Updates & A Look Back at 2013 and 2017 Styles!

Hello, and greetings from Michigan. Today we have a look at some older Kate styles, but first, an update on the Queen’s address this Sunday. 

The monarch’s broadcast aired Sunday night.
 

In her remarks, HM referenced the first national address she ever made, a 1940 message delivered with her sister Princess Margaret, speaking to the children being evacuated during WWII. 

We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety. Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do.

For Sunday’s address, the BBC reports, “The pre-recorded message, written by the Queen with her private secretary Sir Edward Young, was filmed by a single cameraman wearing protective equipment. All other technical staff were in another room.” 

While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.

This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us.

 

This Politico story noted, “The queen is head of the Church of England, but her speech was addressed to “people of all faiths and of none,” and she even noted that self-isolating could present an opportunity to “pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation.” She spoke about the recognition and appreciation for NHS workers being formally shown on Thursday nights and other occasions. 

The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit; and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children

Below, rainbow signs on the gates of Carew Academy in Surrey.

As HM concluded the speech, she included a reference to meeting again, evoking memories of the classic WWII song by Dame Vera Lynn, “We’ll Meet Again.” 

We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”

For anyone unfamiliar with the song, here is a version via YouTube. 

From a CNBC story, “Britain needed a message of hope Sunday. The queen delivered it.” 

I’ve received several emails and messages asking about the brooch worn by HM. The turquoise and diamond piece belonged to her grandmother, Queen Mary. There is more on the piece in this Town and Country story.  

Many readers may be aware that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hospitalized with COVID-19.  Yesterday he was moved to intensive care where he is receiving supplemental oxygen (he is not on a ventilator). 

Kate and William know the Prime Minister and frequently see at him at official functions. Below, the Duchess speaking with him at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. At the time he was the Mayor of London.

This morning the Kensington Palace Twitter and Instagram accounts posted a personal message from Prince William. 

The prime minister was taken to St. Thomas’ Hospital early yesterday evening (London time) when he was having difficulty breathing.  The Royal Family social media accounts have shared HM’s wishes for the prime minister and his family. 

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We now make a sharp turn to fashion (argh, this is hard).  When asking what sort of content you would like to see during this unusual time, many commenters said they would like to see vintage Kate coverage. So today I thought we would look at a few outfits seen during this week in 2013 and 2017.

Our first looks go back seven years.  Below, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as William and Kate are styled in Scotland, as they began an April 2013 visit to that country with a visit to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

The arena was one of the sites for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Kate met Clyde, the official mascot for the games. (Clyde was an anthropomorphic thistle named after the river that runs through Glasgow.)

During the couple’s engagements, the Duchess spoke about her upcoming maternity leave; she was expecting Prince George. She debuted a coat by Moloh, the brand’s “Workers Coat.”  The 100% wool garment in navy and grey tartan featured a flared skirt, double back vents, oversized flap pockets, and large silver buttons on the front and at the cuff.

She also wore her trusty Rhumba boots by Aquatalia and carried her black suede Mascaró clutch (one of the all-time great UFO IDs, shared back in 2015 by Brittany of Repli-Kate It.  

The next day’s engagements began at Dumfries House in Ayrshire.

Prince Charles was involved in the restoration of the stately home for years and joined the couple for part of the day.  

The royals also visited BAE Systems, where the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines are built. 

Most readers immediately recognized Kate’s coat when first seeing photos from the day. It is the Armani design worn for William’s passing out from Sandhurst in 2006.

The Duchess accessorized with her Aquatalia Rhumba boots again and the Strathearn Tartan scarf previously seen at the Order of the Thistle and the 2012 Jubilee River Pageant. The 100% silk scarf is handmade at an “artisan weaving mill in the Scottish Borders.”

She also wore a brooch featuring two dolphins topped by a crown; it was a wedding gift from the RN Submarine Service. 

Our next look back is more recent. April 4, 2017, the Duchess attended the opening night of 42nd Street at the Drury Theatre in London. The event was a fundraiser for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices).

She wore a dress by Marchesa Notte based on the label’s Embellished Tulle Midi Dress.

As I wrote in the original post, “The nipped-in waist and very full skirt reminded some of Dior’s ‘New Look’ designs in the late 1940s.  In the photo above left, you can see some of the volume in the skirt. The dress also features cap sleeves, an illusion neckline, hidden back zipper, and flexible boning. The hem is described as being reinforced to hold its voluminous shape.”

Some changes were made to Kate’s dress, including the sleeves being made a touch longer. Here is another look. 

The dress motif was described as “lattice and rosette,” better seen in these closeups.

She accessorized with earrings by Kate Spade, the Pretty Poms Tassel Statement Earrings.

The Duchess also wore her Gianvito Rossi signature pumps in Bordeaux.

And carried her Bayswater Wallet Clutch by Mulberry.

I hoped you enjoy our look back at some of Kate’s earlier looks!