The Duchess wore Beulah London for a special Mental Health Minute broadcast today across the UK. 
For the kickoff of Mental Health Awareness Week, a PSA featuring the Duke, Duchess, and several celebrities was released. The spot was played on every radio station in the UK at 10:59 am today. A video version of the 60-second PSA was also released.
Below, you see some of those participating in the spot, including professional boxer Anthony Joshua, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, and football striker Harry Kane. 
During his portion, Prince William says, “We’re all connected. And sometimes just talking about how you’re feeling can make a big difference. So right now, let’s join together across the UK and reach out to someone.”
While the Duchess says, “If you’re struggling, it’s important to talk about it. Or if someone you know is acting differently, it’s OK to ask how they are. Use this moment to send a message.”
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness. 
The week has been hosted by the Mental Health Foundation for the past 20 years, and the theme was selected in direct response to the coronavirus outbreak. The campaign will “celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health, particularly during times of stress.” Statistics underscore the impact kindness can have. 
Today’s message coincides with the launch of a new social media effort that Heads Together and Instagram have partnered on, the ‘Heads Together Wellbeing Guides.’ The guides are part of a new global mental health initiative from the social media platform in response to the potential mental health effects of the pandemic. The first-ever Instagram Guides will be released this afternoon and they center on three themes: a Guide to Talking, A Guide to Self-Care, and a Guide to Kindness.
Now for our look at what Kate wore in the PSA. 
It looks like the Duchess wore the Beulah London Calla Rose Dress, with thanks to Katie’s Royal Love on Twitter for the fab ID.
The dress is 100% silk crepe de Chine with a point collar done in cotton broderie anglaise. The floral print is inspired by heritage Indian textiles; the piece features a shirt dress silhouette with concealed front placket, A-line skirt, and slender back tie.
Additionally, the design showcases balloon sleeves with elongated cuffs and self-covered buttons. The dress is available at Matches Fashion (originally $568, now $340), at Beulah London (£550, about $670 at today’s exchange rates) and at Halsbrook ($825).
The Calla is also offered in a soft cornflower blue ($397 on sale at Matches Fashion, £550 at Beulah London). 
You can better see the embroidered collar detail on the blue dress. 
Beulah continues to invest 10% of profits into projects that support vulnerable women, something they have done since their inception.
The Duchess brought back her Patrick Mavros Ocean Tides Milky Quartz earrings, shown below as worn on other occasions. 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I thought it would be fun to share a couple of quick fashion flashbacks today. The first is from eight years ago today when the Queen’s Sovereigns’ Luncheon celebrating the Jubilee was held at Windsor Castle. 
The couple with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. 
The Duchess was in a pink Emilia Wickstead dress that was a version of the ‘Alice’ style, showcasing a fitted bodice, long sleeves, inset waistband, and a full, pleated skirt. The off-center closure on the bodice used snaps as well as hooks/eyes.
Kate carried her Prada clutch paired with Prada pumps. 
Kate repeated the dress at a May 2012 garden party at Buckingham Palace.
And just a year ago tomorrow, photos were released of the Duchess with Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis as they tried out the Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. 
Kate wore a floral print dress from & Other Stories called the Floral Ruffled Maxi Dress ($119, long since sold out). 
The fabric showcased a small floral print and the dress had a relaxed silhouette with long sleeves, front pockets, mandarin collar, waist belt, and ruffled tier at the hem.
This year’s Royal Chelsea Flower Show is virtual; on social media today, the Palace released a letter from HM supporting the event. 
Today is Members Day, so if you are not a member the show isn’t yet live online, but it will be tomorrow.
Is anyone feeling like a post might be in order featuring all of Kate’s Chelsea Flower Show looks? At this point, I think bright and cheery topics can provide a boost (at least writing about them does for yours truly); if that holds any appeal, let me know and I will make it happen tomorrow or Wednesday!
