The Duchess In British Brands for Joint Engagement with Dr. Jill Biden at G7 Summit

The Duchess showcased British brands for today’s joint engagements with US First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.

Here is a quick video from Majesty Magazine’s Joe Little as the Duchess and First Lady arrived at a Cornwall school today. 

The staff and pupils at Connor Downs Academy @ConnorD_Academy in Cornwall won’t have had many days like today! pic.twitter.com/rGFAwKg5To

— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) June 11, 2021

The Duchess hosted the First Lady, who is in Cornwall for the G7 Summit.

A bit of background from Simon Perry’s People story. 

Their outing took place as the G-7 economic summit that brought President Joe Biden to the U.K. got under way. The Bidens arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday for their first overseas visit since they entered the White House in January. For most of the leaders gathering in Cornwall, it is the first time that they have been able to have face-to-face talks since the coronavirus pandemic triggered global lockdowns in the spring of 2020

The Kensington Palace social media accounts welcomed the First Lady. 

More from Simon Perry’s story: 

Kate, 39, and Biden, 70, went to meet youngsters and teachers at the Connor Downs Academy preschool in the Hayle neighborhood of Cornwall, where the Group of Seven economic summit is being held in remote southwest corner of England.

And from The Telegraph’s story by Victoria Ward: 

Ahead of the visit, Janice Eddy, the school’s head, revealed that the children had been learning about the White House so they knew about their American visitor.

“They are quite aware of who’s coming,” she said. “And obviously incredibly excited in the way that a four or five year old can be. Perhaps not completely understanding.”

As they two women walked into the classroom, they were met by a terrified silence. “They’re scared to death,” Dr Biden joked.  

“It’s the quietest class I’ve ever been to. How old are you?” the Duchess asked. 

The duo speaking with students. 

From this AP story: 

 The school works with children who have experienced trauma. It also has outdoor space where the children plant vegetables and flowers and tend to animals, including two families of rescued rabbits as well as hens.

Simon Perry noted in his story “It is a shared interest for the two women: Biden is a lifelong educator who champions schooling and the value of teachers.”

A video from ITV’s Chris Ship. 

Both @FLOTUS Jill Biden and the Duchess of Cambridge were described by the headteacher at the Cornish village school they visitedpic.twitter.com/W6Pxc90daE

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 11, 2021

The Duchess chatting with some of the students.  

Back to Victoria Ward’s story:

The class was reading Greta and the Giants by Zoe Tucker, a story inspired by Greta Thunberg.

“Do you know this series?” the Duchess asked Dr Biden. 

“I know Greta of course,” the First Lady said. 

Then it was time to go meet the school bunny. 

Storm seemed pleased to have visitors, especially since they came bearing carrots. 

The women seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

After spending time with students and meeting the bunny, the women moved to a second event.

That event was a roundtable discussion with experts from the Early Years sector the Duchess has been focussing on in her work. 

More from this People story: 

The royal mom joined a roundtable discussion at an elementary school in Cornwall, England, where Kate and Dr. Biden talked about their shared goal of highlighting the importance of the first, formative years in life – and helping parents achieve that with their kids.

“I’m committed to this for the long term,” said Kate, whose work in early years development is one of the key focuses of her royal life, on Friday. “I hope that our two countries can keep sharing data knowledge and best practice for years to come.”

A video from Lizzie Robinson. 

The Duchess of Cambridge and @FLOTUS led a roundtable discussion with a number of representatives from the early years sector – an area of work which Kate is “committed to for the long-term” pic.twitter.com/cbVpfKF5rS

— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) June 11, 2021

More from the AP article: 

Both women took notes during the discussion, which centered on child mental health and the importance of early education in childhood development. There also was discussion of how to get parents involved early on.

Biden said she had so many questions and apologized that her time at the school was “so short as there’s so much to talk about.”

Another photo of Dr. Biden and the Duchess. 

And a tweet from Dr. Biden. 

Per Kensington Palace, we can look for a major announcement next week from the Duchess about her efforts to “elevate the importance of early childhood and continue the conversation on this vital issue.”

Now for our look at what Kate wore for the engagements.  

The Duchess was in a dress by Alexander McQueen, a style called the Leaf Midi Pencil Dress.  It is a blend of silk and acetate, in a color called dahlia pink, featuring pleats at the round neckline, short structured sleeves, a hidden back zipper, and a length hitting just below the knee. 

A closer look at the details.

She had a matching belt made for the dress. Thank you to Katie for her speedy ID of the dress.

The Duchess accessorized with a new LK Bennett bag, the British label’s Milly Leather Mini Handheld Bag ($185), a 1960s-inspired design crafted of Nappa leather. It is decorated with brogue detailing on the front flap and goldtone hardware, and it comes with a detachable crossbody leather strap.

Thank you to Emily for the handbag ID. 

The Duchess brought back a pair of her Rupert Sanderson pumps, the Malory style. 

And she wore her hair down with a loose curl.

It looked like Kate brought back her Amaia Kids Pink Pepper mask (£15). 

As well as her ASOS Design 14K Gold-Plated Twist Hoop Earrings ($14.50, now out of stock). 

Here is one more image of the two women today. 

I have had multiple requests for information on what Dr. Biden wore.

Her jacket is by L’Agence, a Los Angeles-based label.  It is the Chamberlain Style ($625) in cotton with a touch of poly, a piece she has worn before.  Beneath the jacket, an Akris Elbow-Sleeve Zip-Front A-Line Wool Dress (sold out) dress worn on previous occasions.

She accessorized with a pair of VLogo Leather Slingback Pumps ($895) by Valentino Garavani and her floral motif mask is by LW Pearl Atelier.  Credit for all of this information go to Heaven on Twitter, whom you can also follow at her Dr. Jill Biden Fashion Instagram account. 

We will see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tonight as they join HM, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall for a G7 dinner. 

A reminder about comments: please refrain from commenting on political opinions and issues. 

VIDEOS: 

The Royal Family Channel offers almost two minutes of the school visit.