The Duchess Debuts a New Brand for Ambassador’s Reception

The Duchess wore a dress by The Vampire’s Wife for tonight’s reception at Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar as they continue their tour of Ireland.

Following a round of engagements earlier today (that post is here), Kate and William headed to the iconic brewery, a popular spot for tourists and Dublin visitors. 

A quick video from the Palace. 

At Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar in Dublin, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are meeting Irish people from across the creative arts, sport, business and charity sector #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/WFTz38i4ow

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 3, 2020

 The British Embassy tweeted that “TRHs entered through the “Queen’s Entrance” – the same door used by HM The Queen during her 2011 visit”.   

Rebecca English shared a video of the couple arriving. 

The Duchess of Cambridge is vamping up the style stakes (there’s a joke or two in there somewhere!) in a dress by @TheVampiresWife pic.twitter.com/2erKiGcusv

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 3, 2020

 The event was hosted by British Ambassador Robin Barnett.  More from Victoria Murphy’s Town and Country article: 

The couple were taken to the Storehouse’s Gravity Bar which offers panoramic views of Dublin. There they sampled the dark Irish dry stout that originated in the city, but is now brewed in almost 50 countries.

Below, the Duchess chatting with Sinead Burke (left), an Irish writer and broadcaster.

The Daily Mail reports “The couple met a range of people from the creative arts, sport, business and charity sectors at the major visitor attraction in the Irish capital – which tells the story of the famous drink.” 

Below, the royals speak with Liam Cunnigham, an Irish actor perhaps best known for his role as Sir Davos on Game of Thrones. The couple has said they are fans of the show.

The Independent reports, “They also chatted to members of the fire and rescue service, coast guard and ambulance service, as well as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. A number of charities, such as the Iveagh Trust, Alice Leahy Trust, Open Doors, Shannon’s Hopeline, were also in attendance.” 

ITV’s Chris Ship tweeted a video of the royals having a taste.

? NOW they are in #Ireland ?? @homeofguinness #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/ZPBCuocxm6

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 3, 2020

 

Kate enjoying a laugh.

Prince William delivered remarks. Below, the couple as he is introduced. 

He really had a terrific line: “We are retracing the footsteps of my grandmother, who was shown how to pour the perfect pint here in 2011. Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you it is not often that I find myself following The Queen to a pub!” Kensington Palace tweeted a video of the Duke speaking. 

? “It is not often that I find myself following The Queen @RoyalFamily to a pub!” — The Duke of Cambridge #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/Lg1jfWhzAi

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 3, 2020

 William also said he was “…looking forward to testing for myself the theory that Guinness tastes even better in Ireland than overseas!” More from The Independent’s story: 

He ended the speech by raising his pint of Guinness and saying ‘Slainte’.

Food on the evening was served by Chef Mark Moriarty of the two Michelin started restaurant The Greenhouse, Dublin.

Now for our look at what Kate wore to this evening’s reception. 

Her dress is by The Vampire’s Wife, the label’s Falconetti Emerald Metallic Silk Dress ($2076, £1595). 

Made in an iridescent emerald green silk, the piece features a fitted bodice, semi-sheer three-quarter sleeves with ruffles at the cuff, and a full skirt with ruffled hemline. 

The label was created by former model Susie Cave, and named after her musician husband’s unfinished novel. More about the brand from a 2018 Financial Times profile: 

From red-carpet awards ceremonies to rock-star-studded afterparties, dresses by The Vampire’s Wife are having their moment in the moonlight. Using her own singular style as a blueprint, model-turned-designer Susie Cave (formerly known as Susie Bick) takes glam-rock fabrics such as velvet, metallic lamé and Liberty print florals, and shapes them into high-necked Victoriana-style dresses (from £485) with attitude.

Business began in 2014, when Cave joined with friend Alex Adamson to produce a range of vintage-inspired dresses, part Seventies hippy, part Little House on the Prairie. Since then, the rise of The Vampire’s Wife has been swift. 

The Vampire’s Wife has rapidly accumulated an A-list following of women who prefer covered-up chic to barely-there ballgowns; think Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexa Chung, Ruth Negga and Florence Welch. 

As several people pointed out on Twitter and Facebook, Princess Beatrice not only wears the brand, she has worn a very similar dress, the Veneration style. She is seen below with fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at Ellie Goulding’s August 2019 wedding. 

More on tonight’s look in this piece from the Telegraph’s fashion news and features director Bethan Holt.   

It’s been a long time coming, but I think we can now say with some certainty that the Duchess of Cambridge has shaken off the reluctance she once showed, understandably, to explore the ‘fashion’ side of getting dressed for her role. 

Kate’s journey to choosing trend-cognisant outfits has been long and carefully managed. There was a time when pieces by of-the-moment labels would be worn, only for the next look to take her back on to safer ground. Over the past eighteen months, her look has developed, with more adventurous silhouettes and brands being introduced.

Another look at the Duchess this evening.

It looked like Kate was in a new pair of heels, the BB Dark Green Velvet ($695) by Manolo Blahnik. 

A signature style for the brand, the BB features a classic point-toe design and a 4″ stiletto heel. Our thanks to Middleton Maven for this ID. 

The Duchess brought back her Charlie Gold Glitter Classic Clutch (£245, about $315) by Wilbur and Gussie.  

The bag measures about 8.25″ x 4″ and comes with a wrist strap.  

And she repeated her earrings as well. 

They are a past-season design by H&M that we previously saw at a November 2018 Royal Foundation dinner. Many thanks to Valerie on the WKW Facebook page; she bought the earrings two years ago and was kind enough to share the product photo of them shown above.

We’ll see you tomorrow for Day Two of the tour!

LINKAGE: 

• The Daily Mail’s coverage is here; The Independent’s story is here; a BBC article is here; The Mirror’s piece is here
• The Daily Telegraph’s coverage of the full day is here; Irish broadcaster RTE’s story on all of the day’s events is here; the Irish Sun’s article on the entire day’s activities is here; the Irish Times piece on the entire day is here
• Victoria Murphy’s Town and Country piece is here; a Hello piece is here; People’s fashion piece is here; Bethan Holt’s fashion column for The Telegraph is here; Hello’s story on both of today’s looks is here