The Duchess was in a new Emilia Wickstead dress for today’s engagement at the Anna Freud National Centre for Families and Children.
People’s Simon Perry tweeted a video of Kate’s arrival.
Watch: Princess Kate arrives @AFNCCF Kantor Centre in north London #duchessofcambridge #katemiddleton pic.twitter.com/rgckTjmr1b
— Simon Perry (@SPerryPeoplemag) May 1, 2019
Kate has been royal patron of the Freud Centre since 2016. She was there today to officially open the Kantor Centre of Excellence.
The new facility allows leading practitioners to work with young people and their families in one space.
A news release notes that the Centre’s “work now reaches over one million children in schools as they work to reduce the burden of mental health difficulties that children can face.”
The Duchess met Freud Centre donors, supporters, and staff at today’s event. 
Kate speaking with Amy Herring, described by Kensington Palace as one of the Centre’s Young Champions, “…who shares the experiences of young people to experts at the centre to help them in their work.”
I will admit to being curious about what was said to make Kate and Amy laugh so hard! 
Kate visited the Pears Family School, located in the new Centre. Here you see her with Narriyah, who is 7 years old. 
The school specializes in helping children with emotional and/or behavioral challenges ages 5-14. 
Kate took part in a music class with some of the students.
A key element of the Pear Family model is the requirement that a parent or significant adult family member participate in the program. More from Rebecca English’s story in The Daily Mail.
Stephen Taylor, founding head teacher of the school, said: ‘As part of the deal, the parent has to agree to be part of the school. Having parents there is key to making a change.
It has been so successful that the charity is now working with several local authorities across the country to replicate the model elsewhere.
The Evening Standard reports Kate was moved when hearing from 9-year-old Leo.
The Duchess of Cambridge was today moved by a boy who rapped a poem about how he rebelled after his mother died the he was just nine.
Leo, 13, revealed he was left angry and lonely at the sudden loss of mum Sharon at just 33, in a freak incident when she was bitten by a horsefly. He rapped how he was “was always robbing and stealing, Because I didn’t care about my feelings, I wasn’t able to move on, Because I was still healing.”
Thanks to the school’s work, Leo is about to returning to mainstream schooling after a year and says he has been taught to cope with his anger and emotions.
The Duchess also delivered remarks at today’s function, saying “We are all here today because we care so much about transforming the mental health of children, young people, and their families.” Emily Nash of Hello! shared a video.
The Duchess of Cambridge, patron of the @AFNCCF, officially opens its new Kantor Centre for Excellence, which brings together practitioners, researchers and young people to improve mental health services for children and their families: 📹@RE_DailyMail pic.twitter.com/bQFrIx8MH4
— Emily Nash (@emynash) May 1, 2019
A plaque marking the occasion was unveiled. 
Now for our look at what Kate wore to the Anna Freud Centre. As mentioned above, the Duchess was in a new Emilia Wickstead dress.
It is done in wool crepe and features Kate’s favorite silhouette, a fit and flare design. Many immediately noted the similarity to the Emilia Wickstead dress first worn in Germany in July 2017. It is almost the same as that piece, with the exception of today’s squared neckline.
Does anyone think the waistband on the new dress might be just a skosh lower?
UPDATE: Holly noted on Facebook that green is the color for children’s mental health awareness, something I did not know. In the US May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is May 9. In the UK Mental Health Awareness Week is May 13-19. (Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK was Feb 4-10.)
The Duchess brought back a Mulberry bag, the label’s Amberley Clutch. The bag is leather, measures about 9″ x 5″ x 1″ and comes with a detachable chain. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. 
Kate wore her Gianvito Rossi ‘Praline’ 85 Pumps. The style is a classic point-toe shoe with a stiletto heel that is 3.3″ in height. 
We show the shoes at Nordstrom. They are also available at Net-a-Porter, as well as Gianvito Rossi and Stanley Korshak. The style is $695 at all four retailers.
We also saw Kate wear her Kiki McDonough ‘Candy’ Green Amethyst and Diamond Pendant (£1333, about $1750 at today’s exchange rates) and Classic Green Amethyst and Diamond Earrings (£2166, roughly $2800). 
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Monday we learned about a new honor for Kate: HM The Queen made the Duchess a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). From the announcement: “Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by The Queen, for services to the Sovereign.” The honor is for Kate’s efforts on behalf of the monarch, recognizing her charity work and other contributions. You may remember that last year Kate was given the Royal Family Order, seen in the photo below on the yellow ribbon.
A Dame Grand Cross is the equivalent of a Knighthood for a male member of the Order.
