Kate chose a Reiss coat for tonight’s Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony in London.
It was a spectacular ceremony.
I have been asked if this is like the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies – it is in terms of similarly formatted productions: music, fireworks, dramatic staging and theatrics. But it is much shorter in length, running just under 30 minutes.
Prince Harry is the Honorary President of England Rugby, the official hosts for the World Cup. Tonight he delivered remarks at the event, more from Richard Palmer’s story in The Express.
“Rugby has changed dramatically in my lifetime. But it remains a game founded on a code of values. Values which are as important today, both on and off the field of play, as they have ever been. “Across the country, regardless of age, background or beliefs; this nation, which gave rugby to the world in 1823, will join together and celebrate the game like never before.
The Prince concluded his comments by saying “We’re ready. Game on!!”
There was a surprise in store for everyone: a brief film was shown during the Ceremony had an unusual guest star.
World Rugby You Tube Channel
The Prince had a cameo in the lush, beautifully photographed historical piece; you can see the entire film here. Then it was time for the night’s match, England vs. Fiji. One could almost guess how things were going by watching the expressions on the royals’ faces.
Another look.
Kate in particular was animated; The Daily Mail has a feature showing many of her facial expressions.
The Daily Mail
England was victorious in its first match of the competition, taking Fiji 35-11.
The Duke and Duchess seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.
England Rugby
As noted in previous posts, this is a very big deal in many parts of the world. There will be stunts, promotions, and all manner of fun, frivolous (and arguably annoying) activities related to the Cup. Below you see this morning’s ‘Ball in the Wall,’ in Wales, in photos shared by the Cardiff Council. Cardiff is hosting 8 matches at Millenium Stadium, it is the only non-English host city.
ITV Wales
Twitter has even come up with special emoticons, or emoji. If using that social network, just type the pound sign (#) and the initials for the country you’re rooting for and a little football will show up on your tweet.
And of course, there will be plenty of coverage of WAGS, referring to the players’ “Wives and Girlfriends,” like this ‘Guide to Wives and Girlfriends‘ from The Daily Mail. (Ahem.) With any luck there might be some kind of fashion stories as well. Last night Prince Harry joined Prime Minister David Cameron for the Rugby Football Union’s (governing body for England Rugby) official welcome party, saying he was ready for the “rollercoaster of emotions” the event will bring. More from The Telegraph, quoting Prince Harry’s remarks at the event.
As a passionate rugby fan, I will share the rollercoaster of emotions with millions of other fans around the world between now and the 31st of October. “It is this rollercoaster that makes sport, especially rugby, so compelling.”
The Prime Minister, Prince Harry, and Jason Leonard, president of the Rugby Football Union at last night’s event.
As mentioned above, Kate wore a coat from Reiss.
The piece is actually an item we suggested as ideal for last December’s New York trip.
What Kate Wore Post Dec 6, 2014
It is the ‘Emile Sharply Tailored Coat’ in ‘blue passion’ from the f/w 2014 season.
The coat is 78% wool and 22% polyamide; it features a stand-up collar, two pockets, and a single button closure.
It is a color that photographs very well.
The Emile was also offered in pale pink, it originally retailed at £325, about $500.
And it came in a color called purple, a hue that looks more burgundy or berry.
Unfortunately, it is no longer available in any color. We saw Kate with a favorite handbag, the Stuart Weitzman ‘Muse’ clutch from Russell & Bromley.
Kate also carried a scarf by another brand she is fond of, Beulah London, wearing the label’s Blue Heart Scarf. The scarf is 45% silk/55% wool.
It is a good size, 80cm x 200cm, that’s roughly 31′ x 79″, and it retails for £85, about $125. The scarf is also helping to raise funds, 10% of the profits from sales of the piece go to the United Nations Blue Heart Campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking. Pippa Middleton has been seen wearing the scarf, as has Kim Sears, tennis star Andy Murray’s wife.
We saw Kate’s ‘Power Pumps‘ in black suede again, another Stuart Weitzman design. The shoes remain available at Russell and Bromley (£235) in both the black suede and nude patent.
Kate wore her ‘Empress’ Diamond Drop earrings from Mappin and Webb.
With apologies for the brevity of the post, I am headed out of town and had to zip through things. I will update when I return late tonight or tomorrow morning. This was a great look for the Duchess, the color is very good on her and the cut is outstanding.
A reminder that the Palace released word that William and Kate will attend a number of World Cup matches: “The Duke of Cambridge will attend a number of matches with The Duchess of Cambridge in his capacity as Vice-Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.” The first match Wales is playing takes place Sunday, September 20; it begins at 2:30 local time, that is 9:30am EDT. The other three Wales matches are shown below.
