The Duchess was in a vibrant red coat by Alexander McQueen for Hold Still events in London today. 
Hold Still is the project the Duchess curated with the National Portrait Gallery. Launched in May, Hold Still was designed to create a photographic snapshot of the UK during the pandemic, using pictures taken by the public. More than 31,500 images were submitted, and 100 were selected to be part of an online exhibit; they are also being featured on posters and billboards in community exhibits around the UK.
The couple visited Waterloo in south London today to mark the launch of those community exhibits. 
There are portraits in more than eighty locations.
Via Co-Operate (Click image to visit page)
You can see where the posters and billboards are located via an interactive map posted on the Co-Operate site. 
Kate and William met Sami Massalami Mohammed Elmassalami Ayad (second from right), featured in one of the 100 portraits. 
You may remember this image of the community volunteer from a previous post. It is titled Sami and was shot on his first day of volunteering at the Children With Voices Community Food Hub in Hackney, London, by Grey Hutton. 
In this video, you see the Duke and Duchess chatting with Mr. Ayad at the community food hub in Hackney.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to Sami Ayad, a volunteer at a community Food Hub in Hackney who features in one of the portraits displayed at the site and Nick Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery while looking at The Look of Lockdown by Lotti Sofia pic.twitter.com/75GNIlTW0D
— Russell Myers (@rjmyers) October 20, 2020
More about the encounter from The Sun’s story:
Sami said: “It was such a joy to meet the Duke and Duchess and I can’t believe my picture made it to the final 100.
“I didn’t even know it was being submitted by my colleague at the food hub so it came as a massive shock when I got a call from the National Portrait Gallery saying the Duchess wanted to speak to me.
“She called me a few weeks ago and we had such a lovely conversation. She told me how she wanted to build a snapshot of how Britain was coping in the pandemic, but to show all sides of what people have gone through and are still going through.”
Back to The Sun’s coverage:
Sami, who is visiting the UK until October while studying for a PHD in London, said: “The Duchess came across as really caring and dedicated, I was so impressed she took the time to call me.
“I told her about the work they do at the food hub, and she agreed it’s such a vital project. I was lucky enough to help out there for a couple of months but they always need help throughout the year.”
Sami told William his colleague submitted the picture of him standing in the garden with his apron on without him knowing, to which the Duke laughed loudly and replied: “oh that’s great, you didn’t know at all? Love it. That’s brilliant.”
You can just see Mr. Ayad on the far left in this photo shared by Roya Nikkhah of The Sunday Times. In the center, Nicholas Cullinan, director of the Portrait Gallery. 
Kate and William then visited St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where they met Joyce Duah and other frontline healthcare workers. Ms. Duah is an oncology pharmacist at the hospital, and her photograph was selected as one of the 100 final portraits.
My portrait is of Amelia and Dipal, 2 of my many colleagues who have been drafted-in to work on our Intensive Care Unit. They have been working hard as pharmacy technicians, delivering vital medication multiple times a day to ITU. I’ve watched Amelia and Dipal with such admiration for what they are doing and more importantly their positive attitudes. They spend their precious lunch breaks encouraging each other with humour and I think they are so brave.I decided I wanted to use my photography skills to document some of their journey. I asked Amelia if she would mind if I took some pictures of them donning their PPE and she happily accepted. I’m so proud of the team and all they do and it’s been a privilege to capture their journey during this historic time. One of their practices is to write their names on their gowns so that colleagues are able to recognise each other under their PPE and to help the patients who are conscious to feel closer to their carers.
Kate and Wills with Joyce Duah, a specialist oncology pharmacist at St Bart’s hospital, whose startling image of ICU colleagues Amelia Chowdhury and Dipal Samuel, made the top 100 in the Hold Still Covid-19 picture project going nationwide today. pic.twitter.com/nk6RjzJWt9
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) October 20, 2020
Another view of the couple. 
More about this meeting from Victoria Ward’s piece in The Telegraph.
The Duchess told them: “Thank you so much for the image. It had such an impact it captured the moment, it was a look behind the scenes.
“The story of what you experienced is so important.”
The Duke added: “It is important for history purposes to show that actually happened.”
Ms Samuel told William and Kate: “It will go down in history. When children are doing history or biology, they can have these photographs of mum doing this.
The couple chatting with health care workers at the hospital. 