The Duchess will be given a new/badge that we’ll see her wear at formal state functions; more from Royal Central’s description: “… a Maltese cross with a medallion depicting the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria on a red background surrounded by a blue ring bearing the motto of the order and surmounted by a Tudor crown. As a Dame Grand Cross, she will wear the badge on a sash passing from the right shoulder to the left hip.”
Below you see the Duchess of Cornwall wearing the insignia. 
Friday there is a special function the Duchess will attend as a member of the Order, a service at St. George’s Chapel. “In mid-April, over a thousand Members and Medallists of the Royal Victorian Order will gather in St George’s Chapel for a service of Praise, Remembrance and Dedication.” We’ll have much more coverage about the honor and its history on Friday.
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Also today, one of my favorite things to write about: a new collection from one of our favorite sponsors, Madderson London. These are always such fun posts to do because I so enjoy discovering the new styles while also seeing how iconic pieces have been updated for a new season. 
One thing that doesn’t change with the seasons is the company’s commitment to making timeless designs that are good investments, “hero pieces” you can build a wardrobe around. Below, Sara Madderson (L) and Helen Hughes (R), the brand’s founders. 
We’ll start our look at the new collection with the Isabella pencil shift dress in navy. Made in Madderson’s premium jersey knit, the midi-length sheath is embellished with French tweed in gold and white, accentuating the waist and offering a beautiful silhouette. 
We show the Isabella with the Victoria Jacket, crafted of a lightweight wool crepe and also embellished with the same tweed. It’s a sophisticated piece perfect for mixing with a broad range of styles, from a dress to a pair of jeans.
This spring sees the launch of the Signatures Collection featuring “the best of Madderson London’s effortless, feminine style combined with beautiful craftsmanship.” The Lisa Silk Pussybow Dress is part of the collection, offered in an elegant, understated black as well as a more dramatic leopard print. The knee-length dress showcases deep cuffs with gold buttons, gathers under the bust, and the bow at the neckline. The Lisa is lined in silk for a soft, luxurious feeling. 
The company’s mantra remains “Be Kind”: “At Madderson London, our starting point is BE KIND. By this we mean be kind to our environment, the communities in which we operate, and ourselves.” There are other “Madderson Mantras,” and they’re terrific. “Comfort is Queen” is a good example; it shows how the mantra statements are manifested in the company’s clothing. 
Both Helen and Sara had corporate careers before launching the label, and they know about the demands of dressing for the business world. Below information from the Comfort Mantra page:
At Madderson London, comfort isn’t a dirty word. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We LOVE comfort!!
From bloated tummies to badly fitting tights, crazy waistbands and tailoring with no ‘give,’ we endured endless misery! We are determined that you can be polished AND perfectly happy underneath that gorgeous dress.
Above and below, the Miranda, a perennial bestseller that is *very* comfortable!
Ideal for going from the office to dinner, the Miranda hits above the knee and features a nipped-in waistline, A-line skirt and that distinctive ribbon detailing at the bodice and cuffs. The ribbon is pleated especially for Madderson by Shindo in Japan, and it really makes the design pop. The knit fabric comes from a world-class Italian mill; that material is what makes the Miranda exceptionally comfortable and a delight to wear.
The Miranda is available for pre-ordering in both ivory and navy. The dress will start shipping on Friday.
I always love discovering what textiles and trims we’ll see featured in new collections and this spring’s botanical print doesn’t disappoint. Creative director Sara Madderson and in-house artist Caroline Taylor were inspired by vintage china when determining a pattern for the Spring/Summer 2019 collection. More from Caroline:
We are obsessed with ceramics (and are known to spend an entire morning in the V&A Ceramics collections.) So when discussing how to approach this print, Sara and I dug out our favourite references. We love the delicate nature of floral English pottery, but also wanted to create a design which had impact when blown up into a larger scale on silk.
The pair came up with a striking floral design, the Parrot Tulip Print. It has a crisp, fresh look in a timeless blue on white palette. 
“We opted for the most iconic of Spring flowers, the tulip, to create a Springtime ode to blue and white. With its oversized yet intricate drawings of interwoven parrot tulips and poppies, the print celebrates nature bursting into life as winter transitions to Spring.”
Here you see the Bethany silk top and Ursula skirt. The top features a shoulder bow that can be tied or left untied per your preferences; there is also a hidden elasticized panel on the shoulder that prevents the material from slipping. The Ursula is a beautiful bias-cut skirt with a soft drape and asymmetrical hem; it will be available to order the week of May 14th. 
The stunning motif is perfect for spring dresses. Below left, the crêpe de chine Elizabeth, a fun, floaty design with a flounce at the hem. On the right, the Hermione is a longer length adorned with a ruffle at the front bodice and at the elbow.
Below, the Leonie Tulip Silk Blouse shown with the Clara Trousers. 
