Kate brought back her Michael Kors coat for today’s engagements.
The Duchess started the day at Hampton Court Palace; she was there to officially open the Magic Garden, a fabulous new play area for children. Below you see her with Rupert Gavin, chairman of Historic Royal Palaces (center); on the right, you see the landscape architect for the project, Robert Myers.
It was a bright and breezy day, nice weather for the formal opening of the play area. A very quick video of Kate’s arrival.
Video: Kate and the Magic Garden pic.twitter.com/2qEUCrTIEE
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 4, 2016
As described by Historic Royal palaces, “The Magic Garden draws inspiration from the myths and legends of the Tudor Court and offers families a new way to explore Hampton Court’s past.”
More about the Garden from Gordon Rayner’s story in The Telegraph.
The Magic Garden at Henry VIII’s former residence in south west London includes its own secret grotto and a 25ft smoke-breathing dragon.
Kate chatting with some of the children visiting the Garden today.
There was a cute exchange with one of the children. Simon Perry’s story in People has the details.
As Kate toured the garden, one youngster tugged on the sleeve of the chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, Rupert Gavin, and asked him: “Who’s that?”
The Duchess of Cambridge, he replied.
“Then the child said, ‘Ooh, are you the princess?’ ” says Gavin.
She said: “Just call me Kate.” (When Kate herself had asked the kids her name, they chorused, “Princess Kate!”)
The Duchess always seems to enjoy herself when she is interacting with children.
Here you see that 25-foot dragon mentioned above.
From Rebecca English’s story in The Daily Mail:
The Duchess of Cambridge told school children today how she thought two-and-a-half year old Prince George would be ‘a bit scared’ of a 25ft plastic dragon in a newly-unveiled playground.
Kate spoke to Elodie and Olivia, both eight, from St John the Baptist Church of England Junior School, who were sitting on top of the plastic and clay dragon at Hampton Court Palace’s Magic Garden.
In the course of chatting with the children, Kate revealed the Cambridges have a new pet.
She actually is said to have told the children Charlotte and George have a new pet, but you get the gist of the story. As you might imagine, this sparked a flurry of social media chatter, including ‘artist’s renderings’ of Marvin.
Kate and Mr. Gavin unveil the plaque commemorating Kate’s visit and the Garden’s official opening.
There was also an intricately decorated cake.
Kate’s second engagement was with the Anna Freud Centre. You can see Kate removed her coat for the indoor function, held at Spencer House.
We return to Gordon Rayner’s story
The lunch was held at Spencer House, the ancestral London home of Diana, Princess of Wales, which was recently the venue for Rupert Murdoch’s wedding to Jerry Hall.
…the Duchess thanked major donors who have so far raised £3.25 million towards the £10m capital needed to build a new children’s mental health centre.
This was Kate’s first engagement as Patron of the Freud Centre.
Kate talking with parents from the Freud Centre’s Family School, a program offering specialist education for the whole family.
The Duchess as she was leaving today’s luncheon.
Kate was in her Roksanda Ilincic’ “peridot” dress, first worn in 2011 when arriving in Los Angeles and again for a 2012 reception at The Royal Academy.
Obviously the dress is not the green shade associated with peridot, it is described as a light blue-grey. It has that distinctive draped/pleated bodice and neckline; center back pleats; small pleated panels at the back waistband; an exposed back zipper from neckline to hem; and a front tie.
Kate’s Michael Kors coat was initially worn on the final day of the 2014 tour. Called an indigo twill jacquard swing coat by Michael Kors, the garment was single-breasted with front flap pockets and a full skirt. 
The Duchess accessorized with her nude Fern pumps by LK Bennett.
While currently sold out, the company is going to be getting more in; you can register your interest in purchasing a pair by giving LK Bennet your email at this page.
Kate carried a new Nina clutch, also from LK Bennett, in the same ‘Trench’ color as her shoes.
Kate wore her Mappin & Webb Empress pendant and earrings.
She also wore her Cartier Ballon Bleu wristwatch.
You can see her hair was partially pulled back; this picture from Rebecca English shows a bit of the back and side.
