Skip to Content

The Duchess in Lacy Alexander McQueen for Passing Out Parade

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy for a military passing-out parade in Kingston, Jamaica.

On the Duke and Duchess’s last day in Jamaica, they saw the inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean.

Richard Palmer of The Express shared a video of the Duchess arriving. 

Today’s ceremony was for those who completed the Academy’s Officer Training Programme.

The Caribbean Military Academy was established in May 2019. 

Another view of the royals. 

Prince William wore the tropical No. 1 uniform of the Blues and Royals for the first time today.

He delivered remarks and reviewed the personnel.

Roya Nikkhah of The Sunday Times reports that when Prince William addressed the newly commissioned officers, “William quoted Bob Marley: “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”  

The Duchess then moved onto the parade area. 

She was there to present the Awards of Excellence.

The day featured a nostalgic moment as a ceremonial Land Rover used by HM and Prince Philip in 1962 was temporarily put back in service. The vehicle was driven today by Sgt. Denver Levy. More from People’s story. 

Jamaican Defence Force Sgt Denver Levy, who drove the couple around the parade ground, tells PEOPLE:  “I am excited. We have practiced a few times. I’m not nervous — we did something similar three or four months ago.”

A video as the Duke and Duchess get into the historic vehicle. 

And another look at the couple.

Simon Perry of People posted the photos side-by-side. 

Simon Perry also reports that after the ceremony, the couple was slated to “meet newly commissioned officers and staff at the Jamaica Officers’ Club, where they will be hosted by Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman — the first and only woman to achieve a Flag Rank.”

Now for a look at what Kate wore. 

 Her lace dress by Alexander McQueen had a white lining except for the sleeves. The dress also featured a squared neckline, puffed sleeves at the shoulder seams, a center-back vent, and what looks like a petersham ribbon at the waist.

I am reluctant to suggest designs worn by the Duchess are an homage to someone else, finding many over the top. Today is an exception. 

A factor I consider when thinking about the topic: were there other references to the person whose attire is hypothetically being referenced? And today we have two, the earrings and the Land Rover. My guess is that the 1954 Australia dress was at least looked at and discussed when starting the process of creating today’s dress for the Duchess.   

The Duchess wore her hair up, topped with a chapeau by Philip Treacy.

She carried the Maud Clutch ($523) by Anya Hindmarch.   

The bag comes with a detachable chain, has goldtone hardware, and a ‘kissing pearls’ closure. 

It looks like the Duchess was in another pair of the Rebecca pumps ($415) by Emmy London. 

The point-toe style has a 4.2″ heel. Thank you to Polka Popp on Twitter for her ID.  

The Duchess wore the three-strand pearl bracelet that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. It was first worn during the Germany tour in July 2017.

And she wore the earrings on loan from HM.

We’ll see you shortly with a post on the welcoming events in the Bahamas.  

UPDATE: We are going to take a quick peek at the Emilia Wickstead repeat worn as the couple left Jamaica. Below, the Duke and Duchess as they arrived at the airport.   

Here you see the Duchess with Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, as well as other dignitaries.

You can see the Duchess kept her hair up, a wise choice with the windy conditions at the airport. 

Emily Nash shared a video. 

Up the steps. 

And then a wave goodbye. 

Many will recognize the dress as one worn to Wimbledon last year. It is from Emilia Wickstead’s Resort 2021 collection.

The frock is made of a textured crepe material that is cloqué, jacquard with a raised pattern. It is a blend of 82% polyester, 16% cotton, and 2% elastane.  It has the fit and flare silhouette the Duchess is fond of, a round neck, cap sleeves, and concealed back zipper.  I’m not sure, but almost looks like the Duchess has had some of the fullness of the skirt removed.

With apologies for not including the earrings, the Duchess was wearing a pair of citrine drops. However, she did not wear the diamond hoops we see so frequently, and at least once with these stones back in 2017, but a plain metal style shown below left.  

I have not had a chance to look at the hoops and probably won’t until next week.  Thank you to Emma for pointing out the distinction on Twitter this afternoon. 

It looked like the Duchess was in new pair of pumps; they may have been the Gianvito 105 in Bisque Suede ($725), with thanks to Carly of Kate Middleton Style and Middleton Maven.

The most interesting part of the outfit for me was the brooch worn by the Duchess. The brooch was a gift to the Queen from Jamaica on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee.  It is a depiction of the Jamaican National Doctor Bird. The image in the center is the actual brooch as shown on the Royal Collection Trust site.

We learn more from the Jamaica Information Service:

“The doctor bird or swallow tail humming bird (Trochilus Polytmus), is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds. It lives only in Jamaica.” 

These birds’ beautiful feathers have no counterpart in the entire bird population and they produce iridescent colours characterstic only of that family. In addition to these beautiful feathers, the mature male has two long tails which stream behind him when he flies. For years the doctor bird has been immortalized in Jamaican folklore and song.”

We’ll see you shortly for the arrival in the Bahamas!

Pin It

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

DebraB

Thursday 14th of April 2022

Beautiful color, I love that she is wearing longer length, not for modesty or because she doesn’t have the figure for 3” above the knee, she does. But because midi lengths are current & flattering. The whole trip I thought she looked fab.

Diane

Friday 1st of April 2022

This dress is perfection, and I hate to add a negative after that statement, except for the neckline, which almost ruins it IMO. The large, angular, out of proportion shape is too harsh for this lovely dress and for the Duchess's face/neck/upper chest. It is not flattering to her, though the rest of the dress is. The idea may have been to give some contrast to the delicacy of a white lace dress, but instead it went too far; better to let the lovely dress be what it is.

Freda McT

Sunday 27th of March 2022

The white is way too bridal - the equivalent outfit the Queen is pictured wearing does not have that effect. Lace is difficult - it can look cheap and tarty. Many comments are circulating about the picture of them both in the land rover. Lots of points as usual for trying so very hard to get it right but for me this is too lacey in a curtain like way and just not her!

Zell

Saturday 26th of March 2022

Kate is Amazing in lace. I've never seen her in a lace dress or gown I don't immediately love. Somehow she pulls off looking va-va-voom with elegant and ladylike, whenever she wears lace. This lovely dress has a retro look to it, so it is interesting to see it compared to the beautiful lace dress Queen Elizabeth wore in 1954. I think Kate is really fabulous in her modern-but-retro dresses. They look Wonderful on her! Love the hat, as well!

BerryRose

Friday 25th of March 2022

What an incredible look. This is a top ten, all time great for me. Just stunning, every element. I am sure we will see this look repeated at a future event. It's chef's kiss good.

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