Skip to Content

UK Children’s Mental Health Week, Fashion Flashbacks, & A Poll Do-Over

I am back with a mishmash of topics: The Duchess’s video for Children’s Mental Health Week, some Fashion Flashbacks, and a “do-over” on our coat poll.

The week is organized by Place2Be; Kate is the organization’s patron. This year’s theme is Express Yourself, “finding ways to share feelings, thoughts, or ideas, through creativity.” 

More about the week’s history from the site:  “Place2Be launched the first-ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Now in its seventh year, we hope to encourage more people than ever to get involved and spread the word.”

Kensington Palace reports the video was shot when the Duchess was out for a run at the family’s country estate, Anmer Hall. Here is the full video; it runs just under one minute.  

Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity offering counseling and mental health support, and training in UK schools.  The charity reports that it worked with 700 schools in England, Scotland, and Wales last year, reaching 380,691 children and young people.  

Many will recognize the Duchess’s jacket, her Barbour Longshore Quilted Padded Jacket (£160, no longer available) first noted when worn during a 2019 visit to Northern Ireland.

I haven’t been able to locate the exact hat the Duchess wears in the video, but my friend Micki found a very close version by Athleta sold at Gap but is no longer available in navy.  

UPDATE FEB 5: With thanks to Bethan Holt at The Telegraph for the tip, it looks like the Duchess may be wearing the Cable Knit Faux Fur Pom Pom Hat ($47.77) by Popski London. It is a blend of wool and acrylic, and the pom-pom is detachable.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now for our two Fashion Flashbacks. We begin with a bright green Eponine London dress worn two years ago Friday for school visits

The focus of the visits was Children’s Mental Health Week 2019. 

The Duchess visited Lavender Primary School and Alperton Community School

The Duchess spent time with art students. 

Another view. 

Kate’s Eponine London dress was crafted of wool bouclé and featured long sleeves, cut-out pockets with button detailing, topstitching at the neckline and bodice, and a concealed back zipper.

She accessorized with the Marissa boots by LK Bennett, a lace-up style with four eyelets, an almond-shaped toe, and a 3.5″ block heel.

She carried her trusty Bayswater clutch by Mulberry

And wore her Kiki McDonough Lauren earrings (£1916).

Our second Flashback is an Alexander McQueen design worn three years ago this past Monday for a black-tie dinner in Oslo during the Sweden/Norway tour.

Below, the Duchess and other royals as they proceed to dinner. King Harald escorted Kate while Prince William was with Queen Sonja.

The Duchess was seated next to King Harald.

Another view during a toast. 

The blush pink gown by Alexander McQueen looked like it was made from lightweight silk. It had a round neckline, sleeveless bodice, and a sheer overlay that transforms into a cape covering the sides and back of the dress, creating a very soft, floaty feel.

The gown was embellished with hand-sewn rhinestones in a floral motif. I think there was also faux-pearl beading, along with a few mother-of-pearl embellishments.

My friend Kelly Lynch pointed out the similarities between Kate’s dress and a McQueen style available at the time at My Theresa.

Kate carried a Jimmy Choo suede clutch adorned with pavé rhinestones on its frame; it is the brand’s Celeste style.

The Duchess’s hair was up, and she wore HM’s Diamond Frame Earrings.

A closer look. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now to the re-do of the poll for your favorite new coat worn by the Duchess in 2020. Unbeknownst to me, in January, the company providing the poll software implemented a new structure requiring payment for the system; because I wasn’t aware of this, votes stopped being counted after just 167 votes.  Now that things are back up and running, I wanted everyone to have a chance to vote for their favorite coat again, with apologies for the hassle factor.  (For today’s re-do, I greatly abbreviated the content seen in the original post.)     

The Roksanda ‘Denton’ Coat was worn in early January when the Duke and Duchess attended church at Sandringham.  It is done in a striking fabric that mixes midnight-blue and orange hues in a midweight wool blend. The Denton features a funnel neck and double-breasted design with distinctive bar-shaped hardware closures in a copper color. It also has lightly padded shoulders, front slit pockets, and a back vent. The fabric is a wool blend described as a “midweight” blend of 65% wool, 30% other, 10% polyamide.

In mid-January, the Duchess debuted a new coat by Alexander McQueen, worn for a day of engagements in Bradford. The structured garment featured a high collar, fitted bodice with multiple darts and flap pockets, exposed seams with topstitching detail, waistband, concealed placket, diagonal besom pockets at the hip, and princess seams on the back of the bodice.

When rolling out her 5 Big Questions survey in late January, the Duchess was in a design by Massimo Dutti, a label appearing more frequently in her wardrobe.  The  Limited Edition Cashmere Wool Camel Coat showcased double-breasted styling with front flap pockets, peak lapels, and a deep back vent for ease of movement.

At another 5 Big Questions event at Stockwell Gardens Nursery & Preschool in London, Kate wore a new design, a petrol blue coat that hit just below the knee with notch lapels and flap pockets. It remains a UFO.

For February engagements in South Wales with Prince William, the Duchess sported a new design by Hobbs. Kate wore a military-inspired coat called the ‘Bianca,’ a blend of 78% wool/22% polyamide in a maxi-length style. The structured design showcased a double-breasted silhouette with distinctive burnished buttons, oversized patch pockets, and shoulder epaulets.

When the Duke and Duchess began their three-day visit to Ireland in early March, Kate wore Catherine Walker.  The bespoke piece with a double-breasted fit and flare silhouette. It also featured a broad collar, a slight flare at the sleeve cuff, and a back vent. 

It was October before we saw the Duchess in another new coat; this one was another Massimo Dutti style. The Handcrafted Checked Wool Coat was made of an 89% wool/11% nylon blend in a small gingham print.  It had a straight cut, notch lapels, front buttons, and large patch pockets.

