The Duchess brought back a familiar piece for a Hold Still video released tonight. 
A refresher on the project from the Hold Still microsite at the National Portrait Gallery:
We invited people of all ages to submit a photographic portrait, taken in a six-week period during May and June, focussed on three core themes…Over 31,000 submissions were received from across the country… From these, a panel of judges selected 100 portraits, assessing the images on the emotions and experiences they conveyed.
….the final 100 present a unique and highly personal record of this extraordinary period in our history. From virtual birthday parties, handmade rainbows and community clapping to brave NHS staff, resilient keyworkers and people dealing with illness, isolation and loss. The images convey humour and grief, creativity and kindness, tragedy and hope – expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences.
As of Friday, the Hold Still digital exhibition has had more than 5.2 million page views. There was also a community exhibition showing the 100 images in 80 cities and towns across the UK. You may remember the Duke and Duchess’s October visit to south London to see some of the images displayed in the community. Below, a billboard featuring an image titled The Look of Lockdown. 
In the new video, the Duchess marks the community exhibition’s end by thanking everyone who submitted an image to the project. From Kate’s remarks in the video:
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted an image to Hold Still. I launched the project with the National Portrait Gallery back in May because I wanted to find a way to allow everyone to share their stories and experiences of lockdown.
We have been thrilled by the response to the project and I couldn’t be more grateful to each and every one of the 31,000 people who submitted an image. It was so hard to select the final 100 photographs but we hope we have created a collective portrait of our nation, reflecting on what others have experienced as well as our own journeys through this difficult time.
Here is the video in a tweet posted by Joe Little of Majesty Magazine.
The Duchess of Cambridge marks the end of the UK-wide #HoldStill community exhibition with a video message thanking everybody who submitted a portrait to the project. © Kensington Palace https://t.co/w5zOYJmq07 #royal #DuchessofCambridge pic.twitter.com/Rx2ANGpccd
— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) November 15, 2020
During the October visit to south London, the couple also saw a photo called Melanie, March 2020. Johanna Churchill, a nurse, took the photo. 
The image shows one of Ms. Churchill’s colleagues as she was working on setting up a COVID clinic in London. The portrait was recreated on the side of a building in Manchester.
This week the Duchess spoke with Johanna Churchill (r) as well as Dr. Edward Cole (center); the doctor was also involved in getting that clinic up and running. 
More about the call via Kensington Palace:
During the call, they discussed the important role the photograph has played in helping to represent the experiences of frontline workers across the nation as they continue to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. Johannah also told The Duchess how the image has led her to receive messages from medical staff from across the UK, and around the world, and has allowed them to share their own experiences of working during these extraordinary times.
Here is a video from the call.
This is a tweet posted by Ms. Churchill in late October.
❤️ Thank you so much for this exhibit #HoldStill2020 it’s moved me to my core. I’m so glad to see how Manchester have embraced her at such a tough time. Thank you to those who have taken the time to message me. #Manchesterlockdown #Manchester #COVID19 https://t.co/sFWKSbxxem
— Johannah Churchill (@JohannahChurchi) October 23, 2020
And a clip released by the Palace.
The image has led Johannah to receive messages from medical staff from across the UK, and around the world, and has allowed them to share their own experiences of working during these extraordinary times. pic.twitter.com/24jLL3rHCg
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2020
Now for our look at what Kate wore for the new video. 
It appears she brought back a piece by Zara first noted in August 2012. 
The blazer was worn for Olympic events on August 3rd, including a thank you to Team GB House volunteers.
And women’s swimming at the Aquatic Centre.
The ‘Blazer with Gathered Shoulders’ was done in a viscose/poly blend with a touch of Elastane for stretch and ease of movement. It featured angled flap pockets, peak lapels, a single gold button front closure, four gold buttons at the cuffs, and the gathered shoulders referenced in the product name. 
The Duchess appeared to have on an ivory or eggshell knit top beneath the jacket.
Initially, I thought Kate was wearing her All the Falling Stars Personalized Gold Three-Layered Disc Necklace ($127.65) with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis’ initials on the three circles. But the charms on the necklace seen in the new video look like they are spaced further apart, and they look just a bit smaller to me. Below, the Duchess in the new video and wearing the All the Falling Stars necklace at the University of Derby event in early October. 
