Kate chose blue tweed separates by Rebecca Taylor for today’s engagement at a new Ronald McDonald House in London. (But look closely; despite their familiar appearance, these are not pieces we have seen the Duchess wear before.)
Kate was on hand to officially open the facility that serves families with children being treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Kate was given a posy by Isabelle when she arrived this morning.
Isabelle is eight years old and her brother Luke, who is 6, is staying at the children’s hospital.
More about the new House from Rebecca English’s story for The Daily Mail:
Just a five-minute walk to the Evelina London, the location also helps families remain as close as possible to their child.
The facility is also equipped with kitchens, play rooms, and laundry facilities, and has communal lounges so that families can feel at home.
The Duchess met staff, family members, and volunteers.
Here she is with baby Jack, born with only half a heart.
Kate also met baby Mia, who has been at the hospital for seven months.
The Standard tells us more about Mia:
Eight-month-old Mia Mifsud was born in Gibraltar but bought to the UK at just three days old, owing to the rare illness autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.
She has had both of her kidneys removed, and is waiting until she is heavy enough to have a transplant.
Kate chatting with families in the multi-purpose room.
When talking with James, whose younger brother Lewis is in the hospital, Kate shared what Prince George was up to today. Richard Palmer’s Daily Express story has details:
Kate laughed and replied: “George? I should have brought him. He’s at his Montessori nursery today making pancakes” James then returned to his colouring-in but told Kate: “There’s a thunderstorm coming.”
Kate replied: “Yes I know all about those. George likes storms too.”
At about :20 into this video you can hear James talk about the storm coming. #kate was asked by James, 4, where George was. “Making pancakes at his Montessori nursery!” She replied. “I shd have brought him today!” pic.twitter.com/zcY9XRbRn7
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) February 28, 2017
James’s mother spoke about her chat with Kate:
Rebecca Bridges-Wheeler, an NHS auditor married to navy officer Robert, told Kate about son Lewis’ traumatic birth during a visit by the Duchess to the Ronald McDonald Evelina London House in Lambeth.
Mrs Bridges-Wheeler, from Epsom, said: ‘I got a bit emotional talking to Kate. She stopped talking and let me compose myself. You could see the sympathy in her eyes, she was so warm and down-to-earth.’
A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the day’s events.
Now to what Kate wore for today’s engagement.
She was in a new ensemble of Rebecca Taylor’s ‘Sparkle Tweed’ pieces.
The ‘Sparkle Tweed Ruffle Jacket‘ showcases frayed trim at the cuff, collar, placket, pockets, hem, and waist seam. The fitted piece has a split collar, front pockets, and wide front placket concealing a snap closure. It is made of a cotton/acrylic/poly/acetate blend.
When first seeing Kate many initially thought she was in the same Rebecca Taylor suit worn on several occasions.
This comparison shows the difference in both fabric and design.
It looked like Kate might have worn the coordinating dress beneath her jacket.
But it must have been altered or been in another style because the fit and flare style of the dress brings much more fullness than what was worn today. It’s also possible the dress was cut down to a skirt.
Michelle of Perth’s Fashion shared a photo on Twitter of a sparkle tweed dress style in another color with a skirt/lower half that looks similar to Kate’s, but it doesn’t have the same fringe at the hem.
The jacket and matching dress were featured in a post we did in February of last year about the Sparkle Tweed collection.
The line remains a core element of the Rebecca Taylor collection. Below you see a Sparkle Stretch Blazer in cream and navy ($395), both at Rebecca Taylor; along with a Sparkle Tweed Dress ($395) at Saks. You can also find discounted pieces, like the Sparkle Tweed Fit & Flare Dress ($159.99) at Saks Off 5th seen on the far right below.
If interested in styles similar to what Kate wore today, we have added several to our repilKate Tops page.
This morning I was asked on Twitter what I thought about Kate buying such similar pieces. Below, the first Rebecca Taylor Sparkle Tweed suit, M Missoni tweed coat, and today’s Sparkle Tweed look.
It is something she has done previously and is likely to continue doing when adding to her daywear wardrobe. Kate probably finds that once she finds a designer and styles she likes it cuts down considerably on the time dedicated to purchasing workwear if she buys several pieces at the same time, putting some away for future use. We have seen her purchase multiple before like these Amanda Wakeley ‘Felled Seams’ dresses.
Kate may also prefer wearing older styles in hopes of cutting down on some of the frenzy associated with her clothing and accessories. My sense is she doesn’t want to dedicate enormous amounts of time to fashion, and this makes it much easier to have appropriate styles she is comfortable in on hand.
The Duchess accessorized with her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps ($675).
And her navy Russell & Bromley Muse clutch (£275, about $350) by Stuart Weitzman.
In the jewelry department, we saw sapphire and diamond earrings.
Kate’s hair was partially up.
This was a good look for the Duchess, the color is flattering on her, and she seems very comfortable in the separates.
LINKAGE:
- The Ronald McDonald House UK website is here; the Evelina London Ronald McDonald House page is here; the UK shopping site is here; the global Facebook page is here
- Richard Palmer’s Express story is here; The Standard’s story is here; The Daily Mail’s story by Rebecca English is here
- A Hello! story is here; PopSugar’s photo gallery is here; the Fug Girls piece is here
Patricia
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
What an amazing look, the Duchess looks good in anything really. I always wonder how she can go bare legged or with just skin toned tights though, isn't it cold in the UK right now?
SaraF
Thursday 9th of March 2017
She is wearing nude hose; I don't think Kate ever goes barelegged during public appearances except when she's wearing long dresses. It may have been cold but she's not outdoors for long and hosiery does add warmth even if it's sheer.
Kylie
Monday 6th of March 2017
I remember that last time Rebecca Taylor reissued the original suit Kate wore due to popular demand so fingers crossed they will do the same here. I would urge everyone who is interested in buying it to email or Facebook Rebecca Taylor to ask and show there is demand!
Another Kate
Sunday 5th of March 2017
Technical question about the earrings - do you think the top diamond is a stud or are they the kind that hook, like sleeper or French hooks? I can't tell from the photos.
Akaleistar
Saturday 4th of March 2017
I really do like the blue tweed, and Ronald McDonald House is such a great organization!
Annie
Friday 3rd of March 2017
Just seeing the pictures and reading the stories of these children was heart-wrenching, I don't know how she can keep it together talking face to face.
I like this - she looks great in this color, and it's a fabric she likes. It is quite similar to the other suit, but I can't find it in me to quibble about it. I have some old favorites that I would buy again in a heartbeat if I could find something similar: things that are the perfect color and fit, at the magical intersection of comfortable and flattering.
I'm one of those who has very strong opinions on the correct fit for peplums, but this one sits on Kate the same way it does on the model, so I'm in the minority there.
Like others, I'm a little confused about the bump at the back of her head. Not sure what the stylist was thinking. I don't think she needs to cut her hair, though. It's beautiful, she seems to like it longer, and I recall her saying once that William preferred it long as well. That said, she's had long hair for such a long time I'm surprised she doesn't have a repertoire of quick styles. A couple ways to put it half-up, a ponytail, a quick tidy bun, a French roll. All things she can do at home without needing a complicated salon blowout and nicely suited for work events like this. Does anyone know how often she uses a stylist versus doing it herself? I assume she uses the stylist for big events, red carpets or palace dinners, but for things like this, does she just do it herself?
SaraF
Sunday 5th of March 2017
Prince William once commented that Kate's hair is very difficult to work with. I assume that she has a hairdresser for all her public appearances. When we have seen her off-duty, her hair has basically always (that I have seen) been in a ponytail, which might just be the repertoire she can do herself.