The Duchess wore a quasi-new label for today’s Charities Forum event in Piccadilly, Tabitha Webb.
The function was co-hosted by @BAFTA and Aardman Animation, creators of characters and animated films featuring Wallace and Gromit, Timmy Time, and others. The Charities Forum is a group of more than 30 organizations William, Kate and Harry are Patrons of or work closely with. More from the Charities Forum info page:
All the charities work in sectors that support Their Royal Highnesses key charitable areas of focus, including: supporting members of the armed forces and their families, helping children and young people, and promoting conservation and sustainable development… (it) encourages organisations that would not ordinarily be linked to generate new ideas and work together…”
William really got into the spirit of day when Kate was in front of the green screen, from the Daily Mirror’s live blog.
Wills has been causing a bit of mayhem, heckling animators and telling them: “Make Catherine do a silly walk”…… and that’s exactly what they did.
The trio looked relaxed and seemed to enjoy themselves quite a bit.
BAFTA Twitter
An element of today’s engagement included a viewing of Aardman’s latest film, Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas. Background on the film via The Daily Mail:
The half-hour special will be shown on BBC One at Christmas and begins when Shaun persuades his unwitting owner to buy a trio of mischievous llamas – Hector, Fernando and Raul – at a country fair auction. Back at Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun’s prank backfires on him when the crafty llamas get rather too comfortable and he is forced to take action to oust the intruders and save his home.
At today’s event everyone worked on making clay models like those used in the animated films Aardman produces. Children taking part in today’s workshop were from several of Kate’s patronages, including The Art Room, Each Hospices, and Well Child. Below you see Kate in the model-making workshop trying to make her own Shaun the Sheep.
Prince Harry fiercely concentrated on his sheep.
Victoria Murphy, The Mirror Twitter (@QueenVicMirror)
William worked hard on his clay model as well.
Victoria Murphy, The Mirror (@QueenVicMirror)
There was also some ‘welly wanging,’ an activity throwing wellies at an object. Kensington Palace posted a brief video showing the Duke heaving the boot. Kate took part in this too, but the Daily Mail‘s Rebecca English reports that Kate called her efforts at this ‘useless.” 
Following this morning’s lighthearted fun the royals will take part in their bi-annual Charities Forum meeting.
Now to what Kate wore for today’s engagement. The Duchess was in Tabitha Webb ‘Meg’ dress.
Tabitha Webb
The frock is all silk, with a fitted bodice, a-line skirt, and 3/4 sleeves. The product description adds “If you were going to draw your perfect dress this would be it. It is the perfect all in one outfit for any occasion and we all have them in every colour!” It is £375, roughly $575 at today’s exchange rates. (Hmmm…now the site shows it as £312.50.) Looking at the product page it appears there may be a little “Kate Effect,”a note advises shoppers that delivery might take up to four weeks.
Tabitha Webb
We refer to this as a quasi-new brand because previously Kate wore a dress by Project D, a label Ms. Webb co-founded and owned with Danni Minogue.
Splash News
Kate wore her Aimee heels from Jimmy Choo.
Splash News/Jimmy Choo
She also carried her black suede Mulberry Bayswater clutch. Kate’s bag is black suede, we made this graphic merely to show the piece.
Mulberry
The bag is available in multiple colors, it retails for $790. Below we show it in Poppy Red and Metallic Mushroom Goat.
Mulberry
Kate also wore her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch, and her sapphire/diamond earrings.
Cartier
We’ll leave you with this shot of Kate being embraced at today’s engagement.
We will see you tonight for the world premiere of SPECTRE, if interested in watching a live stream of the red carpet https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/bond-24-world-premiere-watch-live
LINKAGE:
- Aardman’s website is here, the Shaun the Sheep site is here & a list of premiere dates for various countries around the world is here
- learn more about Place2Be at the organization’s website, visit its Facebook page here, follow its Twitter feed here
- The Daily Mail’s story is here, The Mirror’s live blog is here, The Express story is here,
Elisabeth
Tuesday 27th of October 2015
I think this dress is perfect for the venue. People have mentioned it being "mumsy" but there's a reason moms dress a certain way and often it's because they want their clothes to be kid-friendly. As a mother herself, the Duchess would surely know what clothes would be kid friendly. Kids love busy, novelty-ish prints and the length is just right if you're going to be crouching to be at eye-level with a small child (look at the pic with the green screen, if the dress was shorter, it would have been too revealing in that pose). I find the fact that the dress is so appropriate for children rather endearing. At an event with both adults and children, she chose a dress that would please the children.
I love the pic of her hugging the children.
(P.S. I wish someone would tell Prince Harry to shave)
Grace
Tuesday 27th of October 2015
Yes Harry off you go and shave. There's no unscruffing that lol
Kelly
Monday 26th of October 2015
Not my fav. dress but totally appropriate for a children's event and nice to see her wear something different.
Very few people could pull of this print and she certainly did!
Grace
Wednesday 28th of October 2015
I liked it when she wore black to a kids event in NY wrapping gifts and then to coin a phrase sass-eyed the lady telling her to get a move on. Personality on display with oodles of Audrey Hepburnish style and grace. This dress should be recycled into strips of bedding for Shaun the sheep when the weather turns
Shannon
Monday 26th of October 2015
I love it because I always love a good print on a dress, and it's a great cut. For me, a print distracts the eye from any figure issues I'd rather cover up. I think it was very appropriate for this event: children, animation, fun stuff -- and kids like bold prints. If only it wasn't over $500 and right as I'm doing my Christmas shopping -- or I might buy it for myself.
Kate
Monday 26th of October 2015
She's just lovely and I really like the dress. I hope she's going to grow out the bangs. She's probably thinking (as we all do), "it seemed like a good idea at the time!"
Grace
Monday 26th of October 2015
I don't like this dress. It's busy. Too long and reminiscent of what Samantha Cameron might wear. Her hair colouring has dropped a shade or two and is blanching her complexion.