Hello and Happy Monday to all. Have you recovered from the royal wedding weekend?
Official photographs from Saturday’s wedding were released today by Kensington Palace. The three images were shot at Windsor Castle shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned from their carriage ride.
The pictures are all lovely remembrances of the day. For our purposes there is an added element to the images: we have a much clearer representation of the color of Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat.
The color is clearly a very pale yellow in the new photograph, especially when contrasted against the white of Charlotte’s dress. But what a mystery it has been, and a challenge to sort out, at least for yours truly!
On Saturday it appeared indistinguishable from the previously-worn McQueen, despite a news release from Kensington Palace that said the Duchess would be wearing “…a primrose yellow wool silk tailored coat by Alexander McQueen.” Some thought the contrast between the coat and the dress worn beneath it showed the color of the outer garment as yellow. On my monitor and iPad it just looked like a heavier, darker cream or ivory.
The seams on the back on the back and shoulders looked almost identical, but you can *just* see a small distinction: Kate’s new coat appeared to have a tiny bit more shoulder padding, puffing the shoulder up perhaps a 1/4″ more than the seam on the 2015 coat.
As many have noted in comments here and on the Facebook page, the sleeves on the new piece had buttons. The fact there were buttons didn’t automatically mark this as a new garment in my mind; it is the additional fabric required to have the fabric overlap at the cuff that was a deciding factor. There would not have been enough fabric in the seams of the christening coat to have the overlap. (Apologies for not having a better photo showing that overlap, I will keep looking for one.) Of course the obvious question would then be: would Kate really go to the time and trouble, not to mention the expense, of having a garment altered just to add buttons? For her brother-in-law’s wedding?
The other major factor: seeing what Kate wore Saturday side-by-side with her outfit at Charlotte’s christening in 2015. This should have alerted me that it had to be a new coat; there just wouldn’t have been enough fabric to accommodate the changes in Kate’s size and shape between 2015 and now.
This one was really a puzzler. The input everyone shared in comments has been outstanding and very educational for me, it has really been a learning experience, particularly in the different perspectives on light colors at weddings.
I think Kate did what she has done previously: she chose something that she thought would have the least distraction factor. Her penchant for having garments she is fond of made in multiples is well documented. Below, two Emilia Wickstead coat dresses.
Two Amanda Wakeley frocks; there is a third color Kate purchased that we’ve not seen her wear.
And two more Emilia Wickstead dresses.
For full details on what Kate wore for the wedding, click here to see the original post.
BTW, if the official photo had a familiar feel, it is with good reason. Two of the three pictures released today were taken in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. That is the same setting for the classic Annie Leibovitz image of the Queen with her five great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren; that picture was taken to mark HM’s 90th birthday.
There are a few tidbits from Saturday that didn’t make the post, or were added after most people had read the piece. This first image shows Kate’s former personal private secretary, Rebecca Deacon, and her husband, Gibraltarian football player Adam Priestley, as they arrived at St. George’s Chapel.
This next item was added to Saturday’s post midday Sunday, I’m guessing many readers may not have seen the update. It involves the ring Kate was wearing on Saturday; it turns out the piece looks like a ring the Duchess has been seen wearing since at least 2008. Below left, Kate in January 2008 wearing what looks like the same ring; on the right, Kate appears to be wearing the same piece at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman at The Queen’s Chapel, St. James’s Palace in July 2008.
Thanks to Charlotte of the HRH Duchess Kate blog, she pointed out the January 2008 information, and also to Lorena for her comment on Saturday’s post, she shared links to images of Kate wearing the ring at the Windsor/Gilman wedding!
The final item is some cute photos of Princess Charlotte at Saturday’s wedding. I’m not licensed to use them on the What Kate’s Kids Wore site, but they’re too precious to leave unpublished. This one is proof positive the Princess hasn’t lost her touch when it comes to the royal wave.
These next two should just be captioned, “Sometimes you just have to sneeze!”
This gives us another glimpse of the “looking back over the shoulder wave,” much like what we saw at the Lindo Wing.
And this final shot shows Charlotte gathering up her skirt as she climbs into the car to head home.
On that happy note we will close, we’ll see you later in the week!