Kate debuted a rich red Alexander McQueen design for the community launch of the Hold Still photo project in mid-October. Design elements of the double-breasted style included peak lapels, front flap pockets, contrasting black buttons at the cuff, and front closure.  

Our final new look was worn for Remembrance Sunday.  The Duchess chose a military-inspired design by Catherine Walker for the annual service. The fitted piece had a high mandarin collar, angled braided embellishment at the waist, epaulets, flared sleeves at the wrist, and silver buttons.

Now it is time to cast your vote! 


 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Captain Sir Tom Moore, the extraordinary WWII veteran who raised more than £33 million for NHS charities, died yesterday at the age of 100.  He started his fundraising effort by walking laps in his backyard.

In July at Windsor Castle, he was knighted in the Queen’s first official in-person engagement since the lockdown started in March. While other investitures were put on hold because of the pandemic, this ceremony was specially arranged to take place at Windsor.

The veteran said, “I am absolutely overawed.” Here he is with his medal on that sunny July day.

Prince William described him as a one-man fundraising machine in a BBC Breakfast Club interview. In this clip, you see Captain Tom (at the time) reacting to the praise.   

Captain Sir Tom was being treated for pneumonia and tested positive for the Coronavirus last week. His family shared yesterday’s news on Twitter, and in a statement, Sir Tom’s daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said:

“The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of…Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, “The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt. Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year.  Her thoughts, and those of the Royal Family, are with them, recognizing the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.” Tributes large and small have been pouring in since the news broke. Below, Picadilly Circus.

Flowers being placed at his home today.

Flags are being flown at half-mast. 

And tonight, there was a special clap for Captain Tom.  

  We have been living in a time when seeing the good in people has become increasingly important, and Captain Sir Tom exemplified so very much of that good. Here is the BBC’s look at his life.

 

LINKAGE

Pin It

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Debra bishop

Thursday 27th of May 2021

Somehow missed the massimo dutti over black trousers (properly cropped) and probably cashmere sweater. Again great fun when she wears anything that any of us wear to work.

shannon

Monday 8th of February 2021

I would like to see the green eponine dress repeated again it's so cute.

ElizaMo

Friday 5th of February 2021

I’m impressed at the versatility the royals are bringing to their videos, a selfie from a daily run is a whole genre of its own, and definitely contemporary. It highlights, however, how unkind this style of camera-work is to the average subject as Kate’s face ends up a little distorted. No doubting her enthusiasm or the clarity of her mental health message though. She looks very cute in her neat quilted Barbour and jolly pom-pom hat. Impressed we got the Popski ID on the latter.

Thanks for the Eponine flashback, it’s one of many working dresses Kate has worn once and we’ve yet to see a repeat. I’m looking forward to seeing the innovative pocket details and that neat funnel collar again, it’s a charming piece. The vibrant colour is excellent on Kate and I love her lace-up Marissa boots with it.

The McQueen evening gown from Norway is another favourite of mine, standing out in particular by making Kate look more glamorous than many women not obliged to wear maternity. Such a great virtue was made of the need for extra flowing fabric and it was so cleverly glammed up with the silver rhinestone neckline detail, taking the eye well away from the waistline. Her updo with the diamond frame earrings was perfection.

I’m glad we have got the coat poll sorted though it looks like much the same winner to me this time even with extra votes. And thank you so much for the wonderful tribute to the amazing Captain Tom who has been such an inspiration to so many.

Sansa Stark

Friday 5th of February 2021

Ah, the Sweden/Norway tour was such a lovely time, sartorially and otherwise! Thank you for the nice reminder, Susan; I may have to go read all of those posts again...

My heart sank to see that Captain Sir Tom Moore had passed away. What an incredible life he lived, right up to the last. May we make good on the money he worked so hard to raise, and keep his example in our sights.

I voted for the red McQueen again; can't help it! So much good, rich color to drink in. But an honorable mention to the peacock blue UFO, same reason!

Sue d

Monday 8th of February 2021

My Absolute favorite video post from last year on WKW was Captain Sir Tom Moore being knighted by the Queen ! Also !earning about Captain Sir Tom Moore and his laps around his home with his walker..to raise money for NHS.... Very sad to hear that he passed away recently. On a lighter note is the DOC discussing children's mental health while out for a run was very positive and I love that hat. She is an inspiration in style, grace. Etc. Thank you Susan for WKW which is a very beautiful way to cheer up during these tough times. !!!!!!

Amelie

Friday 5th of February 2021

That dress she wore in Oslo was truly spectacular. I do think it could have worked even better without the cape overlay, it was dramatic enough on its own but it worked. The silhouette really accommodated her baby bump too.

I already made my feelings known about the Kermit the Frog dress lower and pockets that look like eyes below another comment a bit lower. That is truly one of the... WTH (what the heck) outfits I've ever seen her wear if I'm allowed to say that.

I voted for the Roksanda Ilincic coat again. It really was the most beautiful coat she wore this year though there were a few others I liked too like the blue UFO and plaid Massimo Dutti.

So sorry to hear about Captain Tom. The fact he got to meet the Queen in the last year of his life is remarkable. The picture of him standing across from the Queen because they aren't that far apart in age, yet he needed a walker to get around (like many people that age) and she still walks around without a cane, walker, or wheelchair. And still occasionally rides horses!! She defies logic, especially when you compare her to Philip who is much more frail.

Berenike

Sunday 7th of February 2021

I also think the green dress (Kermit), is the least flattering dress I ever have seen Kate wear. I'ts saggy and looks ill fitting. My first thought when I saw a picture of her in it, was that it's an "early pregnancy dress", because it was so strangely loose/bulky around the midriff.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.