Fashion Flashbacks from 2011 – 2017

We are back with some Friday Fun: a group of fashion flashbacks spanning almost a decade.  

Nine years ago yesterday, the Duke and Duchess attended the wedding of Mike and Zara Tindall. 

Kate wore a brocade coat initially seen at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes for the Edinburgh, Scotland nuptials.

The coat is by Day Birger et Mikkelsen, a Danish brand founded by Malene Birger and Keld Mikkelsen in 1997.  The coat was crafted of a brocade fabric embellished with a subtle gold paisley pattern; it had multiple fabric panels and was single-breasted with an off-center closure and flap pockets. The Duchess had previously worn the coat to two other weddings, the 2006 nuptials of Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes (photos here), and the 2010 wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker (photos here). 

Kate accessorized with a hat by Gina Foster, the ‘Launceston Place’ from the spring/summer 2011 collection.

The sculptural style was quickly dubbed the ‘potato chip hat’ by some royal watchers. Kate had a part in its design, requesting the addition of a second flower on the underside of the chapeau.  People reported, “She rang and asked to come in, then she tried a few on and we went from there…She wanted something in a color to match her outfit…she had her outfit and her bag with her.”   

The Duchess accessorized with her Sledge pumps and Natalie handbag, both by LK Bennett. 

She also wore the diamond drop earrings first seen on the North American tour when  Kate wore them with her purple Issa dress for the Canada Day concert.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to talk about the wedding without sharing a photo of the bride and groom. 

Eight years ago yesterday, we saw casual Kate at the Olympics. 

The Duke and Duchess were joined by a host of royal family members and Lord Sebastian Coe as they watched Zara Phillips compete in the equestrian eventing competition.

Kate wore a Team GB polo topped by her Smythe Blazer, skinny jeans, and the Corkswoon wedges by Stuart Weitzman. 

She also had on her pearl studs (see inset).

And Givenchy sunglasses.

The Duchess was busy on the 30th. She also attended a reception that evening.  

The event showcased the “GREAT Campaign,” an effort to capitalize on the worldwide exposure Britain was receiving from the Olympic and Paralympic Games. There were quite a few celebrities in attendance, including Stella McCartney, supermodel Lily Cole, designer Vivienne Westwood, and rock star Roger Daltrey. Below, the Duchess with Ms. McCartney.

Here you see Kate chatting with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt (r) as she was leaving the event.

Many will recognize the dress; we covered it just a few weeks ago as worn during the North American tour in this post. 

It is the Roksanda Ilincic ‘Peridot’ dress. It showcased delicate pleating and draped fabric with white tulle at the neckline and sleeves.

A better view of the details on the back and the draping. 

The Duchess accessorized with the Harper pump by LK Bennett and a beaded handbag.

The Duchess wore her hair in an updo.

Those photos also nicely show Kate’s Kiki McDonough blue topaz and diamond earrings.

Three years ago today, the Duke and Duchess took part in ceremonies commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele.

The ceremony was at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium. Below, the Duke and Duchess greet the Prince Of Wales. 

In this photo, you see King Philippe of Belgium, the Duchess, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Prince William, as they watch jets flying overhead.

The Duchess wore a Catherine Walker coatdress for the ceremony, the ‘Melrose’ style.

The piece is described as being made of dusty pink Venetian wool, a lightweight higher-end fabric. It is decorated at the hem and cuff with hand appliqued taupe lace.

Another view of the Duchess.

Kate brought back a Jane Taylor hat we had seen before adorned with new embellishment.

She wore a brooch on loan from the Queen, a piece the Royal Order of Splendor notes “… is something of an obscure member of The Queen’s brooch collection. Its provenance is so far unknown and its appearances are scarce; The Queen most notably wore it during a State Visit to South Korea in 1999.”

The Duchess also had on the Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

This engagement was the first time we noticed Kate wearing the Gianvito Rossi praline pumps in a lower heel ($208 in very limited sizes), the 85 mm height (about 3.3″).

The previous evening the Duke and Duchess took part in centenary events at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.

Below, the Duchess and Queen Mathilde.

They were at the site for the nightly Last Post ceremony. Another look at the Duchess.  

Many recognized the Alexander McQueen coat immediately, remembering it from Charlotte’s christening in 2015 (l), as well as Trooping the Colour 2016 (c).

Kate’s hat was also a repeat, the Marisabell style from John Lock and Company.

Designed by Sylvia Fletcher, the piece was first worn for Trooping the Colour 2015 (r).

The Duchess wore Emmy London’s ‘Rebecca’ heels and carried an Anne Grand-Clément clutch.  

She wore her pearl brooch and earrings by Balenciaga, one of the brand’s ‘Eugenia’ styles in silvertone brass, faux pearls, and crystals.

This was an interesting mix to put together, encompassing a range of events and styles!