We are back with several Bits and Bytes, along with some stunning photos we were not able to include in our previous posts covering Monday and Tuesday’s First World War Centenary activities.
We begin with news about Prince William. As long rumored and reported, he has taken a full-time position piloting emergency helicopters for East Anglian Air Ambulance. More from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge website:
His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge is to become a helicopter pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance.
This job will be the Duke’s primary occupation, but his roster will take into account the duties and responsibilities he will continue to undertake on behalf of The Queen, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The Duke will also continue his work with his patronages and with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
The news release noted “The Duke will sign an employment contract with a civilian employer (Bond Air Services) and is believed to be the first Member of the Royal Family in direct succession to do so.” When he reports for work in September William will begin several months training so he can qualify for his Air Transport Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter). This requires 14 separate exams and a flight test.
East Anglian Air Ambulance/Crown Copyright
More from a story by Rebecca English in The Daily Mail:
There will be no such thing as a normal day for the Duke of Cambridge when he begins his new role as an air ambulance pilot.
Based at Cambridge Airport, he will work a four day on/four day off rota, either starting at 7am and finishing at 4.30pm or working the 4.30pm to 1am night shift,
While on duty he could take part in anything from no operations to nine or 10 flights a day
How does this impact Kate and William’s routine? Most notably, they are expected to make Anmer Hall (located on the Sandringham grounds) their primary residence, not Kensington Palace. They will continue to spend time at KP, but Prince George will be brought up in a setting somewhat more bucolic than London, at least for the next few years. EAAA has choppers on standby in two locations, William will reportedly be stationed at the Cambridge airport, located just about midway between London and Sandringham.
As noted on the news release, while the Duke will continue to have royal commitments, his position with EAAA will be his foremost responsibility. Kate’s number of engagements is expected to remain roughly what it has been since having George, there will not be an uptick for the Duchess as some reported earlier this year. One side note: buried somewhere in the stories I read today I *think* there was mention of a 2015 overseas tour for the couple, I shall continue to hunt for the site and a link.
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Many will recall stories about Kate’s inclusion on a number of ‘best-dressed’ lists, including several appearances on the roster published annually in Vanity Fair’s September issue. This week the magazine revealed Kate has been added to the International Hall of Fame.
Vanity Fair
Since its inception in 1940, the International Best-Dressed List—revealed in Vanity Fair for the last decade—has lauded the most polished, eclectic, and stylish of dressers. From royalty to politicians, athletes to fashion designers, the poll is comprehensive in the personalities it celebrates. Those appearing multiple times over the years are considered for induction into the Hall of Fame—the List’s highest honor.
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Next, several quick merchandise updates.
- Kate’s Lasa Poppies dress in the ‘snorkel blue’ colorway by LK Bennett is back in stock on the UK/International site only.
Andrew Parsons/i-Images/Polaris
- Kate’s Crepe Dress with Navy Trim from UK brand Jaeger remains available and it is still on sale for £99 (roughly $165 USD). Dresses for smaller sizes are out of stock, but if thinking about a possible purchase and wearing a 12, 14, 16, or 18, you are in luck.
Splash News/Jaeger
- Zimmermann has confirmed they are not re-issuing the Roamer Day dress worn by the Duchess in Sydney, Australia
Both Photos by Stephen Lock/i-Images/www.i-Images.co
Our next item involves the Smythe One Button Blazer Kate has worn. Following is a graphic shared by WKW Facebook friend Betty Wales, it comes from Lucky magazine.
Lucky Magazine
The Lucky story is about Smythe’s plans to re-release its 10 best-selling syles this fall in a capsule collection dubbed ’10 x 10.’
….the style we expect to sell out first? The new black-and-white tweed take on the Duchess Blazer, a style named after—who else?—Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. The royal’s been photographed in the navy version of the style countless times already, so now’s the perfect opportunity to snap up your own bit of regal chic.
Smythe Courtesy Photo
I did a quick search for “Smythe Duchess Blazer” and the first link took me to Shopbop.