- Sept 26: England vs. Wales, Twickenham
- Oct 1: Wales vs Fiji, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
- Oct. 10: Australia vs. Wales, Twickenham
NOTE: Post has been edited to change the phrase “Cardiff…is the only non-English speaking host city…” to “Cardiff…is the only non-English host city…”. That is my error, in reading news stories (a Wales Online story, an ITV story) that referenced the only “non-english country” I obviously inserted the word “speaking.” My apologies for the error. LINKAGE:
- The Rugby World Cup website is here, its Facebook page is here, Twitter feed is here and Instagram page is here
- The England Rugby website is here, its Facebook page is here, Twitter feed is here, Instagram page is here & YouTube channel is here
- The Welsh Rugby Union website is here, its Facebook page here, and Twitter feed here
- For Twitter’s post on ways to follow the Cup online, click here
- If interested in following things via media, here are some of the ‘hub’s microsites:
- ITV is , its website is here
- The Telegraph‘s page is here, it’s opening ceremony day live page is here
- The Express hub is here, it’s live coverage is here
- The Daily Mail’s hub is here, it’s live page is here
- The Standard’s hub is here
- The Mirror‘s hub is here
- PopSugar‘s gallery with 24 oversized images can be seen here
- The Daily Mail’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony is here, its feature showing Kate’s many facial expressions is here
- The Express has a photo gallery here & its story is here
Gorgeous coat. Anything by Reiss just looks incredible on the Duchess, and it’s definitely one of the brands I would gravitate to if I could afford such luxurious coats! I love the colour, it reminds me of the blue in the Union Flag, which I suppose is appropriate considering she’ll likely be supporting both Wales and England during the World Cup.
I must say I absolutely love the choice of images in this post, especially the one of William and Kate at the end. Great job!
Keep an eye on Reiss sales. I bought one of my Reiss coats at a very low price. Precisely because the coats are on the expensive side, they are less likely to sell out before going on sale than other items are.
Even though Kate looks ravishing in these pix, to me, her style is eclipsed by how natural, radiant and just plain happy she appears to be!
That coat is AMAZING. Love the color – it’s one of the few coats Kate wears that looks completely spectacular. (Not that I don’t love her coats, I DO! But this one is literally perfection!). As I said in the comments above – the bangs look much better! I think it’s because they’re flatter. I still maintain she should stick with a deep side part though.
Love this coat. Love Love Love!
Not sure about the fringe it is not one thing or the other, looks like she is growing it out. It would drive me crazy,
I would love to see Kate style a coat or two like the model in the Reiss website image: full leg slacks, not skinnies, and a blouse with the coat open. I think this looks very chic and just edgy enough for Kate to go out of her comfort zone without throwing everyone into a tizzy. As always, she looks great here!
The coat is not fun. The scarf is! I wish she had worn the scarf around her neck instead of the high collar coat. Oh well. I also wish Prince Harry would like, comb his hair down or something. The messy look on guys is “in” but I dislike. LOVE Prince William wearing his glasses, it’s always adorable 🙂
I agree that the entire outfit would be elevated if the scarf was worn. Why, oh why, would anyone CARRY a scarf? Either put it on or leave it at home.
I’m puzzled as to why Kate would carry a scarf too… I can’t see why she would plan on wearing a scarf with this high necked coat, so seems a bit strange to carry one as an accessory.
I really dislike the coat (can’t put my finger on it but it’s something to do with the single button, and the fact that so many cheap coats come in this sort of shade), but can’t deny she looks beautiful. I wish she would wear more jewel tones, and move away from the primary colours she seems to gravitate towards.
Also, someone else has pointed this out but would appreciate if the admin would correct the post. It just doesn’t really make sense to say Cardiff is a ‘non-English speaking city’. It’s the only host city outside of England, but while around 10% of people in Cardiff speak Welsh, almost all of them are also English speakers.
Thank you for letting me know your thoughts on the phrase referencing Cardiff, that was my error entirely. As an FYI, here’s a portion of the note added to the post:
“Post has been edited to change the phrase “Cardiff…is the only non-English speaking host city…” to “Cardiff…is the only non-English host city…”. That is my error, in reading news stories (Wales Online story, ITV story) that referenced the only “non-english country” I obviously inserted the word “speaking.” My apologies for the error.
I would argue that the coat is sapphire blue, and thus a jewel tone.
the same pictures looking at each other every event
Love the coat, it is typical Kate style and I love that color.
