Princess Beatrice’s Wedding Gown Exhibit, Fashion Flashbacks, & More

We are back with some quick updates, Fashion Flashbacks from eight years ago, and then some repliKates. 

Our first update involves Princess Beatrice’s wedding gown, worn for her July marriage to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. 

The stunning Norman Hartnell design will go on display at a special exhibition at Windsor Castle running from September 24 – November 22.

The gown was loaned to the bride by her grandmother, The Queen. Made of peau de soie taffeta and organza and trimmed with duchesse satin, the piece was updated for its recent appearance. The dress was first worn to a 1961 state dinner; HM was photographed wearing the gown in 1962 for the premiere of Lawrence of Arabia (below), and it was seen again at the 1966 State Opening of Parliament.

More from the Royal Collection Trust news release:

Sir Norman Hartnell’s original design was altered for Princess Beatrice under the direction of Miss Angela Kelly, Personal Advisor, Dresser and Curator to The Queen, and the British fashion designer Mr Stewart Parvin. The full-skirted silhouette was softened to give a more contemporary, simplified shape, and the underskirt and petticoats were recreated and bound with silk tulle. Short sleeves of triple organza were added to the straps and embroidered with vintage diamantés to match the original Hartnell embroidery design. Each alteration made to the dress is reversible.

Those going to the exhibit will see Beatrice’s Valentino shoes, first worn to Kate and William’s 2011 wedding. The sandals are done in blush suede embellished with gold microstuds and a 4.5″ heel.

A replica of Princess Beatrice’s bridal bouquet has been created for display as well.

For anyone in a position to consider going to the exhibit, you can book tickets by clicking here. 

Next, an update on the Duchess’s Hold Still photo project done in tandem with the National Portrait Gallery. Upon learning the final 100 photos were selected for a special online exhibit, several wondered if there would be any kind of physical catalog or remembrance of the project. Longtime WKW friend Irish Sara asked the Gallery about that possibility.  She shared the response on Twitter. 

I wrote to the NPG to know if a catalogue of the Hold Still exhibit will be available, I got this answer now so we shall be hopeful at this point! @isaguor @WhatKateWore @MiddletonMaven @LadyParky79 pic.twitter.com/uPpNAdf7rj

— ??☘️Sara☘?? (@Irishsara1980) September 2, 2020

 Thank you, Irish Sara! I’ll update when we learn more details about the exhibit and catalog. 

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Now for our fashion flashbacks. We begin with a look at the Duchess eight years ago last Wednesday when the 2012 Paralympic Games were in full swing.

It was day four of the games. 

The Duchess awarded medals for the men’s discus throw.

She wore the Punto Milano double-breasted blazer by Pucci we first saw back in March 2012. It is a classic style with peak lapels, flap pockets, double vents, gold buttons on the front, and at the cuff.

Kate also had on her Corkswoon wedges by Stuart Weitzman. 

And brought back the Team GB Paralympic scarf.

Earlier in the day, the Duchess was in more casual designs.

She watched men’s rowing, which was held in Windsor.  Below you see her with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor. 

Kate chatting with Lady Louise. 

It was rainy on and off throughout the day. 

And just two days before this, Kate and William attended other Paralympic Games events. Below, the couple watching cycling in the Velodrome. 

Royals doing the wave.

Another view.

Here you see the couple as they left the Velodrome.

At times Kate had her fleece on over her Adidas polo shirt, and at others, she took it off.

She wore her vivid red Supernova trainers by Adidas. 

And her Kiki McDonough ‘Grace’ studs. (Shown below as worn on another occasion.)

That evening the Duchess made a solo visit to the Aquatic Centre. 

She wore her Team GB duds and skinny jeans.

Here you see her doing the wave with Tim Hollingsworth, the Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association.

She pulled her hair back in a partial pony. 

Through all of the events, the Duchess also wore her security ID. 

