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The Princess in Self-Portrait with Vintage Jewelry for VE Day Concert

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The Princess in Self-Portrait with Vintage Jewelry for VE Day Concert

The Princess of Wales brought back a Self Portrait dress for tonight’s VE Day concert. The event wraps up four days of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
A quick video of the King and Queen arriving was posted by Emily Ferguson of The Daily Express.   


The King and Queen as they took their seats. On the King’s right was a World War II veteran named Harry Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a bomber pilot during the war and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is now 107 years old.
Below, the veteran greets the Princess of Wales. 
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Both the Prince and the Princess spent time chatting with Mr. Richardson.  
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The former pilot speaking with the King. 
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More from The Mirror’s piece by Russell Myers. 

A touching moment amid the singing and incredible performances as 107-year-old veteran Harry Richardson’s letters frome from the Front to his partner was read out.

As a backdrop to the words, Freya Ridings’ Lost Without You was hauntingly played, leaving many in tears.

The royal box at Horse Guards Parade. On Prince William’s right, Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 
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The Princess is greeted by Victoria Starmer, the Prime Minister’s wife.  
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Also attending tonight’s gala, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. (I thought I saw a photo showing the Duke of Gloucester at the concert, but haven’t been able to locate that photo.) 
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And here is a wide shot of the crowd. 
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There was a surprise flypast by a World War Two-era Lancaster bomber as things got underway. 

More about the event from the BBC’s coverage. 

The event, presented by Zoe Ball, featured performances by artists including Fleur East, Calum Scott and The Darkness, as well as storytelling and tributes to veterans.

Below, a tribute to the Andrews Sisters. 
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A choir performed. 
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Samantha Barks sang the wartime classic, “We’ll Meet Again.”
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The crowd seemed very engaged throughout the concert. 
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As were the Prince and Princess. 

And the King and Queen. 
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Fleur East and the “Strictly Come Dancing” professionals. 
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Sir Willard White sang, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”  
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Actor Brian Cox delivered a powerful re-enactment of Winston Churchill’s iconic wartime speech. 
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The Princess enjoying the concert.

After much of the entertainment was complete, the King took the stage to deliver remarks.

More from the BBC’s story. 

King Charles got a rousing reception when he took to the stage and, on a night of family memories, his speech began with a reference to his own family.

“It is now 80 years since my grandfather, King George VI, announced to the nation and the Commonwealth that ‘the dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and our homes’. The liberation of Europe was secured,” the King told the audience at the VE Day concert.

He quoted his grandfather King George VI: “We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will.”

As the King spoke, images were shown on giant screens erected for the concert. 
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The King included a few portions from his late mother’s diary:

“Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into House. Sang till 2 a.m. Bed at 3 a.m.!”

A wide shot as the King spoke. 
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And a wave from the King as he concluded his speech. 
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Now, for our look at what Kate wore this evening.

The Princess repeated a dress by Self Portrait, the Cream Tailored Boucle and Chiffon Midi Dress. Made of polyester fabric, the frock is described as a midi wrap style with “a long-sleeved bodice that is fitted at the waist and falls to a pleated midi skirt.” It features several textures, including the nubby boucle, chiffon, and lace.

It has peak lapels, flap pockets, a self-belt, and it is lined. Below, a closer look at the details.

We first saw the Princess wearing this design at a September 2021 reception thanking those who worked on the Hold Still book project. 

The dress made a second appearance for the Platinum Party at the Palace concert in 2022.


The Princess wore her hair partially pulled back with a large velvet bow at the back. 
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She carried her Chanel Classic Square Mini Flap Handbag (similar style here) in quilted black lambskin with goldtone metal hardware. 

The Princess accessorized with pieces from vintage jeweler Susan Caplan. Many readers will recognize the Five-Strand Necklace, first worn to events marking Holocaust Memorial Day in January of this year. 

The earrings are 1980s Vintage Renaissance Revival design (£75, now sold out), a gold-plated style featuring faux pearls in a cross pattern with smaller faux pearl accents. Thank you to Irish Sara for her quick work identifying the earrings and Middleton Maven for confirming the ID with Susan Caplan.

A look at the Cenotaph tonight. 

Here is one more image from tonight’s concert. 
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VIDEOS: 

This video from the UK Ministry of Defence does a good job of reminding us of the scenes in London 80 years ago. 

Sky News shows the entirety of the King’s speech in this clip. 

A video posted by Buckingham Palace. 

And an interesting premise for a video is seen in this piece from the UK’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport.


  

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Christine Muehling

Tuesday 20th of May 2025

This is not my favorite look for Catherine, but she looks happy. I like the top of this dress, but not the skirt with the lacy bottom. The necklace is a bit much but I like the earrings! The bow is fine. Overall, she it pulls it off!

Sue V

Wednesday 14th of May 2025

I have to say that I (pretty advanced age, if I am to be brutally honest to myself!!) do not find the bow to look ‘childish’ at all. It is not overly large with big floppy loops and long streaming ribbon, but rather sits very nicely high on the head to hold back the half ponytail part, adding a bit of feature.

With regard to the Self-Portrait dress, I have always been on the fence about this style although both for here and the Platinum Jubilee concert I think it hits the right note for semi-dressy, not full on formal, but enough to make the most important people, the Veterans, feel that an effort has been made for them.

Leila

Tuesday 13th of May 2025

I’m not sure why, but this outfit gives me Madonna vibes from her Immaculate Collection era, which is not my favorite for the Duchess. I also found the combination of the pearls and the hair bow confusing, as others said one reads as childlike and the other reads as very mature. As separates, though, I like each one! Just not all together.

Maluhia

Monday 12th of May 2025

I really adore this outfit! You know the old phrase about a mullet hairstyle - "business in the front, party in the back"? That's what I think of this outfit. Business on the top, party on the bottom. I think the fun skirt is perfect for a concert. And vintage accessories were a smart pairing with the whole outfit.

Gill

Sunday 11th of May 2025

It’s not my favourite look - I think it’s the lace on the bottom of the skirt that’s too much - she’s got the same dress in black I think which is better than the white.. I think though that these evening, non long evening gown events is the one area she or her stylist struggles in.. These occasions aren’t easy and in the past she’s looked rather wintry whereas the late Queen and Camilla got it right with silk florals. I think she’d have been better to repeat the red trouser suit rather than this outfit. Perhaps a private dress maker could run her up some well cut midi dresses or skirt suits in satin. Diana had some lovely examples.

Sue V

Wednesday 14th of May 2025

@Bonnie, without digging through all of Susan’s excellent coverage I do think @Gill is correct thinking Catherine has this in black. Not sure if it was one of the Festival of Remembrance performances where we saw it.....

Bonnie

Sunday 11th of May 2025

@Gill, I'm not sure if Kate has this Self-Portrait dress in black, but Princess Beatrice does. When the late Queen's grandchildren stood vigil around her coffin, Beatrice wore this dress.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/20220917151322/princess-beatrice-wears-blazer-dress-the-queen-vigil/

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