Poll Results, Easter Post Reprise, & Designer Collaborations

I am back with a hodgepodge of a post with a repeat look at Easter ensembles, poll results, and a few retail roundup notes. 

We begin with a look at new photos of HM and the Prince of Wales released yesterday.

The pictures were taken on March 23 by Chris Jackson, royal photographer for Getty Images.  More from Simon Perry’s People story: 

On Friday, Buckingham Palace released two photos of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles enjoying the fresh spring air during a walk on the grounds of Frogmore House.

The snapshots are meant to “mark the Easter weekend,” the Palace said on Twitter.

This is the second year we won’t see the royal family attending services together at Windsor.  Because of these circumstances and a belief that a spot of fashion fun can be a boost, I am doing something I have never done on the site, bringing back last year’s content covering Kate’s Easter ensembles. We begin with the Duchess’s 2019 look, seen as she and Prince William arrive at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

A quick peek at HM after the 2019 service.

Two more images of Kate in the dove grey Alexander McQueen suit, first seen in 2014 (more on that shortly).

The Duchess accessorized with a clutch and heels by Emmy London and a hat by Jane Taylor; we’ll also look at that chapeau more closely a bit further down in the post. Fans were delighted two years ago to see the return of the diamond acorn earrings by Robinson Pelham, first seen at Kate and William’s 2011 wedding.

Kate also brought back a brooch featuring oak leaves and four “acorns” crafted of gold and a pearl. The Middleton family crest features acorns. (The brooch as worn Easter 2019 is shown below left and on other occasions in the center and right.)

The Duchess was expecting Prince Louis when attending Easter services in 2018, and she wore the chocolate brown Catherine Walker coat seen in 2015 for St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards. The double wool crepe garment features princess seams and box pleats. 

A look at HM leaving the chapel in 2018.

Kate accessorized with her oft-worn Betty Boop hat by Lock and Company. 

She repeated her Gianvito Rossi suede heels and Loeffler-Randall “Tab Lizard-Effect Leather Clutch.” For jewelry, the Duchess wore her Balenciaga earrings and faux pearl brooch. 

At the 2017 Easter service, it was also a Catherine Walker repeat. 

Below, a view of the Duke and Duchess approaching St. George’s Chapel with several other royals enjoying the sunshine on their way to the service. Below you can see Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice as well as Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, accompanying their parents, the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

And HM exiting the service. 

The custom Catherine Walker coat was initially seen in Canada during the 2016 tour, shown below left.

She wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps and carried a clutch by Etui Bags.

Kate debuted a new hat in 2017, the Jacqueline style by Lock and Company, and brought back the loaned diamond and pearl drop earrings.

In April 2014, we saw Kate and William at Easter services in Sydney, Australia. That was the first time we saw the Duchess in the ensemble she brought back for the 2019 Easter service.

The tailored coat looks like it was based on this McQueen piece. It features a funnel neck, concealed front fastening, structured shoulders, inset pockets on the side seams, and a rear vent.

Here you see it as worn in 2019 and 2014.

We also saw the return of the ‘Lupin’ hat created by Jane Taylor, worn with the coat in 2019 and 2014.

In Australia, Kate accessorized with her diamond and aquamarine drop earrings along with a McQueen clutch and her Harper heels by LK Bennett.

We have a bonus dress to share as well, not worn for church services, but seen on Easter Day 2014 when Kate and William attended the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

The Duchess was in a dress by an Australian label, Zimmermann.  Below, the Duchess meets Fred the Ram. 

Kate also wore the dress for the couple’s visits to Manly Beach (left) and Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice (center) later that day.

The ‘Roamer Day Dress’ was done in one of Kate’s favorite fabrics, broderie anglaise. The knee-length piece was 100% cotton with fitted sleeves that hit at the elbow, an invisible center-back zipper, and insert trim at the waist, bodice, sleeves, and hem. It was part of Zimmermann’s 2014 summer swim collection. 

Kate paired the dress with Minx Espadrille Wedges by Stuart Weitzman. 

That covers our little look back at Easter! Chag Sameach to all marking Passover this past week and all good thoughts to those celebrating Easter tomorrow.

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Also today, results of the polls done back in January and February covering your favorite dress and coat worn by the Duchess in 2020. They got lost in the shuffle of the past few months.  We’ll start with your favorite day dress from last year.  With almost 2500 votes, this one was very close at the top.

Here is a more visual representation of the results with a look at the Emilia Wickstead Anatola Pleated Polka Dot Shirtdress worn for the launch of a new initiative with the BBC called Tiny Happy People; in the center, the Suzannah Cotton Shirt Dress in Blue Polka Dots the Duchess wore for an outdoor meeting at Sandringham; and on the right, the third-place finisher, the UFO frock was worn when the Duke and Duchess met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and First Lady Olena Zelenska. 

Now for your favorite coat worn by the Duchess in 2020. 

And here you see the top three finishers:  the Roksanda ‘Denton’ coat seen for a January walk to church at Sandringham; in the center, the Catherine Walker worn for Remembrance Sunday events in November; on the right, the UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object) coat worn in January when Kate visited a nursery and preschool.

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We’ll wrap up with a few Retail Roundup notes. The first is about Erdem’s capsule collection with Universal Standard. The collection showcases the designer’s floral prints, as well as denim styles.

The Erdem X Universal Standard collection includes (l to r): the Kalina Short Sleeve Ruffle Shirt ($134) in cotton sateen; the Hana Patchwork Jeans ($148); and the Primrose Ruffle Shirt Dress ($174).

Below, the Patchwork Jeans in white ($148); the Myrtle Denim Jumpsuit ($198, shown beneath Universal Standard’s Derjon Trench coat); the Jasmine Patchwork Denim Skirt ($120).

All of the designs are offered in sizes 00 through 40/4XL.

LK Bennett also launched a capsule called the Royal Ascot collection, featuring clothing, shoes, and accessories.  Below left, the Jolene Taffeta Beaded Dress ($596); on the right, the Monica Floral Print Dress ($596). 

The UK retailer is the Official Ladies Fashion Licensee of Royal Ascot 2021. Below, the Hodgkin Toile de Jouy Cotton Print Dress.

LK Bennett Below left, the Koller Silk Polka Dot Blouse ($236) and Pleated Skirt ($236); on the right, the Marta Linen-Blend Blazer ($372) and matching Trousers ($228). 

LK Bennett is currently offering 20% off full-price merchandise. The prices shown above reflect the 20% savings. 

Kate’s Abercorn Scallop Cardigan (normally $110, now $93.50 with 15% discount on full-price Boden styles) is back in stock.

The Duchess was seen wearing the piece in a November ‘Hold Still’ video.