UPDATES 6pm EDT:
In response to queries about the Sledge, I consulted a post titled “It’s Been How Long Since We Saw The Sledge?” dated April 8, 2015. My records show Kate as having worn the Sledge on August 4 of 2014 in Liège, Belgium for events commemorating the Centenary of World War I.
Also today, The Telegraph has a fun sidebar piece about the hypothetical amortization of Kate’s nude heels.
Our comprehensive look book of Kate’s style highlights reveals 30 occasions when she has chosen either the Floret (£175), Fern (£195) or Sledge (£195) heels from L.K Bennett, from their very first sighting at the Epsom Derby shortly after her wedding to today’s outings.
We calculated that on that basis, this tots up to a cost-per-wear of just £6.16.
There are other nude heels not included in the equation, like the Choo Gilbert or Russell & Bromley’s Pointy. But the piece is meant to be lighthearted, it isn’t intended to be the definitive mathematical statement on Kate’s per-wearing cost. The story does raise a point many of us have discussed over the years:
Of course, in the same way that the Queen orders new versions of her beloved Launer handbag each season, it’s highly likely that the Duchess is stockpiling numerous pairs of nude shoes to ensure they’re pristine for every occasion.
We’ll never know how many pairs of each style Kate might purchase, but my guess is when she finds something she likes she buys in multiples.
We’ll see you shortly for Kate’s engagement at the National Portrait Gallery where she will view the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibit.
LINKAGE:
- The Magic Garden website is here, the Facebook page is here
- The Anna Freud Centre website is here; its Facebook page is here and Twitter feed here
- Gordon Rayner’s story in The Telegraph is here; The Daily Mail’s photo-laden story is here; The Mirror’s rolling live coverage is here; The Express story is here
- PopSugar’s slideshow from the Magic Garden event at Hampton Court Palace is here
Really interesting that she said, “…call me Kate.” There’s been so much debate about her name. I think now, after hearing this, she has probably mainly been known to her friends and family as Kate. Not Catherine. Like Pippa–who’s Christian name is “Phillipa”–goes by well, “Pippa!” I think we have formal names that are professional–and in this case titles–but in her heart, I think she is Kate. And I really like that about her. I hope she tries to hold on to being organically herself. I know this has nothing to do with the sartorial aspects of the blog–but it charmed me. Cheers!
I think Kate’s look worked well today and I think that practicality was the name of the game. She’s not always trying to make a statement and be a fashionista – sometimes she just has to stay warm and have her hair pinned back so the wind isn’t in her face – right?
I think the first piece she chose for the day was the Ilincic dress for the luncheon. Then she chose a coat she could wear over it for the playground opening. I’m not in the UK, but I’d be willing to bet it was cool. No, the color of the Kors coat doesn’t shout spring, but it is neutral and looks pretty warm. The swing style also makes it a great choice for bending down and talking with the children and moving about the playground as needed.
Overall, great choices today.
I would not have thought to put these two items together if they were both in my closet but in my opinion the look works. I would point out that this coat was part of the Kors spring collection and I just think the Duchess runs a little colder than others do sometimes. I am the same way when on the thinner end of my healthy weight range. Also, there is enough give and swing that when she was hunkered down talking to the children it protected her modesty and didn’t show dirt/sand.
The dress is one of my favorites and just right for a dressy lunch—love the new clutch and her hair looks great.
She always looks lovely in everything she wears. However, I’ve noticed how thin she looks these days. Perhaps taking care of two little ones and keeping up with with engagements leaves her with little time to eat!
I like everything she is wearing, but I don’t care for it all together. I love this dress, think it works well for the event, and the shoes are a fine choice. However, I preferred the dark accessories from her previous outing with the coat. So while the coat was a good choice for the first event (she matches the formality of the men in suits with her), the dress and shoes didn’t go great with it. I understand wanting to have a layered outfit for the day that can adapt to two separate events, but I would have chosen a different coat that looked better with the dress and shoes, or chosen a different dress and shoes if her heart was set on the coat.
Or just worn navy shoes to the first engagement and kept the nude shoes in the car for changing later. It’s not like she had to use public transportation and worry about carting her spare shoes around all day. 😀
Regardless, she looks lovely, and I like seeing some my old favorites, even if I don’t like them together.