I didn't read ALL the comments so not sure if this was mentioned; love love love that picture of Princess Charlotte sneezing AND COVERING HER MOUTH like a well brought up child should! Plus the picture of her getting in the car! Is she telling someone what they should be doing? or thanking them? or just telling them about the wedding and what she saw?! Whatever she is saying or doing she looks like a bunch of fun!!
mrsben
Sunday 3rd of June 2018
Not to dispute yours or anyone else's opinion but 'to add some food for thought'. The colour cream is often referred to as a pale yellow (as seen in the unprocessed dairy product). Secondly with reference to not being able to resize 'her' garment; Haute Couture techniques differ from that of Industrial methods as seam widths do vary as so does the finishing of their allowances. (i.e.: Can range wider than 5/8" often to accommodate a Hong-Kong finish on s/a or for alterations.) Thirdly, it is not rare that the stitching will differ when recycling a garment and restyling it. Nor is the addition of new embellishment rare. (i.e.: Buttons on sleeves, piping etc.) Last but not least and speaking namely for myself (and slim in figure type) re my 1st pregnancy postpartum sizing I was twice the size compared to fourteen months later for the 2nd child when you would not have known I gave birth if you had seen me just hours after the delivery. (That's the truth and both children weighed in at more than 8 pounds.) To conclude; were their two outfits? IMO, the question remains .... . -Brenda-
Janelee K.
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
A new coat? An old coat? Who cares? I believe Kate looked beautiful and perfect! So much silly criticism is horrible! When Princess Anne got married for the first time, beautiful and glamorous Princess Grace of Monaco was lambasted because she wore a lovely cream dress to the wedding. Of course, then, the Internet and its useless trolls did not exist The Duchess of Cambridge is an exquisitely lovely woman who is doing a wonderful job and is destined to be a great Queen Consort next to her husband William.
Lisa
Wednesday 30th of May 2018
Um, so we're all useless trolls then? Lol. I see your point, but I'll have to disagree. Like it was pointed out multiple times before, this blog is all about discussing Kate's fashion choices. Of course she does a wonderful job, hence the very existence of the blog. But fashion is a language. It speaks not quieter than actual words, maybe that's why it always fascinated the crowds. And this particular coat will stay a mystery to me for a long time, because I don't understand its message. Perhpahs too much thought was brought into color coordination for the official group photo.
Rachel
Wednesday 30th of May 2018
So agree JaneleeK! There was never any doubt it was a creamy pale yellow for the moment I saw her in the car with Princess Charlotte. I don't understand the debate. On a side note, I have been to a wedding where the MOTHER OF THE BRIDE wore black and looked absolutely radiant. I have also seen many many bridesmaids in cream/off white and looked completely natural alongside a white bridal gown. In fact, Pippa's bridesmaid dress was off white! What's the big deal? Kate's most recent outfit was an off the shoulder $40 dress. And it looked lovely too. I couldn't imagine having to have my wardrobe choices picked apart. Kate does such a lovely job. Her choices are always thoughtful and modest. Not always my favourites or what I may have chosen to wear, but appropriate.
mslewis
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
There was never any "mystery" or "confusion" about what the Duchess was wearing. Every photo I saw showed the coat to be a light yellow. That's why I never bother reading comments on this site. Everybody seems to see what they want to see and criticize the Duchess, relentlessly, no matter what she wears. It so tiresome.
sally
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
absolutely agree MSlewis, it is becoming very tiresome with all the criticisim. The coat was definately pale yellow and was completely evident from when she stepped out of the car. Let us stop shaming the poor girl for wearing something she obviously liked well enough to wear to this great event.
Katie
Saturday 26th of May 2018
I've been reading all the comments on this and the other post and have finally figured out my feelings and want to add my two cents to a really interesting "debate." :)
On its own (apart from the debate about if this is a new garment or not) she looked amazing, and I certainly don't think she committed a faux pas by wearing a light color - her dress is nowhere near bridal. I know what I looked like at my sister's wedding and my brother in law's wedding over a year after having my fourth so, yeah, she's a rock star.
But I do think it is bizarre to go to the trouble of having a garment made that is so so so so similar to a garment you have already worn to several very high profile events. It's odd! One commenter said something like why not keep the overall shape and structure but add some details or "flair" to truly make it unique. To have a garment made that is just slightly different in color and detail for this momentous of an event is strange. It's definitely a head scratcher. It will go down as a great Kate mystery in my book!!! But I'm confidant Meghan signed off on it so, in the end, it's all good!
sally
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
I can' believe I am writing this but if you closely look at the back view there is a slight blimp in the seam line in exactly the same spot of each of the supposed colours. That means it is the same garment. Lets stop writing and talking about it and move on.