Another view of the royals. 
We turn now to our look at what Kate wore for today’s engagements.
The Duchess’s Alexander McQueen coat is a double-breasted style with peak lapels, front flap pockets, contrasting black buttons at the cuff, and front closure. The closest current style I can find is this design at Farfetch, the label’s Double-Breasted Asymmetric Coat ($4950) in a wool/cashmere blend, minus the draped fabric on the side. 
Valerie posted a suggestion on Twitter that Kate might be wearing a Massimo Dutti skirt beneath the coat, the Pleated Skirt with Buckle Detail ($119). 
Couture Royals tweeted that Massimo Dutti confirms it is this skirt. I have an email out to the company for verification and clarification on color. I have posted a few repliKates here.
UPDATE October 28: I have not heard back from Inditex, owners of Massimo Dutti (as well as Zara), but that is not unusual. The more I have thought about the piece and talked with friends, the less I believe the skirt is the Massimo Dutti style. A friend suggests it might be the Zara Pleated Skirt in Black ($39.90), which makes more sense to me, especially the color.
Kate’s bag appears to be the ‘Love Letter’ Top-Handled Bag in the small size ($2060) by Grace Han. 
The bag’s “distinctive envelope closure is an ode to Love Letters of the past present and future” per the product description. Made of calfskin, the bag has a detachable shoulder strap, magnetic snap closure, and goldtone metal feet. It measures 9.5″ x 7.5″ x about 3.5″ wide. Many thanks to Caroline Parr for her speedy ID of this piece.
The Duchess sported her oft-worn Piper 85 Pumps ($695) by Gianvito Rossi. 
The pump is a point-toe style with a block heel that measures 3.5″. (We have some repliKate options here.)
The Duchess wore a mask by Amaia Kids.
It looks like the Yellow Pepper style (£15, about $19). 
Kate wore a pair of earrings we’d not seen before. Stephanie Champion-Helton suggested the Duchess was wearing the Gold/Diamond Luxury Maxi Cupid Hoop Earrings ($3300) by Daniella Draper, and I think she is spot-on with the ID. 
The earrings are gold with three diamonds, measuring about an inch in diameter.
NOTE: There are also photos of the Duke and Duchess shooting the Pride of Britain awards with TV presenter Kate Garraway at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital today. I will update the post with those photos when they are available. Below, a tweet from Rebecca English of the shoot; this story has the photos. The Daily Mail reports, “The royal couple appeared to be being interviewed for the Pride of Britain Awards later this month. This will be the first time Kate has been involved in the awards, while William last attended the ceremony in 2017.”
UPDATE 6:30 pm: I have been unable to find photos other than those shown in the Daily Mail story. It’s possible they are embargoed until the awards are broadcast on television.
Kate appears to be wearing her Smythe One-Button Blazer, now called the Duchess Blazer ($695). 
It also looks like she has on her Spells of Love Alia Hoop Earrings (£62 available for pre-order), shown below as worn on other occasions.
VIDEO:
The Royal Family Channel has about 3:30 of raw video in this clip.
This clip is from the St. Batholomew’s visit.
LINKAGE:
- Click here to view the NPG Hold Still microsite; click here to see the gallery of images; information on the community exhibition is here; the Co-Operate interactive map is here.
- The Mirror’s story by Russell Myers is here; The Evening Standard’s article is here; The Daily Mail’s coverage from Harriet Johnston is here; The Telegraph’s story is here; The Express article is here.
- A piece by Emily Nash for Hello is here; Simon Perry’s People story is here.
[…] The Duchess carried her Grace Han Love Letter Top-Handled Bag ($2144) this evening, which we first saw at the Hold Still community launch in October. […]
I love this well-tailored, deep red coat, perhaps on a chilly winter day with black heeled boots, with a cozy black scarf and hat. Then it would look very “Lara” from Dr. Zhivago, but in the best way- vintage, elegant and understated.
Love the look, and love the cause! This coat is a bit of a departure from Kate’s regular style, but sometimes change is good. Yes, the Duchess looks fabulous when she shows her fabulous legs—but I have to admit, I do like this look too. And red is wonderful on her. Some of the comments on this event have been interesting, and I want to add my note of appreciation for the site. I don’t comment on every post, but I have to confess that I check the site almost every day! I have three grown daughters, and I share it with them too. I for one like to learn from the world’s most elegant and sophicated ladies, and Kate is a leader among them in my book. Who knows, any one of us might be invited to the White House for dinner one day…or Buckingham Palace!