Shopbop
The blazer is crafted of 100% wool, like the one Kate wore, with many of the distinct elements of Kate’s (cutout back, additional gold button above left pocket), but it is black. If I read things correctly, the tweed reinterpretation of the blazer will be the same as Kate’s, but Smythe isn’t actually re-issuing the style worn by the Duchess as part of the 10 x 10 collection. Kate’s 100% wool navy version is still available at a few retailers, including Saks.
Also this evening, the case of the Cape Middleton Dress from New Zealand designer Trelise Cooper.
More from OneNews:
Opinions are divided over fashion designer Dame Trelise Cooper’s decision to name a new dress after Kate Middleton, without The Duchess’ approval.
Another look at the frock.
Trelise Cooper
Dame Trelise has long used whimsical names for pieces, many lighthearted and witty. This season’s collection included ‘Dressed Friends Forever,’ the ‘Don’t Top Believing’ top and others. In this case however, the name involves an actual person. From the New Zealand Herald:
But this has appalled royal commentator and former editor of The International Who’s Who Richard Fitzwilliam, who says naming the piece Cape Middleton “sails very close to the wind”.
However, Monarchy New Zealand’s Dr Sean Palmer applauded Dame Trelise saying she was continuing an age-old tradition. He said naming a garment of clothing after a member of the royal family had a long, historical precedent. He cited the wide triangular Windsor knot made famous by the Duke of Windsor some 70 years ago.
Thoughts on the Trelise Cooper using the Duchess’s partial name? Or other retailers naming pieces the Duchess, like MaxMara did with the Belli coat, renaming it the Duchess…?
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We know a little more about the design of the Alexander McQueen coat dress the Duchess wore in Belgium on Monday: it was based on the label’s Bullet Pleat Short Coat dress from several seasons back.
Alexander McQueen
The images above have been digitally lightened to better show the details on the garment. Below, a comparison from a side angle.
Splash News/Alexander McQueen
And a look at the yoked back and puffed sleeves of both pieces.
Alexander McQueen / Splash News
From the product description on multi-brand portal Lyst.
Light felt coat dress with bullet pleated skirt; the coat has a nipped-in waist, concealed button closure and pleated cape back
One interesting element – I’m not sure technically this is a coat dress, even though that is the style it appears to have been based upon.
James Whatling/Splash News
It almost looks like that is a slip, the tiniest sliver of material seen above, or perhaps another garment beneath the coat. The original piece looks like it was done in the same bottle green color as the dress worn by the Duchess for the BBC Sports Awards in December of 2012. I believe the coat dress originally sold for $3725. Our thanks to both Perth Fashion Stylist and Kate’s Closet for sorting this one out.
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There are several photos from Monday’s functions honoring the Centenary of World War I that I wasn’t able to use in Monday’s post. Some did not become available until well after the post had been published (and updated…and updated…and readers had to scroll… and scroll…) it seemed a shame not to share at least some of them with you.
Below we see Kate curtsy to King Philippe again as she, William, Harry and David Cameron greet the King of Belgium at Saint Symphorien cemetery Monday evening.
Arthur Edwards/NPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris
©MoD/Crown Copyright
©MofD/Crown Copyright
Below we see (from left to right) Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland; Joachim Gauck, President of Germany; Belgium’s King Philippe; British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William.
Gareth Fuller/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris
NATO
SplashNews.com
On Tuesday we covered Harry, William and Kate at the incredible “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” art installation created in the dry moat of the Tower of London. There are also several photographs I wasn’t able to include in Tuesday’s post.
Tower of London Facebook
Tuesday night there were several ceremonial events at the Tower in honor of the exhibit’s official launch, including a gala performance by the Band of the Welsh Guards.
Gov.UK
The Band played ‘Hymn to the Fallen’ and other selections.
Gov.UK
The Honourable Artillery Company fired a 21-gun salute at twilight.
Gov.UK
Lance Corporal Stuart Laing performed a ‘Last Post’ bugle call.
