2 New Engagements on Kate’s Calendar and Kate-Related Black Friday Deals

We are back with a few updates and then a look at some of the Black Friday sales being offered this extended weekend.

Kate has two new engagements on the calendar:

• Thursday, December 10: Kate visits the Action on Addiction Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies to learn about training and education opportunities for addiction specialists, as well as joining a ceremony celebrating the graduation of University of Bath Foundation and Honors Degree programs.

The day before that, December 9th, Kate and William will take part in the annual ICAP Charity Day, when UK brokerage house ICAP donates all proceeds from that day’s trading to a variety of charitable organizations. Celebrities and notable names participate in the company’s trading houses around the world, taking calls from unsuspecting customers phoning to arrange a trade or conduct other financial business; below, Prince Harry upselling an ICAP customer last year.

Since its inception in 1993 the event has raised almost £120 million. As you can see in this photo from last year’s London offices, for Charity Day it’s not business as usual.

Some of the charities benefiting from this year’s effort include Fundacion Las Rosas, caring for elderly in Santiago, Chile; the Metro United Way in Louisville, Kentucky; Australia’s Melanoma Institute; Poland’s Food Gift of the Heart, supporting a variety of programs, including providing healthy meals for thousands of at risk children and adults; Iran and Afghanistan Veterans of America, with a goal of connecting, uniting and empowering veterans. 

For a list of this year’s charitable recipients, click here. Other charities that will be supported through the event: Place2Be and SportsAid, Kate is patron of both; and SkillForce, William is that organization’s patron. William took part in the 2010 Charity Day; Kate and William were to take part in the 2012 event, but were forced to cancel that engagement when Kate was hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum. Below you see Sophie, Countess of Wessex at the 2012 Charity Day.

This year’s event promises to be equally boisterous. The couple will also take part in the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry meeting on the 9th.

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Also new this week, a Grazia story suggesting Kate is consulting a new stylist.

 Grazia can reveal that the duchess, who has famously always shunned stylists, has been seeking style advice from one of the most fashionable families in the country – the Delevingnes.

Pandora, 56, is a personal shopper at Selfridges and has spent her career advising the rich and famous on their wardrobes, and sources say Kate – who has known the Delevingne family for years – recently sought her expertise.

You can read the story in its entirety here.

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One quick follow-up to last Friday’s post, involving Kate’s black skinny jeans, or leggings, or jeggings.

I’ve looked and looked at different photos and can’t see any identifying details on the jeans or leggings. Below, some digitally lightened images from last Friday’s engagements.

Ashley Marie suggests they might be the J. Crew pair worn in New York last year, thought back then to be either the Maternity Toothpick Jean, or perhaps the Maternity Minnie Pant, but those styles hit at the ankle. A helpful emailer who wishes to remain anonymous suggests the Topshop MOTO Leigh in black, Kate has shown a fondness for that style. Below, a closeup of the denim worn when Kate attended a Beaver Scouts meeting, believed to be the Topshop MOTO Leigh maternity version of the jeans.

Unfortunately the non-maternity MOTO Leigh is referred to as ‘ankle grazing,’ and Kate’s certainly look longer than that description, although it’s tough to tell with the black socks Kate is wearing atop the trousers, as Elizabeth pointed out on the Facebook page.

Kate was said to have purchased some jeans from ME +EM earlier this year, so I peeked at their offerings. The brand offers two pair, one is the High Rise Skinny in black and the High Rise Skinny in faded black. While very snug, they look too short; additionally, I don’t see the Duchess jumping on the high-rise denim trend. At this point I’m inclined to say it may forever be a mystery.

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We move now to our overview of some of the Kate-related Sales and Savings this Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. We start with British-based brands Kate has worn.

Beulah London: This Kate favorite has discounted a substantial amount of merchandise by 25% for its Black Friday Weekend event. We share some of the pieces on sale below; the USD price reflects today’s exchange rates, these numbers could have slight fluctuations. From left to right: the Anais Tie Dress Coat (initially sold at £765/$1155 , on sale for £575/$870); the Leiela Box Pleat Dress (original price £490/$740, now £245/$370); and the Martha Fluttering Wings Silk Shirt (originally priced £250/$375 on sale for £185/$280).

Also included in the sale, accessories like the Soft Leather Belt with Bow Detail belt (£125/$185, sale price £65/$100) and the Dark Leather Clutch (originally £295, about $450, now £145 /$220).

One more group of goodies: the Amelia Skirt in deep teal (original retail £395/$600, on sale at £295/$450); the Vanessa Fluttering Wings scarf in evergreen (regular price is £120/$180, Black Friday weekend pricing is £90/$135) and the Tulip Dress in deep teal (original price £520/$785, now £390/$586).