What do you think? Does it look like a different necklace altogether? UPDATE NOV 15: It looks like the Duchess was wearing a new necklace, the Paleontology Nugget Necklace (£360) by Alex Monroe. The necklace is 16″ – 18″ in length, and the charms are sterling silver with gold vermeil (I think). Many thanks to Royal Wikipedia for this ID. 
The piece features gold charms etched with “botanicals, animals, and Alex’s iconic bumblebee!” It is part of the jeweler’s Natural History Collection, inspired by the ‘breath-taking wonder of a first visit to a grand museum.” The Duchess has been the Natural History Museum’s patron since 2013. Here is a closer look at the charms. 
Alex Monroe describes itself as specializing in “Ethical & Sustainable Jewellery Handmade in England, Inspired by Nature & British eccentricity.” The company has done multiple collaborations with the Royal Collection Trust.
Below, company founder Alex Monroe. 
Mr. Monroe created his first collection in 1987 with a goal of producing “excellent quality jewellery, which was originally designed, hand made and well priced.” The label has boutiques located in Covent Garden and London Bridge and still makes each item by hand in England. Alex Monroe jewelry is also offered at Liberty of London, John Lewis, Harper’s Emporium in Perth, Farfetch, and also ABC Carpet and Home in the USA.
And a slightly larger view of the Duchess in the blue cardigan. 
UPDATE: Ace IDer CopyKate suggests the Duchess is wearing the Abercorn Scallop Cardigan ($110) in the ‘frosted blue’ color as offered by Boden. I think she is right. You can just see a hint of the scallop detail on Kate’s right shoulder in the photo above. The semi-fitted piece is a blend of merino wool and cotton with the scallop detail at the neckline.
A closer look at the details. 
There are a few possible repliKates here that I stumbled across while searching for the piece.
NOTE: I originally wrote the Boden sweater was in the ‘conker’ colorway which is clearly not the case. The post has been updated with the correct color name.
UPDATE #3 NOV 16: In looking at screengrabs from the call with Johanna Churchill and Dr. Cole, longtime WKW friend Stephanie Champion Helton (Lady Coventry om Twitter) suggests Kate is wearing a new (to us) pair of Catherine Zoraida earrings.
Stephanie believes it is the Gold Mistle Kiss Hoop style (£180), curved mistletoe leaves, perfect for the approaching holiday season.
The company confirms the Duchess owns the style; I think Stephanie is spot-on with the ID. Thanks to Middleton Maven for her assistance on this one!
LINKAGE:
- Click here to view the Hold Still microsite; click here to see the full gallery of 100 images.
- Simon Perry’s People story is here; Omid Scobie’s piece for Harper’s Bazaar is here; Jamie Samhan’s article for ET Canada is here.
A beautiful color jacket! Also loving the more subdued make-up! Soft but polished, especially updated eyes!
Love the vibrant color of the blazer, but the puffy shoulders have got to go. She has that embellishment on a lot of her clothes: shirts, blazers, dresses, and it’s just not flattering. Nice to see her interacting with some of the Hold Still participants. This is easily the best project she has ever spearheaded, hands down.
The light blue cardigan is okay, but it’s got that twee detailing that Kate is so fond of. I think her fashion needs a bit of updating.
I like her jewelry here :).
I have noticed in the last few engagements she has seem pretty tired. She is noticeably not wearing her typical dark eyeliner (which she tends to overdo) and dark eye makeup she favors in the blazer video. But she also looked exhausted in the Remembrance Sunday photos and she had her usual eye makeup on. I wouldn’t say I’m conjecturing–it’s pretty obvious when someone hasn’t had enough sleep. I can’t fault her for that though, we are living in stressful times.
Thanks so much for the jewelry update and the different sites where to find it. I’ve had such a lovely time going down various Alex Monroe jewelry rabbit holes. A much needed distraction. Now, what to buy, what to buy? : )
In a completely off-topic other matter, have you seen that Prince Charles has released a fashion collection, including women’s clothing? I wonder if we’ll see Catherine in any of it.