Awww, thank you, Debbie! 🙂
The duchess looks gorgeous although the coat swallows her up completely. I know nothing about fashion but love to see great clothes on beautiful folks. But this one is something I may wear for extreme cold and snow perhaps with a scarf and boots. Definitely not in fall.
But the cause is great!
But sometimes I wonder if another expensive red coat is really necessary when folks are struggling with the pandemic. Should this be the time to recycle and conserve? I’m sure she probably has a dress allowance; bu why not just donate that? I almost feel guilty seeing these pictures.
But then I am sure that she brings joy overall so it should be fine. Plus let me admit, I would be a bit disappointed if we did not see the duchess in a new outfit:)
Not a fan of this outfit!A great project though.
Great purse and love DOC in red but the coat is bulky and way too long!! !!
I am puzzled by the switch from one gold earring pair to another when changing outfits. It doesn’t seem they are all that much different.
–Lee
I just love Kate’s reserved and mature style for engagements. I like her long midi-dresses with high collars too! I just can’t get behind this coat’s length. I get that it is en pointe. I wore coats of this length in the late 80’s and early 90’s but then again I live in Canada where you covered up every inch lol. The tailoring at the shoulders is sublime which we always see from House if McQueen. I am thinking if the coat was open it would have been balanced. We could have seen that chic pleated skirt. What does everyone think? Would that have made the difference?
Citadine, I also live in Canada and know that in the depths of winter, a long coat worn with high boots can be stylish and helps deal with the cold. I don’t think that if Kate wore the coat open, it would make us like the length more. There would have been a huge gap between the bottom of her skirt and the bottom of her coat….perhaps making the lack of balance even more pronounced. Also, although this was a warm day and a coat was not really necessary, at some point a coat is necessary. If that coat only looks good worn open, then it really defeats the purpose of having the coat.
Sauf erreur je crois que c’est son 6e manteau rouge !
Mon préféré est celui porté en 2016 au Canada.
Celui-ci est beau mais tout de même trop long.
Je ne trouve pas qu’il grossisse Kate, regardez la photo de dos.
I agree: the coat is way too long – by a few inches compared to other really long ones (green one to the Irish pub visit for starters and that was quite long enough).
Six red coats? I haven’t checked through the WKW years but there will be over a dozen green ones, same for blue shades, brown, etc. Generally of a ‘formal’ style so only for official duties, not likely to be worn ‘privately’ either. I have to admit that every time I see another new coat my heart sinks and I wonder at the reasonong behind it. The Duchess must have 100s of coats.
In England – most of the UK in general – we can have long months of dull, dreary, damp, chilly autumns and winters. However really freezing weather spells are intermittent and not long-lasting, so fullblown winter coats for most of us become an almost lifetime investment.
Perhaps a wholesale shift in ‘coat’ dressing thinking is needed. I think someone elsewhere mentioned that shorter jackets/coats would be an elegant look so perhaps a few styles of skirts are needed to allow a bit more ‘mix and match’ with shorter coats already in the wardrobe and perhaps a few – very few! – additions of jackets? e.g. I loved that little black cape thing that Camilla wore the other day – she looked fabulous, and that mask was to die for! – in fact it has just reminded me of an olive green cape we glimpsed in a WKW photo of Catherine on the way to a BP Christmas lunch a few years back, that needs another outing.
NOTE: admin edit
I dunno, some people have hundreds (okay, dozens) of pairs of shoes, when they could manage perfectly well with half the number. They’re just shoe people. Maybe Kate is just a coat person?
I wish she’d gone for the style with the draped effect. The coat is nice and very well cut but it’s just a bit…dull. I think it looks too long too, by a couple of inches.
I love the Duchess’ coats and I love red; however, my first reaction was to think it is fortunate she will never be rushing down the stairs at a Tube station because that is when I often come close to catching a heel in such a long coat. And her heels are 2-3 times higher than mine!
I am not a fan of the pastels she sometimes wears but, honestly, she looks lovely in anything. Enjoying the earrings in this post particularly. Like many of you, I do not like the back of the blazer.
