Carol Concert Update & the Princess’s November Style Over the Years

Welcome to another fashion post with a quick update on the annual Together At Christmas Carol Service. Kensington Palace announced this year’s service will be taped two weeks from today, December 6.  Below, the Princess and Prince Louis at last year’s service.

The palace announced this year’s theme will focus on “how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.” More from Danielle Stacey’s Hello story. 

Kensington Palace said that the Princess particularly wanted the carol concert’s theme to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.

“This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need – individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.

“This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.”

Kensington Palace released a short video this week. 

Something exciting is coming… 🎄🎵

The invitations are fresh off the press for this year’s Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December.

We can’t wait for you to join us too! Tune in on @ITV and @ITVX on Christmas Eve. pic.twitter.com/knmlyN6PZt

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 13, 2024

Now for our look back at the Princess’s November style over the years. We begin with November 2011, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled to Denmark for an event at a Copenhagen UNICEF warehouse.  The couple was hosted by Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary (now King Frederik and Queen Mary).

The engagement helped raise awareness of the famine in East Africa and the desperate need for relief supplies.

The Duchess engaged in some sartorial diplomacy, wearing an LK Bennett coat in red, one of the colors of Denmark’s flag.

The “Ami” coat was made in a wool and nylon blend, described by the retailer as a “structured, military-style, fashion coat…defined by…beautiful detailing, a modern belt, and a clean fitted silhouette.” The piece showcased a high collar, epaulets, front pockets, and a concealed front closure. 

This was the first of four occasions when the coat was worn. We next saw it a year later in November 2012, at a rugby match, in November 2013 for a Poppy Day engagement, and one more time in 2016, when the Duchess wore it to an engagement at RAF Valley in North Wales.

She accessorized with a statement-making Reiss belt, the ‘Bessie’ style from 2008, and her Vinnie Day Leaf Earrings.  

The Duchess sported a pair of Stuart Weitzman ‘Zipkin’ Platform Boots and carried her ‘Muse’ clutch, also by Stuart Weitzman. 

The Duke and Duchess visited Cambridge in November 2012.  

It was the couple’s first official trip to the city following their wedding. Among their stops that day was a visit to Jimmy’s, a homeless shelter.

The Duchess chose a coat and dress by Studio Max Mara. 

The ‘Belli’ coat was made in a blend of 50% wool and 50% cashmere, with a funnel neck, on-seam pockets, hidden buttons, and pick stitching. I don’t believe I could ever find detailed information on the leopard print dress.

Accessories included the Natasha Clutch ($480) by Emmy London and Aquatalia Rouge boots. 

The Duchess also wore her ‘Grace’ (£895) white topaz and diamond studs by Kiki McDonough.The Duchess wore a navy ensemble in November 2013 for a visit to a Place2Be forum on “Resilience and Emotional Strength in Schools.”

Place2Be was one of the Duchess’s first charity patronages. 

The Duchess wore a jacket identified as Max Mara and a skirt by Orla Kiely. 

Unfortunately, none of us could locate product photos of the jacket, which featured a fitted silhouette, rounded collar, angled front seams, an asymmetrical zipper, and flap pockets. The Orla Kiely Solid Crepe Blend Skirt was made in a blend of 63% Polyester/33% Viscose/4% Elastane, and it showcased wide knife pleats; it had a concealed back zipper and full lining.

Accessories for this ensemble included the Duchess’s navy suede Alexander McQueen pumps and another Stuart Weitzman ‘Muse’ clutch, this one in navy suede.

The Duchess wore her Kiki McDonough Gold and Diamond Hoops (£700, about $885 at today’s exchange rates) with her Annoushka Pearl Drops ($535). 

For a November 2014 engagement at EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices), the Duchess opted for a vibrant red dress by Katherine Hooker. 

The Duchess was at the hospice to help launch a fundraising appeal for a new EACH hospice in Norfolk. I love this little girl’s look after she gives flowers to the Duchess.

The Duchess was in a customized version of Katherine Hooker’s ‘Ascot’ Dress, which was a classic shift style with three-quarter-length sleeves and a concealed back zipper. 

She wore her ‘Aimee’ pumps by Jimmy Choo and carried the black Stuart Weitzman ‘Muse’ clutch shown above. 