All of the silk Tulip pieces are made by an all-female atelier in Portugal. Sara Madderson points out the women are very experienced seamstresses who elected to leave larger factories to start their own studio, where they determine what hours they work and the rates they charge.
Much as I enjoy seeing model/nutritionist Sarah-Ann Macklin in the brand’s clothing, it is also a treat to see Helen and Sara wearing their merchandise. Below left you see Sara wearing the Bethany Silk Peony Top and Ursula Silk Polkadot Skirt. (Both pieces are outstanding deals at 50% off; they’re among the great buys in the Outlet section of the site.) On the right, you see Helen wearing this spring’s Elizabeth Dress.
The Naomi is a style I have been crazy about since we first saw Kate wearing it when she was expecting Princess Charlotte.
The iconic design has become so popular there is now a section of the site dedicated just to this style. It’s easy to see why so many women love the dress; it has a flattering silhouette and it is an excellent choice for a wide variety of settings and situations. One of the biggest reasons for the dress’s popularity: the fabric. The Naomi is made of a soft viscose/poly blend that also has 5% elastane, providing the stretch that makes it so comfortable. 
Part of the frock’s unique style statement comes from the trim accenting the pocket flaps and hem. Below, a sampling of the materials used for this spring’s dress embellishment.
Sara and Helen remain committed to transparency, sharing information about where pieces are made as well as the origins of its fabrics. All Naomi dresses are made in the UK at a small factory in north London that is part of a community committed to recycling all waste from its manufacturing processes. Meet Tom, who runs the factory where roughly 75% of the Madderson London merchandise is made, including the jersey pieces and most of the tweed. 
The Naomi news for the spring collection is that there is now a short-sleeve version of the dress and it looks more-than-ideal for the season’s warmer temps.
Two of my favorite pieces from the collection are going to be available later in May, the Verity Dress and Millie Jacket. Both are created using a powder pink tweed from the renowned Malhia Kent fabric mill in Paris, and they look exquisite. (There is a splendid blog post offering a behind the scenes look at the photo shoot for the SS19 spring campaign, which is where I found these pictures!)
I am excited to see these two styles added to the website. They are in a color combination I love, pink and navy; they are made in a favorite fabric, tweed; they have great lines, creating a clean, tailored silhouette that is also very feminine!
There are even more chic, on-trend, elegant designs in the new collection that I didn’t have time to cover in this post; you can see all of them by clicking here.
I wanted to also update Madderson London’s ongoing support of the #30Wears campaign. When buying clothing, the campaign encourages us to ask ourselves, “Will I wear this at least 30 times?” The idea is to get us away from ‘disposable fashion,’ and thinking of clothing and accessories as items we will have and use for many years, as opposed to a few weeks or months. That is one of the reasons Madderson is so committed to using only quality materials and manufacturing processes; their products will stand the test of time. Below you see a #30 Wears tag, included with all purchases.
That photo comes via Daisy Poltimore, who left a comment on last November’s Madderson London post. Daisy purchased the Ophelia Dress in Grey and emailed pictures of her package when it arrived and shared her thoughts about the Madderson London shopping experience. “The unboxing experience was lovely.” Daisy also noted “It’s so sharp looking that I doubt anyone would guess it is also SO comfortable….I got a couple compliments immediately and probably would have gotten more if my office hadn’t been so freezing cold yesterday that I had to throw additional layers over it!!”
In Daisy’s picture, you can also see information about Helen and Sara’s commitment to giving back through charitable efforts, including their Books for Schools program. Below, a Leeds primary school student reading some of the books donated through the Madderson London campaign.
For every item sold at Madderson, they donate a book to a British primary school. More about the program and its origins:
We are dreamers. Helen & I have been bookworms for as long as we can remember. Our childhoods would have been unthinkable without books, and the creative spark behind Madderson London was undoubtedly lit thanks to those decades of reading.
The company is working with Give a Book to manage the project. You can read more about the Books for Schools project on the Madderson London blog.
If you are thinking about adding some spring styles to your closet, now is an ideal time! Madderson London is offering 10% off all orders with promo code WHATKATEWORE10. Click here to have a look at the beautiful new collection!
VIDEOS:
ITV’s Royal Family Channel has a video that runs about 3:45.
Kensington Palace posted a 25-second video with the Centre’s CEO.
We’re here to transform the way we offer children mental health services” — watch Professor Peter Fonagy, @AFNCCF CEO, explain more about the new Centre of Excellence. pic.twitter.com/uralQ7AZmL
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 1, 2019
The Palace also shared a video about the Pear Family School featuring Founding Headteacher Steven Taylor.