Re larger purses, maybe she has more stuff she needs to carry? Or is there a lady-in-waiting somewhere in the distance with a hairbrush or compact?
Susan, thank you for all the escapist moments you provide! They are always appreciated but especially over the last seven months!
I love this coat, especially the color. The earrings are gorgeous and that purse – I want it!!!
Im not even a fan of Mcqueen because of the way they cut and sew the fabric (they are not using the couture techniques and just do highstreet shortcuts to save money for fabric etc) but people are so harsh with this coat. I bet none of the commenters ever studied fashion. The coat isn’t too heavy and isn’t weighting her down and itsnt making her waist appear bigger. By this point I really know that a lot of you here don’t really know enough about fashion to make such big comments. I thought the Duchess looks very regal in this outfit, she’s a royal , royals wear long garments , its a tradition , part of it started to show that they can afford long garments as fabrics costs a lot. Anyway I think if everyone ever questions any of the royals outfits thinking they are too grumpy etc just remember they are royals, its nice they they try to keep some sort of tradition and don’t go all modern, then they would look like peasants..
Try to be nicer everyone , fashion isn’t everything
Silverliining, You are not a frequent contributor to the comments. I’m not sure you are correct in saying that NONE of the people who comment have studied fashion, but you’d likely be right in saying that MOST of us have not studied fashion. One doesn’t have to be a musician to have an opinion about music, nor an artist to have an opinion about art, nor a chef to have an opinion about a meal. Likewise we are not fashion writers, but just a community of people who admire Kate and who comment about what we do, or don’t like about her outfits. To the best of my knowledge, McQueen has never claimed to be Haute Couture. Most of us, however, appreciate the tailoring that goes into that design house’s garments. Since you seem to have more knowledge than the rest of us about fashion, I invite you to comment more often and share your expertise. Please keep in mind that we don’t claim to be educated in fashion, we just know what we like and what we dislike.
As for your statement that Royals wear long garments, well we’ve all seen photos of Kate, Meghan, Eugenie, Beatrice, Diana and even Princess Anne in her day, wearing skirts above the knee. And for the record, I find Kate’s red coat too long.
Well said, Bonnie!
And I agree.
Well said, Bonnie!
I hope you feel better having gotten that out of your system.
If you decide to stick around and comment some more, I think you will find that the site and the comments section are both interesting and respectful–to the Royal Family and to fellow commenters. Susan (the admin) does an amazing job of setting and maintaining that standard.
Agreed, Jessica!
I just watched your interview on today’s People Royals email, and it was so nice to put a face with your name. You were brilliant, by the way! Very well done! Thank you for all that you do, especially, as you noted, your zest for wanting to get the shoes, handbag and jewelry just right down to every detail. That’s one of the many things that sets your work and your site apart and above all others. Again, thank you and know that you’ve got a lifetime fan here in Miami and that you make my day every time I see an update drop into my Inbox!
Michael
Thank you, Michael! I’m tickled you enjoyed it and like the site. 😊
Michael, I agree 1000%. Well said!
I don’t necessarily dislike the coat but it doesn’t fit this event, or more importantly, the weather. Everyone else is dressed lightly and it appears to be a fairly nice day, causing the coat to appear out of place. It’s too long and too bulky. That said, if Kate were wearing it on a cold, snowy walk to church on Christmas, I would probably describe it as cozy and festive.
This would be the perfect coat for a snowy Christmas Day walk to the church at Sandringham with the other Royal family members. I could envisage Kate with a black furry hat, scarf, gloves and boots and some knockout diamond and ruby earrings. Christmas days in England never really get that cold enough for snow so unlikely.
I love the color of the coat, especially for fall, but the fabric seems to move awkwardly and is very heavy. She appears weighed down by it.
I think Kate is on point wearing the current fall coat style which is more bulky, above the ankle and with shoes either flats or chunkier heels. Many of the coats are oversized showing slacks or skirts beneath. Kate chose a tailored style and one which covered her skirt which I think is a dressier look and more her personal style. Thumbs up!
The cut of the coat screams “bathrobe” to me.
My bathrobes are more schlumpy than this beautiful coat. And they have waist ties.