For that day’s jewelry, the Duchess wore her Mappin and Webb ‘Fortune’ necklace along with her Kiki McDonough Hoops and Cushion Cut Green Amethyst Drops (£900).

In November 2015, the Duchess attended an awards event for The Fostering Network. 

The Fostering Excellence Awards celebrated success within foster care. While there, Ambrose (age 11) and Rowan (age 7) presented the Duchess with quilts for George and Charlotte.

The Duchess wore the ‘Martine’ dress by Saloni London.  The piece was made of matelassé, a textured, crinkly material. It had the fit and flare silhouette the Princess favors, with elbow-length sleeves and inverted pleats at the waist.

In the accessories department, we saw the return of the Gianvito 105 Black Suede Pumps ($795), the ‘Glossed Leather Belt’ by Alexander McQueen, and the Mulberry Bayswater clutch.  

The Duchess had her hair styled in a partial updo.

She wore her Catherine Zoraida Fern Hoop earrings (on sale at $170, usually $213).

For a November 2016 film premiere, the Duchess chose a gown by Self Portrait. 

This was a new brand for her wardrobe, the first of many Self Portrait designs worn by the Duchess. The premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob was a benefit for Action on Addiction, one of the Duchess’s patronages. Here you see her meeting the real cat named Bob.

The dress was from Self Portrait’s Resort 2016 collection.

The Pleated Crochet Maxi Dress featured a high neckline with floral lace detailing, sheer sleeves, and a pleated crepe skirt with a side slit.

It was made in 99% polyester with 1% cotton and came with a nude bandeau lining. Here is a closer look at the lace. 

The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito 105 Bordeaux Pumps and another Mulberry Bayswater clutch, this one in a color called ‘conker’ suede.

Her earrings were by Oscar de la Renta, made of gold-plated pewter with crystal faux pearls. 

I chose our next engagement because of the dress by GOAT London, now known as Jane Atelier, a label first incorporated into the royal wardrobe in 2013. This was another Place2Be event, a head teachers conference, in November 2017.

The Duchess delivered remarks at the event. 

The Duchess wore the ‘Eloise’ Tunic Dress, an A-line design made in 100% wool with a high neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and oversized pewter buttons.

She accessorized with her Mulberry Bayswater clutch and her Tod’s pumps, a block heel style in suede. 

She also wore her ‘‘Empress’ earrings by Mappin and Webb. 

In November 2018, the Duchess brought back a Paule Ka ensemble for an engagement at University College London.

The Duchess was at the University to visit the Neuroscience lab and learn how environment and biology shape the ways children develop.

Many will have recognized her burgundy Paule Ka separates.

The look is a version of this ensemble. The Duchess’s double-breasted jacket has a shawl collar, patch pockets, a slanted breast pocket, and modified peplum detailing at the waist. The coordinating skirt is full with multiple tiers and topstitching detail. 

The suit was initially worn in October 2012 for a meeting with law students at Middle Temple, in February 2017 for an away day in Wales, and then again in 2018 for this engagement. Sadly, the label closed down this July.

The accessories are identical to those worn for the 2017 engagements (Mulberry clutch and Tod’s pumps), so I won’t repeat them here. The Duchess also wore her Asprey Oak Leaf earrings, shown below as worn at another engagement.

Our November 2019 engagement showcases an oft-worn designer as well as the Duchess’s penchant for purchasing favorite designs in multiple colors. 

The designer is Emilia Wickstead, one of a core group worn frequently by the Princess of Wales. The occasion was the launch of the National Emergencies Trust, a disaster relief organization. Here you see her meeting a therapy dog.

The Duchess was in a familiar look, a fit and flare dress. 

The Emilia Wickstead ‘Kate’ dress  has “a slim-fitting bodice, enhanced with contouring darts above and below the waistband, and falls to a fully lined midi-length A-line skirt.” (Although the Duchess’s dress hit at the knee.)

If the style looks familiar, that is because it is very much like two other Emilia Wickstead designs worn by the Princess. Below, you see the lavender design first worn in Germany in July 2017 and the green version worn in May 2019. The most significant distinction among the designs is the squared neckline on the green dress and the addition of a belt to the blue dress.

