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The Princess in Catherine Walker and Jane Taylor for South Korea State Visit

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The Princess in Catherine Walker and Jane Taylor for South Korea State Visit

The Princess of Wales chose a dramatic ensemble by Catherine Walker and Jane Taylor for the official start of the Republic of Korea state visit.

The Prince and Princess of Wales officially welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, at their central London hotel this morning. The couple arrived in London last night. 

Below, the couples leave the hotel this afternoon.

The two couples traveled to Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome. Below, the King and Queen arrive at Horse Guards Parade.
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More from this Hannah Furness story in The Telegraph.

The visiting head of state and his wife were accompanied from their hotel to Whitehall by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were seen to be deep in conversation in their respective cars. The Princess appeared to be explaining what would be happening at Horse Guards Parade, where a line-up of politicians awaited them alongside the King and Queen.

Rebecca English shared a video of the arrival at Horse Guards Parade. 

The Princess as she went up the pavilion steps.

This is the first incoming state visit hosted by the King since his coronation.

Another view. The Queen and First Lady. 
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The Prince and Princess. 

And from People’s story by Simon Perry. 

After a royal salute, the Republic of Korea’s national anthem was played and the president, accompanied by King Charles, carried out the official inspection by walking along the Guard of Honour of F Company Scots Guards.

Next on the agenda, a traditional carriage procession to Buckingham Palace. 

 The view along the Mall.

From The Daily Mail’s coverage. 

The royals and their guests then departed in a procession of carriages. The King and President riding in The Irish State Coach, while the Australian State Coach contained the Queen and First Lady.

The Prince and Princess of Wales rode in The Scottish State Coach with His Excellency Choo Kyungho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

Another view.
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The Queen and First Lady Kim Keon-Hee as they arrived at Buckingham Palace. 
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And the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived at Buckingham Palace. 
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Following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, members of the Royal Family and the President and First Lady viewed a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection Trust that are related to the Republic of Korea.
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The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also at the lunch and the exhibit viewing, but I have been unable to license photos of them.

The President and First Lady. 
The Prince and Princess. 
 

A quick video from The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English as the Prince and Princess were leaving the Picture Gallery.

Part of any state visit is the exchange of gifts. We also thank Rebecca English for sharing details about the gifts for this visit. 

This afternoon, the Duke of Gloucester accompanied the President and First Lady at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial. The memorial honors the 81,000 individuals who served in the Korean War.

The President and First Lady also visited Westminster Abbey, where a wreath was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
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Both the Queen and Princess of Wales wore the colors of the South Korean flag. The Queen was in a blue Anna Valentine coat and dress, with a Philip Treacy hat.  
Now for our look at what Kate wore.

She brought back the Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat worn for the December 2021 Carol Concert. She wore a dress beneath the coat, but if it is the dress worn for the carol concert in 2021, it has been shortened.

The cape is likely modeled on something similar to the Catherine Walker Loden. However, the Princess’s cape has significant differences from the Loden: the collar is different, creating room for the tie of the coat, and the shoulders are not as elevated. 

The Princess wore her hair in an updo for the first part of today’s welcome but removed the hat and wore her hair down for the lunch and exhibit viewing.

With thanks to Emma on Twitter, it looks like her new hat is by Jane Taylor. It is similar to the Decima Style.  

The Princess accessorized with her ‘Bow Embellished Suede Shoulder Bag’ by Miu Miu. It was first carried during the 2016 Canada Tour.

And Gianvito Rossi 105 heels. The style is available at Farfetch ($795), at 24S, and at Gianvito Rossi

The Princess wore the sapphire cabochon and diamond cluster earrings seen last week at the Early Years Symposium., The pair originally belonged to Diana, the Princess of Wales. 

Here is one more photo from today’s events.
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And a very quick video from the Royal Family. 

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Also today, a video that was released on Friday to open the BBC “Children in Need” fundraising appeal.

More on the video from this People piece. 

Since it began in 1980, the broadcast has raised over £1 billion for disadvantaged youth in the U.K.

Speaking directly to the camera, Princess Kate said she was “delighted” that she was invited to kick off the festivities. “Tonight is all about helping to support, champion and empower all children to be the very best they can be, which is crucial for their future health and happiness,” she said. “Our relationships, surroundings and experiences during the earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives. And yet sadly, we know that for too many people, stressful and traumatic situations in early childhood can cause harm and it can take many years to overcome.”