Sadly I have to agree, Millicent
This coat might work in Russia. But it’s too heavy a fabric, especially for fall. A shorter coat, in lighter fabric would give this a less bunched up look. I like the trapped version it’s shorter and a softer fabric that word with this cut. Looks like she is wearing upholstery fabric. It even makes her look thick through the chest and The middle. I hope we see this coat redesigned and only worn in the dead of winter and with boots. I do like her blazer, always have. Accessories are great today.
I adore the coat for its color and tailoring, but it isn’t a coat for October. I live in northern New England and I know cold. I’ve lived in London in October and can appreciate that there is most definitely a chill in the air, but not enough to require this coat. In the photo where we see the healthcare workers on the left they are in short sleeved scrubs while on the right side we see the duchess in a heavy winter coat. It looks like they’re in different climate zones, and (I hate to say) like the two sides are out of touch, which is definitely not the message the Cambridges want to communicate. I hate to be critical because it is a fabulous coat and—more importantly—a marvelous project for the duchess.
I agree with Zoe. I had hesitated to make a comment because I didn’t want to sound negative. I think the coat is beautiful. However, I think Kate is and looks too young to be wearing such long outfits in general. The weather didn’t require it and it seems to me that it makes her look rather dull. I realize this may seem like the wrong term to use with such a bright red color, but with her lovely youthful looks, the length dampens the whole outfit.
I read McQueen and had such high hopes … but this coat was a big miss for me. It’s too bulky and wide, and too long. The cut, particularly, makes Kate look wide around the middle, something I previously thought was impossible. The cut of the coat almost looks like maternity wear. It also rumples strangely when Kate sits, simply because it’s too long. The coat should be a lot more fitted and shorter, perhaps with slacks or a pencil skirt underneath.
I like the red coat, a bit long, but beautiful. The project is amazing, good for everybody. As usual, Kate looks beautiful. For a long time, I have noticed that Kate has started substituting handbags for clutches. I trace the beginning of this back to the time Meghan started making appearances and almost always she carried a handbag with a handle. Perhaps it was a coincidence but I think it was a good one.
Je pense que pour les occasions officielles elle préfère les pochettes car cela lui permet d’occuper ses deux mains.
Mais on a pu la voir avec des sacs à mains pour des moments privés (des achats dans Londres par exemple) et cela dès 2012.
Et aussi avec un petit sac à Wimbledon en 2016, à Paris en 2017, en Suède en 2018, etc. C’est agaçant cette habitude de toujours parler de l’influence de Meghan.
Mais quand Meghan a porté un manteau tartan vert et marine, personne n’a dit qu’elle copiait Kate qui avait une tenue semblable bien avant !
Et on peut chercher d’autres exemples…
Please can we stop with the ‘influencing’ thoughts – Chanel handbag in Paris March 2017?? No one knew who Meghan Markle was ………
Thank you Sue this is getting beyond annoying and ridiculous at this point, also lets not forget that Kate also carried a white Victoria Beckham bag to Wimbledon in 2016 and 2017. I’m not trying to sound rude but not everything evolves around MM when it comes to royal fashion. It’s like Kate can’t experiment in her style without being accused of copying or being influenced by someone.
I spoke to this point when someone said that the black tuxedo suit that Kate wore recently was Meghan’s influence. Quite a few people agreed that Kate has her own style and is not influenced by Meghan nor Diana. The tabloids make comparisons between the two Duchesses all the time. So let’s agree on WKW to cease with these statements. As I said previously, “Kate does Kate best.”
Just an observation (and I could be completely wrong on this) but it seems to me that Kate has been opting for handbags instead of clutches when she chooses an outfit with minimal jewelry or other accessories. It’s almost as if a handbag helps give the rest of her outfit a little flare. I looked back at some of her other examples, and it seems like she has chosen a handbag to pair with a simpler coat or coat dress where we do not see her outfit underneath or much jewelry on display. I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on it!
I’ve had coats that length but reserved them for really cold weather and with boots. Don’t care for that length in fall and with court shoes. I’d love it I think with boots on a cold day in winter. Like the peek of the pleated skirt underneath. Are the earrings new? Adore them, quite modern. Not crazy about the navy blazer and trousers but it’s a change which is always appreciated. Love the handbag as well. What can you say? She’s always immaculate and lovely. And that hair!
Agree about the coat. Cold for a winter’s day with Boots.