Hi, Elizabeth! I did see that, what a fascinating story. I grabbed some info so I can write about it in an upcoming post. Hope you’re enjoying life in one of the states where I spent several years. 🙂
I’m not a fan of blazers so it’s a no from me but i love the powder blue cardigan so cute.And if kate looks tired then i’m not surprised she’s a working royal with three small children!
I am curious if anyone else wears a cardigan as a top or fully buttoned. She’s done this many times but I have never worn a cardigan as a shirt. Is this more of a British style than American?
Most of us busty gals tend to stay away from buttoned shirts, one wrong move and you’re exposed!
It’s something I’ve done from time to time depending on what else I’m wearing, so as to avoid venturing into twee territory! I do love cardigans, of all thicknesses, necklines, lengths, etc. My sister had a gorgeous V-neck Givenchy cardi years ago and she usually wore it backwards when she wore it – it gave a fantastic neckline. I haven’t quite found one since that lives up to the memory of that one! I don’t know about the British versus American thing, but I am British and Canadian……………….
Jenn Black, cardigans fully buttoned as tops were popular in the US in the late 1950s, I believe, or thereabouts. Sometimes backwards, sometimes as worn here. A lovely, classic look anytime IMO.
I love cardigans and love this one on the Duchess. And I’m relieved so many people here like it as I was afraid it would be deemed dowdy (though I don’t think it is at all.)
The red jacket – the puffed sleeves are not flattering to the Duchess’s body type, in my opinion, but she gets away with that style because she is so slender.
While her hair looks gorgeous always, I agree with the poster who said her darker, I assume more natural hair color is the most flattering. But her “worst” look is still lovely so this is an observation, not a criticism.
IF Kate looks pale and tired (and I don’t agree), I can only say that I hope I look that beautiful and radiant when I am tired. Haha…I am always pale. 🙂
I wish they wouldn’t light her so very strongly in these videos. She looks radiant with minimal makeup, but there’s a reason why TV and stage makeup is so heavy. The light washes you out so you need every bit of eyeliner-derived definition you can get.
I really like the blazer. I wonder if there’s a reason why she’s wearing this tomato red for two events related to Hold Still. Is it related to a logo? A symbol? I don’t know.
The faux yoke on the cardigan is a bit too much for me but since Kate’s hair is hiding most of it I don’t really mind.
Thanks for the super informative post! The new mistletoe earrings are just darling. So is the new necklace. Full points for every piece of jewelry worn recently!
While this blazer is not actually orange, but red, the intense lighting makes it seem orange. Orange is not a colour a summer type like the DOC should wear. She looks pale due to the orange, which is amongst other things what makes her eyes seem small, not the eyebrows.
The cut of the Blazer is very flattering.
I whish we had some similar project like hold still where I live, it is very touching.
I agree with you Clare, that the lighting is what makes the colour of the blazer look orange rather than red. So I do wonder if her hair is really the light shade that it appears.
She looks fantastic in this Hold Still event. Orange isn’t a color she wears often, and it really stands out against the backdrop she’s presenting in front of. Her lighter hair and her more natural makeup also look great with the blazer. I would like to see her lighten up on her eyebrows – they’re currently styled big and heavy, which appears too harsh especially when going with a more natural makeup scheme – and they can make her eyes appear smaller.
I think the sweater is just adorable. That’s one of my favorite colors on the Duchess.
I confess I also prefer her hair and makeup in the sweater look. She is getting a lot of compliments for the lighter, straighter hair and the minimal makeup with the blazer, and I don’t begrudge her that (or anyone else). Still, I will always prefer her hair darker and styled with lots of bounce and shine. To me it looks a bit frazzled here. As for the makeup look, I think just a hint of color on the lip would have canceled out any speculation that she looked tired. The minimal eye makeup, even if not my preference, looks just fine, but I think with a blazer like that you really need to make sure your face doesn’t entirely disappear.
