Kate was in another Dolce and Gabbana lace dress for this evening’s Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.
The annual performance is put on by the Royal British Legion, it is part of the organization’s annual Poppy Appeal. This is the first time William and Kate have attended the event.
The Army in London (@ArmyinLondon)
The royal box this evening.
Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC/©2015 Crown Copyright
HM is patron of the Legion and has only missed two Festival performances since its inception.
The Royal British Legion
She had William seated on her left in the royal box and the Duke of Edinburgh on her right; Kate was on William’s left, next to Prince Andrew. (Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are touring in New Zealand.)
The Royal British Legion
The evening’s performances are primarily of a solemn nature, honoring the armed forces and all victims of war and conflict.
The Army in London (@ArmyinLondon)
Performances include choral works and prayers. Below, tenor Andrea Bocelli singing “Now we are Free” from the Gladiator soundtrack.
The Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion)
There are also military displays from the armed forces. Members of the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas backstage waiting to perform.
Burkha Brigade Association Facebook
The Band in action, along with the Pipes and Drums from the Brigade of Gurkas.
The Royal British Legion Twitter (@PoppyLegion)
The Chelsea Pensioners entering the Hall to a standing ovation.
The Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion)
Pensioners are residents at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement and nursing home for former British Army servicemen.
Rod Stewart performed, singing “Way Back Home.”
The Royal British Legion Twitter (@PoppyLegion)
There were also videos shown, this one featured a gentleman named Bob Hucklesby who spoke of his time as a Japanese POW 70 years ago.
The Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion)
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines performing as a fog started to fill the Hall.
The British Legion (@PoppyLegion)
Pixie Lott singing with the Central Band of the RAF and the Queen’s Color Squadron of the RAF.
The Royal British Legion Twitter
Another angle.
Royal Air Force Facebook
Jazz vocalist Gregory Porter singing Amazing Grace, you can just make out the drums in the center draped with the British flag.
The Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion)
One of the most poignant and dramatic parts of the evening is near the end of the performance, when a two-minute silence is observed and thousands upon thousands of poppy petals fall from the roof of Royal Albert Hall.
The Royal British Legion Twitter (@PoppyLegion)
Another look.
The Royal British Legion
At the end of the service the national anthem is sung and three cheers are given for HM.
The Royal British Legion Facebook
Another view of the Duke and Duchess.
As mentioned, the Duchess elected to wear another frock from Dolce and Gabbana for this evening’s performance.
She wore the brand’s Lace Midi Dress.
The dress is a viscose/rayon/cotton/nylon blend. My friend Micki Maynard pointed out the dress is crafted of ‘bobbin lace,’ designed to lay flat and stand up to things that might snag or pull, like jewelry. It is priced at $3175 at Net-a-Porter.
Tonight’s style is quite similar to the aubergine D&G lace dress worn for an engagement during the China State Visit. It is knee-length with long sleeves, a fitted bodice, and nipped in waist; it also has a detachable silk slip lining. The fabric for this evening’s dress differs from the eggplant-colored frock, and the neckline is also different; tonight’s has a scalloped neckline, while the other dress covered a portion of the neck.
In the post about the D&G dress worn for the China State Visit I mentioned it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kate in other D&G lace designs. It is something of a signature item for the label and once Kate finds a design she likes she has shown a willingness to purchase it in multiple colors.
Kate accessorized with the diamond earrings that are thought to be a wedding gift from Prince Charles,
Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images/PA Wire
She also wore her Buckley poppy brooch again, this is an item still offered by the Legion.
The Poppy Shop
Kate carried her ‘Maud’ clutch by Anya Hindmarch.
©Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty/PA Wire
And wore her black ‘Aimee’ heels from Jimmy Choo. (Photo on right is from file, for illustration purposes only.)
Jimmy Choo/SplashNews
DVD’s of the program will be available for purchase in the Legion’s Poppy Shop sometime in early January.
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A quick reminder for those who might not have entered our $1000 StyleRocks giveaway yet- you can still get entered, this post has all the info you need.
StyleRocks.com
We will see you tomorrow for Remembrance Sunday.
LINKAGE:
- the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal website is here, there is a dedicated US-Legion website here
- the BBC program page for the event is here
- The Daily Mail story is here, People magazine’s story is here,
Brooke
Tuesday 10th of November 2015
I love Kate in a black lace dress, but this one...not so much. I just feel like this one swallows her beautiful figure, just like the purple one does! Do love the poppy, and the pantyhose (which, I've started wearing btw, and love! My legs look so much nicer!), are great, as are the shoes. I wish she would have worn these shoes with that floral Erdem from Women in Hedge Funds.
Can I also say - I love William in his glasses! And whoever said Tom Ford would be great for William & Harry - you are totally right!!
Christina
Monday 9th of November 2015
The dress is beautiful and elegant. Not breaking new ground, of course, but this isn't the occasion to draw attention with a new style, so I think, as always, Kate's choices were quite appropriate.
I would also like to say how grateful I am that a recognized beauty like Kate wears nylons (pantyhose/tights)! I know they are widely regarded as "grandma" and "frumpy," but for those of us with pale skin that bruises easily, spider veins, lumpy knees, etc., the "natural" look does NOT work. If you can find a matte finish that's somewhat close to your natural skin tone, your legs will look so much better in pantyhose. Even very young women can have unattractive knees, and pantyhose smoothes it all out. Michelle Obama wears hose once in a while and I appreciate that too!
As for Kate wearing the "same old thing" (lace sheath, pumps), I think that's a good thing. For one, royalty isn't supposed to appear overly concerned with fashion (= frivolous, spendthrift). Also, as another follower of this website once commented, the occasional lack of flair that Kate shows in her outfits suggests that maybe she doesn't care all THAT much about clothes--she has other things on her mind, and wants to be appropriate and tactful more than she wants to be a fashion icon. If so, that's a good thing.
annmartina
Monday 9th of November 2015
This look would be so fun if it had a knee-length full skirt, ala vintage Dior.
Beata
Monday 9th of November 2015
I really like Kate, she comes across as a lovely person. I usually like her style too, but I'm afraid D&G design these dresses for ladies like Scarlett Johansson or Mocica Bellucci - on Kate they both look frumpy, especially the black one paired with what looks like white stockings...
Emily
Monday 9th of November 2015
Even though she's worn this look a bunch of times, I love this dress on her! It looks great. Her makeup looks softer, thank goodness. Very pretty. And I know I've said it before but I love when William wears glasses, it's just so cute!