old?
You can dress elegantly and look young.
I agree with Eve and Nancy, and I’m not sure what you have in mind for her. Perhaps you could be more specific?
She IS over 30, and at that age, most women wear professional clothes that could be worn by either older or younger women depending on accessories, hem lengths, etc.
Exactly she is only over 30. She is young!
Kate dresses about the way I did when I was 31. Does anyone think 31 year olds need to dress like teenagers?
I can’t believe she’s 5 months pregnant and you can barely see her baby bump! I don’t know if it’s the tailoring of the coat and her keeping her clutch covering that area, and/or support garments…. She looks great, nice and relaxed like other posters have written. I’m happy for her.
What are the shoes is she wearing? They look like the perfect black heel, I really like them!
Thanks for another great post. I love this coat on Catherine, gorgeous cut, gorgeous tailoring, and the colour suits her so well. Also loved the floral pattern peeking out from under — and am always delighted when a savvy public persona lights on an item from the sale rack to finish off an outfit!
Have the shoes been I.D’d? maybe it’s than angle of the photos, they look a little different to me, prob imagining things! And her hair looks straighter this time — I like the bangs grown out and — anoather burst of imagination perhaps — but the hair at the crown seems to have been built up a little higher than before.
Personally, am not a fan of gloves with fussy bows.But the Duchess looks well and happy and that’s the most important thing of all!
She looks great. I like how she glows and looks happy. Amazing her clothes still fit. 🙂
Long time reader, first time to comment!
Does anyone else think Kate is wearing that belt a little higher than the previous outings? Giving it a maternity feel and leaving room for little bump!
Yes, Kate is definitely wearing the belt higher than she used to.
First time commenter, long time reader –
Does anyone else think she’s wearing the belt higher than before? Giving the coat a “maternity” feel and accommodating for Little Monarch Bump!
Well, she certainly appears to have that lovely, thick pregnancy hair, doesn’t she? I like the Hobbes coat, and also like the Great Plains dress which has an early Erdem look to me.
gosh, i just love her. she seems so gracious and interested in the people who are so fascinated by her. love her simple attire here–she looks elegant but youthful.
http://www.insparisian.com
I love this coat and have one very similar, but it looks uncomfortably tight. However, it may not be – just does from the pictures.
Also – I tried to link over to the dress but it tells me there is an error. Is there another link I should try to use?
Thanks for another great post!!
Thanks for reading *and* commenting. It looks like Great Plains took down the product page, they sold out of what remaining stock they had very quickly. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Her hair looks really great. I like that it is straight and the grown-out-bang look really frames her face well. She looks comfortable and happy – the two best ways a woman can look!
I really like her hair today. I like the half-grown-out bangs look and the straight blow-out instead of the curls. She looks very comfortable and happy, like she is confident and not trying too hard! Good for her – and I wish we got to see more of the dress, it is a lovely print.
I was thinking the same, nice straight blow-out for a change, but if you look at the earlier pictures the curls are there, the foggy weather just probably got them out.
Kate’s hairdressers have spoken on record that she often styles her own hair, more often than the public realizes. I think this is one of those moments. She might also have avoided a bouncier blowout since her swoop gets volumized and a little too ’70s looking.
Also, I realized that her color has changed so much over the past year! Look at the comparison pictures Susan posted from the last time Kate wore her Hobbs coat. Her color has more coppery tones and less deep chestnut. Wish we knew more about her beauty routine. She looks fabulous!
The sweet man who bowed made my day! As did the knowledge that HRH is feeling the future King or Queen kicking and squirming in her womb. Such a beautiful thought!
I’m glad she’s wearing her regular clothes as long as she can. In a few weeks we’re sure to start seeing several new outfits as July nears.
Well, I’ve always thought this was a nice enough coat, but it has never excited me, except for the warm, milk-chocolate color, which I like very much and which suits the Duchess so well.
The fabric of the dress interests me — it’s really more Monet than Cezanne — but not the design. As I’ve said before, I can’t wear dresses or skirts gathered or pleated at the waist like that, though the Duchess, with her long waist, might find that they are just perfect for her, making her waist look a little LESS long.
I agree with rae; I think those are the bow-trimmed gloves she wore for Remembrance Day.
Mel, she’s taller than the average woman but not as tall as was first claimed for her. I think she’s somewhere between 5’8″ and 5’9″, so 4″ heels put her over 6″.
She’s finally getting that pregnant lady look: a little glowingly voluptuous. She’s clearly feeling much better.
thank you, Lili 🙂
5’8″ with 4″ heels wouldn’t have her over 6’0″ it would have her exactly at 5’12” or 6’0″, Mike Tindall height (stated) is 6’2″ and look at the height difference between him and William http://25.media.tumblr.com/61869ac2aa0d816b3bd858ac9cda8dd0/tumblr_mjf6qzMSEE1qfqt76o1_500.jpg
I said I thought she was between 5’8″ and 5’9″. The truth is that no one really knows exactly how tall these people are — claims range widely. However, I suspect she was claimed to be 5’10” because that was William’s mother’s height, and some people wanted to see a certain symmetry there. Once that claim was made, however, people who’d known the Duchess at school said she wasn’t that tall, and pictures suggested to me that she couldn’t be.
Definitely cried a little reading about that man standing up from his wheelchair to bow. So sweet.
I’m not 100% in love with that color on her, but she still looks great. And her hair is fantastic as usual.
She is too beautiful!!
Love how she’s holding the little 3-year-olds hand, who of course, is shyly looking away – so cute!
Thanks for your website – it’s very nice to see a “celebrity” website that is classy and focuses on the person’s public, not private life. I also appreciate your details about the charities and causes that the Duchess is visiting and supporting.
Yes. The photo of Kate with the little girl is absolutely charming.
Kate certainly looks like she has full recovered; esp. in the Splash News pic she looks happier and more rested than she has in a while. Love that Hobbes coat, and her hair looks great. Pregnancy is doing her well, clearly.
She looks *so tall* in the group shot with the students of the Prince’s Trust and Fire Fighters. Is it her or the heels (or both), I wonder?
On another blog there were some quotes from a woman who dealt with the DoC in Switzerland this weekend (not sure in what capacity) who said she was about 1.9 metres while she was wearing the brown Emmy pumps which are 115 mm. Based on that she is 5’11” or so although there are some strong views that she is quite a bit shorter. When I saw her in Canada she certainly appeared taller than I am (I’m 5’8″), so fair to say she IS pretty tall.
Standing next to William even in very high heels, she is shorter than he is. If she were 5’11”, she’d be taller than he is in her 5″ Jimmy Choos, but she’s not. Some people who’ve seen her in the flesh say that she’s shorter than they expected.
How interesting! Thanks for replying 🙂 I don’t know why I was so suddenly interested by the DoC’s height… one of those weird things!
i think the gloves are the ones she previous wore during remembrance day with the bow.