Very Brief Updates, Re-Stocked Kate Items, Plus Sales & Savings Kate Style

We are back a few quick updates and several retail notes of interest.

First, the latest on Kate’s schedule:

• From all reports it seems Kate, George and Charlotte continue enjoying their time at Anmer Hall, the Cambridge’s country retreat on the grounds of Sandringham
• The Sunday Times reported there will be more royal engagements with Prince George, quoting who say George will be “more visible over the next few months”. The article notes William & Kate realize there is “…good-natured [in him] from people”. The full story is here, but be aware it is behind a paywall, so if interested in reading the entire piece you will need to be, or become, a subscriber. (But the gist of the story is really in the first two paragraphs which are readily seen.)
• As noted on Twitter by our friend Patricia Treble, the first family photos of Kate and William with George were released 30 days after his birth. It’s possible we are close to new family pictures being released with Charlotte.

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We move to the retail updates we mentioned, beginning with a stellar copyKate to share, compliments of a tip from the one and only Stephanie Champion-Helton. The frock is actually from LK Bennett, the brand’s ‘Lara’ dress in  cornflower blue, almost identical to Kate’s snorkel blue ‘Lasa’ dress. The ‘Lara’ dress is exclusive to the UK’s John Lewis, where it is still available in sizes 6, 8, 10 and 12. In a side-by-side comparison with last year’s snorkel blue ‘Lasa’ dress you can see the subtle color distinction.

One cautionary note: the frock is not available for shipping to the USA. If in the US and interested in purchasing the dress your best option is one of the services that specializes in shipping items purchased overseas to US addresses.

Next, several items that have been restocked by retailers, starting with Seraphine’s Natasha coat, available in all sizes as of this writing. The piece is a cashmere/wool/poly blend, and also offered in an eggshell, or beige color.

Kate wore the coat in January for a series of engagements in Kensington. She paired it with Seraphine’s ‘Florrie’ dress. The coat is $395 and available in sizes 2- 12. The dress is priced at $179, inventory for this piece is not quite as robust.

Also restocked, the ASOS dress worn for Kate’s visit to Brookhill Children’s Centre in March.

This is the original version of the dress, it is called the ASOS Maternity Nursing Kate Wrap Skater Dress. The piece is $63; it is available in sizes 2-14, size 16 is sold out.

Also back in stock, the DVF Zarita dress worn by the Duchess to the Royal Variety Show.

The dress is available in sizes 0 – 12 on the Diane von Furstenberg website; it is $898.

Several short versions of the dress are actually on sale, including the Hot Coral and Spring Green versions; both were originally $348, they are now selling for $243.60. There is also a Metallic Gold shade that was really not very popular at all, at least if using the deep discount as a barometer; the dress was originally $468, more than any of the other short versions of the dress, it’s been marked down to $187.20.

And Kate’s ASOS Maternity Dress is back, in the original print.

 

We’ve a few more Sales & Savings notes to share, beginning with the Jaeger Tile Print Silk dress worn by Kate in her video on behalf of Children’s Mental Health Week is on sale.

The dress originally sold for £250, it is on sale for £185. (At today’s exchange rates the dress would have been roughly $385, now discounted to about $225.)

LK Bennett’s sale is underway. A very quick scan of the merchandise yielded the Wessex Showerproof Mac trench in beige (also available in black); it was originally priced at $595, now selling for $297.50. On the right we share the Valorie Fitted Dress in blue cyan; it was $425, but is discounted to $297.50.

The Mariana Pleat Dress comes in both regal blue and black; it originally sold for $425, but is marked down to $297.50.

There is a sizable shoe selection on sale at LK Bennett. Below we show the Maddox Wedge, similar to Kate’s Greta wedge. It is available in limited sizing, and selling for $157.50, the original price was $315. The Clemmie Patent Slingback Heel is something akin to the Sledge in an open heel slingback style. This shoe was initially priced at $345 , it now sells for $241.50, offered in a broad selection of colors.

