James Whatling/Splash News
Kate joined Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, for today’s Remembrance Sunday events.
Remembrance Sunday is always the second Sunday of November. With this year’s First World War Centennial events being marked, it is of special significance.
Below, the scene today at the Cenotaph in London.
Her Majesty’s Armed Forces Facebook Page
The ceremony begins with two minutes of silence at 11am.
James Whatling/Splash News
It starts at that precise time to coincide with the Armistice ending World War I; it went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – 11am on November 11th, 1918. More from The Guardian:
On the first stroke of Big Ben at 11am, a shot fired from a first world war gun at nearby Horse Guards Parade signalled the start of the two-minute silence. The Last Post sounded by buglers from the Royal Marines ended the silence.
Wreaths are then laid at the Cenotaph, a memorial that was initially created as a temporary structure for a parade marking the end of the First World War, but it was ultimately re-built as a permanent war memorial.
Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/POLARIS
Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Prince William were among those who laid wreaths today. (For those wondering what “cenotaph” means, my iMac dictionary offers this definition: “a tomblike monument to someone(s) buried elsewhere, especially commemorating people who died in a war.”)
Prince Harry returned to Afghanistan to attend Remembrance Day events, here he is shown at Kandahar Airfield.
Ministry of Defence Twitter
The ceremony concludes with 10,000+ veterans and active service military marching past the Cenotaph. Below you see veterans as they left Horse Guards Parade on their way to the ceremony.
Ben Stevens / i-Images
If guessing, I would speculate the gentleman in this photo served his country in the Second World War.
© Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris Images
The ceremony concludes with 10,000 veterans and active service military personnel marching past the Cenotaph.
Stephen Lock / i-Images
For anyone curious about precisely where dignitaries are when watching the service, here is a good look at the Foreign Office balconies decorated in blue. Kate, Camilla and Sophie are the group second from the left.
Stephen Lock / i-Images / Polaris
It feels awkward moving to fashion content, but that is what this blog covers. So we shift to discussion of Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat.
James Whatling/Splash News
The Duchess wore the brand’s Flared Wool Coat.
Harvey Nichols
The coat features Kate’s favorite silhouette, a fit and flare design with a full skirt. It also has oversized notched lapels, side slit pockets, and a double-breasted closure above the natural waist.
Harvey Nichols
We show the coat at upscale retailer Harvey Nichols (£1745, about $2800). It is also available in limited sizing at Selfridges (£1625) , where the product description offers an interesting comment:
…the military-inspired design features an oversized lapel, a nipped waist and a softly pleated flared peplum hemline.
I hadn’t noticed a military context to the coat, but it would certainly be in keeping with the day’s engagement.
There is also a creamy white version of the coat, it is available at Farfetch ($2995) in a very few sizes, and also at Neiman Marcus in limited sizing ($2995).
Farfetch
Kate wore a black dress or blouse beneath the coat, here you see the ruffled collar.
This is not the first time we have seen the distinctive collar peeking out from beneath another garment. Super sleuth Kate Johnson noted on the WKW Facebook page that it has been worn before, visible in this photo.
Many noticed the similarity of Kate’s coat to that one by Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
James Whatling/SplashNews.com
On first glance they are quite similar: both have exaggerated collars, double-breasted styling and they’re made of black fabric. At first glance it isn’t hard to come to the conclusion that they are identical coats. But as Merrie noted this morning on the WKW Facebook page, Sophie’s is different in several ways, including the material, topstitching and other details. In looking at a side-by-side shot one can see Sophie’s is crafted from a material with a weave that is a little smoother and shinier; it also has princess seaming that Kate’s doesn’t have, and a very small pleat at the waist.
James Whatling/Splash News (both images)
Sophie’s coat is is called the Wide Lapel Swing Coat at Lane Crawford ($2645).
Lane Crawford
It is also available at Alexander McQueen ($2785) and at Selfridges (£1625, about $2600 at today’s exchange rates). The piece is from the pre-autumn/winter 2014 collection.
Beneath the coat Kate wore a dress by BCBG Max Azria, the ‘Tuxedo Trim’ matte jersey dress. It is something Kate has had for some time, it is a 2008 piece.
A better look at the box pleating at the neckline, we digitally enhanced the image you see center bottom.
James Whatling/Splash News
Kate’s hat is by Jane Corbett, she wore it to Remembrance Sunday events in 2011.
Splash/Splash
Upon returning from out of town this afternoon I had several emails and messages from those who recognized Kate’s brooch. She previously wore it on Anzac Day when attending Remembrance services at the Australian War Memorial in April.