Nice to see Kate engaging with some of the Hold Still subjects and photographers. I still haven’t gone through all the pictures but I think it’s one of the more memorable projects she’s been involved in. It will always be an easy historical snapshot for future generations to refer to when learning about COVID-19.
So the color is great but that coat is too long. Nobody needs to wear a coat that long unless they live in super cold climates. It makes me think of my mom’s ugly white puffer coat that reaches all the way to her feet she got from LL Bean that she bought for the cold winters in Boston (the wind tunnels in that city are a real thing) where she has worked for the past 10 years. Surely it isn’t quite that cold in the UK yet? The top looks nice but the bottom is just so awkward looking, especially when she is sitting. Also I don’t usually pay attention to price too much when it comes to royals but wowza, the price tag on the coat and the bag almost made me faint…!
I get maybe she wanted to wear a longer coat than her skirt, often a winter fashion dilemma but she could have worn a shorter waist-length jacket with it? That is an acceptable look nowadays. I know we all have different mileage when it comes to temperature, maybe she gets cold easily. But this super long coat was overkill for me.
The skirt looks cute, hopefully we can actually see it on her someday. I really like the earrings too.
As for the other pictures of Kate and William’s upcoming Prince of Britain awards–I’m looking forward to clearer pictures when they become available. Kate finally seems to embracing blazers with slacks and it’s such a nice change of pace from the never ending parade of buttoned shirtdresses.
I decided to scroll through the comments before adding my own, and it turns out you said everything I wanted to re: the coat!
I think it is such a lovely colour and fit, but the length is ridiculous. I would much prefer it to end at the knee. Having grown up in Edmonton, Canada, where winters are full of snow and temperatures of -30C, I associate long coats with that kind of weather and especially people who had moved to the city from much warmer climes and weren’t used to it. And yes, coats like that are usually puffer coats like you mentioned. Can’t imagine anyone wearing McQueen when the bottom of your coat is likely to drag in the snow!
As for the rest of the outfit, the earrings are not my taste at all. I was never a fan of the first Daniella Draper earrings, with or without charms, and on this version the added stones just look awkward. I do like the bag, and the sentimentality behind the design. I wonder if Kate chose a bigger, heavier bag to help avoid the temptation to shake hands? In the video of her and William arriving at St. Bart’s, it suddenly really stood out to me that handshaking is not really acceptable at the moment – and that was perhaps highlighted by the fact that both Kate’s hands are firmly clasped on her bag handle.
Happy to see the Smythe blazer again. It’s one of my all-time favourites, one of those pieces that sparked me to follow Kate’s fashion in the first place, and you really can’t go wrong with a timeless tailored blazer. In these photos I find the trousers look a bit too loose and baggy, but will reserve my judgment for when the video is released!
An absolutely stunning coat from McQueen. Interesting to see Kate continue to progress to less-cluttered, open revere collars after her many button up styles, plus this coat is less heavily decorated with buttons than some McQueen offerings. The tailoring is sublime, the collar and waist smoothly executed, the latter looks a little high but very pretty. The pocket flaps are nicely placed to give Kate some extra padding at the hips, rather than look too elongated with all those smooth verticals.
The label’s characteristic swagger still emerges via the maxi length, something I feel is generally best worn with heeled boots. I think Kate just about gets away with her pair of chunky Gianvito Rossi block heels in a bid to balance out the weight of the coat.
Her new earrings and bag are both divine and the Massimo Dutti pleated skirt is a fun variation. It looks as if Kate has managed to wear the national colours of red, white, and blue here. I’m interested in the design of the Daniella Draper hoops, using a single butterfly back in lieu of fiddling to get one half of a hoop to slot into the other as is often the way with hoops. The delicious Grace Han bag is to die for, so elegant and neat, while clearly having enough room to retain a precious degree of practicality. Its slight bulk is a welcome antidote to the lean coat lines. A brilliant outfit for touring several different parts of the city.
I’m intrigued by the blue two-piece given the jacket is the Smythe style we’ve seen before, in which case I wonder how she managed to track down such a good match in the trousers. It’s just wonderful that she really does seem to have discovered the value and comfort of a smart pair of tailored pants.
The vibrant red is flattering, and the coat looks well-tailored when Kate stands perfectly still, front and back. However, it does not move well and is about 6 inches too long. If it’s cold enough for a heavy coat, I hope the healthcare workers didn’t have to wait too long on a chilly concrete bench. I love the handbag—size and beautiful envelope flap. Does anyone know of an affordable replicate?
