The Duchess spoke with nurses from the Midlands this week. 
She talked with nurses at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, where more than 2400 nurses and midwives are employed. The world’s first COVID-19 vaccine was administered by a matron from the Trust, May Parsons. Below you see Ms. Parsons giving that first vaccine to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan on December 8th.
Embed from Getty Images
Ms. Parsons also gave Margaret Keenan her second dose of the vaccine on December 29.
Embed from Getty Images
During the call, Kate says, “You hear time and time again about the amazing things nurses up and down the country are doing – going that extra mile. It’s the things that are not part of the training […] but the things that come from your heart, and I think that’s what matters so much now: these acts of kindness to the patients you’re looking after.” Here is the video of the call from Kensington Palace.
Nurses up and down the country are going that extra mile, at a time when patients need it the most.
These acts of courage, strength, and kindness matter so much right now & we owe you a huge thank you for all that you have done & continue to do throughout these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/RxZAiRK54j
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 21, 2021
The Duchess talked about the vital part nurses play in combatting the pandemic, especially with the vaccine rollout. She spoke with Caroline Rudd and Judith Smith, two retired nurses who first met during nurses’ training back in 1978. Both returned to the NHS to help with vaccinations in care homes. They told the Duchess they were proud to respond to the NHS for people to re-join the workforce and help with delivering vaccines. More from The Mirror’s story:
“I’m supposed to be retired, I left nursing three years ago after 40 years with the NHS, but when the pandemic came along I felt the need to come back and I’m currently working as part of a vaccinations team out in the community.”
Beaming Kate told her: “Well done for coming back!”
You may recall that Kate is the royal patron of Nursing Now, a campaign created to raise the profile of nurses worldwide while also enabling them to have a greater role in making key health policy decisions. She was announced as the patron in February 2018; here you see her speaking about the program.
At that time she talked about why Nursing Now is important to her.
This campaign means a lot to me personally. My great-grandmother and grandmother were both volunteer nurses… they would have learned first-hand from working with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Red Cross about the care and compassion that sometimes only nurses can provide.
Nursing Now also works to “release the potential of nurses to deliver Universal Health Coverage; improve lives of women; strengthen local economies.”
If the background for the video looks different from others we have seen, that’s because it was shot at Sandringham. More in this Tweet from Rebecca English of The Daily Mail.
Now for our look at what Kate wore on this call.
Well….the best I can do at this point is to say it appears the Duchess had on her Simone Rocha earrings, shown below as worn on other occasions. 
It looks like she may be wearing a new necklace. As far as the white shirt and black blazer go, I can’t see enough detail in the video to try and identify them. I will keep searching for a better quality version of the video but am not optimistic.
NECKLACE UPDATE FEB 10: It turns out the piece is most likely like the Round Stilla Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace ($220) from Astley Clarke.
More from the product description: “this demi-fine Stilla gemstone pendant features a captivating table-cut lapis lazuli gem, set in 18-carat yellow gold plated sterling silver, and uses a spectacle setting to display the entire blue gemstone and show its complexities beautifully. This gemstone pendant is finished with a gold nugget detail and our signature Astley Clarke star-set lapis lazuli tag.”
This was one of the pieces suggested in a previous post, but some of us didn’t realize it was blue; we thought it was black. The updated content on the necklace is from this February 10 post.
Here is the full video; it runs about 4:40.
LINKAGE:
- Learn more about Nursing Now at the organization’s website here; its Facebook page is here; the group’s Twitter feed is here.
- The Mirror’s story by Russell Myers is here; Hello’s piece by Danielle Stacey is here; The Daily Mail’s article is here.
Kate is giving me lisa vanderpump vibes and that’s not a bad thing.
I adore her hair in this video and are coveting the style for myself!
I would personally advise kate to do a button up or two just because of the low camera angle!