Founded by the @AFNCCF, The Pears Family School specialises in providing short term placements for children with complex needs, with a view to re-integrating them back to a mainstream school.
Founding Headteacher Stephen Taylor explains more. pic.twitter.com/MWPsZP3B6O
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 1, 2019
LINKAGE:
- Visit the Anna Freud Centre website here, view its Facebook page here, follow the group on Twitter here, or visit the Instagram page here; learn more about the Pears Family School on its website here
- The Freud Centre’s piece on today’s event is here; The Evening Standard has an outstanding piece here; The Daily Mail’s story by Rebecca English is here
- Simon Perry’s People piece is here; a PopSugar gallery is here
The Duchess looked nice today. I like how professional this dress is and the pairing with the nude shoes and bag were nice. It was basic, yet fashionable while being very business appropriate.
Wondering if she had this dress made over from the one that was so similar?
A similar dress can be bought here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/535193057/plus-size-dress-purple-dress-sexy?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1 : )
I love this brand and how similar some of the dresses are to what Kate wears. Also all colors!
I don’t really think of this shade of green as S/S, but I’ve seen it crop up in a few high end designs chosen by fashion-aware, high-profile personalities, so what do I know? The fashion gods continue to surprise.
I like the Rossi’s with this outfit. Whereas they often seem to be a choice of comfort and demureness, the warm tones work with this shade of green; and they seem intentional, paired with the handbag.
I was expecting to see some of the trademark WKW math in the post, as this square neckline is carried over from previous Wickstead designs in teal and pink. I prefer it here, a little more widely set. But I really would love to see this dress with a shallow V neckline, as I think it is the more flattering for her than square shaped ones.
The new Madderson print is lovely. I’m quite surprised to see it work well on the pieces with ruffles and ties, features that very often compete with prints to overwhelming affect. I hope that we will be treated to more Madderson pieces in Kate’s working wardrobe for functions like these.
I loved this outfit on the Duchess. Personally I am a scarf girl from way back and it would be nice to spice it up a bit and take away from the bare/starkness of the look, but this is purely personal preference. Loved the jewellery and accessories.
Loved both the lavender & the green. They move beautifully when she walks. They must make her feel good to rest them. They would me.
I meant wear them, not rest them!
Late to the party….
I like her Kiki jewelry.
I think her nude/praline/whatever shoes are fine.
I don’t like the color of her dress.
Unlike many others, I don’t think all these dark, or forest greens flatter her and her coloring at all.
They’re dreary.
They don’t strike me as professional.
I would be pleased to never see her in dark green again.
Or at least a vacation from it for a couple of years.
NOTE: admin edit
Love the necklace.
I love the way Kate lets her work do the talking not her dress. It’s a nice flattering dress but not a show stopper because today was not about her. I love the way she knows how to do that. Her personality really seemed to shine during this particular visit.
I am in love with the latest Madderson styles! Now to figure out which UK size I am!
I laughed when I saw this outfit. “She’s back in uniform, again!” I thought.
But that’s hardly a criticism. She’s doing her job, and she’s doing it well. This dress and the accessories guarantee her energy and her concern for parents and children, not her clothing or “style” takes priority.
If ever there was an example of “It’s not about me” dressing, this is it. The lines are elegant, the color is so appropriate, and the fit is perfect. Had they been off, then she’d be detracting. Obviously this manner of dress has put everyone at ease on stage, too, and that’s such a gift. Well done, Kate.
I’m surprised as to how much I loved this version of this dress.
I never liked the lavender one much, (maybe because I hate the colour), even though I always thought it had a great cut.
But the version in dark green with the square neckline makes all the difference to me. This one goes into my favourite kate-looks, even though it is predictable and similar to many other a dress seen on her.
I also think the nude accessories are fine, nothing too stunning but working well together as a day-wear-business-suit.
The best feature by far though is her hair today (I do not even mind that it covers the neckline, as it looks SO pretty) and of course her smiling, happy attitude!
She is loving green this year, isn’t she? I do like this look from top to bottom, it’s pretty classic Kate. This dress silhouette is a favorite of mine. So classic and flattering (especially on her slim frame), and perfect for any occasion. I do prefer the lavender shade, but I like the square neckline on today’s dress much better. Also prefer the nude shoes and clutch versus black or olive green accessories. I agree with Jessica’s comment on here regarding the Gianvito Rossi’s. I love them dearly! Their shade matches her skintone so flawlessly it almost makes you forget she has shoes on, but it allows other parts of the look to come alive and shine. I too am waiting for the day I can feasibly drop $600 on them. 😉
All in all a lovely look for our lady!
Larsa and Jessica, I am one who is very weary with these shoes, although I did say in my comment below, that I think they are a nice contrast with this green dress.