The blazer itself is fine for me. I’m not a huge fan of the leg o’ mutton sleeves, but I think they’re deployed well enough here. Red-orange is not my favorite hue, though, and I don’t think it’s necessarily in the Duchess’s color wheel as well, which may be contributing to the sense of her looking a bit washed-out. I remember a red-orange Boden coat from days of yore that we later saw on Carole Middleton; I always speculated that the Duchess decided it just didn’t suit her. [Note: just searched for it. Here it is: https://whatkatewore.com/2018/01/17/boden-multiple-london-engagements/#comments%5D
This Zara jacket is just made for video calls. I had clean forgotten about it and was so impressed that WKW spotted it in a blink. The jacket remains as handy a combination of businesslike and casual, with a touch of feminine, as it was eight years ago. I’m glad Kate stuck to a plain neckline for layering as blouse collar details might be crowded against the pretty puff shoulders. The Alex Monroe necklace is classic Kate and charming, I’m fascinated to learn about its background and ethical pedigree.
I’m not so fond of the blue cardigan, a sleek, plain cashmere is more my style, the quality of the yarn more than making up for detailing. I find the Boden juvenile with the faux yoke, but once again decorated collars are now the thing for the video star. In this case it is mostly hidden by Kate’s hair and I wasn’t fully aware quite how detailed it was till I came here
And her hair is looking particularly luxuriant and flowing in both engagements. The red Zara pics look to be oddly lit and colour seems drained from both face and hair. It’s interesting to see the different hair colour in the comparative pics from 2012 and I’m glad to see a more familiar darker tone in the present Boden shot.
I also thought she looked tired, and that may be true, but on closer inspection, you will see: **NO dark eye shadow on her upper lid, which is her usual look.
**I think she either skimped on the mascara or omitted it entirely.
The intense lighting added to the washed out look, but it’s the BIG CHANGE in eye makeup that made her look so different.
I prefer her usual look, which makes her look like she is crackling with energy!
I remember the puffed sleeves from the 1980s — as I recall, it was a favorite of Diana’s as well, and not just on her wedding gown. A quick google of “Princess Diana, puffy sleeves” will bring up tons of photos! I think it’s a younger look than Kate’s usual style, but that’s okay with me.
Thoroughly enjoyed this whole post.
I quite like the Duchess in this red blazer. The gathered puff shoulder is very popular with designers….just check out Smythes fall collection. Every second blazer had exactly this style of shoulder. I don’t particularly like them but they are very chic at the moment.
I think the color of the sweater is beautiful on Catherine.
The project was simply brilliant. It gave the average person a voice …a chance to share their reality in what is a historic time in our lives. I truly believe this project will be referenced as a testimony of our history for years to come.
Wow, Kate looks so refreshing in this video. The blowout, hair colour, her smile, and genuine love for her community and people just shine through! I love her straight hair!
Ugh, I think the blazer is horrible. I didn’t mind the gathered shoulders on the black McQueen blazer she wore recently, but here are they are far more pronounced, and make her look like a little girl.
Is it just me? The Duchesses brows look very heavy! Is it just me?
I thought maybe she had lightened them a bit with the lighter hair color?
Yes! I like them though, as long as the color isn’t too dark. I think it’s a youthful look on her
Well- I’m no fan of puffy sleeved blazers but she like little girl feminine details and wears them well. I do like the fact that she is photographed in a red coat and then this red jacket for the Hold Still project. It’s really awesome to see public art and such an awesome project be so successful.
I love the blue cardigan- I think it works better w lighter more natural blow out hair.
Kate looks amazing, and I loved her sweet message about the project. The red jacket’s shoulder detail brings an interesting twist on a classic piece. Great for the holidays too in that color.
I think she looks very nice in both pieces! I may have gone with a v-neck shirt under the blazer but that’s just me.
Also, I believe Kate is wearing the powder blue color cardigan as opposed to the “conker” that is mentioned here.
Love the blazer and the colour of the cardigan!
Don’t think it is the same necklace: the charms are definitely smaller. Can’t see if there are only 3 charms or more (maybe 2 more on the left side of the photo, behind Kate’s hair ?)
Don’t think the duchess wears jewels from french designers, but these two models could be “repliKates”:
https://www.atelier-amaya.com/fr/colliers-en-plaque-or/4076-collier-hyana-plaque-or.html
https://www.atelier-amaya.com/fr/colliers-en-plaque-or/3451-collier-chaine-pastilles-lisses-et-martelees-plaque-or.html
I was so excited to see this blazer pop up again on my Instagram feed this morning! I recognized it instantly, because I own a similar one (I think the shoulders are less puffed) in black – when Kate wore the red one I couldn’t help popping down to Zara to get my own, because it was finally a style I could afford. It was just after my first year of business school so it went through a lot of wearings in class presentations during the rest of my degree, and I still love to wear it all those years later! Kate’s hair and makeup look wonderfully fresh in this video, and I think she is really starting to get more confident speaking in front of a camera.