LINKAGE:
- The Heads Together site is here; the charity’s Facebook page is here; its Twitter feed is here and Instagram page here
- The Mental Health Awareness Week site is here; the Mental Health Foundation’s Facebook page is here; its Instagram page is here and Twitter feed here
Just looking at both the dresses again – why couldn’t the collars have been the main colour instead of white? That could have been interesting – and made the pale blue one look less like a nightie…..
A definite ‘no’ to the dress. Something jars, perhaps the too white collar. The pattern is so busy but looks mostly red – maybe the collar should have been ivory rather than white? Like the lace on the sleeves – that is slightly off-white.
We only see the one picture of Catherine and it is a bit unflattering so, again, I do not think the dress was a good choice. I agree with some of the other comments that it is somehow ageing on Catherine. With all her other sharper lockdown looks I had rather hoped the phase for the fussy, flowery, too long dresses had passed. I still maintain that the Duchess looks so much better in more tailored dresses.
One lives in hope.
Personally, I like everything the Duchess wears that is by Beulah, because they make such gorgeous dresses. I also love these deliberately vintage looks, like the Alessandra Rich dresses she’s been wearing (the blue polka dot Alessandra Rich dress she wore in Prince Charles’ birthday photos, the Ared-and-white dress she wore on the Christmas cooking special, and even the green dress worn on her Ireland tour). I think these dresses, including this one by Beulah, are playful, fun and edgy, with really sharp, dramatic details, like the pointed collar, cuffs, and gorgeous, vivid prints. I don’t find them dowdy at all, and they are definitely a high-fashion upgrade to her dull, endless LK Bennett shirt dresses.
I sometimes think Kate is one step ahead of the pack when some of us find some dresses hard to accept, she keeps pushing the style envelope it might be tempting to slot her into. It’s interesting how she can encompass sleek tailoring or some gentle boho chic, and carry off both with aplomb. I like having my style notions challenged.
I agree that this style of dress is not dowdy at all. It is in fact very fashionable right now, but I also think the dresses will wear well when she repeats them. In anticipation of this spring and summer I purchased a few dresses in this sort of style – longer floral prints with a few interesting details. I’ll hopefully have a place to wear them other than the grocery!
I like Kate, I think she has been one of the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. I must say though that in the past few years her wardrobe has become old fashioned, her shoes a bit boring . With her great body and economic possibilities she could be very glamorous, remaining faithful to her demure style.
I think we would all love to see a look back at the CFS outfits. What a treat that would be!
Once again, detailed close-ups on the WKW page have sold me on a dress. I was fascinated by the cuff detailing and so pleased to learn that the print derives from heritage styles from India. A shirt dress is an ideal top for the video context, with its contrast pointed collar in pretty broderie anglaise. The covered buttons and lace edging on the cuffs are very period, and I love the Mughal style print on them.
The red tone suits Kate perfectly and leaves no danger of her looking washed out. The neutral Patrick Mavros earrings work well, their detailed studs chiming with the complexity of the dress print. Kate is doing an admirable job of keeping on top of her hair colour and style despite no salon visits.
Sadly, I’m not such a big fan of the fashion flashbacks, the pink Wickstead is too prim and the ruffled maxi too boho. No pleasing some people. I’ve never taken to that Wickstead as it makes me think of a Sunday school pupil, and the Other Stories dress is too busy all over, both print and ruffles. However, Kate as ever flouts all my judgments by looking great in both, and by choosing outfits that are spot on for the events. The formal Wickstead sits well in a Palace setting and Kate’s willowy figure really suits the floral maxi.
Oh, and yes please to a Flower Show outfits review!
I like the dress on her. However I think I would have liked it more if the designer had finished it with a collar of the same material as the dress or a round neck. I’m not a fan of this form of contrast in an outfit as I agree it makes the look more severe somehow. I applaud her efforts on all fronts. I know that I’ve personally taken the “hands off the wheel” when it comes to my daily appearance while I work from home and limit my outings. She has to continue on while many of the rest of us can choose not to. Way to go Kate!
