The Duchess Wears Green from Top to Toe for Ireland Arrival

The Duchess wore Ireland’s national color as the Cambridges started their historic three-day visit to Ireland.

Here you see them as they exited their Aer Lingus flight at Dublin Airport.

This is the couple’s first visit to Ireland; they are making the trip at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

The royals were greeted by British Ambassador Robin Barnett and his partner Agnieszka Kepka.

Per a Kensington Palace news release, “the duke and duchess are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the Irish people.” The trip is designed to focus on “Ireland’s rich culture, it’s impactful community and spectacular scenery.” 

Their first stop was Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

A video of the couple as they arrived.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge receive a warm welcome to Ireland from President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs Higgins #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/bFdFCPuiEp

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 3, 2020

 And a still photo as they were welcome by the president and Sabina Higgins.

Another view of the couple.   

More about the Higgins from The Daily Mail:

Mr Higgins was inaugurated President on the 11th November 2011 for a seven year term.

Mrs Higgins has worked as a partner with her husband in every campaign and in public life for over thirty years.  She is also still involved with the theatre and community arts, working with the world renowned Druid Theatre, An Taibhearc and other groups.

The signing of the guest book.

And an official photo portrait to memorialize the occasion.

More from the Evening Standard’s story: 

The couple then went for a “tete-a-tete” in the President’s private office before sitting down for afternoon tea in the Drawing Room with Mr and Mrs Higgins, the British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett, the Irish Ambassador to the UK Adrian O’Neill, and the Duke’s private secretary Simon Case.

The President and Prince William.

Below, everyone enjoying the tea referenced by the Evening Standard piece above. Rebecca English of The Daily Mail reports the menu included “Barry’s tea, shamrock shortbread, oat biscuits and lemon drizzle cake – made by the in-house chef.”

Another official photo, this one outside, including a photobomb from Bród, the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Kensington Palace shared a quick video. 

…and from Bród the Bernese Mountain Dog! #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/R89IrFAkTK

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 3, 2020

 

The Higgins have two Bernese Mountain dogs, Bród and Síoda. Their names mean “pride” and “silk.” 

The two couples spent time on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin.

It was sunny but chilly. 

Another view. 

Below the President and Mrs. Higgins showed the Duke and Duchess the Peace Bell, located on the Áras an Uachtaráin grounds.

The bell was installed in 2008 by then-president Mary McAleese to mark the tenth anniversary of the Belfast Agreement. Suspended from oak trunks that came from County Dublin and County Antrim, the bell dates back to the 19th Century. 

The Duke and Duchess’s next engagement was a commemorative ceremony and wreath-laying at the Garden of Remembrance.

Located in Dublin’s Parnell Square, the garden is dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom. 

People magazine’s Simon Perry shared a video of the couple arriving. 

William and Kate walk through the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/th6oIbRpes

— Simon Perry (@SPerryPeoplemag) March 3, 2020

 As noted by Rhiannon Mills of Sky TV, “They follow in the footsteps of the Queen who visited here in 2011 on her historic first trip to Ireland.”  That visit was the first made by a British monarch since the country gained its independence from Britain. Below, HM in 2011.

The couple laid a wreath.  

Another view. 

The message on the wreath reads, “May we never forget the lessons of history as we continue to build a brighter future together.”

One more view. 

The large sculpture you see is by renowned Irish sculptor Oisín Kelly. 

It is based on the theme of the “Children of Lir,” the retelling of an ancient Irish myth, and symbolizes rebirth. 

This engagement was followed by an official meeting with the Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, seen second from right below. On the right, Mr.Varadkar’s partner, Matthew Barratt.

The Taoiseach role is similar to that of a prime minister.

A video from Richard Palmer of The Express. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett. pic.twitter.com/NZcUe6DEWZ

— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) March 3, 2020

 We now move to our look at what Kate wore for Day 1 of the Ireland tour’s first engagements, starting with the Duchess’s Catherine Walker coat.

The bespoke piece has a double-breasted fit and flare silhouette with a broad collar, a slight flare at the sleeve cuff, and back vent. It contains elements of Catherine Walker’s ‘Nadia’ coat seen below left and the Highland Coat seen in the middle.

And a closer look at her dress by Alessandra Rich.

The Rose-Print Pleated Dress with Peplum ($2335) is from the label S/S ’20 ready-to-wear line. It is made of a floral print silk crepe de chine and features a pleated bodice, structured bishop sleeves, and peplum waist.

A closer look at the pleated peplum (left) and the pleated bishop-style sleeves. 

The Duchess switched out the buttons that came with the dress, instead using a smaller version of the buttons from her coat. 

Kate carried a new clutch, the Dora style ($187.50; the retailer is currently offering 25% off everything) from LK Bennett.  The clutch is also offered at Selfridge’s ($162):

The bag measures about 10″ x 6″ and has a detachable leather and gold chain that can be used to carry it as a shoulder bag.  Many thanks to Gabi for her speedy ID of the bag. The Duchess also has the bag in an olive or khaki green. 

It is offered in a broad range of colors. 

We saw the return of Kate’s green ‘Rebecca’ heels ($470) by Emmy London. 

UPDATE: Originally the post reported that it looked like Kate brought back the Jane Taylor headband first seen at the 2018 Remembrance Sunday evening service. That is not the case, with thanks to those who pointed this out via email and comments here on the post. I am looking for a product shot. 

It’s possible she was wearing the Lele Sadoughi Padded Headband. 

This Mirror piece noted Kate’s haircut: 

Kate has gone for a shorter cut of her glossy brown locks, which she wore in loose waves for today’s engagements.

Her hair has been much longer at her most recent engagements, when she visited the London Stadium and went to see a special performance of the play Dear Evan Hansen in the West End last week.

The Duchess debuted a new pair of earrings by Asprey, the jeweler’s Daisy Heritage design ($22400) in diamonds and 18 ct white gold.  More about the Daisy style from Asprey: “…the quintessentially English Daisy has been a motif our jewelry designers have been using in various forms for decades.”  

The earrings showcase individually set marquise-cut stones as the flower’s petals, each “held in place with two perfectly formed V-shaped claws, designed to allow maximum light to pass through the stone.” The flower’s center is set with ‘a half ball of pavé diamonds.’ 

We’ll see you shortly for a separate post on the couple’s visit to the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse, a popular tourist attraction at the home of the famous beermaker. The Duchess chose a dress by The Vampire’s Wife for tonight’s engagement. 

VIDEOS: 

The Royal Family Channel offers about 1:30 on the official welcome at the airport in this video. 

This Royal Family Channel piece covers the meeting with President and Mrs. Higgins and the visit to the Garden of Remembrance.

Irish broadcaster RTE has a 1:30 on all of the afternoon’s engagements. 

 
Channel 5 offers more than 18 minutes of raw video.

If looking for something short and to the point, The Telegraph’s coverage runs about 1:15. 

This 9:30 video is titled Áras an Uachtaráin – The Story of the House, offering a terrific look at the residence and offices.
 
 
LINKAGE: 

• The Daily Mirror has coverage here; The Daily Mail’s story is here; coverage by the Irish Times is here; The Evening Standard’s gallery is here; an ITV piece is here; The FGuardian’s wreath-laying coverage is here
• Victoria Murphy’s Town and Country story is here; a Vogue piece is here; PopSugar’s gallery is here