The cardigan is also a nice choice, Boden does great knitwear so I’m not surprised Kate would choose something from them for a video call from home. I get such a kick out of the photos in the backfround of the Kensington Palace Zoom calls. That’s one perk of having photographers following you around everywhere – you get a lovely selection of photos to frame in your home!
I think the necklace looks shorter and the three ‘pendants’ don’t look round, more a vague teardrop shape, plus appearing more spaced.
When I first saw a picture of thid post on the KP ig page I thought it was a red version of the black jacket worn for the Natural History museum post – the pleated/puff shoulder line is very similar. I certainly did not recall the previous wearing at all – but love how Catherine periodically brings out old pieces for an airing.
Wow! Her hair looks fabulous. Beautifully styled and a lovely color. She always looks great in red.
I think it might be a different necklace with at least 5 little disks (it looks like one under her hair on the left)
Wow .. Kate looks five years younger in this shot. Her lighter, blown-out hair, thick eyebrows, and natural makeup look absolutely fantastic. Particularly, straight hair does Kate wonders, as we saw at the children’s hospice event. Red is a great color on her, and the blazer is entirely appropriate, but it’s the hair and makeup here that really shines.
I agree! Kate has pulled off a ‘no make-up’ make-up day with glowing skin, a pale lip and the color Red. On top of that she recycled a blazer with a nod to a current trend while practicing sustainability. On a personal note I prefer a menswear style blazer but it’s nice to mix it up with a gathered shoulder sleeve from to time.
..to time. Well done!
Yes! Well-said!
I think she looks at her best with lighter hair colour and less intense makeup like is this video. Much fresher !
I agree! I also like it when she has her hair a bit straighter. It feels more contemporary.
When I hear the word “blazer” I think of something classic, sleek and tailored. So to see this blazer with puffed sleeves strikes me as a contradiction. It’s like the designer couldn’t decide between being chic, or being pretty. That said, Kate always looks terrific in red and this is a good strong red.
The blue cardigan isn’t tailored and so being pretty is just fine. It is soft and feminine looking and a lovely shade of blue. The scalloped yoke adds to its appeal.
I also think it’s the George/Charlotte/Louis necklace. Hope I am not wrong😊 But mainly ’cause I am just a sentimental old fool, plain and simple
The DOC has done it again! She looks absolutely spectacular in both the blazer and cardigan. I love gathered sleeves and the colour just suits her so well. The blue of the cardigan is also just spectacular.
I also like seeing the rewear. I would definitely rewear my favourite pieces even if I was a duchess. I hope to see both in the future😊
My thoughts on the blazer with puffed sleeves is — it’s really twee.
I don’t remember it from the Olympics, and I do enjoy re-wears. Just thought this looked a bit silly. Maybe a more polished hairstyle would have given it more structure? One of her fabulous ponytails with height would have been nice. But then we would see more of the puffed shoulders….never mind.
Just don’t care for this blazer.
But on a bright note, I do like that Kate has found a pretty spot to sit in, with art, photos, flowers and throw cushions. Much more artistic and appealing than a blank wall. It looks homey and inviting and more personal, and I enjoy that very much.
I love her make-up! It feels much more minimal than usual
My very first reaction to seeing Kate in the red jacket is that she looks really “washed out”. I’m not sure if her make-up is much more minimal or if it’s the lighting. Her hair also appears to be much lighter than it was in the photos from this past week when she wore the white blouse. Funny how people can look at the same images and have such different opinions!
I agree with you, Lakegirl. The still photos of her with the red jacket make her look very tired, but I can’t put my finger on anything in particular as to why that is the case. Probably the lighting? Reduced eye makeup (maybe)? The pale blue cardigan was very pretty on her.
I love when she brings back something so old! Wonder if this is freshly lightened hair, filmed at another time, or a trick of the camera?
I was wondering the same thing! I guess the lighting from the photos with the shiny blouse with statement collar made her hair look much darker.