Yay,Roksanda Illic.I’m a fan of her tailoring.
I loved the Michael Kors coat the first time and still do. Great style, cut, and color for her. More relaxed then some of the coat dresses, but still crisp and professional. Always love seeing her in anything Illinsic — so modern and young and fresh. But alas, like many I miss the long bouncy hair … is she growing out those bangs and this is all just temporary?
I know this is supposed to be about what Kate wore, but…that cake!! Incredible craftsmanship. Thank you for always giving the back story to the event in which Kate is appearing. It’s lovely, and your extra work is appreciated.
I love the Roksanda Ilincic dress. I don’t hate the Michael Kors coat, but it seems more like a winter coat to me, and we’re in spring now.
A light colored coat would have been inappropriate – she was on a sandy playground, bending down, talking to children. The hem of a light color coat would have picked up and shown any dirt. The blue tweed of the kors coat would not. The same with wearing the lighter pumps – darker ones would have shown the dirt/dust from the playground.
There are so many things that must be taken into consideration – I am always amazed, when I see pictures of the royals out and about how attuned they are to such details.
I disagree about her shoe choice being because of the “sandy” playground. The men with her are wearing black shoes, and they look just fine. Also, the playground seems to be mostly manufactured surfaces or well kept turf, and the duchess isn’t exactly playing tag with the kids. She’s just walking around on surfaces that are probably no more dirty than any other time she has outside engagements. I think she wore nude pumps because she likes to wear nude pumps, and they look nice with the dress she wanted to wear 🙂
Kate wore some lovely pieces today…coat, dress, shoes and clutch. Although they were great alone, they didn’t do much for each other when teamed up to form an outfit.
The Michael Kors coat was a huge favourite the first time Kate wore it in Australia. But it looked so much better with navy accessories. Also the draped/pleated neckline on the dress, didn’t sit well under the coat. The nude shoes and clutch didn’t clash with the dress, but they also didn’t do much to elevate the look.
Lilli is right in saying the heavy texture of the coat didn’t go well with the very light texture of the dress. I also agree with her that the dress is more suitable for cocktail wear than the opening of a playground.
I’m most impressed with the creative and fun Magic Garden. Perhaps George and Charlotte will get to play there.
The second video didn’t play on my Kindle.
I love that coat. It’s very flattering and perfect to wear over the more formal luncheon dress for today’s two events. That playground looks nice and fun. I didn’t visit Hampton Court when I was in England so I can’t picture where it is. Have to put it on the agenda if there is a next time.
Great post and photos! 😀
She looked so happy!
Thanks for the information!
I have always loved this dress, but I agree with the comment before me that I feel this dress is more of a cocktail dress. I wish she would wear some of her “easier to move in” dresses for interactions with the kids!
I have very mixed feelings about this look. I loved that Michael Kors coat the first time I saw it, but it is not well-served by the nude pumps and clutch, which were clearly chosen to work with the Ilincic dress. And while I have also admired the dress since the occasion the Duchess first wore it, I don’t think the coat was the right item to wear over it. The textures do not work well together.
Moreover, we’ve seen the Duchess wear that dress in both the daytime and the evening, and I decided that it really worked best as a cocktail dress, with gray suede pumps, her hair up, and rather more glittering jewelry than is suitable for day. She owns another version of the dress in a rather delicious pale cocoa shade, and I was taken aback when she wore it for a fairly casual daytime appearance during the Down Under tour. Evidently, the Duchess doesn’t share my opinion on this subject.
I think that pale pink UFO coat that she wore to a wedding might have been a suitable cover-up for this dress. I just bought a pale pink coat myself, perfect for spring, while the Kors, terrific as it is, just doesn’t strike me as a spring item. And once again, I can’t warm to that schoolgirlish half-up hairstyle. I didn’t think the Duchess’s hair looked its best for these engagements.
Another carping post, I realize. I really need to start affecting more of a Little Mary Sunshine persona or something, or everyone will start calling me Madame Malcontent.
I won’t – because I agree with everything you said!
I agree with pretty much all of this. The MK coat is a great coat, but it is not styled appropriately here. It looks too heavy for the setting, her accessories, and that dress. I also did not love her hair here.