Sgt Steve Blake/Crown Copyright
LINKAGE:
- you can read the Palace news release on William’s new job in its entirety here
- the Daily Mirror’s story is here and the Daily Mail’s story is here
- the East Anglian Air Ambulance website is here, its Facebook page is here, for insight into what William will be doing check recent calls EAAA responded to by clicking here
- read about the Tower of London exhibit at the dedicated Bloodswept Seas pages here
- read more about the Welsh Guards performance by reading the Ministry of Defence story here, or the Gov.UK website here
- learn a bit about the six military service organizations that will benefit from the sale of the ceramic poppies in this post (scroll thru to the middle portion, you will see them listed)
Just wondering, are the sizes listed for the Jaeger dress in UK or US sizing?
Thanks so much for the post, this is the first time I’ve read something first here as I hadn’t caught up with William’s new post being officially confirmed. I like reading news here far from the madding crowd!
Thanks too for the extra photos, there were many moving ones taken and it’s a real pleasure to get a round-up. Some of the night shots were stunning.
I find the Trelise Cooper cape dress quite refreshing and witty, though outwith Kate’s comfort zone, expressing more a wish that Kate might go for a sharper image than indicating she ever would. Tagging her name onto a design is hardly new and though it’s often done, I don’t feel it reflects well on those who use it. A good design should be able to sell itself.
The McQueen coat looks a lot better with the smart crew neckline, I find the curves of the peter pan style at odds with the military-themed straight lines of the detailing. I like the pleating effect across the back shoulders as a style idea but I think it may work better in the studio than in the reality of Kate’s working royal life and it may simply be that reality which has made the original concept fall a little flat when worn by her.
Having said which, your solo shot of her is one of my favourites and shows clearly how beautifully made the garment is, and how, from the shoulders up at least, it looks brilliant!
As an Irish citizen, I just wanted to point out that that the smaller gentleman second to Prince William’s right hand side while laying down the bouquets is the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. Many Irishmen died in Belgium during WWI. I love your website, well done on all the work you put into it……
You are wonderful to let me know about Mr. Higgins, thank you. It prompted me to search for the fifth gentleman in the photo (Germany’s President Joachim Gauck) and properly identify everyone. 🙂
Tá fáilte romhat! (You are welcome in Irish!)
Its nice to hear that Prince William gets a job (like us commoners) even though his social status is of a higher prestige. Hats off the England Royal family. And I love how the duchess is not always wearing expensive clothes but still manage to pull off high street brands with elegance and sophistication. Kate will always be my idol.
Cape Middleton is an interesting piece but not my cup of tea for sure.
As for the name, as obvious as it sounds, I doubt the Duchess could have a claim for it. Middleton is not uncommon in English speaking countries. And for the sake of semantics, the designer didn’t use Kate Middleton, so I guess it was just a big loophole there, IMHO.
Not fashion-related, but I wanted to thank you, Susan, for your report on the “Blood swept lands and seas of red” installation at the Tower of London. I’ve barely seen it mentioned in the Canadian media. Something like 60,000 Canadian military personnel died in WWI, including my great uncle. In his honour, I’ve purchased one of the poppies from the exhibition.
Just out of curiosity: did anyone snag one of the Roland Mouret capsule collection items at Banana Republic yesterday? At 7 am, I tried to reserve the one item that interested me at the Michigan Avenue store here in Chicago, so I could go in and try it on, but I was too late. It was sold out at the store and sold out online, too.
I was amazed to find how quickly the collection had sold. It seems that if I want a Mouret, I’ll have to go for the real thing, not a Banana Republic version. The quality will certainly be better, but I’ll just have to cross my fingers for a deal like the one I got on a Lela Rose dress recently.
I checked out the capsule collection on Friday, and to be honest, I wasn’t that impressed. On me, anyway, the fit was a little off (too tight in the midsection and loose at the shoulders, and I’m not apple-shaped!)
Besides fit, the workmanship on the dresses I tried on was a bit shoddy. The neckline wasn’t quite the same on the left and right sides.
I was really excited about the collection, but didn’t end up buying anything. So I don’t think you missed out!
I was able to get the dress I wanted (long sleeve color block) in petite. Since the regular dress was a bit longer than I wanted, I was fine with that.
