Kate Brings Back Zara & M Missoni for EACH Shop Opening

Kate wore her blue tweed M Missoni coat for today’s engagement with EACH.

The Duchess was on hand to officially open the new EACH store in Holt, located about 30 minutes from Anmer Hall, Kate and William’s home.

She was greeted by some very excited students from neighboring Gresham’s School.

From the Eastern Daily Press story about Kate’s visit:

“She asked if they had waited a long time and were keeping warm and said how lovely their flags were. She asked them what year they were in and where they went to school and, when they pointed across the road, she turned round and waved to pupils at the window.

Kate was assisted in today’s ribbon cutting by members of the Baird and Hughes families, both are receiving care from EACH.

The shops are a great fundraising source for the charity, last year they generated about £700,000 for EACH. They offer everything from clothing and accessories to tools and books, all donated to the charity; the operation is akin to Goodwill stores in the US. 

Kate met Rebekah Hughes, who has a rare and severe form of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome. Rebekah gave the Duchess an impromptu tour of the new shop.  More about the duo’s tour from the Eastern Daily Press:

After asking what her favourite item was, Kate was led by the hand by Rebekah to a display of handbags and jewellery. Rebekah explained that her favourite item was a silver Gant handbag, to which Kate replied: “We better put a reserved sticker on that.”

The girl then asked Kate which her favourite was and Kate chose a £1 penguin brooch.

Kate also spent time chatting with staff and volunteers.

This will bring the number of EACH retail locations throughout the East Anglia area to 21. Below, Kate trying on a £15 Boden hat, with thanks to Richard Palmer’s story in The Express for that info.  

The Duchess clearly enjoyed her time perusing the store’s wares.

One FYI, several news stories noted that Kate paid for her purchases with a £10 note, a reason, at least in this case, why Kate carries a handbag. More on what the Duchess purchased come via the Press Association’s Ben Kendall:

My bet is that Prince George will be enjoying the Fireman Sam book.

But apparently George actually wanted a helicopter, that’s according to Gordon Rayner, whose story in The Telegraph noted: “She was sent on a mission by two-year-old George, who asked her to buy him a toy helicopter.”

You may have noticed some Emma Bridgewater pottery pieces that look familiar in the photos. The pottery firm worked with EACH in 2014 to create a small fundraising group of products. Below you see Ms. Bridgewater with the Duchess in November of 2014.

The fundraising collection remains available today. It includes three pottery items: a Ladybird Baby Mug ($26.50), the Gift Set of Two Mugs shown below ($69.95) and a Ladybirds 1/2 Pint Mug ($34.95).

New to the EACH fundraising group this spring, a Ladybirds Jute Tote Bag ($8.95)

Moving to what Kate wore for today’s event, I’m guessing most recognized the blue coat by M Missoni. The collarless garment features princess seaming on the back, exposed seams, and fringe trim at the neck and down the front placket.

The Duchess favors wearing this piece in March: she was first seen in the garment for a 2012 visit to Fortnum and Mason with HM and the Duchess of Cornwall. She wore the coat again in June 2012 for a trip to Nottingham, as well as to the March 2014 Lucy Meade and Charlie Budgett wedding.

Kate’s dress was also a repeat, the Zara pleated frock first seen the day after Kate and William’s wedding.

Kate previously paired the dress and coat, in June 2012.

Kate was in a new pair of shoes for today’s engagement, another pair by Prada.

You can always tell the brand by the applied gold logo on the sole.

Middleton Maven suggests they are the Prada Pointy Tower Pump in navy suede. We show the shoe below in beige patent leather and black leather, both styles are offered at Nordstrom. The style comes in black suede at Barneys, as well as red suede at Prada.  It features a squared off toe box and 85mm heel, about 3.3″.

Kate carried her navy suede Russell and Bromley Muse clutch by Stuart Weitzman.

You can see her Cartier watch (above right), and she wore her diamond and sapphire earrings.

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LINKAGE:

• Learn more about EACH at the group’s website; you may also follow the organization on Facebook here, as well as on Twitter here
• You can read the EACH story about today’s shop opening by clicking here
• The Daily Mail’s photo-laden story is here, The Telegraph’s story is here, the Express story is here, Pop Sugar’s photo gallery is here,
• The Eastern Daily Press roundup of Twitter coverage of the event is here, its news story is here