In the video, the Princess wears the Betty Blue Rainbow Print Silk Shirt ($225) by Lisou. The shirt was initially worn for the Pride of Britain Awards in October 2020.

Her belt appears to be the Anderson’s Croc Effect Leather ($160) style she has worn several times. UPDATE: It looks like the belt worn in the video is actually the navy blue UFO belt we have seen previously. 

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And finally, here’s a quick look at some of the sales and savings opportunities available at brands the Princess has worn- many have started their Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts early.  

LK Bennett is offering 30% off everything. This includes the Fern heels (from $375 to $262, limited sizes) and the Floret pumps (also $262 from $375). 

Monica Vinader is doing 30% off the entire site as well as daily flash sales. This makes the Siren Wire Drop Earrings £87.50 instead of £125 (roughly $150 down to $110). The Nura Baroque Pearl Pendant is also 30% off at Monica Vinader. The earrings are also available on sale at John Lewis and at Selfridge’s and John Lewis has the Nura Baroque Pearl Necklace at £87.50.

DeMellier London has 20% off its entire site. This includes the Princess’s Nano Montreal in Navy Smooth and in Deep Toffee Smooth, bringing the price down to $360 from $450. 

Aspinal of London is offering the Princess’s Midi Mayfair Handbag (usually $790, on sale for $635) in both “deep shine black croc” and “deep shine lavender croc.”

We’ll see you tonight for coverage of the Princess’s Jenny Packham gown and surprising tiara choice for the state dinner!

NOTE: Comments need to be respectful; those that are disrespectful won’t be published. It’s fine to dislike an outfit or an element of an ensemble, but not with pejorative words and phrases.

VIDEOS: 

The Royal Family Channel’s coverage of the hotel meeting.

Here is coverage of the Horse Guards Parade events. 

 And the viewing of the Royal Collection Trust exhibit.

 The Daily Mail offers more than an hour’s worth of coverage in this video. 

 This post from the Royal Family offers background. 


 

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Larissa

Tuesday 9th of January 2024

I won't comment too much on the outfit, as I'm not a fan – as much as I loved that dress on its first wearing, the combination with the cape and hat feels too costumey to me, it's giving extreme Mary Poppins vibes.

What I'm really fascinated by is Kate's hair. That she can so quickly go from a hat and an updo to having it down and looking clean is amazing to me. I'd love to know what kind of hairspray (or other tricks) were used to go from bun to down without it looking hard and stiff!

Shirley

Monday 27th of November 2023

Love the hat, purse, shoes and the beautiful red color. I like the dress, but don't care for the coat as it looks too big on her slim figure.

Eileen

Sunday 26th of November 2023

HRH the POW’s outfit looks both maternal and red riding hood but with a sexy twist with the leg slit definitely an odd combination. She’s gorgeous and could pull off just about anything she chooses. Are these the sapphires that reverse to rubies that the late Diana POW used to wear? Has she ever worn rubies?

Doreen

Saturday 25th of November 2023

For me the Princess of Wales was phenomenal in her bright red outfit for the welcoming ceremony of the Korean state visit! It was certainly a feast for the eyes! I looked into the national Korean women’s dress & found out that it is called “handbok” & they usually have a bow incorporated in their design & it is placed at the chest area of their dress. It makes me think that the Catherine was trying to mirror a traditional Korean dress “hanbok” in her own British way. In my mind, this is so clever of Catherine!

LovesGreen

Monday 4th of December 2023

@Doreen, That is so interesting! Thank you so much for your research and for sharing it here, I never knew this about the traditional Korean dress! It is so typical of the Princess of Wales, she really pays respectful homage to her guests and hosts alike, and in such subtle understated ways! Thanks again!

Tundra

Sunday 26th of November 2023

@Doreen, I think you are 100% correct. Kate was wearing a stylized hanbok.

Dawn C

Friday 24th of November 2023

When seeing the photos with her lower legs exposed the old song, "Legs" by ZZ Top came to mind. If you've never seen the video you should check it out. It's pure 80s. 😄😄

Anyway, Catherine looks beautiful but I agree with most about that cape. Just a bit over the top with the volume and the higher shoulders. The First Lady of the RoK is simultaneously beautiful and cute. I think it's her petite frame that makes me think 'cute' but she is gorgeous. Camilla looks like Camilla. Charles, William and the President of Korea all look handsome.

What a spectacle this was! I always prefer Sporty Kate or Outdoors Kate but I always enjoy these events where she is Catherine, Princess of Wales, and is dressed to the nines. The rest of the pageantry that England does so well is fun to see as well.

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