In autumn 2018, the ‘Kate’ dress was available at Matches Fashion in red, blue, and baby soft pink. (Unfortunately, the dress was sold out in all colors and Matches Fashion has been closed.)

The Duchess carried her black clutch from a collaboration between Aspinal and Beulah London.  

She wore a new pair of pumps by Jimmy Choo; they look like the Romy 85 Pointy Toe style ($775.)

The Duchess wore her Women of the First World War Brooch.

And her sapphire and diamond earrings.

Because of the pandemic, most of the November 2020 engagements were conducted by video call. The exception was Remembrance Sunday when the Duchess wore the Catherine Walker coat seen at this year’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony, so I am skipping ahead to November 2021 and a look selected because it showcases the Princess’s casual style. Below, the royals as they arrived for an engagement with UK Scouts to learn more about the Scouts’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign. You may recall that the Duchess is joint president of the Scout Association alongside the Duke of Kent.

The event was tied to the UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. The couple helped make wildflower seed bombs, cooked vegetarian burgers, and did maintenance on bicycles.

The Duchess was in a mix of brands for the engagement.

Her Quilted Tech Fabric Vest ($345) by Ganni was made of 100% recycled plastic and featured an oversized, relaxed fit.  It had two pockets, a concealed front zipper, a point collar, and elastic at the waist.

Her turtleneck was similar to the Cashmere Ribbed Rollneck ($420) by Really Wild, but we can’t say this was definitely the piece.

The Duchess wore her Scouts Adult Scarf in red/white/blue, as well as a magenta and green design she was given during the engagement. She brought back her See by Chloé Liegi Ankle Boots.

She also wore what looked like her Daniella Draper Mini Cupid Hoop Earrings ($280) in recycled gold, shown below as worn at a previous engagement.

In November 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Scarborough for a Community Impact Day.  

One of their stops was at a nursery at The Rainbow Centre, a community support organization.

The Duchess was in a monochrome ensemble. 

Her coat by Max and Co. (another of the Max Mara brands), the label’s Wool Long Run Coat (now sold out). The piece was made in 100% wool, with notched lapels, on-seam pockets, a back vent, a self-belt, and an open-front style.

Beneath the coat, the Princess wore a Gabriela Hearst dress, the ‘Betti’ style in cashmere, silk, and wool. The A-line midi-length dress had a slim fit with long sleeves and a turtleneck.

She accessorized with the suede Woven Waist Belt ($85, now sold out) by Boden.

The Princess brought back a pair of pumps by Ralph Lauren, the retailer’s Celia style ($750), first noted in September 2020. The Celia is a classic point-toe pump in calfskin with a 4.1″ heel.

And we saw the return of the Nano Montreal Handbag ($450) in the deep toffee smooth colorway by Demellier London.

The Princess also repeated her Twisted Circle Hoop Earrings ($2, sold out) by Accessorize.   

Our final ensemble was worn in November 2023 for ceremonies officially starting the Republic of Korea state visit.

The Prince and Princess welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, at their central London hotel. The two couples traveled to Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome.

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 related to the Republic of Korea.

The Princess wore her Catherine Walker Beau Tie dress first seen at the December 2021 Carol Concert, topped by a cape in matching fabric. 

Here, you see the Beau Tie when worn for the 2021 Concert. It looked like the dress was shortened for the state visit ensemble.

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

She debuted a new hat by Jane Taylor. It was similar to the Decima Style ($2757) seen below.

Accessories included the ‘Bow Embellished Suede Shoulder Bag’ by Miu Miu, first carried during the 2016 Canada Tour, and the Princess’s red Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795). 

The Princess wore the sapphire cabochon and diamond cluster earrings that originally belonged to Diana, the Princess of Wales. 

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I also have some early Sales & Savings opportunities to share as retailers start “Black Friday” discounts well before that day. 

• At Monica Vinader, the jeweler’s Siren Green Onyx Earrings are 40% off ($106.80, normally $178), and the Nura Pearl Necklace is 30% off (now $125.80 instead of $186 for both the pearl pendant and the necklace). 

• Kiki McDonough is offering 15% off sitewide (excluding Special editions) with promo code THANKSGIVING15. 
• Catherine Zoraida is offering discounts of up to 30% in its Golden Week sale.