The Princess of Wales Wears Emilia Wickstead for Visit to Harvard Center on the Developing Child

The Princess of Wales chose an Emilia Wickstead design for today’s engagement at Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child. 

A gentleman whose office is adjacent to the center shared a video of the scene this morning as the Princess arrived.  

So Kate Middleton came to visit Harvard today, and she just so happened to be coming to the exact floor above where I work.

This is what it looked like outside my office. pic.twitter.com/LfY5Pqeqxt

— Luke Pollack (@Techno_Minute) December 2, 2022

The Princess as she was welcomed. 

Here you see her signing the Harvard Guestbook. 

On the lower right, the Princess’s signature today, and on the upper left, the 1986 signature of Prince Charles during his visit to the University.

A Kensington Palace news release notes the Harvard Center has long been a friend of the Royal Foundation and, more recently, the Foundation’s Center for Early Childhood, providing support with past research on the importance of the early years.

More about today’s engagement via this piece posted on the Center for Early Childhood site.  

Her Royal Highness met members of the team and had the opportunity to hear about how research and advances in science can be applied to policy and practice to achieve a more promising future for every child.

The visit was also an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaboration between international organisations in showcasing and sharing best practice.

Richard Palmer of The Express noted the Princess was taking notes throughout today’s meetings.

Returning to the Royal Foundation’s online piece about today’s event.  

Center Director, Jack Shonkoff described the visit as a “wonderful opportunity for shared learning as part of a global effort to improve life outcomes for young children.” 

He raised several important areas where science is pointing towards new strategies. Firstly, the interconnections between the brain and the rest of the body and the importance of connecting learning and health agendas; second the impacts that the broader conditions and environments in which families raise young children have on developmental outcomes. 

And from Amanda Berry, CEO of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princes of Wales:

“We are grateful to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child for hosting such a fascinating session and sharing their latest thinking. There is so much scope for further joint working here, given our missions are so aligned, and I look forward to even more collaboration between the two teams in future.”

After the engagement, the Princess decided to do a walkabout.

Another view. 

Richard Palmer shared a video of the Princess greeting well-wishers. 

A royal walkabout at Harvard. pic.twitter.com/A5QUFZ6RiE

— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) December 2, 2022

The Princess greeting a well-wisher.

And meeting a little one. 

More on the crowd’s reception from this WCVB story. 

“So much poise. And I love that they’re here in Boston committed to making this world a better place,” said Maria Dominguez, of Boston.

People from across the country braved the cold and staked out a good spot just for the chance to get a glimpse of Princess Catherine during one of her final appearances of the royal couple’s three-day tour in and around Boston.

“Being from Kentucky, they’re not visiting there any time soon, so we jumped on a plane and came on up here,” said Tessa Powell.

“I had royal wedding parties, so I’m a big fan,” said Renee Wolbert, who is visiting from New York.

In this video, you will hear the Princess thanking people for coming out to see her. 

“Everyone in Boston has been so friendly.”

Princess Catherine talks with Royal fans outside of Harvard in Cambridge. She shook hands and even took some selfies.

“I’m so appreciative of everyone coming to say hi.”

Oliver Kingston shared this unforgettable moment with me. pic.twitter.com/uJjIOKSIkJ

— Rob Way (@RobWayTV) December 2, 2022

The Princess poses for a selfie or two. 

Now for our look at what Kate wore for today’s engagement. 

The Princess was in a custom version of Emilia Wickstead’s Miles Dress.

UPDATE: Here are two more closeups for those not seeing the maroon color in the print. On the left, is a closeup from a product photo; on the right, is a portion of the Princess’s collar today.

The Princess carried a new Mulberry handbag, the Harlow Satchel style, like the style shown below, but in the cornflower blue colorway. The bag is a top-handle style with a double-flap front closure, a detachable shoulder strap, and an updated version of Mulberry’s signature rider’s lock closure, a twist ring design. It is lined in suede, measures roughly 9″ x 7″, and has two interior compartments. 

The Princess wore a new pair of earrings by London designer Lenique Louis, the Gold Spine Hoop Earrings (£285) done in 18-carat gold vermeil over sterling silver. The earrings are described as a “playful take on Coral Reef, easy to wear and lightweight.” The design is also the brand’s bestselling style.

The brand is owned and designed by Lenique Louis and specializes in handcrafted, made-to-order jewelry. More from this Harper’s Bazaar UK piece:

…jeweller Lenique Louis creates beautiful handmade statement rings using an ancient lost wax technique and inspired by trips to Thailand’s East of Eden Coral Reef.”My philosophy is to create exclusive handmade one of a kind rings,” she says.

Supported by the Prince’s Trust and Into Enterprise, Lenique decided to create her own handcrafted jewellery after interning with Stephen Webster and Garrard.

Ms. Louis is also a Prince’s Trust Ambassador and notes she had the pleasure of meeting King Charles a second time this past November. 

Thank you to Middleton Maven, UFO No More, and Regal Fille for their ID work today.  

While the Princess was at Harvard, Prince William visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Here you see him being welcomed by Caroline Kennedy and her children, Jack and Tatiana Schlossberg.

More from The Daily Mail’s coverage. 

Ambassador Kennedy and her children accompanied Prince William for a short tour around the library and museum, which highlights JFK’s political legacy and his Moonshot program – which challenged America to put man on the moon, and which served as the key inspiration for his Earthshot Prize. 

During the visit, William was shown exhibits from the pivotal years of the Kennedy Administration in the 1960s, ahead of the moon landing in 1969, including a facsimile of JFK’s famous ‘We choose to go to the Moon’ speech, which he delivered at Rice University, Houston, in September 1962, informing the public about his mission to land a man on the moon before 1970. 

‘Incredible,’ William said, as he looked at the speech. 

And the Prince also met President Biden, who was in town for a reception.

Also today, photos from yesterday’s rehearsal for the Earthshot awards at the MGM Music Hall. 

The Princess of Wales. 

And the Prince of Wales. 

We’ll see you shortly for tonight’s Earthshot Prize Awards coverage!  

VIDEOS: 

GMA’s coverage of today’s engagement. 

Princess Kate visits Harvard as part of her ongoing work to elevate importance of the early years to lifelong outcomes.

This visit mirrored her father-in-law King Charles III’s trip to Harvard 36 years ago, with both signing the university’s guest book.https://t.co/cXmgy6Aouq pic.twitter.com/JsNRqnUvYj

— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 2, 2022