Oh my, strongly dislike the Beulah dress. It is aging and severe, even on the typically radiant Kate! This is the problem with retro looks. Sometimes they look fabulous, other times, it looks like you’re wearing your grandma’s closet!
However, I adore the pink dress on Kate. I love the pleats and the jewel tones, as another commentator said. I’m so tired of her midi-length dresses and wish she would wear knee length again. Surely it can’t be considered inappropriate for a woman in her late thirties to wear knee length dresses.
I do not like the Beulah dress… at all. On the other hand, I have always been a fan of the Emilia Wickstead “Alice” dress. Generally, I think Kate looks best in jewel tones, but in this case, the soft pink makes a nice contrast with her dark hair. And the dress itself has some design elements that are unique—the pleats and off-center, concealed front closure—without being overly fussy. I wasn’t crazy about the pink shoes at the time, but I now agree with another commenter, Bonnie, that the pink satin accessories made the outfit dressier and more princess-y.
Personally, I like the teal version of the dress even better. It’s one of my favorite colors, and one that is particularly flattering on Kate, I think. Rereading some of the former posts, both versions of the dress got a lot of negative comments, which is surprising to me. In my opinion, the “Alice” dress is very pretty, and I like it in both pink and teal blue. I wouldn’t mind seeing another repeat of this dress. But since Kate has worn it in both colors multiple times already, we probably won’t see either version again.
Totally agree with everything you said here!
She really is a great example of looking effortless and graceful at the same time. I personally like the blue better. I imagine her in her espadrilles for this, just having trouble imagining she ever goes barefoot. But it would be an interesting post to see some of her past looks and how a different pair of her shoes would change the look.
I don’t find this dress flattering on the Duchess. Unfortunately that’s the case with most of the Beulah London pieces she wears.
I quite enjoy the print of this dress – it would make for a fun shift dress, with less fussy sleeves.
Yes, a post involving Kate and flowers would be wonderful! Thank you for the lovely thought 🙂
Always so late in commenting! As a result, I just seem to echo everyone else. I don’t like the red dress at all – it would be just about passable in blue. I am a great Emilia Wickstead fan, and I love the pink dress – and the other colours which Catherine wears it in.
A CFS retrospective would be most welcome! Thank you in advance.
I think you’re right and Pippa could well carry off the cornflower blue. I actually thought it looked washed out after seeing Kate’s vibrant red, but the studio shots of the blue help me see more of the tailoring, I hadn’t appreciated the gathering at the bust either side of the bodice opening. Another period touch.
Thank you for the post, Susan! The Duchess’s encouraging messages, and your always-uplifting coverage of each one, have been such a bright spot in my life. Yes, a retrospective of the Chelsea Flower Show would be fun! I think I will have to dress up in something floral to view it lol!
I’m in agreement that a CFS post would be great! Thanks so much Susan! The Beulah London dress is right up my alley, but I agree the collar is so severe, especially on the lovely DoC! And that pink Emilia Wickstead is perfect! Best Wishes Canada!🇨🇦
I would love a recap of flower show dresses! The Beulah dress — I prefer the baby blue. Kate sometimes goes for these severe stark white contrast collars and I’m not a huge fan. This dress may be quite nice if we could see all of it on her.
But oh my, what happened to her hair? This is the first time I can truly say she had a bad hair day! The style ages her.
I’m guessing because she’s doing her own. And honestly, if I were her, I would only do the front. I have worked from home for 7 years, and you do take shortcuts.
That’s what I figured. She’s doing her own, but I would think she would do a great job if she felt she wanted to take the time to do so. She is probably very tired having to homeschool the kids every day. It does look like she had it in a ponytail and just let it down.
I just want to say I’ve really enjoyed all of the posts lately and it’d be fun to see all of Kate’s CFS looks together. Thank you very much for everything you do, Susan!
Yes to a CGS post! That would be such a treat.