And back on the 29th of August, 2012, the Duchess repeated a coat for the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

Many recognized the piece immediately. 

It was the DAY Birger et Mikkelsen brocade worn prior to this event and several times since 2012.

It’s hard to believe that it was eight years ago last week! 

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Now for the other part of our post, a smattering of holiday sales and savings for anyone able to shop this extended weekend. Many of the deals expire at midnight tonight, although some retailers may extend them another day. 

• Superga USA is taking 25% off sitewide with promo code FALL25, making Kate’s Cotu Classic $48.75. The style is $48.99 at Zappos.

• Boden’s US site offers 20% off today full price items, 15% off tomorrow, and 10% off Wednesday.  
• J. Crew is offering an extra 70% off + an additional 10% off sale styles with promo code BYESUMMER. The retailer is also doing 40% off + an additional 10% off full-priced merchandise with the same promo code. 
• At J. Crew Factory, the deal is (online only) an extra 75% off clearance merchandise.  
• Reiss is taking an additional 20% off sale prices through tonight.
• Whistles is taking an additional 40% off sale merchandise.
• Bloomingdale’s has a lot of merchandise on sale, including a sizable selection of Whistles, some Reiss styles, and a big section of Hobbs London designs.  
• Hobbs London has quite a bit of merchandise in its sale section.  Discounted items include the shorter version of the Bianca Coat in green ($325, 50% off); the Duchess wore the longer version in navy for a February visit to South Wales. 
• Aquatalia is taking 25% off sitewide with promo code LDW25. This includes the brand’s current iteration of the Rhumba shown below left ($521 with the promotional savings), as well as styles quasi-reminiscent of other boots she has worn, like the Karen ($178.50 with the promotional savings) and the Karly (also $178.50). 

• Stuart Weitzman has a broad selection of shoes, bags, and other accessories on sale, all 60% off. 
• Banana Republic is taking 40% off everything plus an additional 10% off, no code needed. 
• H&M is doing 20% off everything with no code needed & free shipping over $40.
• Nordstrom Rack is doing its Clear the Tack promotion with an extra 25% off clearance merchandise, including designs by MICHAEL Michael Kors, Topshop, J. Crew, and Madewell.    
• The Outnet (Net-a-Porter’s discount arm) is taking an additional 20% off a group of sale merchandise. This includes a good mix of Diane von Furstenberg, many designs from Max Mara, a few pieces by Emilia Wickstead, quite a bit of Roland Mouret, and a broad sampling of shoes on sale.
• Zara has a decent mix of sale merchandise with no additional percentage off.
• Goat has a substantial selection of sale merchandise. 
• Ralph Lauren has quite a bit of discounted merchandise online.
• Adidas is taking 25% off sitewide with promo code SALE25. 
• Vince Camuto, great for repliKates, is doing 25% off your purchase with promo code LABORDAY25.  

I’ve been updating repliKate for shoes, as well as dresses, a smattering of outerwear,  and some jewelry. Here is a sampling:

For the Allegra K Plaid Block Heel Pumps ($36.99) as offered at Walmart, the FSJ Plaid Block Heel Pump ($69.99). 

For the maroon Whistles dress worn for her portrait unveiling in 2013, here are a couple of possibilities: on the left, the Wrapped Midi Dress ($49.99) from Mango; second from left, the Pleated Midi Dress ($59.99), also from Mango; on the right, the Silk Long-Sleeve Wrap Dress ($129.99) as offered at Uniqlo.  

SEP 7: For the double-breasted Pucci blazer we offer (from left to right): the Double-Breasted Stretch Wool Blazer ($249) as offered at Brooks Brothers; the Sleek Double-Breasted Jacket ($129.50) as carried at Boston Proper; the Double-Breasted Blazer ($45.89 on sale, no code needed) as sold at Banana Republic.  The BR blazer comes in regular, tall, and petite sizes; swap out the silver buttons for gold ones if you really want to have it look like Kate’s!