We are back with a very brief post today. Our focus is what Kate wore to her December meeting with 1851 Trust patrons and trustees at the Goring Hotel. There has been a bit of a buzz about the pictures, seen by most of us for the first time yesterday; we are excited that we were able to license three of the photos from that evening.
Rex/REX USA
Kate is a patron of the Trust. Some will remember that Sir Ben Ainslie is the other patron, although I don’t believe that is Sir Ben greeting Kate as she arrived; it’s possible the gentleman welcoming her is Robert Elliott, one of the charity’s trustees. One purpose of the December meeting was to introduce the Trust’s new CEO, Alasdair Akass, he had just recently been named to the CEO position.
Many readers will recognize Kate’s black coat, it was first worn in November for Remembrance Sunday. It is by Alexander McQueen, the brand’s Flared Wool Coat.
The garment is from the McQueen a/w 2014 collection. Harvey Nichols describes the coat as having a “military-inspired design,” something that made perfect sense for Remembrance Sunday. Other design elements include a fit and flare silhouette, double-breasted closure, oversized notched lapels, a “softly flared and pleated pleated peplum hemline.”
Harvey Nichols
One interesting note: both the black coat at Harvey Nichols and the creamy white version at Farfetch have four buttons at the cuff.
Harvey Nichols/Farfetch
Kate’s coat has just three buttons at the cuff. It isn’t a case of the Duchess just having a button fall off, as her sleeve has just 3 buttonholes.
Rex/REX USA
So the piece isn’t straight off the rack as initially thought (at least that is what I believed); the Duchess did have some custom work done on her coat.
UPDATED JULY 31, 2015
The Duchess’s dress is a UFO no longer; she was wearing Seraphine’s ‘Sophia’ dress.
Seraphine
The dress is described this way:
Seraphine’s Sophia pleated dress is a smart style in rich midnight blue; worn and loved by The Duchess of Cambridge during her pregnancy, it is perfect for before, during and after pregnancy. The beautifully fitted Ponte Roma bodice meets the skirt with a stylish belted peplum which defines the empire waist. The elegantly pleated woven skirt then falls in a graceful a-line cut, bringing balance to the structured style.
Here’s a closer look at some of the details, especially the empire waist and the scoop neckline on the back of the frock.
Seraphine
The piece retails for $159. We send a big ‘thank you’ to Adriane for posting the ID on the WKW Facebook page.
NOTE: I am retaining some of the information from the original post here, it is meritorious of retention for a variety of reasons.
Clearly, the unknown element is the blue dress worn beneath the McQueen coat.
Rex/REX USA
These two images are almost identical, but you can see a bit more of the frock.
It looks like a crepe de chine, perhaps silk or polyester, self-lined, with a round neckline. It also looks like the skirt portion of the dress is pleated. This is a dress I have started looking for, I wanted to get the post done as quickly as possible and will start to search this afternoon.
UPDATE Feb 6, 8pm:
We have another photo, this one showing the basic jewel neckline on the dress. (As well as Kate’s Mappin and Webb Fortune necklace.)
There have been a number of good ideas about the dress shared via comments here on the blog, and also via the WKW Facebook page. One suggestion is the Mamalicious Pleated Dress, available in the ASOS maternity department. The biggest distinctions between the Mamalicious frock and Kate’s are the different necklines and the fact Kate’s pleats start much higher, presumably at the waistline.
ASOS & Rex/REX USA
However, this was a great suggestion, the dress would make an outstanding copyKate.
The Duchess wore her Jimmy Choo Aimee platform pumps; I have lightened this image just a tad to better show the shoes. Many thanks to My Small Obsessions and Ashley Marie for quickly IDing the heels.
UPDATED HANDBAG INFO: I was wrong in saying Kate carried her suede UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object) clutch; it is clearly the Mulberry bag. 
Coincidentally, Kate’s next engagement involves the 1951 Trust; it is next Thursday.
Lavender
Friday 13th of February 2015
Everybody seemed to quickly jump to conclusions about the dress being from Zara - Kate wore it to leave Buckingham Palace after her wedding, at Prince Phillip's 90th birthday at Church, at another formal occasion with a 'dress' coat and twice with a blue tweed coat - at Fortnum & Mason's with the Queen and also when visiting a town with the Queen. It so obviously isn't that dress which is much lighter, doesn't have a high neckline, does not have a pleated skirt and is much shorter. Others suggested a dress which only has a pleated hem when the pictures clearly show that ALL the skirt is pleated. I just wondered why nobody has mentioned that there is a pretty pattern in the skirt? I don't think that it's my computer?
Marla Maye
Monday 9th of February 2015
Don't get me wrong, I love Kate as much as anybody. But it doesn't seem like she ever does much with her fingernails, or even her hands. With the exception of the engagement photos, all I've ever seen is her fingernails cut short and no nail polish. Maybe it's an American thing. Actually, I kind of like that. Underneath it all, she's a working momma.
Erin
Monday 9th of February 2015
Not everyone likes nail polish, so maybe that is how Kate is. However, I have noticed that sometimes in close ups it looks like Kate picks her fingers/nails. I have family members who do that and her hands looks similar at times. Especially for how often she has band aides near the tips of her fingers. Just something I noticed. So, that may also be why she doesn't paint her nails.
Christa
Monday 9th of February 2015
I think she bites her nails based on this and other pictures we've seen, and it can be hard to keep up with that (nothing worse than chipped polish)
Lili
Monday 9th of February 2015
I've seen her nails polished, but she does seem to prefer clear polish or very pale and transparent pink/beige shades. I like a manicured but natural look myself, given that more obvious polish is also more obvious when it chips. If you're in the public eye a lot, I think it's sensible to go for the natural look most of the time; otherwise, you'll constantly be visiting your manicurist.
I don't think Americans have any specific national preference. I see as many women with full manicures here as without them.
Ann
Monday 9th of February 2015
That's the First picture I have seen her without her engagement ring - or is it just turned into her palm?
Marla Maye
Monday 9th of February 2015
Good catch. They've blurred out all of the ring areas on the fingers of her right hand, Difficult for me to tell about the left.
Mallory
Monday 9th of February 2015
Slightly boring color combination, but she looks great. She doesn't even look as if she's expecting.
Alison Green
Sunday 8th of February 2015
The clutch looks a lot like the Mulberry “Bayswater” Clutch Wallet in Black Suede, but her hand is covering the turn lock so it's a very maybe.