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Kate in Catherine Walker for Festival of Remembrance

Kate wore a new coat by Catherine Walker for tonight’s Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.

She joined the Queen, Prince Philip and a host of other royals for the performance.

More about the event via the Royal Albert Hall website:

The Festival of Remembrance, held in honour of those who have given their lives in the service of their country, has been marked at the Royal Albert Hall annually since 1923.

The Festival has been broadcast on BBC radio since 1927, and has become a popular televised event on BBC One each year.

Other members of the royal family in attendance included Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Details on tonight’s program from Hello!:

The event marks the centenaries of women’s service in the regular Armed Forces, the Battle of Passchendaele, the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the 100th birthday of Dame Vera Lynn.

Below, the women taking part in the portion of the program honoring 100 years of women’s services: on the left, Squadron leader Gemma Lonsdale; in the center, Joan Picton, who read the citation; and on the right, Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Giles. 

Kate and Prince Andrew. 

William is in Wales for the Wales vs. Australia rugby match. He is now patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, taking on that duty from the Queen.

Now to what Kate wore for tonight’s performance.

The Duchess was in a black velvet evening coat by Catherine Walker.

It appears to be a long version of the brand’s ‘Caressa’ jacket. The piece is crafted from silk velvet, and described as having a “structured, nipped in silhouette with a gentle flick at the hem.” The oversize Swarovski buttons are made of jet, glass, and silver.

Thank you to Aaron on the Facebook page, as well as Laura/Solid Moonlight on Twitter, and Carly of Kate Middleton Style for their speedy ID of Kate’s coat.

UPDATE Sunday AM: There are comments about Kate wearing “another coatdress” yesterday. It is not a coatdress. Here is the best image I have showing a portion of a dress underneath.We saw the return of the Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Earrings, so-called because that is the jeweler that created them. They were a gift to the late Diana, Princess of Wales and part of her private jewelry collection. Below, the Duchess wearing them at the Spain state banquet in July.

Below left, Kate wearing them at ceremonies in Belgium commemorating the Battle of Passchendaele; on the right, a better view of them the night of the Spain state banquet.

Kate carried an evening bag that is a vintage Magid style. Below, the Duchess with the bag at an Action on Addiction engagement in 2014 and at the Royal Variety Performance in November 2014.

This is the clutch that was a longtime UFO until November 2014 when a helpful reader shared her pictures of the bag (our original post on the bag identification is here). Below you see the bag tonight and in 2014, along with one of the photos shared by our anonymous reader.

MAR 28 2018: Kate M Cambridge pointed out on Twitter that Carole Middleton has also carried this handbag.

Kate wore a poppy we’ve not seen before; it looks like it is made from felt. I included a similar style from the Poppy Shop; the lighting better shows how a felt pin looks.  Last year the Duchess wore the ‘Callas’ evening coat from Temperley London (original post here). In 2015 she was in a Dolce and Gabbana lace dress (original post here).

Thousands of poppy petals rain down on the audience during two minutes of silence, followed by the national anthem.

And active-duty servicemen and women lead three cheers for HM.

This is such a nifty picture of HM as she is leaving the event, I had to add it to the post.

We will see you tomorrow for Remembrance Sunday events.

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chicago1970

Monday 13th of November 2017

I can imagine Diana wearing this entire outfit. The black velvet coat is very classic but also on-trend this year. Also, enjoy the Catherine Walker, one of Diana's favorite designers, along with the Diana earrings.

Lavender

Sunday 12th of November 2017

I agree with Jessica, long hair rules & team ringlets forever. That's made me feel youthful saying that! Catherine is young enough to be my daughter & if I can wear my hair down, so can she!! Well, she already has a black velvet coat & could have worn that if she wanted velvet, she can't have got wear out of it being driven anywhere. Maybe she fell in love with those gorgeous buttons though. Black hose great, I haven't stopped wearing them since the 70s, they look a lot better with black than beige ones where all attention gets directed to the legs (if you have beige/cream legs). I didn't like the oversize poppy though, I'd have worn a fancier brooch for a dressy event. (Catherine wore a dressy jewel one a few years ago from the British Legion, I hadn't known these were available & so bought one I can wear at night. I still buy poppies each year for daytime from them though as ex-servicemen/women don't get much support when they are too injured to stay in the armed forces & every little helps. The dress she is wearing - could this be a tiered-tulip-style, the tiers were fluted & reminded me of tulips (sorry can't describe better) she wore with a black dress-coat at a private event with Prince William. The dress-coat had decorative edging & she was later photographed in London in the daytime with it. This site carried the photos & later gave a suggestion & pic of what dress it may be.

Jessica

Sunday 12th of November 2017

I just utterly reject the idea that older women have to cut or straighten or pin up their hair, or all three. And for heaven's sake, she is only halfway through her 30s; she's hardly in that category yet.

This woman was blessed with thick, shiny, curly hair, and there is every reason in the world for her to enjoy that blessing as long as she can.

B

Monday 13th of November 2017

Jessica, I agree wholeheartedly. Kate is still very young. When I was just in my mid-20's, I remember some people saying that my youth was almost over and that 30 was middle-aged! It's so ridiculous. Kate has gorgeous hair. She should be able to enjoy this "blessing," as you say, for a long while yet.

Jessica

Sunday 12th of November 2017

Oh, this was meant to be a reply to a comment below, about how long hair is only for youths. Sorry.

Jessica

Sunday 12th of November 2017

Her hair is just a dream. #goals #teamringlet forever.

She does seem to have a fondness for big buttons, doesn't she? It's not my taste, nor are the shoulderpads, but certainly she looks lovely and everything about this is appropriate for the occasion.

I think the sheer black hose look elegant. I'm trying to remember why we all had to stop wearing them.

I love the felt poppy.

B

Monday 13th of November 2017

I guess I'm showing my age, but I love sheer black hose. Yes, they do look elegant.

Ammanda McCabe

Sunday 12th of November 2017

I have a weakness for velvet, so of course love this! I do wonder how the outfit in the designer's look book would have done, that skirt is lovely

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