Kate looks beautiful in this red floral, but it’s a dress that I think needs to be seen in full. Maybe someday we will! I love the styling by the company with the straw bag and sandals– and I can picture Pippa in the cornflower blue version. It’s feminine, but not too flouncy.
Kate also looked great in the soft pink dress at the Queen’s Sovereigns’ Luncheon, and she accessorized it so well with the earrings, subtly-colored shoes, and the pretty clutch.
I would love to see a CFS post! I wonder if we might see Kate pop up virtually with an event to support people viewing from home.
I’m grateful we only see this particular dress in the zoom video. The entire piece in the designer’s pictures is very overwhelming with so many competing details. Kate was on such a roll with repeats and new designs that were more youthful. Hopefully this dress goes to the back of the closet at Anmer Hall.
Would love to see a CFS post!
Yes please! Thank you for the coverage today as well, Susan!
That dress is so her but I MUCH prefer the blue and white version. In the blue and white combo the sleeve detail is less pronounced and seems more delicate. Gosh what a weird hair day for her- I suppose she pulls it back when she sleeps and that has resulted in such n odd over all shape/flair. So rare for her hair to not be perfect.
Thanks for the flash backs- I love that pink dress and adored the pink satin Prada shoes and bags. They seemed so unusual for her and to me really made the dress seem so much more formal. She has worn that dress well on every occasion and has it in a beautiful blue to if I recall.
Susan, I am replying to your comment because I agree with all you have to say. The red and white dress is super busy with so many details. The blue/white versions is just quieter, as the colour contrast is not so pronounced. I do think the cuffs on the sleeves are unusual and eye catching. I too loved the pink satin shoes and purse worn in 2012. They are what a little girl would think of as true Princess styling. I wish we saw more of them when Kate is wearing pink.
As for Kate’s hair it is taking on a figure 8 shape. But then I look in the mirror and see mine, that is now seven weeks beyond a haircut and then I think that Kate is not doing too badly with her hair.
Forgot to add to my comment, that it would be great to see Kate’s Chelsea Flower Show outfits. I can’t remember how many she has visited, but if there are enough, perhaps we could have a CFS poll and vote for our favourite.
I see a realistic view of The Duchess being a real sympathetic personage. She, and the Duke, are not just talking heads, but actually living the life that we all are. Love this modern royal example.
Yes a recap would be great.
Yes please, to a CFS retrospective!
As for the Beulah London dress Kate wore in this post, I don’t love the style, but I do love the red and white colour. It’s somehow slightly unexpected for spring, and I think it looks fresh and attractive.
Happy Victoria Day to any fellow Canadians!
The Beulah dress is pretty, but I would prefer to see Kate leave the top button open at the neck, especially since we only see her in a ‘bust’ shot online. It just appears too severe to me for this event; and William is wearing his shirt with the top TWO buttons open…
I do not think this look suits the duchess. The color makes her look washed out and I feel it makes her look old, with the collar and floral print. I also think she should stop wearing those Patrick Mavros earrings.
But thanks for the Fashion Flashbacks! The 2012 Sovereigns Luncheon outfit has to be one of my favorite outfits. I really don’t know why I love it; I just do. I would like to see her in it again. For the 2019 Chelsea Show preview, I liked the way Kate wore the dress but I would never wear that dress. Thanks Susan!
NOTE: admin edit
Yes please on the offer of a CFS specific post! Thank you for your incredible work during the shelter-in-place, it has a been a highlight of my day checking and reading your posts.
I think Catherine and William have also been doing a stellar job during this time – accessible, friendly, compassionate. All the royal family have been great.
Great idea to have a CGS recap.
Agree that the Beulah dress makes the Duchess look hard & severe. She is always so perfectly groomed and attired. Let’s give her a pass in light of CV—19. After all by wearing a British Fashion brand, she is supporting the UK. Just wish she chose the blue version.
The recap of the Garden Show outfits would be delightful!
Yes — a retrospective of Flower Show looks would be most welcome!