Oh, yeah this…missed the point of that glorious McQueen coat it was adapted from. THAT coat was several inches shorter, with just the saucy drape going longer, giving it that wonderfully naughty goth-Victorian look that is one of McQueen’s signatures. I get that it was a bit much for the Duchess as is, but then just choose a different coat, right? Without the drape and with the overall length extended, it just looks basic. And too long. You’d think it would be impossible to make the Duchess look stumpy, but somehow this coat has done it.
Before you @ me, the Duchess is clearly NOT stumpy, and I adore McQueen and think their partnership with the Duchess is one for the ages. But this coat is not going to remembered as its apex.
I think part of the issue here–and I’ve complained about this before, with a similarly long coat in a muted green–is the outdated fashion rule that a coat has to be longer than the skirt. With skirts getting so long, it’s getting us into semi-ridiculous territory with the coats. I think if the Duchess could free herself of that restriction, there would be wonderful opportunity to wear, for instance, a shorter, belted jacket with a long skirt. With boots and a great hat? Come on; that would be perfectly appropriate and much more fashion-forward.
I actually like the accessories just fine, and I think if the coat had been shorter, this would all have worked just fine, even if it might not have been super exciting.
Agree totally about the coat. I thought it swallowed her.
I’d like to see the McQueen coat with the drape.
I wish I could “like” your comment 1000 times. I too think the dress and coat lengths are getting ridiculous. This style doesn’t look regal, it just looks strange
Jessica, I have to agree with you about the coat and your insight as to why she’s chosen a much longer coat style.
On another note, might this be the best haircut Kate has ever had??
I agree! Her hair looks wonderful! I always like her with it longer! She has the most beautiful hair! Let it shine!
The layers flow so well in the wind and give her volume without cutting down on the movement.
Normally when she wears a covered-up look, she errs on the side of safety- traditional clothes, “matronly” cuts. But this is a covered-up look that was a RISK. No one wears coats like this, especially buttoned up. I would’ve at least expected her to unbutton it while sitting down.
Hmm, I’m going to have to think about this. I don’t want to blast it just because it’s new. The red looks great on her at least. and McQueen tailoring is heaven.
Re: the awards outfit- she’s really getting into pantsuits, isn’t she? Maybe the fit and flare coatdresses feel too flouncy in a post-pandemic world. The Countess of Wessex must’ve been an influence.
I really like all the jewelry. Every piece. I’m sure these are well made so they’ll last forever.
And finally, all of these comments are insignificant compared to her commitment to helping the British public weather the pandemic. The two of them are such morale boosters and awareness boosters!
Hair and makeup on point. The color of the coat is great, but I agree it’s too long. It somehow manages to make her look short, which is a feat. Love the suit from the second outing.
I would really love to live a life where I needed to walk around in such a lovely long dramatically red coat. I hear what others are saying about the price tag and the shoe choice, and I cannot argue, but I also can’t take my eyes off this glorious color and silhouette.
Right?! I want that life!
You always have the loveliest things to say, Sansa! Your comments bring a smile to my face 🙂
Rebecca, that’s so kind of you! I am glad to spread happiness 🙂
I love the little bag, hope we see a lot more of it as I get so tired of the samey-samey clutches. Also like the earrings, Catherine has generally never worn the ‘little’ sort of earrings and now with all the mask wearings her collection comes into its own. In the sneak peek for the Pride of Britain she seems to have gone back to the Welsh hoops?
With regard to the coat, it is a lovely vibrant colour and beautifully tailored (although the waterfall effect on the pictured black one is much more interesting) but I have to admit that my first thought on seeing the initial pictures was ‘oh no, is another coat in the wardrobe REALLY necessary?’. How many dozens does a girl need?
Also, a propos of nothing, but I don’t think it was covered, I loved the little video on KP Instagram of William and Catherine speaking to the school in Pakistan a year after their visit, and Catherine wearing a salwar kameez for the ‘engagement’ – she does look so fabulous in them. It made me go back to all of Susan’s coverage of the tour: it really was their best to date, and Catherine’s best as regards wardrobe, I think. Each outfit so spot on and suitable. Sigh, I so wish we could have another tour to somewhere……..