I get that the shoes match the skin tone and as you say, you almost forget she has shoes on. Apparently this is the reason why people wear this shade. I am always puzzled as to why we want to forget the appearance of shoes. To me, footwear is an important part of an overall look. Often shoes can elevate an outfit and depending on their style, material, or colour can add a most interesting design feature. I don’t want them to fade away.
I can proudly say that I don’t own any nude shoes.
Hey listen, to each their own. I only meant to explain why I like them; not to criticize those who don’t.
Jessica, I most certainly didn’t say you were criticizing anyone. I hope my comment didn’t come across as accusing you of that…it was never my intention . On this site we all are able to express differing opinions and all opinions are valid, if done in a respectful way. Nude shoes are simply a matter of personal taste. Nothing more than that.
I do love this look on Kate. The dress is lovely, the shoes make her tall, tan, and elegant. The necklace and earrings? They don’t seem to mix well. Looks like costume jewelry. A white diamond on a necklace and diamond studs would always look classic. Her hair is looking so good lately!!!!
This entire outfit is so classic Kate. It is totally predictable, but nevertheless well put together and there is nothing to dislike. The fit and tailoring of the dress is beautifully done and I like the change in the neckline.
Although I am beyond tired of these shoes, I have to admit that they and the clutch are a nice contrast with the green. I think this dress could have handled more modern looking jewellery, but again the Kiki McDonough gems are classic Kate.
The color is not one I like or would wear. Kate pulled it off with her great personality. She did a great job, as usual, at meeting people and promoting a great cause. Kate, wear something brighter!!
Kate has a ton of style no one will deny that, but she probably has access to the best stylists in the industry. She ain’t shopping at Walmart! 🙂
This is so snoozeworthy to me. It looks like 87 dresses that she already has. I am just not a fan of Wickstead, because her designs are so boring and Kate never wears accessories that give them interest, like a patterned shoe, or scarf, or statement necklace, or ANYthing. Instead she makes it even more boring by adding nude accessories. Sigh. I like the Madderson shift dress above, and would love to see Kate in something like that…the tailoring is still simple but it just looks more modern and has interesting accents. It is totally possible to still be “classic” and proper but not boring. And since I am crabbing away, I am sad to see her growing her hair out…I liked the slightly shorter look she’s been sporting for the last few months (I know I am in the minority on that one, but I like her with sleeker hair).
When I first saw these pictures I thought she repeated her Beulah London dress! It’s so similar, apart from the waistband. I know she just bought her Emilia Wickstead dress in two colours because of the great fit but I cannot fathom why she would buy a dress SO similar, especially in colour, to one she already has!
Kate looks great and professional. Her praline pumps are the most seamless, leg-lengthening pumps I have ever seen. Her hair and makeup have been absolutely fabulous lately. And of course, she’s in her element working for a cause she’s passionate about. I think her public speaking skills have improved! (They were never bad.)
As the years go by, I’m starting to get tired of Kiki McDonough. This brand, along with L. K. Bennet and McQueen, might be what Kate has worn most consistently and frequently since she got married, and I don’t think it’s good enough to be there. They’re…just…stones. Maybe it’s a comfortable choice for her. In any case, I’m glad for the addition of the necklace to the usual earrings today.
She has done that purchasing practically the same dress many times before. It makes me wonder if something happened to the first dress or if she just likes the style enough to have 2.
Amy, I know. I don’t mind that it’s the same dress in two colours. I mind that one of the colours is the same as her other (very similar) dress. In any case, the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that she’s building a wardrobe ‘uniform’, which then explains the similarity of all her clothes.
The lilac version is in my top 10 DoC outfits – so I recognized this dress straight away! I actually love the green and the square neck. Though I’m sure there will be complaints about the praline shoes, I for one love the color combination.
Unpopular opinion: I do not care for the Kiki McDonough jewelry. I can’t quite nail down what I dislike so much … maybe it reads better in person but I think it looks inexpensive? Dated? Or perhaps – just not MY personal style 😉
At any rate, the dress is well tailored, her hair is bouncy and gorgeous, and her smile lifts any ensemble. Brava!
Kathleen, the lilac EW is one of my favorite Kate dresses too, so I am happy to see the green iteration even though the color isn’t quite as magical. Such a pretty dress design. I think a ponytail would have been nice so that we could have seen the wide square neckline better as its a flattering detail. I know the Kikis aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but I do love the horizontal oval shape of the earrings as well as the pale green of the stone against the dark green.
I always love Kate in green! It’s another glorious version of one of my favorite dresses.
While some find this predictable or boring, I appreciate the understated loveliness of the Duchess. I think of her day dresses as a feminine version of a business suit: classsic, professional, keeping the focus on the event and the positivity she brings when her face lights up.