I do think that she waits atleast 1 season after an item debutes to wear it so that it is less available for purchase. It has been a trend that has been noted with several pieces, not all but enough to notice.
That’s pretty amazing you called that coat. I guess when the most exciting thing going on in that outfit is the new bangs, you might call her predictable.
Cheers to Susan and the early pick! As to the color (which is stunning) of the coat (which is flattering), imho it is a nod to the colors of the RWC 2015 logo.
I guess we could all say now “Kate, you can always depend on Reiss for a great coat whenever needed. “. Another splendid choice. 🙂
I love the style and color of the coat. Does anyone remember Color Me Beautiful from the 1980s? I still have my fabric swatches as a “Winter” and I think Kate is the same coloring. It recommends many jewel tones like this shade of blue. Kate looked great and I love the earrings, too.
I used to get that book from the library late nineties when I was getting interested in style as a teen (in Finland). I also compare to those seasons and have been wondering if Kate is actually a Winter. I am too. 🙂 It’s so nostalgic to see it mentioned.
I love the color of this coat.
Gosh- Is it really cold enough for a coat? We’re still wearing sandals!
i really love coming here for the kate sightings. sickening how her fringe is getting unusually harsh comments online. i don’t understand how british people can be so ignorant of the economic power the duchess have that is benefiting the country. many countries/economies would love to have a global style icon like her.
I appreciate I live in a country where I can freely comment on HRH’s fringe. It has not escaped mine or anybody’s notice in here her value. Over all as I stated before she is beautiful and her wardrobe a credit to her for style and taste. I did the eighties and I have a little post traumatic tress disorder from the awful Krystal Carrington lookalike hair I wore. Dramatic flicked out heavy fringe in al its glory. None of my daughters have fringes either having seen the photos lol.
The coat would have had more impact plum. But then the boys ties were complimentary blue. (My all-time favourite the black coat with white piping taken to New York. Hated the bright green Erdem William complained about in NZ for good reason too. ) She tried to incorporate her fringe into her blow-out but that’ll take until Christmas to quietly disappear. Kate you look younger and fresher without. Please tell your stylist not to raise his elbows above your shoulders in future lol. I have to say amongst the hoopla of thighs and splits and grace and disgrace you can’t win Kate. Your Alexander McQueen outfit was called matronly at Charlotte’s Christening!I love your long hair. (Mine is long long too) You consistently wear and look fabulous in fitted clothes. You’re unlikely to deviate making your look all your own and that’s why I follow you. Even your leg revealing moments are a Kate thing. You’re one gal I check daily just to see What Kate Wore
LOL – they speak English in Cardiff, I promise! South Wales is mainly English-speaking. All road signs etc will be in both languages and of course some Welsh speakers will live there, but it’s a largely English-speaking city.
Tbh, I think the coat is much nicer in the other two colours. They just look a bit more expensive to me, especially that very pale pink. A lot of cheap acrylic coats come in that sort of royal blue and I think it’s a shame she picked it of the three. She looks lovely in it, but she’d have been stunning in the pale pink, in my opinion. I think it would have suited her hair and complexion much better.
I must admit I’d wondered at the ‘non-English speaking’ tag for Cardiff. I know there are enthusiasts for the Welsh language but I would have still said you’d have a hard job getting understood there without English. It’s possible it’s the only pitch not in England itself, as both the Irish and Scots teams are travelling to their tournaments on English soil and not their own respective native lands. A small slip-of-the-tongue n o doubt from our hard-pressed admin! 🙂
Hello ElizaMo, thank you sharing your thoughts on the phrase referencing Cardiff, that was my error entirely. As an FYI, here’s a portion of the note added to the post:
“Post has been edited to change the phrase “Cardiff…is the only non-English speaking host city…” to “Cardiff…is the only non-English host city…”. That is my error, in reading news stories (Wales Online story, ITV story) that referenced the only “non-english country” I obviously inserted the word “speaking.” My apologies for the error.
No apols needed – you do a brilliant job here on top of your other life commitments. Apols if I’ve gone and waded in on it. You have to work at speed and fat thumb syndrome is common to many of us. Thanks for a great post and updates 🙂
I was going to comment on that myself. Before visiting Cardiff, I didn’t feel called upon to bone up on how to say, “Where’s the ladies’ room?” in Welsh. I managed just fine.
I actually think pale pink isn’t the Duchess’s best color. The light pink outfits she’s worn — McQueen separates, an Emilia Wickstead dress among them — just haven’t flattered her coloring and have looked a bit anemic on her, in my opinion. I feel that she looks best in strong, rich, definite shades.
