News Bytes & Your Favorite Wimbledon Look

We are back with a couple of newsbytes and our poll looking at Kate’s Wimbledon style over the years.

We begin with an update on the Cambridge family’s vacation via this Hello! story by Emily Nash that was published yesterday:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were able to enjoy some special alone time during their family holiday in Mustique last week. The couple, who have three children under the age of five, were spotted on a rare night out at the island’s famous Basil’s Bar. The theme of the bash, which was also attended by Mick Jagger and his daughter Jade, was a Splash of Gold.

Fellow revellers have exclusively revealed to HELLO! that William and Kate attended “on the early side” of the party and looked to be having a great time. Sources also told us that the couple looked “island chic” with Prince William sporting a Pinkhouse Mustique shirt to support the local brand. “They were there for the cocktails segment and kept it rather classy”, they said.

Also today, word we may see Kate and William at a weekend wedding. Hello! Canada reports the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may attend Saturday’s wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be attending; some publications report Harry will be the groom’s best man. 

Many will recognize the van Straubenzee name. More from the Hello! Canada piece:

The royal men go way back with Charlie and Harry having attended Ludgrove Prep School in Berkshire together as kids. The groom-to-be’s brother, Thomas van Straubenzee, is also Princess Charlotte’s godfather and was one of William’s ushers at his royal wedding back in 2011. It’s believed that Charlie was an usher on Harry and Meghan’s big day in May.

William and Harry were ushers at the June 2013 wedding of Tom van Straubenzee and Lady Melissa Percy. The two are also patrons of the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, a foundation honoring Thomas and Charles’s brother Henry, who was killed in a 2002 car accident.

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In designer news, royal favorite Emilia Wickstead has launched a line of table linens.

Available exclusively at Moda Operandi, the napkins and tablecloths incorporate textiles seen in some of the designer’s most popular dress patterns.     

Below, a floral linen tablecloth ($685) and the Mindy dress ($1060). 

The prices are steep (very). I think if you combined a set of napkins and a tablecloth you might be investing more than the price of some dresses. There is also a limited range of glassware in the collection. 

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UPDATE Friday afternoon, Aug.3: I have emailed LK Bennett several times but have not heard back from anyone. When viewing the UK site on an iPad and iPhone this afternoon it almost looked like it was back to normal, with the addition of a message at the top of the screen.

The message is the same as seen on the fullscreen graphic: the retailer is not taking online orders.

The US site continues to display the “…we’re experiencing a delay in dispatching orders” message on desktop/mobile/netbook.

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We have a quick fashion note before the Wimbledon poll. The ID whizzes at UFO No More have discovered the Jenny Packham style that Kate’s recent Wimbledon dress appears to be based on. The dress is from the 2017 pre-fall collection; it features the same asymmetrical neckline and gathers at the waist and left shoulder as seen on Kate’s frock.

That brings us to our poll asking for your vote on Kate’s many Wimbledon ensembles. We start in 2011 with Kate and William’s first appearance at Wimbledon, when they watched a match between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet. The Duchess wore the Moraiah dress by Temperley London, with a structured bodice and tiered skirt.

When watching Roger Federer in 2012, the Duchess wore a sailor-style dress from Alexander McQueen. The cable knit dress had a dropped waist, vee-neck with a self-tying scarf, and navy tipping accents at the hem, collar and cuffs.

Kate was joined by her sister Pippa for another 2012 match, this one with Andy Murray facing Roger Federer. The Duchess wore a sleeveless dress by Joseph that featured grosgrain ribbon at the gathered waist, a scoop neck and serged edges at the neckline and arm openings. She carried a Joseph jacket, the brand’s Nessie Tweed style in white cotton with decorative pockets and buttons.

After missing Wimbledon in 2013 when expecting Prince George, Kate returned for the Gentlemen’s Quarter Final match in 2014 wearing the ‘Roamer Day Dress’ by Zimmerman. The broderie anglaise dress showcased a floral motif, with a fitted waist and sleeves, full skirt and insert trim at the waist, sleeves and hem.   

Kate also attended the Gentlemen’s Finals in 2014. She wore the ‘Evelyn’ dress by Jonathan Saunders, a structured design in a geometric print with short sleeves and self-belt.

In 2015 the Duchess chose a piece by LK Bennett, the retailer’s Cayla long dress in ‘cardinal red.’ Another fit and flare style, the Cayla hit well below the knee, with elbow-length sleeves and hidden zipper.

When watching Serena Williams take on Elena Vesnina in 2016, Kate brought back a Roksanda Ilincic design, the ‘Ryedale’ dress in a wool crepe. The colorblocked dress showcased a square neckline, inset fabric panels, and elbow-length sleeves.

Also in 2016, the Duchess returned to Centre Court for the Gentlemen’s Final match. On that occasion, Kate sported an Alexander McQueen design in the brand’s ‘Obsessions Talisman’ print, described as having “…soft shoulders and military lines…that are a nod to the 40s silhouette.” In addition to the placed print, the dress also had an A-line silhouette, a jewel neckline, fitted waist and hidden zipper.

In 2017 the Duchess attended Wimbledon as patron of the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club). She wore Dolce and Gabbana to watch the opening round of Gentlemen’s Singles play, featuring Andy Murray vs. Alexander Bublik. The polka dot print silk dress featured a fitted bodice with a full skirt, three-quarter sleeves, a scoop neckline and concealed zipper.

When it was time for the Gentlemen’s Singles final last year, Kate wore a Catherine Walker design. The white frock was a classic fit and flare design with the Fleurs Sauvages, or “Wildflowers” pattern, covering the skirt.

This year Kate was in Jenny Packham for her first trip to Wimbledon, the cream and black print dress featuring distinctive ruching at the shoulder and hip in a print that almost looks like tennis balls.   

When watching this year’s Gentlemen’s Finals match Kate wore a vibrant yellow dress from Dolce and Gabbana. The knee-length design also has a fitted bodice, round neck and ruffled sleeves.