The Duchess in Casual Styles for COP26-Related Scouting Event

As the UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP26, got underway today in Glasgow, Scotland, royal family members took part in a variety of events.  Below, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn (as they are titled in Scotland), as they arrived in Glasgow. 

Chris Ship of ITV reports the car used to get from the train station to the engagement was an electric Jaguar I-Pace. 

More about the conference from the World Economic Forum. 

Among those attending the event: Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon, US President Joe Biden, Narendra Modi of India, Canada’s Justin Trudeau., Australia PM Scott Morrison, Italy’s Mario Draghi, Naftali Bennett of Israel, and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.  HMTQ was slated to host a reception in Glasgow this evening, but last week Buckingham Palace announced she would not be attending due to health issues.  

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended today’s opening ceremony.

Then Prince delivered a speech at the event.

From the remarks delivered by Prince Charles. 

“I can only urge you, as the world’s decision-makers, to find practical ways of overcoming differences so we can all get down to work, together, to rescue this precious planet and save the threatened future of our young people.”

Also speaking at the opening event, Sir David Attenborough. 

From The Evening Standard’s story: 

“The stability that we all depend on is breaking. This story is one of inequality as well as instability. Today those who have done the least to cause this problem are being the hardest hit – ultimately all of us will feel the impacts, some of which are now unavoidable.”

“In my lifetime I’ve witnessed a terrible decline,” said the 95-year-old. “In yours, you could and should witness a wonderful recovery.”

Sir David also said, “the world is looking to you.”

And now for our look at the Duke and Duchess’s meeting with Scouts to learn more about the Scouts’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign.

The event was at the Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun, a Glasgow suburb. Here you see the couple arriving in a video posted by The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived at their first event to mark @COP26 pic.twitter.com/GFTDkheySu

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 1, 2021

You may recall the Duchess is Joint President of The Scout Association alongside The Duke of Kent.

In this photo, you can see Lewis Howe (2nd from right). The 12-year-old is one of 26 One Step Greener ambassadors selected by the UK Government for their efforts “going above and beyond for the climate.”

Kensington Palace noted in a news release that “Through Scouting, Lewis is taking positive action on the issues that matter to him the most and challenging all Scottish schools to reduce food waste by using surplus food to create meals for those in need using environmentally friendly packaging.” More about Lewis and today’s engagement from The National News.  

The couple discussed his work with him and undertook activities that demonstrate how scouting is helping to equip young people with the skills to tackle climate change.

Lewis is part of the Laurencekirk Scout Group and through his efforts he has been working with politicians to challenge every secondary school in Scotland to reduce food waste.

In this photo, you can see the magenta and green scarf gifted to Kate by the Scouts.

The Duchess wearing the gifted neckerchief. Just behind her, you see Lewis Howe. 

And from The Daily Mirror’s coverage: 

Scout Leader Eddie O’Rourke said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Scouts taking part in our Promise To The Planet Planet campaign. They were a real inspiration to all the Scouts that are working hard to make changes to protect the planet.” 

In this image, you see the couple learning about the Forest of Promises from Eddie O’Rourke, District Commissioner of the South East District Scouts. 

A closer look. 

Richard Palmer of The Express reports, “William and Kate helped Scouts make wildflower seed bombs, cook planet-friendly vegetarian burgers, and do some bicycle maintenance.”

I think they may be doing the veggie burgers in this next photo. 

The Royals also took part in activities designed to demonstrate “how Scouting is helping to equip young people with the skills to tackle climate change,” per a Kensington Palace news release.

Another view of the couple. 

Here you see everyone throwing their ‘seed bombs’ made of wildflower seed.

The Duke and Duchess worked with the Scouts on bike safety checks. 

We move now to our review of what Kate wore today. 

Kate wore the Quilted Tech Fabric Vest ($345) by a Danish brand, Ganni.

With thanks to Lauren for another fab ID, the piece is made of 100% recycled plastic and has an oversized, relaxed fit.  It features two pockets, a concealed front zipper, a point collar, elastic at the waist. The piece is available online at Ganni, as well as at Selfridge’s ($310).  

As mentioned above, Ganni is a Danish company. It is known for its commitment to sustainability, although they have not yet reached that goal.  More from A Good Company interview with Ganni founder Nicolaj Reffstrup. 

I’ve been involved in the climate change agenda for some 20 years, despite this inherent contradiction, I still own a fashion company. 

I’ve been over it a million times, but I’ve come to realize that staying in the industry and working to become more responsible is better than the alternative of opting out and doing nothing.

Fashion is not going away. We need to solve the issues we are facing through growth and innovation.

A Middleton Maven follower suggests the sweater is the Cashmere Ribbed Rollneck ($420) by Really Wild.

I don’t have an ID on the skinny jeans the Duchess wore. 

We saw the Duchess in her Scouts Adult Scarf (£8.50, about $12 at today’s exchange rates) in red/white/blue. She also wore the magenta and green design throughout the engagement.   

The mask is one of the Amaia Kids styles, *possibly* the Katie and Millie style (£15). 

Kate was in her See by Chloé Liegi Ankle Boots. 

And what looked like her Daniella Draper Mini Cupid Hoop Earrings (£200, $285), shown as worn at a previous engagement.

We’ll see the Duke and Duchess later today when they join the Prince of Wales at a reception for the key members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the winners and finalists of the first Earthshot Prize Awards.  

Here is one more image of the Duchess today.

LINKAGE:

• Learn more about COP26 at the website here; the COP26 Instagram page is here; the Twitter feed is here. 
• The entire text of Prince Charles’ remark may be seen here.
• Read more about the Scouts’ “Promise to the Planet” here.