Reading through all the comments, I’m actually surprised at the consensus about Kate’s fashion! Like many of the commenters, I really like this look on Kate. It is professional, put together, and sleek. Her hair does look great too but I wouldn’t necessarily attribute her look just due to how straight her hair it is. I have naturally wavy, thick hair. I actually went to the hair salon for the first time during the pandemic last week for a much needed trim and walked out with a straight, sleek blow-dry. I love how I look with straight hair, but taking the time to straighten and maintain it is a huge pain. It is slightly… dispiriting when people compliment you saying “how good you look with straight hair.” It is well-intentioned of course but it is not my natural hair and pushes the idea that “only straight hair is acceptable for professional environments.” Women should be allowed to wear their natural hair (this goes for all hair textures!) the way they want–straight hair isn’t the only “suitable” hairstyle out there.
My great surprise was how many people voiced what I have long thought but not quite shared here about the evolution of Kate’s fashion. I am not the only one who is not a fan of the repeated too long, frilly/flouncy dresses that we saw quite a lot in 2020. I felt I was in the minority and I felt like maybe I was missing something because most people my age (millennials) would not wear those types of dresses. It’s nice to see I am not alone in my perplexity of the matronly looks Kate has embraced in the last few years. I hope once COVID ends, we see a little more experimenting from her like we’ve seen in the last few years.
Love this comment and agree with all you’ve said!
Is this her engagement necklace??
No, that one was shorter by several inches. 😊
She looks great!!!! Love the simple hair and outfit!!!!!
From looking at the few pictures today and Oct.,2020, It is a good possibility Kate is wearing the Black Alexander McQueen pant suit. In the two new pictures and old pictures you cannot see the shine on the lapels in these pictures and the beautiful V-Neck white blouse is covering some of the lapels, but the padded shoulder pads are the same. Just putting it out there as a possibility. This look is feminine business smart, chic look with darker, straighten hair that is a all around modern look. Perfection.🤍🖤
Several people have commented on liking Kate’s hair and wishing she would wear it straight more often. As someone who has naturally curly hair I want to remind people, that Kate and I and many others, struggle if we try to maintain a straight look. I note that Kate is at home and likely hadn’t been outside on this day. People with curly hair can do things to straighten it, only to go outside where the slightest bit of dampness, humidity, or drizzle, will make the curls spring into action. There are chemical straighteners, that play havoc with the hair, sometimes making it break off, so I’m sure that the Duchess would hesitate to use these. When I was in high school, I would roll my hair around empty soup cans, take them out and leave the house with a lovely, long, straight look. By the time I walked to school, my hair would be curly and sometimes a frizzy mess. I would venture to say, that Kate might often head out to do engagements with straight hair, but by the time she arrives the curls are back
I just want to agree with everything you said, Bonnie! I have naturally wavy hair and I love the way it looks when it’s straight, but it’s a ton of work and always a shame when the slightest hint of humidity ruins it
I’m a couple of years older than Kate and have come to the point where I just let it do what it wants most of the time!
For me it goes beyond the humidity/frizz issue. I find Catherine’s natural curls to be beautiful. And totally worthy of wearing out to engagements. She would do much to help young girls and women with not only their self esteem by demonstrating that one does not have to wear blown out or straightened hair to be professional. That it is ok to wear one’s natural curls. One of my favorite photos was of Catherine on tour (Solomon Islands?) with her full natural hair.
It was the Solomon Islands (Sep 2012)! I also love those photos of her natural hair. It’s thick and curly. Her grandma had similar hair when curls were more fashionable: https://images.app.goo.gl/9Y3Dj7XyAPFwSwXH7
Perhaps Kate’s hair is naturally curly but mainly just “frizzy” and requires some smoothing, whether it’s straightened or styled with big bouncy curls. If this is the case, I can so relate. The ONLY way my naturally curly/frizzy hair looks nice is if I’m in extremely high humidity. Never been to the Solomon Islands, but my hair would probably do pretty well there!
Late ’70s – ’80s, I think, couldn’t be sure, but in there somewhere the collars shrank!
I was assuming the straight style might be easier for her to maintain in lockdown, but possibly not given the struggle you describe with frizzy hair. Her hair has certainly grown in lockdown, the Daily Mail ran a picture of her on her Derby outing with the houndstooth Massimo Dutti coat showing a much shorter crop late last summer.