(I’d definitely be up for a patterned shoe and a bolder necklace, but that’s my own style!)
Kate looks absolutely professional, elegant and beautiful, and there is not one piece of the ensemble that takes the focus away from the purpose of the visit. That is a feat.
Thanks for the wonderful post.
I love that I learned something about the colour green through the DoC’s choice of outfit. It demonstrates she has thought carefully about what she is going to wear. I thought she looked great and I like how mindful she is about her choices to keep the focus on the event and not herself. She brightens the event all on her own.
I do think there is a fine line between something that is just plain and neat and something which is elegant. This is just plain and neat. To make it elegant I think the waistband would have been thinner and perhaps leather, there may have been some buttons on the sleeves and some other defining feature. The accessories would be more of a peppy colour. Perhaps the fabric might have been not woven.
Sorry, it’s just a bit meh as it is.
A beautifully cut dress and hemline great length, it fits her perfectly . Love the colour, suits her so well, I never get sick of seeing her in this shade of green. The neckline is lovely. Love the colour of her accessories. Her jewellery gorgeous.
I mean, to me that lavender version was just about perfect–it’s a top-20 look for me for sure–so almost anything would fall short in comparison. But in fact I like this green version a lot, and the dress itself is still just beautifully cut and fitted; incredibly flattering to her figure. Not that her figure needs flattering! You know what I mean–it’s just a beautiful design for her.
I enjoy the variation of the neckline, though if I had to choose I’d probably stick with the round neckline of the lavender version. The Rossis are as perfect with this version as they were with the lavender. No one will ever convince me to dislike those shoes! They are a seamless match with her skin tone and they so beautifully disappear and lengthen the leg, allowing the dress and other accessories to shine. If I could afford a pair I would wear them all the time.
Thanks for sharing all the Madderson images. I have to say I have never been a huge fan of the Naomi dress, but I do like it with the darker, less contrasty trim. Some of the other looks are quite sharp, and I actually think some of them might be in the Duchess of Sussex’s wheelhouse.
Totally agree with your view on the Rossis, even if that makes me a minority here
They do look a bit worn though in the close-ups, don’t they? Given how much she obviously loves them because she wears them so much, she should probably get another pair! Or two!
I love this dress and accessories. In the U.S. May is mental health awareness month and it is symbolized by the color green. I think she chose wisely and looked amazing!!
I don’t think there will be photos on Friday, the service is private and there aren’t any photos from previous years.
I think you are absolutely correct, Poppy. I have updated the calendars to reflect your info. Thank you!
Oh what a shame, and here was me looking forward to a parade and all sorts 🙂 Looks like back to the house chores on Friday instead…
Yes, mental health issues especially seen in children are something to prioritize and get serious about. As royal patron of the Freud Center Kate needs to look professional as she attends to high profile functions such as opening up the Kantor Center of Excellence. Today Kate needed to be relatable and sincere in her appearance and in her speech.
Saying all this I can’t deny that her appearance is immaculate and she is a beautiful and trustworthy royal who has proven to be worthy of a Duchess a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. My quibble is that her choice of another dress so similar to the 2017 lavender version is a missed opportunity. And, this dress looked sad and aged.
Many bloggers approve of a “uniform” look that Kate has adopted. I’m not on that bandwagon. Kate is young, beautiful and fit. I’d love to see her in a variety of fashions especially ones from the above Madderson London line. Kate’s youthful and sporty “Naomi” would have worked beautifully today. Or, WKW Admin’s favorite, “Verity” and “Milley,” would have looked so chic and happy on Kate this morning. Very uplifting.
I always look at where the waistline lays on Kate. And to answer Admin, no, I don’t think the waistband is a skosh lower. I think the seams under the bust line are higher and longer though.
Sorry, but one last note…the Kiki McDonough pendant and earrings read very icy and overworked on my computer screen. Something with more warmth and bulk would have been more complimentary in my opinion, especially with the heavy brass closure on her divine Mulberry bag.
Kate could have been wearing a potato sack and it wouldn’t have mattered to me because the broad smiles and outward enjoyment that she exuded on this engagement far exceeded anything she was wearing.
Love your comments that we celebrate the cause and honestly the clothes are secondary!! Think Kate has nailed it again championing a wonderful cause and dressing so the clothes don’t overpower the cause.
Predictable but still beautiful! Wool crepe is (was) one of my favorite fabrics for dresses for work and I am a green-eyed blonde (bit gray now), so hunter or forest green is one of my very favorite colors for clothing . . . yeah so I love this dress and I think it looks fantastic on brunette Kate! I loved the dress in lavender on Kate too, but much prefer the more open neckline of this iteration. Gorgeous dress!