Andrew Parsons / i-Images
The piece was a gift to Kate from a woman named Emma Roberts-Smith, the wife of a soldier named Ben Roberts-Smith; he is a recipient of the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest honor. While very similar to a poppy, it is actually an anemone, a reproduction of a Carl Faberge piece that is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection.
SplashNews.com/i-Images
The Duchess also wore her sapphire and diamond earrings, along with her ‘Empress’ necklace by jewelers Mappin and Webb, shown below on previous occasions.
i-Images/Polaris, Mappin & Webb, i-Images/Polaris
We do not have an ID on Kate’s gloves, nor did we see any photos showing a bag or shoes; should pictures emerge, or if we have new information, we will update the page promptly.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We’ve received a number of inquiries from readers wondering where they can purchase their own poppy for Veterans Day. The paper poppy seen below is what most are looking for. Unfortunately I don’t know of any listings or specific location resources available.
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
The best suggestion I can make is to contact your local American Legion or VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). If interested in purchasing something online, the American Legion is probably your best bet, although it won’t be shipped in time for Veterans Day this Tuesday. Online the Legion offers things like this Poppy Window Decal ($1.95), polo shirts and other merchandise.
American Legion
If interested in making your own, this site has templates and other tools that may be of help. (Anyone with info or a resource in this regard that should be shared with readers, just let let me know.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Today’s other news involves Kate, William & possibly Prince George making that rumored trip to New York. In today’s Mail on Sunday Katie Nicholl reports the trip is a go.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that William and Kate – who visited Los Angeles shortly after their wedding in 2011 – will embark on a three-day trip to New York next month to unveil their new charity, United For Wildlife.
And it seems likely they will take 16-month-old Prince George with them.
The Duke and Duchess will meet conservationists to discuss illegal poaching and will also sit down with officials from international charities, including the World Wildlife Fund. A spokesman for the charity said: ‘We will be in New York to talk about our Wildlife Crime Project, which is why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are involved.’
Kate’s next engagement is Wednesday, when she attends a SportsAid workshop at the Human Performance Lab.
LINKAGE:
- to learn more about Remembrance Sunday, click here for the Royal British Legion’s website
- Australia’s Daily Telegraph has a one-minute video I think most readers will enjoy; for ITV‘s video story of the day’s events, click here, the BBC‘s coverage may be found here
- the Daily Express story on Remembrance Sunday is here; the Daily Mail’s photo-laden story is here and a Sky News photo gallery is here
Dawn
Monday 5th of October 2015
This Zara piece seems to be a good copy of the black McQueen coat worn on Remembrance Sunday.
http://www.zara.com/us/en/new-in/woman/view-all/long-wool-lapel-coat-c756542p3023071.html
mel
Wednesday 12th of November 2014
she looks lovely
Emily
Tuesday 11th of November 2014
So, I know people normally wear Poppies, but Kate wore an anemone. Is that not a big deal because it is still a red flower? I know the significance behind the poppy, so I am surprised Kate wore another flower, even if it is similar. It makes me wonder if she knew she was not really wearing a poppy or if that was a mistake?
KateFan
Wednesday 12th of November 2014
Poppy or not I guess it has significance anyway because she received it as a gift prior to ANZAC Day (and also wore it then) from the wife of Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. I didn't know until reading here that it wasn't a poppy!
Laura Windsor
Tuesday 11th of November 2014
I live in Canada and watched on TV, the Remembrance Day Ceremony at our National War Memorial, in Ottawa. The Princess Royal, Princess Anne was in attendance and spoke on behalf of her mother, The Queen. Anne wore a black hat and long black coat. In the neckline of the coat was a lovely black, grey and white patterned scarf. I wondered why neither Kate nor Sophie wore a scarf to fill in the gap, at the neckline of their coats. Kate has worn many coats, where a scarf in the bare neckline would have added a lovely touch. Also Princess Anne was wearing a small shoulder bag, that hung from her shoulder, by her side, allowing her to have her hands free. Kate's clutch purses are beautiful, but many times having her hands free would be more practical. Princess Anne is not a fashionista but we have to respect her sensibility.
Larissa
Tuesday 11th of November 2014
I went to the Remembrance Sunday events for the first time this year - I moved to London just in time. Unfortunately I wasn't anywhere near the cenotaph so I didn't get a look at the royals or the wreath-laying in person, but the 10,000 veterans walking by was absolutely striking. People clapped for all of them. Britain sure knows how to honour big events properly.
Love Kate's coat, by the way, and the fact that she chose to re-wear the flower from New Zealand. Such a nice gesture. She must be feeling a lot better to be going to New York for only three days - travelling for such a short time with such a big time difference is a daunting task!
KateFan
Tuesday 11th of November 2014
The flower was worn in Australia on ANZAC Day. She wore a different pin in New Zealand.