I just wanted to point out the photo the DM chose to show of that engagement in October at UoD where she’s wearing the houndstooth coat and blue sweater is misleading as you only see the front pieces of her layered hair. In other photos from the engagement (which you can look at on this blog) minus the coat you can see her entire head of hair and it is quite long, curled at the lower layers. I don’t think her currently is THAT much longer than it was then.
Just another perspective on this – I have naturally curly hair too. Most of the time I wear it curly, but sometimes I like to wear it straight. On more than one occasion I have had people express total disbelief that I would ever want to straighten my hair. They are somehow offended by it. Everyone needs to lighten up about straight hair vs. curls and recognize that sometimes it’s fun to wear a different style.
Unsure of the weather in England recently, but my hair will go straight in winter with low humidity and be quite wavy at other times when it’s humid. I have found it best to not try to fight this! Perhaps Kate’s is similar.
She looks so chic , elegant, and beautiful and I love this look on her it’s very fresh and classic. This outfit reminds me of a similar look she wore in 2006 or 2007 during her pre duchess days. I’m loving that Kate is starting too adventure more into the business like outfits. If Kate wears an all white pantsuit it will make my day because I think she looks fabulous white.
As A Nurse in US I am so impressed by the Duchess encouraging and praising nurses.
It took the pandemic to have the public recognize US health care nurses. What a shame. Kate has been doing it for awhile now. Thank you.
Kate speaks so sincerely and calmly.
She’s a treasure for the world.
Boden shirt?
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/tabitha-silk-shirt-ivory/sty-w0288-crm?cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google-_-Shopping-_-datafeed&istCompanyId=654c6563-344a-4fb0-9b32-3ddc2d0f96b4&istFeedId=d5db4228-0127-4983-a33d-816b5a0914e4&istItemId=iwmmrlxrr&istBid=tztx&code=G7R9&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=ss-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-297414535428&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Adult&tc_adgroupid=Adult&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr8Dbx9qw7gIVDuPACh1klAg8EAQYDiABEgLLIPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Wow, Fran, that’s a good find! It certainly looks similar to what she is wearing. Hopefully, we will see the piece again so we can sort it out definitively. Great shirt! 🙂
Doesn’t have the wrap in front though. I wondered about this one too:
https://www.donnakaran.com/product/faux+wrap+top.do?locale=us&utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=organic
Those narrow reveres are very 1970s and quite a switch from the flowery, fussy, prairie-dress style that has dominated Kate’s choices of late. The jacket has very neat raised shoulders though impossible to tell if that indicates a couture label or just a lucky High Street find.
Love that you were able to pinpoint the era that this suit harkens back to! The ‘70s touches really liven up this formal look
I seem to recall collars becoming neater about the time flared jeans finally faded out, late ’70s or so.
Kate is as ever fully engaged and up-to-speed with her subject, and is able to underline the purposeful nature of her words with a smart black jacket and neat white blouse. The sleek hair, coupled with the slender reveres of both jacket and blouse, make for a pared-back professional look which she has changed up with a touch of femininity from pearl drop earrings.
It’s a shame we can’t see more detail of what Kate is wearing, but it clearly comes second to the amazing effort from these front-line workers to maintain quality standards at a time when resources are at full stretch. It was great to hear another plug for the necessity of getting vaccinations.
It’s also heartening to hear how the Queen is doing her bit by giving Kate and William an office space within easy distance of home so they can support both work and family responsibilities.
I think the necklace might be the Bvlgari Bvlgari necklace in Onyx and 18kt gold, or maybe lapis.
I say this because it looks disk shaped and when I zoomed in it seems like there is a gold around the black portion.
It’s from the same Bvlgari collection her brother, James, gave his fiance a necklace from so that could be a connection.
Either way, she looks lovely. I think this is the least “voluminous” I have ever seen her hair, but it’s a nice change up!
I love that little necklace on her, it really lightens up the black-white contrast of her blouse and jacket.
As a retired registered nurse I am so pleased that the Duchess has chosen to honor and shine a light on the important role of nurses. Nursing is an art, as well as a science, which has been in full view during this pandemic. She looks lovely—time at home with her family has obviously been a side benefit during these difficult times.