LK Bennett US site: Use promo code THANKS for a 30% discount sitewide at LK Bennett, excluding ‘new season’ and ‘signature collection’ merchandise. The discount includes the Cayla Long Dress worn by Kate to Wimbledon in July, reducing its price from $495 to $297. (On the LK Bennett UK/International site the dress continues to be discounted from £250 to £175.)

The discount also covers the Sledge in Ballerina and Platinum Chameleon Effect. Originally $375, the shoes are $262 with 30% 0ff.

Quite a bit of LK Bennett’s merchandise is included in the sale, if thinking about adding clothing or accessories to your wardrobe the sale could be worth a look.

Links of London: The jeweler is offering 25% off all merchandise; use promo code LINKSBF25 for the discount. The promotion includes Kate’s Effervescence Bubble Stiletto earrings (normally $225, on sale $176) and her Hope Egg white topaz earrings; normally $475, with the discount the price comes down to $356. This is quite a bargain, last year the discount was only 20%.

Neiman Marcus: There are a variety of different deals available today, but it would have been hard for you to see them because the upscale retailer experienced some serious technological hiccups; more from the Wall St. Journal: “Meanwhile, Neiman Marcus’s website was unavailable Friday afternoon. The luxury department store greeted visitors with a “We’ll Be Back Soon” notice. A Neiman spokeswoman said the company’s technology team was working to restore the site.” Things seems fine now, and the company has extended it’s additional 25% off sale merchandise offer until 7pm EST tonight.

The retailer’s primary Black Friday offer takes $50 off select regular-priced purchases of $200+. That covers three pair of Kate’s Kiki McDonough styles – the Citrine Drop earrings, the Grace White Topaz and Diamond studs, and the Classic Green Amethyst and Diamond earrings. Use promo code THANKFUL for the discount.

Temperley London: 30% is also the discount here, applicable on a slew of items. Below we show the Honeycomb Tunic in Flannel Grey (Kate wears this in ivory), regularly £375, the price drops to £262 with the discount; on the right we show the Long Honeycomb Jacket, normally £725, the sale price is £508.

We share a few dresses included in the discount: from left to right, the Epoque Dress; the Connie Fitted Dress in Almond, as well as Black and Burgundy; and the Almas dress. There are also significant markdowns in the site’s Outlet section. Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY to receive the discount.

Dune London: Another retailer starting Black Friday promotions early and offering 30% off discounts, the company has discounted Kate’s Imperia Wedge to $83 from $139, not a bad deal. Below you see the pair on Kate’s feet got a little dusty when worn during the April 2014 tour. (No promo code is needed.)

Madderson London: If in the USA, use promo code THXGFREE to receive free shipping on all orders until midnight, December 1.

Catherine Zoraida: Use promo code WKW2015 to receive free worldwide shipping starting Thanksgiving Day and running through Sunday, the 29th. Additionally, receive 10% off when you sign up for the newsletter. Below, Kate wearing the designer’s Fern Earrings.

If looking at the mass market and discount retailers, there are a fair number of promotional deals this weekend.

Shopbop: Look for ‘up to 25% off’ your order with promo code GOBIG15. One item of note: Kate’s LK Bennett Sledge heels, the discount takes the price from $345 to $293.

Ralph Lauren: For an additional 20% off select sale merchandise use promo code TURKEY20 at checkout. The discount does *not* look like it applies to the shorter version of Kate’s Austin silk shirtdress, that item is discounted by 40%, from $1595 to $957.

Tory Burch: If spending $250 or more a 30% discount is offered, use promo code THANKS.

Last Call: The off-price arm of Neiman Marcus has a decent selection of Aquatalia, as well as that Via Spiga copyKate coat that’s been so popular (including a navy version that isn’t bad). At Saks Off Fifth the discounts vary, the Via Spiga ‘Kate’ coat is priced at $139.99.

Sierra Trading Post: This off-price site continues to stock a sizable amount of Barbour with sizable discounts, although none that Kate has worn.

Tuckernuck: This US-based ecommerce site is offering 15% off sitewide with promo code CYBER-15; the retailer has a sizable Barbour selection. Below, the Classic Beadnell in Olive.

This style is very similar to Kate’s Ladies Defence jacket. NOTE: A comment suggests the two are different in cut, with the Defence having a more fitted silhouette. Many thanks to The Way We Were for the input.

We will update this list as more promotions are announced, and then probably do a separate post for Cyber Monday. Until then, we send our very best wishes for happy and safe Thanksgiving celebrations to all marking the holiday.

LINKAGE:

• You can visit the ICAP Charity Day website here, keep up to date via the event Facebook page here, or follow Charity Day on Twitter here