Kate was in Alexander McQueen and Jane Taylor for today’s Commonwealth Day church service at Westminster Abbey.
John Stillwell/PA Wire
The Commonwealth has 53 member nations representing more than 2 billion people. Commemorated on the second Monday of March, the day is celebrated by a variety of groups and institutions, from schools to social organizations.
The annual church service at Westminster Abbey is the UK’s largest interfaith service and an invitation-only event. The Queen wore a ‘summer tweed’ coat and dress by Karl Ludwig with a matching hat by Angela Kelly.
This year’s theme for the day is A Young Commonwealth, chosen because more than 60% of the citizens of Commonwealth nations are under the age of 30. The service featured a variety of young people as speakers and performers. Dance Digital performed; there were also hymns, speakers, and other elements in today’s service. In her annual Commonwealth Day address the Queen spoke of the importance of the Commonwealth now, and in the future:
“We are guardians of a precious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead.”
The British Monarchy
This was the first time William and Kate have attended the service. As noted, the Duchess repeated an Alexander McQueen ensemble we have seen previously, a soft pink coat and matching dress.
Stephen Lock / i-Images
Kate wore these pieces for Trooping the Colour 2013 when she was expecting George.
James Whatling/Splash News
The coat features an oversize collar, large pearl buttons, three-quarter sleeves, flap pockets and side darts.
John Stillwell/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris
The Duchess wore a lovely pair of Kiki McDonough earrings we’ve not seen previously.
PA Wire/Kiki McDonough/i-Images
They are Pink Morganite Cushion Drops on a white gold hoop with diamonds (£3400, about $5000 at today’s exchange rates).
We also saw a new hat by Jane Taylor.
People magazine’s Simon Perry reports the piece is “straw with a silk straw twist.”
From the People story:
On the way out of the service, the royals stopped to talk to Abbey workers and celebrants. One was Jane Rowton-Lee, who had worked in the Abbey at William and Kate’s wedding.
Rowton-Lee told an animated Kate that she had arranged one of the candle and flower arrangements on the high altar on that memorable day. The princess thanked her for her help and asked if the flower arranger was having a busy year.
“I said I think you may be as well,” said Rowton-Lee of Kate’s impending second-time motherhood.
“She laughed. She was utterly charming.”
Kate carried the pink Prada clutch we have seen previously, the brand’s ‘Raso’ style.
She brought back her pink Prada pumps as well.
A tight shot of the heels, worn on multiple occasions.
It was a brisk day in London, you can see the wind catching Kate’s hair when she arrived at the Abbey.
Allpix / Splash News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We have a quick couple of copyKates to share with you today, beginning with this frock as a stand-in for Kate’s teal Jenny Packham (worn in 2012), this is the the Catherine Deane Draped Silk Embroidered Gown.
Shopbop/Splash News
We show it selling at $945 at online retailer Stylebop. Our thanks to Iris for the tip on this one.
Our next repliKate is the Elvie Dress at Monsoon, ideal for those fond of the Roamer Day Dress by Zimmermann. Kate wore the Roamer in Australia during last spring’s tour, and again at Wimbledon. We thank Sophie M.S. on the WKW Facebook page for the tip on this, and Mary S for the link. The dress is $300 at Monsoon.
i-Images, Polaris/Monsoon
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our final tidbit is about our StyleRocks giveaway.
StyleRocks
You can win any one of the rings shown above from the StyleRocks Russian Rings collection. If you haven’t entered yet, this link takes you to our post about the giveaway.
A reminder that Kate’s next two engagements are Wednesday, when she visits Margate. (More here.)
LINKAGE:
*Learn more about the Commonwealth of Nations and its 53 member countries by clicking here, visit the Commonwealth of Nations’ Facebook page here
*Visit the Royal Commonwealth Society at its website here, the group’s Facebook page is here, its Twitter feed is here and Instagram feed here
*To watch the Queen’s Commonwealth Day address click here, to read the speech in its entirety click here
*For a children’s guide to the Commonwealth click hereThe Daily Express coverage is here and its photo gallery is here, The Daily Mail’s story is here, PopSugar’s photo gallery is here, Victoria Murphy’s story in The Mirror is here & a photo gallery is here
*ITN’s videos are here
Rickyrebarco
Tuesday 17th of March 2015
Love this outfit, so lovely on the Duchess. And this hat is very nice, so chic. She looks amazing for 8 1/2 month pregnant.
The Way We Were
Wednesday 11th of March 2015
I agree with Lili on expected repeats at this stage of Kate's pregnancy. So far we have seen this lovely pink coat, the dalmatian dress (today's event?) and i start wondering if we are gonna see that green coat-dress again on St. Patricks day, like Thirs is charm right? :)
Lavender
Tuesday 10th of March 2015
Oh, what a lot of comments, where will I start? First, the colour/style; love the colour and lovely again for spring and the coat looks a heap better than when Kate was sat in a cart last time round,very elegant! It is not a Peter Pan collar which is much smaller,this is reminiscent of the early 70s 'butterfly collars'. Stood up, Kate looked very balanced out, except for... Oh,how I hate that 'hat' (is that what you call it?); and what is this term 'fascinator'? Is this some form of 'hair slide' which lets posh types get away with no hat at some venues? One post said hardly anybody wears them in the states; that means virtually nobody-the same is true here in Britain. I'll be glad when they disappear and this one is truly awful - it looks like a bun perched on Kate's head from the side and like a comb-over to hide something unpleasant from the front. The back view looks spectacular with her lovely new curls arrangement (since her Portsmouth or Plymouth engagement); truly like a shampoo/hairspray ad (I thought the coverage of her grey hairs was ungallant and I would have sacked the hairdresser)!
Mary
Tuesday 10th of March 2015
I really like this hat! To my eyes it has a rather rakish look. I'm not usually a fan of fascinators; this has a bit more substance, and I seem to like that.
And my inevitable question -- is that really a Peter Pan collar? I thought a Peter Pan collar was rounded at the front -- where the points would be on another type of collar. This one seems more angular.
Faith
Tuesday 10th of March 2015
I wouldn't call it a Peter Pan collar either Mary.
Brittany
Tuesday 10th of March 2015
I think this is a beautiful outfit with just one quibble--I hated the faux pearl buttons the first time around, and I still hate them! Although who am I to talk, it's not like I could make a good suggestion for what to use instead. I just think they look cheap, like something from a budget department store (just the buttons, not the rest of the coat).
I find the monochromatic palette pleasing. I do want to point out that we shouldn't read anything into her wearing pink as a hint she's expecting a girl--you'll remember she wore this outfit while expecting a boy! I wonder if the Kiki McDonough earrings are a gift from Kiki McDonough. If I remember correctly, the Duchess couldn't directly accept such a gift (or at least without certain restrictions or disclosure requirements), though if something was gifted to say Pippa or Carol, they could then give them to the Duchess. Maybe it was a token from Kiki, partly in thanks for the Duchess' favor. If that's the case, perhaps Kiki gifted pink in hopes of a baby princess this time.
ali
Wednesday 11th of March 2015
Not a fan of the buttons either. They are very very odd in this day. The collar is not Peter Pan to me, but I still am not a fan of big collars. The colors in photos are so hard to see, so I reserve judgement on that front. I liked the look in general, At almost nine months it all is going to look a bit off :) Been there:) Ali