I love everything, especially her hairstyle. It looks lighter but maybe it’s because they’re outside and it was particularly sunny.
I don’t know how I feel about this coat length because it just seems like an awkward spot for a coat to end. The color is fantastic. I know this length is trendy now and it flattering on her. She also seems overly bundled up in comparison to everyone else present because the coat looks heavy or warm but maybe it’s a very lightweight material.
I think I would have chose to wear one of her shorter hip length coats (she has a blue double breasted one?) and trousers but kept everything else.
I don’t like the length of this coat for this event at this time of year. It’s too long! I think if she had worn it during the winter, particularly around the Christmas holiday, I would feel differently.
the coat is beautiful, but it looks too long on kate. i think the proportions would have been better if the coat was a few inches shorter. i also really like the original version with the ruffle on one side. i don’t understand why kate would have that removed from her garment.
This red coat is gorgeous. She looks great from the front and the back, and also while sitting.
Maybe we’ll see a post about the subsequent “event,” but I’ll say here that I continue to dislike (I am trying to resist saying, “hate”) those suit jackets with the back cutout. The photo in this post says, “Look! It’s my bum!” Ugh.
I’m with you, hrhdhd, concerning the cutout on the back of the jacket and you are allowed to say, “hate” if that is what you feel.
Gosh, these are my cringing thoughts as well. The back cutout flap has always irritated me. It misses the point of being a classic blazer with such a bizarre and distracting element. Usually when you wear a suit, it’s to be taken seriously.
Ok, rant over! We love you Kate, but hate that jacket.
I thought the same thing – though when she’s worn it before somehow it didn’t highlight her rear so much. Maybe it’s the intense sunlight.
Agreed about the suit jacket. This is the first time I’ve seen the style and I immediately thought “why does her jacket have a butt cutout?!”
I agree the red coat is so stunning… the photo of her getting out of the car is just lovely!
I go back and forth on the duchess blazer. It’s such a lovely fit from the front! And it clearly holds up well since she’s owned it for years. But yes, from the back (and it’s worse with patterned pants or skirts) it does seem awkward.
Adore the Smythe blazer! I own it in black.
Same! I also adore the blazer and the pantsuit. I think the cut in the back is funky, in a good way!
So agree about the cut out on the suit jacket. WHY?
Agree it’s an odd styling on a jacket, and possibly works better with jeans where the off-beat vibe is more in keeping with casual wear.
I love how Kate looks in red! That coat is a rich and glorious color and that hand bag is divine. This very long coat would look better with black boots, but it probably isn’t chilly enough for boots yet.
A bit of raised eyebrows from me with such a expensive new coat and purse (not to mention pricey earrings). I know she may have bought these items a while ago, but I would have appreciated a re-wear from her extensive and gorgeous coat collection for a launch that is so pandemic related.
I love this Hold Still project. Such a meaningful and poignant way to highlight the struggles of these difficult times.
Well this coat is a wonderful, cheery colour and has the exquisite tailoring of McQueen, but it is SO long. It might have looked better with black boots, but to see two ankles and feet sticking out the bottom and no legs, gives a rather strange proportion. Also it was about 18’C or 65’F in London today and one woman is wearing a blouse and another has cap sleeves. So the coat is an extremely bundled up wintery look for this time of year.
Kate’s earrings are exquisite; I like the shoes and it is great to see a purse, other than the usual clutch. I would have preferred a black top underneath the coat. I don’t feel that the white top lends a very cohesive look. Another option would have been a scarf in a red, black and white print…although a scarf was hardly necessary on a warm day.
Hold Still was a terrific project initiated by Kate. These photos will indeed become part of History.
The tailored maxi red coat is stunning. Maybe she is wearing a black pleated skirt from Zara.
The blue suit seems to be a combination. The jacket seems to be a blazer from Smythe according to the signature pattern on the back. The trousers might be the wide leg trousers worn with the lavender Gucci blouse.
I loved this Hold Still contest so much. It has really captured the public’s interest, and no wonder. These images will be with us for a long time.
After a summer of prints, it’s refreshing to see Catherine in solid colours and sleek, modern styles. Yay!
I thought she was wearing cropped trousers under the coat, a skirt makes more sense, but I don’t like the length at all, it drowns her
Totally agree, she looks overwhelmed by all the thick fabric
Absolutely swooning over this coat!