As for the waistband height . . . it looks to me to be identical, maybe the perspective is off because the lavender is more of a close up shot? Also, was the lavender more A-line than fit and flare? Maybe that would change the aspect of the waistline?
As I listen and observe Kate speak in public I am reminded of why I admire her so much. While she always performs remarkably well, I would bet she would rather be gardening, playing with her kids and visiting with her sister and nephew! Yet, she has to make these appearances and be there for her country because . . . she fell in love with her college sweetheart who happened to be the future King of England.
Congratulations to the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, on becoming a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
That could well be the case, the proximity of the camera to the Duchess. 🙂
I think that the bust side darts, near the armpit area, maybe a bit higher placed and angled slightly upward drawing the eye up providing the illusion of the waist line being higher. I think the darts being angled upward was a much needed improvement on the original and who would welcome the illusion of a lifted bust after three kids.
I like this dress very much, but I am surprised at the color. Forest green is a color I typically associate with fall/winter clothing. I also have a general thought about the Duchess’s shoes. There are often comments about her ubiquitous nude and black pumps and how we wish she would wear something different. Making public appearances on behalf of the Queen is the Duchess’s “job,” and the Duchess clearly views conservative and professional clothing to be what’s appropriate for her role. In thinking about the shoes I wear to work, I primarily rely on black pumps. Despite my personal wish for her to wear shoes that are a bit more interesting on occasion, given my own professional shoe choices, I can’t fault her for her approach.
I am a huge fan of Emilia Wickstead and all of her designs look FAB on Kate. I actually prefer this neckline to the one in the the lilac (lavender? mauve?) colourway, but I almost wish they would have made a few more changes so it didn’t feel like she is wearing the exact same dress in a different colour.
And… as much as I adore the purple version, I think this one has actually beat it! HRH looks amazing in jewel tones, and this is no exception. Although I was previously in the “enough with the praline Rossi pumps!” camp, I can’t deny the perfection of wearing them with this outfit. Her trusty nude LK Bennett’s would have looked lovely also, but I think she has (mostly) retired them.
The Duchess looks happy, healthy, and vibrant. All in all, a perfect look for this engagement.
Nothing exciting here. Appropriate, well put together, overall very nice. Which, for a “working” event, is perfect.
Although the Duchess can carry it off I think it a shame that the dress was such drab and dreary shade of green.
Apart from the Naomi dress I wonder if Catherine has worn other Madderson styles? Those shown above strike me as being very ‘her’ and as she likes to support UK labels……….
A bit disapointing. This is a lovely dress and fits her well, but the color is better suited for fall and we have seen it all before. A brooch? Scarf? something to add color. With that being said, she is always beautiful and I feel she did not want to distract from the event and its importance to her country and others. She has mastered that well! She is a seasoned professional with multiple visits to her charities over the years and wants to keep the focus on the children and important works. I admire her for that.
As we venture more and more into mental health and its importance, I truly believe that through her efforts and others we are all talking about the subject with much more openess and acceptance. Not nearly as “taboo” as it was not that long ago! Well done!
Now maybe we will get a fun new outfit fresh to her admirers soon. We all love that so! Beautiful Post! Thank you
What a gorgeous dress! I’ve always loved the lilac version, and it’s fun to see another iteration, especially in that gorgeous green color. I love Kate’s hair today, and the photos of her smiling and laughing and interacting with kids are exactly what I needed to start my day off with.
I will say that I’m disappointed (not surprised, of course) to see her pairing nude accessories with this dress. This sort of dress would really shine with more interesting accessories, but falls kind of flat with nude ones. And there are so many options here too! This would look STELLAR with grey snakeskin accessories–and I think the dress is plain enough that the overall effect wouldn’t be too Queen Letitizia-esque–or with a solid, springy color like lilac or blush. This is totally a pipe dream, but I would really love to see Kate taking style advice from Victoria Beckham, largely because of her incredible ability to dress up an otherwise sleek, tailored look by playing with color.
I loved reading about Kate’s engagements today, too. I imagine Leo’s story is particularly touching for the Cambridges and Sussexes due to Harry’s rebellion after Diana’s death. I have so much admiration and respect for the work that they’ve done with mental health, and it has to be really amazing to see that paying off in a way that prevents somebody from going through the really difficult adolescence that Harry had.
The Madderson London collection is stunning and I would love to see Kate in any of the pieces you shared–particularly one of the chiffon-y pussy bow dresses or the short-sleeved Naomi. I could definitely see the DoS in the sleeveless sheath or either of the pussy-bow dresses as well, and could see her getting behind Madderson at some point. I really appreciate how well you integrate sponsors into this site–I’m so sick of seeing (often low-quality, kind of scammy) ads/sponsorships all over blogs and social media, but your write-ups are so well-done and so reflective of the astronomically high quality of this site that I actually really enjoy reading them. You do incredible work here and deserve to be compensated for it, and I really can’t applaud you enough for how well you do so. While I’m not really in the market for most of the brands you post about, I would definitely purchase gifts from them or recommend them to others based on how much I respect and trust this site.