Mary
Wednesday 4th of July 2018
I didn't read ALL the comments so not sure if this was mentioned; love love love that picture of Princess Charlotte sneezing AND COVERING HER MOUTH like a well brought up child should! Plus the picture of her getting in the car! Is she telling someone what they should be doing? or thanking them? or just telling them about the wedding and what she saw?! Whatever she is saying or doing she looks like a bunch of fun!!
mrsben
Sunday 3rd of June 2018
Not to dispute yours or anyone else's opinion but 'to add some food for thought'. The colour cream is often referred to as a pale yellow (as seen in the unprocessed dairy product). Secondly with reference to not being able to resize 'her' garment; Haute Couture techniques differ from that of Industrial methods as seam widths do vary as so does the finishing of their allowances. (i.e.: Can range wider than 5/8" often to accommodate a Hong-Kong finish on s/a or for alterations.) Thirdly, it is not rare that the stitching will differ when recycling a garment and restyling it. Nor is the addition of new embellishment rare. (i.e.: Buttons on sleeves, piping etc.) Last but not least and speaking namely for myself (and slim in figure type) re my 1st pregnancy postpartum sizing I was twice the size compared to fourteen months later for the 2nd child when you would not have known I gave birth if you had seen me just hours after the delivery. (That's the truth and both children weighed in at more than 8 pounds.) To conclude; were their two outfits? IMO, the question remains .... . -Brenda-
Janelee K.
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
A new coat? An old coat? Who cares? I believe Kate looked beautiful and perfect! So much silly criticism is horrible! When Princess Anne got married for the first time, beautiful and glamorous Princess Grace of Monaco was lambasted because she wore a lovely cream dress to the wedding. Of course, then, the Internet and its useless trolls did not exist The Duchess of Cambridge is an exquisitely lovely woman who is doing a wonderful job and is destined to be a great Queen Consort next to her husband William.
Lisa
Wednesday 30th of May 2018
Um, so we're all useless trolls then? Lol. I see your point, but I'll have to disagree. Like it was pointed out multiple times before, this blog is all about discussing Kate's fashion choices. Of course she does a wonderful job, hence the very existence of the blog. But fashion is a language. It speaks not quieter than actual words, maybe that's why it always fascinated the crowds. And this particular coat will stay a mystery to me for a long time, because I don't understand its message. Perhpahs too much thought was brought into color coordination for the official group photo.
Rachel
Wednesday 30th of May 2018
So agree JaneleeK! There was never any doubt it was a creamy pale yellow for the moment I saw her in the car with Princess Charlotte. I don't understand the debate. On a side note, I have been to a wedding where the MOTHER OF THE BRIDE wore black and looked absolutely radiant. I have also seen many many bridesmaids in cream/off white and looked completely natural alongside a white bridal gown. In fact, Pippa's bridesmaid dress was off white! What's the big deal? Kate's most recent outfit was an off the shoulder $40 dress. And it looked lovely too. I couldn't imagine having to have my wardrobe choices picked apart. Kate does such a lovely job. Her choices are always thoughtful and modest. Not always my favourites or what I may have chosen to wear, but appropriate.
mslewis
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
There was never any "mystery" or "confusion" about what the Duchess was wearing. Every photo I saw showed the coat to be a light yellow. That's why I never bother reading comments on this site. Everybody seems to see what they want to see and criticize the Duchess, relentlessly, no matter what she wears. It so tiresome.
sally
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
absolutely agree MSlewis, it is becoming very tiresome with all the criticisim. The coat was definately pale yellow and was completely evident from when she stepped out of the car. Let us stop shaming the poor girl for wearing something she obviously liked well enough to wear to this great event.
Katie
Saturday 26th of May 2018
I've been reading all the comments on this and the other post and have finally figured out my feelings and want to add my two cents to a really interesting "debate." :)
On its own (apart from the debate about if this is a new garment or not) she looked amazing, and I certainly don't think she committed a faux pas by wearing a light color - her dress is nowhere near bridal. I know what I looked like at my sister's wedding and my brother in law's wedding over a year after having my fourth so, yeah, she's a rock star.
But I do think it is bizarre to go to the trouble of having a garment made that is so so so so similar to a garment you have already worn to several very high profile events. It's odd! One commenter said something like why not keep the overall shape and structure but add some details or "flair" to truly make it unique. To have a garment made that is just slightly different in color and detail for this momentous of an event is strange. It's definitely a head scratcher. It will go down as a great Kate mystery in my book!!! But I'm confidant Meghan signed off on it so, in the end, it's all good!
sally
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
I can' believe I am writing this but if you closely look at the back view there is a slight blimp in the seam line in exactly the same spot of each of the supposed colours. That means it is the same garment. Lets stop writing and talking about it and move on.