Kate Repeats Red McQueen for Dramatic Arts Reception at Buckingham Palace, Mystery Necklace IDed

Kate repeated an Alexander McQueen dress for tonight’s dramatic arts reception, as she joined the Queen in welcoming members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen is the organization’s patron, many of the 250 guests could be considered acting royalty. The Mirror’s Victoria Murphy shared photos of guests arriving, below we see Joan Collins and Helena Bonham Carter, the latter played the Queen Mother in The King’s Speech.

Victoria Murphy, The Mirror Twitter

People magazine’s Simon Perry shared a photo of Dame Helen Mirren arriving; of course, one of her best-known roles is as HM in The Queen.

Simon Perry, People Magazine/Pathé Pictures International,

More from Rebecca English in the Daily Mail:

Elegant Dame Helen Mirren, whose uncanny portrayal of the monarch over the years even prompted Prince William to joke on Sunday that he should call her granny, was also in attendance.

The award-winning actress was introduced to the Queen personally, although it is not known whether the pair discussed Dame Helen’s regal role.

Victoria Murphy’s story in the Mirror has Kate’s comments:

Kate also met the actress and told her, laughing: “My husband called you granny last night.”

Below Kate chats with Dame Helen Mirren, Sir David Attenborough can be seen in between the two ladies.

Kate previously wore the dress during the Jubilee River Pageant in June 2012.

Tonight she accessorized with her Cassandra Goad ‘Temple of Heaven’ girandole-style earrings, she is seen wearing them to an event at the Imperial War Museum with Prince William in 2012.

PA Wire

Another angle from this evening’s function.

She also carried her Anya Hindmarch bespoke Maud clutch.

A better look at the handbag.

The Duchess also wore her black Prada pumps.

My Small Obsessions

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Also today, an update on a necklace Kate was first seen wearing in late October of last year (PopSugar has the photos here.) There is a story in this week’s issue of Hello! with more information.

Merci Maman Boutique reveals in the Hello! article it is their piece.

Merci Maman Boutique

The gold-plated necklace has three charms: one engraved with Prince Georg’s full name, George Alexander Louis, another with a “W” for William and the third in the shape of a little boy.  “The Duchess Necklace” is for sale at the Merci Maman website, it runs £89, the site shows the USD price at $149. From the product description:

Order here the authentic Merci Maman’s necklace worn in public by the Duchess of Cambridge. This necklace was offered to her after the birth of Prince George in July 2013 and we are so proud to see her wearing it.

Kate’s necklace features 3 charms suspended from a gold plated long chain:  a mini heart engraved with W representing Prince William,  a disc with her baby son’s full name George Alexander Louis, and a sweet little boy charm.

Create now your own charm necklace engraved with your child’s name. This necklace is also available with a little girl charm, in sterling silver and on a shorter chain, giving you the option to replicate the Duchess’s necklace or order your own variation of it.

The company is sharing the news on their Facebook page.

Merci Maman Facebook Page

For anyone interested, it looks like the company will ship overseas, the fee for shipping to the US is £4.95.

‘Merci Maman’ translates to ‘Thank you Mum.’ The company was started in 2007 by Béatrice de Montille, who tells Hello! that she considers Kate “the most inspirational woman of our generation.” All items are hand engraved, many offered in a variety of metals. It turns out Kate’s sister, Pippa, is also a customer.  An enormous thank you to the always-intrepid Bella, who first noted the article and let Anna of My Small Obsessions know, she then shared the news on her Facebook page.

(For anyone curious about what Kate wore for that October shopping expedition, it was the ‘Debarn’ blouse by British retailer Jack Wills, a Zara cardigan sweater, skinny jeans, and citrine drop earrings by Kiki McDonough.)

LINKAGE:

• The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts website is here, its Facebook page here, and Twitter feed may be seen here
• Richard Palmer’s story in the Express is here, Victoria Murphy’s article from the Mirror is here with a nice photo gallery accompanying her story, Rebecca English’s piece is here, The Telegraph’s story is here

EDITOR’S NOTE: The post has been amended, correctly identifying Sir David Attenborough (as opposed to Sir Richard). Many thanks to those letting me know about the error.