I ordered it at about 7:00 Mountain Time on Thursday morning.
Thank you, Lauren and Elsb. I wasn’t optimistic about quality, Lauren, given my recent experiences with BR, so I appreciate your response. Elsb, the fact that you could buy a “petite” may explain your good luck. A 2 regular — my usual size — often seems to be very difficult to obtain!
Yeah, there was still quite a bit of the collection left in the petite when I looked. I’m 5’5, so while I usually buy regular, it’s not like petites will be indecently short on me. 🙂
Incidentally, I got the dress in the mail yesterday and am pleased with it, though the colors are a bit darker than they appeared to be online. It is a bit tight in the chest and loose in the waist, but not enough to ruin the look.
The more I look at that Jaeger crepe dress, the more I covet it…
I assumed that the peter pan collar is from the dress she is wearing underneath; similar in style to the black and cream Topshop dress she wore with a cream over coat.
I must say that really prefer the sharper, edgier lines of the original McQueen design and color. The Duchess could have gotten away with that design as long as the skirt had been longer. I’d like to see her try for a somewhat edgier look now and then.
As for the Cape Middleton dress, I’m not impressed. I find it a bit gimmicky.
As for the move to Anmer Hall, I have to point out that it’s been standard for royals to have country residences where they spend a lot of time, that even function as main residences, along with a London residence, often at Kensington Palace. Prince Charles loves his home at Highgrove, but he and his first wife had a KP flat, and now he and his second wife have a London home in Clarence House. KP is not owned by the royals, they are required to pay rent at fair market value, and the Cambridges did pay for all of the interior decoration and fittings for their flat. That it needed a lot of expensive maintenance work and updating was something for which they were not responsible. That work — for example, the costly asbestos removal — would have had to be done regardless of who lived there and for however much time those people were in residence.
An awful lot has been made of what you rightly describe as a royal convention — a place in the country and a place in town.
KP is a listed building and when repairs of a basic structural nature are passed over, the cost mounts up. Had the building been left to crumble then the headlines would have been demanding to know why better care wasn’t being taken of it, and also what was happening to our royalty if they were living in a crumbling ruin.
The repairs paid for out of taxes were very basic and I’m not at all surprised at the cost for such a fine building. I had to spend the original cost of my own home again some years back on a refurbishment of exactly that nature.
And what the royals do with their own private money is their concern. I have no problem with them having whatever kind of kitchen(s) they see fit. A small extra kitchen such as the one at KP used to be called a butler’s pantry. The low-key, cost-conscious Duke and Duchess have dispensed with the butler and are boiling their own kettles. Bring it on.
I love the Cape Middleton dress, so stunning with cape effect on the back. I did like the McQueen coat dress that the Duchess wore on Monday, but gosh there was a lot going on with it. I felt that the Peter Pan collar clashed with the look of this outfit, as seen on the model, a plain collar looked much better to me.
I agree 100%. The Peter Pan collar takes all the “fierce” out of the McQueen design.
Regarding the McQueen coat dress… looking at it on the model the proportion looks great and emphasizes a small waist and amplifies the bust. Instead on Catherine the fold at the bust falls a bit below where it does on the model, emphasizing her long-waistedness and losing the bold proportions that made the dress striking, skewing the proportions not in her favor. I think sometimes in the past as well she hasn’t always dressed to make an asset of her long waisted figure. Here it shortens her legs.
I agree. and Honestly the forest green color seems to make the material and design more outstanding although it’s not something I would like to try on…Kate’s looks almost like the designer had to rush to get her something to wear, like sample…
I actually think the cream version was bought off the rack, with no time to have it tailored. You can tell by the hem. If it was brought to the palace in advance, it’s likely that alternations could have been done so that it fit properly.
I like the green version better, too. But, does Kate wear much muted green? We know she likes grass green. The original doesn’t really seem like her sort of a color.
Lastly on the KP improvements: I wonder if the KP work was started on the assumption that William would be be willing to shift from the rescue to more or less full time public duties. But, once he got a taste of that life, he decided he wanted to fly again, and move to Anmer full time.