Yes!
This is a very in-charge, sophisticated, business-smart, modern-yet-timeless, chic look. It’s fantastic. She doesn’t do straight hair often, but when she does, it’s a great look on her and a very welcome change from the omnipresent bouncy curls. The outfit, particularly the v-neck, is another thing she doesn’t do often, but it works fantastically on her. As many others have said, it’s a breath of fresh air to see her in a look like this – sophisticated and classy, rather than matronly/costume-ish/frumpy/frilly. I still wait for her to dial back on the eyebrows – they’re overly thick and dark, which makes her eyes seem smaller.
AHHH-MAYZING!!! Good on ye, Kate! Love everything about this look and I love her class, her warmth and her authenticity. She is the real deal, through and through. I love how chic and tailored this look is. So timeless. I enjoy the occasional pussy bow blouse on her but I love that she’s switching it up this way. I agree with the commenters who said that they enjoyed her earlier period better. I appreciate that she experiments with her hair color, but my heart smiles when I see her hair darker like this. Brilliant!
Classic, classy, chic. Sophisticated, stylish, stunning. What a look. The sleek hair is beautiful, the v-neck white shirt/blouse and blazer is professional and approachable. Brava!
Also loving the look of the room she is in, the creamy walls, plants and the shape of the couch are all wonderfully timeless, a perfect background as it is interesting, yet not in-your-face.
LOVE THIS NEW LOOK! KATE HAS
GREAT SKIN AND HAIR AND HER
NATURAL HAIR COLOR BRINGS OUT
HER BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXION. SHE
IS ABLE TO WEAR ANY HAIR STYLE.
THIS OUTFIT IS SEXY WITHOUT BEING
VULGAR. IT’S SMART, SASSY AND
MODERN. KATE IS STILL A YOUNG
GIRL AND DOESN’T NEED THOSE
FRUMPY, TOO CONSERVATIVE STYLES.
PLENTY OF TIME FOR THOSE LATER!
WOULD LIKE A SOFTER EYE SHADOW
TO ENHANCE HER BEAUTIFUL EYES.
GO KATE!
She looks lovely! Her hair looks so smooth, sleek and healthy! The neckline of the blazer and blouse is very flattering and the simple jewelry a classic touch. An excellent look, chic and approachable, well suited for the engagement.
A fabulous look and so becoming for her. Way to go Kate!
Well, I’ll be in the minority. A white blouse and blazer aren’t particularly interesting, although they’re fine for a call of this nature. I do like the v-neck, although the blouse is a little low for me.
And I don’t like the hair at all. She looks like Kramer in the episode of “Seinfeld” when his building switches out his shower head to a low flow one. I like more body in hair, especially when the body is natural, like hers.
Love the more contemporary look of V neck and sleek hair rather than curls.
Wow, this is the first time in a LONG while that I have loved her look. It’s reminiscent of 2011-2012 Kate, where she always looked great and knocked it out of the park nine times out of ten. I have not been a fan of the majority of her looks ever since her drastic change in style starting in 2013. Her makeup and hair are on point. I’ve always thought the darker hair looks the best on her. It looks like she’s wearing liner on her bottom lids again, and I always thought it was super flattering on her. Hopeful this is a new beginning of going back to her old beautiful (and best in my opinion) looks from back in the day. 🙏🏼
I am 100% with you on this, Clare! 2011-2013 Kate is my favorite Kate (including hair, makeup, accessories) and this look completely follows in that style! Her recent sleeker, straighter hair look and makeup have made her look fresher, more modern, and years younger! Fingers crossed she continues dressing like she did in her early DoC days—it’s much too early for her to be wearing matronly coats and tea dresses on repeat! In my opinion, Kate looks best in neutrals to contrast with her lovely dark hair, and in sleek, simple silhouettes. She looks incredibly elegant, refined, and professional here.