Kate’s Sebago Bala boat shoe is on sale via Amazon. Sebago ‘Bala” is on sale at Amazon for $70.99, the regular price is $95.

The shoe appears to be available in almost all sizes.

An enormous sale that we don’t want to leave off the list: Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale.

Kate’s Aquatalia Rhumba boots are $449.90, that is 35% off the original price of $725. There is a variety of other Aquatalia footwear on sale.

LK Bennett merchandise is also on sale at Nordstrom, as well as Topshop goods (including a Prince of Wales check maternity dress for just $29.99). Alexander McQueen items in the sale include the Leaf Crepe Peplum Jacket, now $1605, originally it sold for $2675. The Leaf Crepe Dress in royal blue is now $1032, the frock originally was priced at $1720. The Lela Rose Abstract Print Silk Sheath Dress initially sold for $1595, it’s $956.98 now. The Rebecca Taylor Matelassé Fit & Flare Dress on the far right is $224.98, its original price was $375.

There is a broad selection of Jimmy Choo goods in the sale, as well as Paige Denim and 7 for All Mankind denim. There are limited offerings from Tory Burch, but that designer is in the midst of her semi-annual sale.  A surprising amount of Lancôme is on sale, the majority of it 20% off normal retail prices. That includes the brand’s Définicils High Def Mascara, La Laque Fever Lip Shine, and just in time for summer, Flash Bronzer, along with scents like Poême’ Parfum Spray.

Even things like this All Over Face Palette are discounted, this item by 25%.

It’s unusual to see cosmetics discounted by this percentage, at least from my limited (cough-cough) shopping experience.

Showing the Nordstrom McQueen styles on sale, it seems appropriate to note that Alexander McQueen’s sale is also filled with bargains, albeit at more…well, prices at what one might call investment grade level. We show Kate wearing her bespoke version of the Box Pleat A-Line Coat in the Prince of Wales check, seen during the Singapore State Visit in October of last year.

The biggest distinction between the two is the lapel/collar treatment. The off-the-rack version is marked down 40% from its original $3995 price, now $2400.

Also discounted 40%, the same Box Pleat A-Line Coat in black; its original price was $3595, now it is $2160. We show an Oversize Peplum Top, now $675, and the Trapeze Wrap Dress, now 40% off at $1485.

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A brief word about the State Opening of Parliament Wednesday.

The occasion is always held shortly after a general election. Below, the Queen arriving.

The event is a sterling example of pomp and pageantry, with formal attire, eye-popping jewels, and carriage processions from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. There is live television coverage and a select group of invited guests in attendance. This is an event we will eventually see the Duke and Duchess attending.

We have little to share on the occasion, other than to note there are some fine posts about the jewels worn during the event. Kelly over at The Duchess Diary has a splendid rundown, and royal expert Ella Kay has two fabulous posts at The Court Jeweller. They are here and here.

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Finally, for those who enjoy following other royals, a reminder that TRH, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrive in the US for a State Visit May 31st. The royals are in the States for 3 days, the couple is currently in Canada.

For anyone not familiar with the couple, there is a YouTube video that’s a great backgrounder, it only runs 2:30.

For more of the Washington portion of the visit click here; if interested in the Grand Rapids, Michigan itinerary click here; and finally, click here to learn more about the Chicago part of the trip. We also have some links below that offer solid background on the visit and other Netherlands information.

LINKAGE:

• Those interested in the upcoming wedding of Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist might enjoy this People StyleWatch story about possible designers for the bride’s wedding gown.
• For more photos from the State Opening of Parliament visit the UK Parliament Facebook album here, and/or read about the event on the UK Parliament website here
• The Netherlands in the USA Embassy page is here, the Facebook page is here and Twitter feed is here
• the Dutch Culture USA website is here, the Facebook page is here, and Twitter feed is here.