It’s Tartan and The Queen’s Sapphires for Special Drive-In Movie

We saw more tartan this evening as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn hosted a special movie screening at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, HM’s official residence in Scotland. 

The showing of Disney’s Cruella was for NHS (National Health Service) staff.  The royals arrived for tonight’s event in a 1966 Land Rover which belonged to The Duke of Edinburgh. 

Below, a tweet from The Royal Family. 

The guests attending tonight’s drive-in were from across the NHS workforce in Scotland, nominated by NHS Charities Together’s member charities and associated health boards. 

The screening was a way of thanking in recognition of their vital work throughout the pandemic.

The Duke and Duchess are patrons of NHS Charities Together.  

NHS Charities Together is made up of 240 NHS charity members based in hospitals, mental health, ambulance, community health services, and health boards across the UK. The film opens tomorrow in many locations. 

Disney’s #Cruella arrives tomorrow ??. https://t.co/qBcOyb06pe pic.twitter.com/uWpAnjnAzT

— Cruella (@cruella) May 26, 2021

A special drive-in setup was created for the event.

In advance of tonight’s screening, the couple spoke with two of the film’s stars on Monday night. More from Bazaar’s story:

During the call, they all discussed what it was like filming in parts of London, the amazing costuming and fashion, and how important it was to honor and thank the incredible NHS staff across the United Kingdom.

The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English shared a clip from the call. 

On Monday evening William and Kate spoke to two of the stars of the film, Emma Thompson and Emma Stone, via video call. They discussed what it was like to make the film in London, the incredible costumes – as well as the inspirational work done by NHS staff across the country. pic.twitter.com/iPocXkfnfT

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 26, 2021

And from The Mirror’s story: 

The two Oscar-winning stars talked about making the film in London, with Emma Stone telling the Duke and Duchess: “Oh it was so much fun, we were all over, we were all over London we were in front of Liberty.

“They transformed Carnaby Street into 70s London, which was amazing. And then we were in front of Buckingham Palace at one point I was riding a motorcycle around the Mall.”

William joked: “We should have had you stopped Emma, it’s very dangerous.”

Two vehicles used in the film were parked at the screening. This is a Panther De Ville. 

Tonight the Duchess was given flowers by Tipper Seifert-Cleveland, who plays young Cruella. 

And she delivered remarks before the movie started. 
 From her speech: 

Over the last year or so, William and I have spoken to many NHS workers and have heard first-hand what it has been like to be on the front line fighting COVID-19; supporting those suffering from the disease as well as their families, and heroically putting the needs of others ahead of their own – day in, day out.  

The couple chatting with moviegoers. 

It looked like the weather cleared up and the rain stopped just in time for the event. 

They clearly enjoyed themselves. 

Another view of the Duchess.

The duo speaking to guests. 

A very quick video from Kensington Palace shows the scene at tonight’s screening. 

Movie night ? #Cruella at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with NHS staff in recognition of their vital work throughout the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/N0kpyKjJ8q

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 26, 2021

And now for our look at what Kate wore this evening. 

She was in a tailored version of Holland and Cooper’s Marlborough Trench Coat (£849, about $1200 at today’s exchange rates). 

The double-breasted design is made of 100% wool and features a fitted silhouette, belted waist, buckle fastenings at the cuff, epaulets on the shoulders, back storm flap, deep back vent, and piped trim on the angled front pockets.  Here is a closer look at the fabric. 

NOTE: The post originally said the Duchess wore a “customized” version of the coat. That word has been deleted and replaced with “tailored.”

Beneath the coat, the Duchess appeared to be wearing a skirt by Joseph, the brand’s Metallic Gold Knit Maxi Skirt ($435). 

The piece features an elastic waist; it is a piece you pull on, without a zipper. The skirt is available in most sizes at Joseph, and also at Net-a-Porter and in very limited sizes at Selfridges.  Thank you to Heaven for her speedy ID.   

The Duchess wore sapphire and diamond earrings loaned to her by The Queen. 

More about the set from The Court Jeweller: 

During a tour of the Middle East in February 1979, the Queen added a second sapphire demi-parure to her collection.  She was presented with a suite of diamond and sapphire jewelry by Sheikh Rashid of Dubai. The unique Asprey set, with a loop design, originally included a large necklace, a pair of earrings, and a ring. 

Embed from Getty Images

A closer look at the earrings. 

And from Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault. 

The demi-parure was so impressive the Queen “exclaimed in amazement” when she saw it, according to Leslie Field. Impressive as it was, the Queen did end up making some slight changes. The necklace was shortened and two spare sapphire loops were made into a new pair of earrings. The original earrings and ring were made into a bracelet.

Tonight’s heels looked like the Duchess’s BB Green Velvet Pumps by Manolo Blahnik. A signature style for the brand, the BB features a classic point-toe design and a 4″ stiletto heel.

The Duchess was carrying what looked like a Palace of Holyroodhouse Tote (£5.95). The tote features the stag crest and ‘Palace of Holyroodhouse’ along the side. 

I’ll leave you with two more shots of the Duchess at tonight’s engagement.