I’m not sure it’s fair to criticise Kate for wearing all those floral tea dresses, she has a busy programme and must always be looking for fresh ideas, and the whole of that style is simply current fashion. She hasn’t been on a one-woman mission to look ageing, just keeping up with a fashion that many others have also embraced. It has been said that hemlines tend to become lower during periods of economic challenge and the present pandemic is certainly a harbinger of tough times.
Clare you took the words right out of my mouth!! I also love the heavier liner look. Thanks for expressing all this
Terrific look on Catherine, I particularly like the look/shape of the blouse collar/neckline, so sharp and professional. Way to go Catherine – keep it up and ditch last year’s look, you’ve made the first batch of commentors so very happy!
Wow.she is looking great.even I tried a lot to identify the blazer but failed.😀now waiting to get it done by you.Anyways,I was so emotional to learn about the stories.
The DOC looks charming here. So
natural and comfortable. I like the
v-neck too and definitely agree this
look with her lovely dark hair is chic,
sexy and youthful. Prefer this over
sometimes too formal and mature
styles. The DOC is still a young,
vibrant girl in my opinion! Plenty
of time for mature styles later.
Agree softer eye makeup would
be stunning. She is lovely inside and out!!
Kate is wearing a very professional look. As others have stated, the v- neck is so much more chic than the high necks, pussy bows and ruffles that we sometimes see.
More important than her attire is the warmth of her personality. Throughout these video chats she shows how caring she is. Kate makes every person, in ever profession feel special.
KATE LOOKS GREAT! CHIC, SEXY STYLES
MUCH MORE YOUTHFUL AND FLATTERING THAN FUSSY, MATRONLY,
CONSERVATIVE STYLES. LOVE HER
OWN DARK HAIR, REALLY FLATTERS
HER LOVELY COMPLEXION. A WIDE
EYED SOFTER BROW & EYE MAKE-UP WOULD
REALLY ENHANCE HER LOVELY EYES
EVEN MORE!
That pendant looks decidedly Kiki McDonough to me, and she did just have a birthday. It’s interesting that the previous commenter thinks it is blue because to me it looks reddish. I’d love to know other opinions of the color. Could it be a version of this pendant:
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/kiki-mcdonough-grace-18k-gold-fire-opal-diamond-pendant-necklace-prod237750320?ecid=NMCS__BingPLA&utm_source=google_shopping&scid=scbplpsku199212324&sc_intid=sku199212324&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=NMCS__BingPLA&ecid=NMCS__BingPLA&msclkid=428e919da38b1dd0ff64f197eabbe74d&gclid=428e919da38b1dd0ff64f197eabbe74d&gclsrc=3p.ds
Could the necklace be the Onyx Vintage Alhambra pendant from Van Cleef?
She looks great and very professional.
I don’t usually comment, but I just want to say that I love this look! Kate looks absolutely amazing and professional and very beautiful as well. The fit and colour and both extremely flattering on her and she looks great. Thank you for your posts.
Wowzers!
Doesn’t Kate look chic and sharp??
Maybe she read all the grumbling about her long flouncy dresses and she said, “How about THIS?!”
You made us so happy, Kate!
She’s doing good work and looking fantastic doing it.
Wow, the straight hair and the v-neck are really becoming on Kate. I at first didn’t realize this was a recent picture and thought it was from several years ago. The v-neck looks sleek and professional, rather than the ridiculous high collars, frills, bows, and other aging and conservative styling Kate’s styling team has unfortunately taken to as of late. This look is proof that Kate looks several years younger when styled appropriately. Just a lovely look!
I agree, Rebecca!
She must like V-necks, since her iconic wedding gown featured a deep V-neck.
It’s a really becoming neckline on her.
Great point! I didn’t make the connection with her wedding dress but you’re so right!
Do you think her necklace is her Elsa Perreti sapphire necklace from Tiffany’s? Just a thought. Also, love the vneck style.
I meant the lapis lazuli necklace thinking it was a sapphire, although the more I look at it
I not sure.
That’s a good suggestion, Mk, but I don’t think so. That one sits up higher on her neck. 🙂
Now that’s a business professional look! Kate looks so much better in a v-neck style as opposed to a pussy bow. I especially like her sleek hair.