Thank goodness for the knee length hem, and here’s hoping the midi length is over for a while as I find it unflattering on everyone. I love the more open squared neckline on this version of the dress and green is a good color on the duchess, although I think a more saturated shade of green would be even more striking. Her hair and makeup were lovely today. When the pics of the green dress first popped up on social media, I was worried that we might see a reappearance of the clashing olive accessories, so I was very happy to see the nude accessories instead.
I still struggle to understand Kate’s love for Kiki McDonough. I do not understand paying that much for semi precious stones. I also do not believe that they look that expensive–especially the necklace.
Overall, this was a good look and it is clear that this is a subject near and dear to her heart. Her work for childhood mental health is very admirable.
I never gave it much thought before reading your comment, but you are bang on- what IS HRH’s obsession with Kiki McDonough? I often look at her pieces and think, “this is the type of jewelry you find at clothing shops, near the checkout line.” Nice enough to pair with a work outfit that you need a specific coloured stone for, but that’s about it.
I don’t understand the astronomical price the brand charges for nice, but rather unremarkable, jewelry.
My thoughts exactly about the Kiki jewelry! I could see her owning a couple of pairs of earrings, but she must have a dozen pairs by now! I would love her to invest in a really classic pair of diamond studs. A carat each, brilliant cut. I think she would get a lot of wear out of them.
As to today’s outfit, I love the mauve dress and this green is gorgeous as well. I agree with those who say she over wears the praline pumps, but they do go well with this dress and keep it from looking too fall like.
I always wonder if she feels the same way and if William is one of those husbands who thinks he is onto a good thing and just keeps gifting them to her… while she is thinking “get me some damn Cartier”.
Classic Kate outfit
She looks beautiful! The dress fits her perfectly in tailoring and style. I like me this heel height better than the higher style she typically wears.
I just love this Emilia Wickstead dress. The dark green is absolutely beautiful, while the simple cut and fabric keep the dress looking professional.
I also really like the school- I’m a special ed teacher and I work with children with emotional behavioral disorders in a very similar program, and I love what I do. It is great to see the Duchess championing a cause so close to my heart. If only our program had an advocate/patron to shine a light on our work- otherwise our kiddos are just those invisible kids who vanish from mainstream schooling. Most parents don’t even realize my program exists.
Thank you Laura for focusing on the purpose of the Duchess of Cambridge’s visit which is significant and important. The clothing that she wears is of secondary importance, if that, at the end of the day. I hope that your school program receives the funding and acknowledgment required to sustain it. BTW, yes the Duchess of Cambridge looked lovely today as she always does IMHO.
Laura, thank you for the work you do and thank you for sharing! My neighbor is a public school teacher and she always refers to her students as “kiddos.” That is so cute.
I just love and admire Kate’s dedication to the cause of mental health, especially in children. What a great cause to devote herself to!
Kate’s dress was…okay. The cut and the fit are fine, but I found the colour so drab and dreary. I’d have liked to see Kate in a bright and cheerful colour on this nice spring day and at such an upbeat event.
I’m glad that Kate has received the GCVO honour, as it recognises her dedication and service to the Queen. Well done!
And finally, as always I love the Madderson collection. I immediately identified at least three or four pieces I’d love. Alas, the budget, the budget.
The wonder of this lovely dress to me is how Kate’s own vivacity transforms and rescues it from being just more of the same-again. There’s certainly a quality of the business-like in virtually repeating a style, especially in a sensible uniform colour, but the fit of the bodice on Kate, that beautifully placed waistband, and the fabulous movement of the skirt, all make her look streets ahead in the fashion stakes compared with others around her.
The jewellery is definitely predictable Kate, I feel the clean lines of the Wickstead tailoring might have been better served with something more modern and statement. But being Kate, just as she hasn’t maybe it got it fully right, she still hasn’t put a foot wrong. Her hair is looking glorious at the moment.
Thanks for the Royal Victorian Order update, from the huge smiles today I’d say it was agreeing with the Duchess very well! I’m hugely looking forward to dressy treats on Friday, with several royal ladies there.
And great to see the latest Madderson styles, they have some very adaptable and original offerings, the Isabella pencil shift is a stand-out for me. The blue tulip print is also bang on-trend and fabulous on a flowing summer fabric.
The photo of Kate laughing with Amy is the absolute best!