No doubt KP will be put to good use eventually, however, the Cambridges could use some good spin on this and they’re not getting it from their team.
She wore a McQueen evening dress in a dark, muted green in — I think that was late 2012.
I actually think all shades of green work with her coloring. It’s a good color on her.
I wonder if anyone can answer this: Has Kate stopped wearing flesh-coloured tights? She seems to have bare legs in these photographs throughout the summer. I would suggest that it’s far too warm for anything else!
Dame Trelise Cooper is a New Zealand Designer
Arrggh, I knew that, thank you! 🙂
Trelise Cooper is from New Zealand, NOT Australia! If you wish to use her title without her full name, she is Dame Trelise, not Dame Cooper.
I have corrected both errors, thanks so much for letting me know! 🙂
Hi there! I absolutely love reading your blog and catching up with all of Kate’s fashion so thank you 🙂
I do however have a correction that Dame Trelise Cooper is a New Zealand designer not Australian as mentioned your article above.
Thank you!!
You’re lovely to let me know, thank you! 🙂
On a fashion note, I really loved Kate’s hat– especially in these night photos. It reminded me of an abstract poppy in coral colors.
On the move, I’m sure many readers will disagree, but I find it oddly out of step considering the 4.5m of public money spent on renovations to their Kensington Palace home. Now it will sit unused for the majority of time while they’re at Amner. If Kate were increasing her patronages or charity work, I’d understand, but she– regretfully– isn’t. I must admit, as a huge fan of this couple, I’m disappointed.
Susan, I love the compilation of photos you chose for this post. The one of the evening service with the royals’ backs to the camera is breathtaking. And wonderful fashion-investigative work on Kate’s dress!
I was thinking the same thing about the Palace renovations. I didn’t realize how much it cost, but that’s kind of ridiculous. I thought it was odd that they were moving to London in the first place, given how much Prince William is said to not like it there, but I figured if they were going to all the effort and expensive of doing a Palace reno that they were in the for the long haul, with Prince George’s arrival. It’s their life, I suppose, but seems like a terrible waste of money, unless I’m missing something.
The KP renovations, though, were long-needed – I don’t think it had been touched in generations. The work should last for decades. In all probability William is only going to be working in this role for the next few years, whereas KP will be their London base for the foreseeable future.
A charity was using the space before William and Kate began the renovations. I saw a video of the apartment in the run-up to the wedding that showed several elegant rooms. It wasn’t falling apart obviously, but perhaps it wasn’t decorated to their taste.
Seems like it was mostly for necessary improvements:
“Although this money was spent on essential building work such as plumbing electrics and asbestos removal – while all fixtures and fittings such as carpets and curtains were paid for by the couple privately – Kensington Palace were forced to publicly justify the money, particularly after it emerged that the couple had installed two new kitchens.”
Thank you Stephanie, I’m glad you like the images, it seemed a shame to not post some of them. 🙂
Hi Stephanie,
You hit the nail on the head, disappointment. I had such high hopes for this couple in the lead up to and after the wedding. But unfortunately, not many of those hopes have been fulfilled. I feel that the palace press office is to blame for much of this. We continue to hear rumors of increased engagements, especially after the tour, but then it doesn’t happen. They denied that William would working for an air ambulance service, obviously false. Then the whole lie about KP being their primary residence when Anmer Hall will for at least the next 5+ years. I hope that these lies/false statements won’t make the duke and duchess look bad but I fear that they already have.
Perhaps new opportunities arise unexpectedly that William decided were too good to pass up. It was no secret that William loved flying for the RAF. He is not first in line to the throne so should be able to pursue an activity other than unveiling plaques and planting trees.
Kathy, I so agree. We will also have to wait and see what occurs as to their living arrangements. Everyone is only assuming Amer Hall will be their Primary Residence, but only time will tell.
The Mail’s story mentions a tour next year.
Hi Nancy,
I kind of doubt that, I think that’s something the palace is saying to deflect any criticism from this announcement. Kate will probably be pregnant by then and unable to travel and I don’t think Will would go alone. It might be fun if he and Harry went together though.