Finally someone who thinks the way I do… pale, “it’s a baby girl” pink washes her out imo
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the phrase referencing Cardiff, that was my error entirely. As an FYI, here’s a portion of the note added to the post:
“Post has been edited to change the phrase “Cardiff…is the only non-English speaking host city…” to “Cardiff…is the only non-English host city…”. That is my error, in reading news stories (Wales Online story, ITV story) that referenced the only “non-english country” I obviously inserted the word “speaking.” My apologies for the error.
Hi Sati, thank you for your comment on the phrase referencing Cardiff, that was my error entirely. As an FYI, here’s a portion of the note added to the post:
“Post has been edited to change the phrase “Cardiff…is the only non-English speaking host city…” to “Cardiff…is the only non-English host city…”. That is my error, in reading news stories (Wales Online story, ITV story) that referenced the only “non-english country” I obviously inserted the word “speaking.” My apologies for the error.
Of course no apology is necessary! I just like pulling a bit of British rank… ;c)
Absolutely love this color. She looked fabulous in it. Definitely one of her better colors. I would have loved to have seen her wear the scarf with the coat instead of just carrying it since the coat was basically the outfit since it appears she never took it off. I would love to see her in more of this color as well as purple and burgundy.
Beautiful colour and her hair looks darker and burnished. Love this look.
Beautiful coat! Kate always looks great in blue, and I love this vivid shade. The tailoring on this coat is lovely. And the scarf is a nice touch.
Doesn’t Harry look spiffy? It’s great to see the younger royals taking an active role.
I loved the colour of Harry’s suit!
The color is beautiful, and it’s a nice coat. I just wish we could see her outfit underneath.
Her bangs look so much better tonight than yesterday! Why is that? I actually like them here!
Right??? They look MUCH BETTER here! I don’t dislike them as much! I think it’s because they are flatter…maybe? But I totally agree. They look sooo much better!
Truly this is a coat after Kate’s own heart – one that almost begs to be buttoned up to the top. I love the clean lines and also how well it hangs open and looks so well with tailored trousers. The colour is fabulous on her as well as tying in with the outfits of her two escorts.
Also love that she buys things to keep back so that she can be the only one wearing a style, at least for a while. Her hair is looking wonderful and I like that we got a peek at those earrings in one or two of the pictures on fb. They are truly lovely.
Much amused also to see how involved she became in the game – who knew she was that keen on rugby and not just a dutiful partner to her husband? I’m sure she couldn’t possibly be showing off a just little in her front row seat while pulling all those faces.
And tremendously impressed at the psychic powers of WKW – a whole 11 months early with the ID, that has to be a record. You don’t think she could have read your earlier page and rushed out to buy the Reiss, surely? 😉
Gorgeous coat in a wonderful colour. The Duchess looks great. I agree that a patterned scarf or even a wonderful brooch would have just added a finishing touch to the look.
Love this pop of colour! And a note regarding Prince Harry: really liked the lighter blue shade of his suit!
Also not a big fan of the bangs, but she does need to change things up once in awhile, so good on her for trying something new.
Great to have her back. Overall, amazing look for a mom of two under two.
It’s okay. I mean, it’s a coat. Not styled in any way, shape or form. The color is nice. I’m not loving the new hair. It looks so heavy and drags her down IMO.
Great colour and shape for Catherine! I just saw a full body shot, do you have a shoe ID? There’s no platform so she has made a departure from her usual style, but they don’t look like the Stuart Weitzman shoes worn previously either. I thought she may have worn her booties again until I remembered they had a slight a platform.
love love love the coat – would love to see it again with a big colourful scarf – not so much the bangs – they hang limp – Catherine looks best (or we are just used to!?) a soft all over curl or half up do – not a fan of this look – having said that I don’t have 2 wee ones that I’m Mommy to!?
My goodness, there’s that Reiss coat that I nearly bought, choosing instead a blue coat from J Crew Collection. I do remember discussing it as possible choice by the Duchess, but didn’t it come in a deep berry/plum color, too? Perhaps I’m thinking of something else.
It’s a great color, one that always works well on the Duchess, and I very much like the sleek, fitted design. A good look.
Yes, the Emile coat did come in a burgundy/plum color. See below:
http://www.lyst.com/clothing/reiss-emile-sharply-tailored-coat-burgundy/
I absolutely love the color of this coat. This color always looks spectacular on the Duchess. 🙂
I agree! Gorgeous color!