A Move Back to London for the Cambridge Family & Vote for Your Favorite New Pair of Kate’s Shoes

We are back with some news and our first polls looking at Kate’s 2016 wardrobe, beginning with one of my favorite topics: shoes. First, today’s confirmation by Kensington Palace that Kate, William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be based in London starting in the autumn.

From the statement:

Their Royal Highnesses love their time in Norfolk and it will continue to be their home.

From this autumn, however, the Duke and Duchess will increasingly base their family at Kensington Palace. As they have in recent years, their royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of the Queen and for the charities and causes they support, which will require greater time  spent in London. 

Prince George will begin school in London in September and Princess Charlotte will also go to nursery and eventually school in London as well.

The release also notes that Prince William will be giving up his duties as a Pilot with East Anglia Air Ambulance,

It has been a huge privilege to fly with the East Anglia Air Ambulance. Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in this job I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that will add a valuable perspective to my royal work for decades to come.”

We will stay with the story and update as appropriate.

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Before we get to the polls, a big ‘thank you’ to everyone commenting on our posts taking a broad view of Kate’s clothing last year. The first (“2016: The Year Kate Amped Up Her Working Wardrobe“) looked at styles from the many new designers/brands the Duchess patronized last year. The second post (“Designs that Packed a Punch in 2016“) focused on style statements that came from designers the Duchess had previously worn, and all of the input was terrific. It was fascinating to see what you would have included/omitted from the lists.

Now to the shoes. We saw the introduction of 18 new pairs of dress shoes last year, and five pairs that were more casual in design. It was difficult deciding how to break up the different styles, hopefully putting some in the ‘casual’ category won’t seem terribly odd.  We start with the Rupert Sanderson ‘Malory’ ($675) in navy suede, worn to a February service in honor of the RAF Air Cadets.

Rupert Sanderson’s ‘Winona’ ($655) in gray suede was worn to the Commonwealth Day church service in March.

The Prada ‘Pointy Toe’ style in navy suede was first seen at the March opening of an EACH resale shop.

The Duchess was in a new pair of LK Bennett Fern Pumps ($345) in the ‘trench’ (nude) colorway when arriving in India at the start of this spring’s tour.

Also in India, the debut of the Prada Wavy Strap Sandal in black suede ($750), accessorizing a Jenny Packham gown at a glamorous Bollywood fundraiser.

The Duchess opted for a new pair of heels to go with a new Emilia Wickstead dress while in India, the Rupert Sanderson Calice in ‘pink lady crack‘ ($675).

At a party celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday Kate wore the Gianvito Rossi Sisely Suede Sandals in Black ($777), also called the Criss Cross Sandals.

Kate wore a new pair of flats when visiting a New Delhi charity, Russell and Bromley’s Xpresso (£175).

When taking part in welcoming ceremonies in Bhutan, Kate wore the Florete ($325), also in trench and also by LK Bennett, but with a slightly lower heel measuring 3.3″.

At a May garden party, the Duchess was in a new pair of Gianvito Rossi heels, the Signature 105 pumps ($675) in the ‘Praline’ colorway.

At Order of the Garter ceremonies in June, the Duchess sported another pair of Gianvito Rossi Signature heels ($675) in a rich red hue.

In July Kate watched tennis at Wimbledon, wearing a new pair of nude Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps.

At the Art Fund Award announcements in July, we saw a new shoe brand for the Duchess, as she wore the ‘Dollie’ sandal ($180) by Brazilian-based Schutz. 

On the second day of the Canada tour, Kate wore Russell and Bromley’s Pinpoint (£175) suede heels.

Also debuting on the tour, the Tod’s Fringed Leather Pumps ($645), paired with a CH Carolina Herrera coat in Whitehorse.

For a series of engagements in Canada on the last day of the tour, we saw the Duchess in a new pair of shoes by J. Crew, the brand’s Avery design ($278) in a plaid tweed fabric. 

For a children’s tea party at the Natural History Museum Kate wore the Hugo Boss “Staple P90-L” in embossed leather, another new brand for Kate’s footwear collection.  

Our final new pair of heels was worn to the Place2Be Awards in November when the Prada Wavy-Cut Suede Pump ($750) was worn with the Preen Finella dress in black.

We saw several new casual footwear styles last year. We begin with Russell and Bromley’s loafers, the ‘Chester’ style (£185), worn when Kate was out shopping in January.  

For a cricket match on the India tour, Kate wore a new pair of wedges, the Monsoon Fleur (£45) in taupe. 

In pictures released showing the family on a ski trip, the Duchess was in a pair of Sorel boots, the brand’s 1964 Pac2 snow boots in curry with contrasting natural faux fur.

For America’s Cup events in May Kate was in a new pair of sneakers, the Adidas Pure Boost in black and shock green ($120).

On Day 5 of the Canada tour, Kate debuted a new pair of boots by R. Soles, the Virgi Chocolate Suede style ($385).

We saw the Duchess in a new pair of sneakers during the Canada tour, when she wore the Superga 2750 Cotu Classic in white canvas while aboard a tall ship in Victoria Harbour.

We’ll see you early next week!