I love the dress, but when you see the pictures of her three public appearances in it, it is clear that it looks best with her hair up and significant earrings. The 2012 look is so much better than the other looks.
I know I said this during the India tour, but I feel like she is so close to really nailing some of these looks but then just misses it. These are gorgeous pieces of clothing, but I think she needed a bit more guidance in how to style them for this day.
I do agree. She has some great clothes then spoils the overall look with the wrong combination (here dress neckline plus the slightly too heavy coat), accessories or hairstyle. It’s almost that she thinks about what to wear beforehand but doesn’t actually try them on until she’s dashing out of the door without time to change.
Of course that’s what many of us do so it makes her more ‘normal’.
I think she choose the coatdress because it was a formal event – an opening of a Playground.
And yes, it looks better with blue accesories
Oh, don’t change, Lili. I read your comments just to experience the snarkiness. Sometimes you make me feel like a better person.
I pretty much agree with you too Lili, although I don’t mind the RI dress as a day dress. However, I do agree that the 2012 wear was the best.
Seconded Lili.
Also, I would love to bonfire all her boring shoes, especially the beige ones. Shoes can really elevate an outfit and showcase some personality, her’s are as exciting as a bowl of cold oatmeal.
Please don’t stop commenting, Lili. I always look for your posts and ElizaMo’s first because I always learn something. You both know so much about fashion and clothing. I’m sure that I am not the only person who feels that way.
Has Kate stopped wearing hosiery/tights or are they just very very sheer? I’ve noticed recently it doesn’t appear that she’s wearing hosiery as often as she used to – at least on daytime appearances?
She’s still wearing them, it’s a function of them not showing up because of lighting, camera angle, photos I am selecting, and perhaps other reasons. Oddly, while editing a picture in the last day or two I said to myself, “You should save that and use it in a post to demonstrate Kate is wearing hose.” Do we think I could readily locate that picture? Sigh. Sadly not. But I *will* look when this little frenzy of activity quiets down. It’s a good question, I am glad you asked. 🙂
I am amazed that she wears panty hose, you wouldn’t tell! 😮
I’m so pleased to see Kate back to her classic best after the Vogue outfits. I love this coat, it’s a beautiful fit and a lovely swinging flare.
And the Ilincic dress is another big favourite of mine. It looks perfect for under a coat, being light and fitted, though quite light in early spring and I thought I might have seen goosebumps in one picture. I’m always relieved to see a straight skirt under a flared coat, though the weight of the coat looks to be coping will with the breeze.
I can’t believe how much Hampton Court has come on. The place used to be so quiet and it seemed very understated for an ancient palace, even a little frayed at the edges. Now it’s a serious city recreation spot.
So refreshing to see Kate bring back the classics that made us fall in love with her style to begin with. Much more flattering than the suffocating high necklines and tea lengths she’s been wearing lately.
I agree about the neckline and hem length. This looks more modern and youthful.
This is one of my favorite dresses and I love the draping on just one side, which makes it more youthful, too. Maybe she wore her hair pinned back because she would be outside? I think it looks nice. In the first video at the park, it looks like she is holding a small metal tin on top of her clutch. Do you know what that might be?
I’ve noticed Kate hasn’t been seen in her nude LK Bennett platforms for quite a while. I wonder if she no longer favors platforms for something more comfortable or if its due to her evolving style. This is just my observation but wondering if anyone else has noticed this as well? I personally favor her in pumps over platforms for royal engagements, but that’s just my opinion.
I think the Sledges have finally been laid to well-earned rest after long service.
I just assumed those shoes had gotten sufficiently scuffed/worn out that she needed to take them out of circulation. She did put a lot of mileage on them!
You didn’t mention which jacket she was wearing. I know it’s a repeat, but I love to be reminded. 😀
It’s so interesting to me how different an item of clothing that she wears can look when she styles her hair differently or wears a different dress underneath. That Michael Kors coats was one of my most favorite coats that she has ever worn, and I almost didn’t recognize it when I first saw the photos this morning. Personally, I thought the overall look was better when she wore it without the higher neck dress peeking out at the top, and with her hair up.