For today’s engagement with the RAF Air Cadets, the Duchess wore a jacket from Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini.
The event was held at an RAF base in Cambridgeshire where the Cadets are taking part in a half-term skills development course.
The Duchess gets a look at a training aircraft.
From the Air Cadets story about today’s function:
Cadet Sergeant Jordan Bertalaso said: “Flying is my favourite air cadet activity and it was an honour to show the Duchess the layout of the Tutor cockpit, particularly as the aircraft is used by cadets for air experience.
“It’s incredible to have such a high profile Royal as our Patron, especially as she has strong links to the Royal Air Force with her husband being a former pilot.
The Duchess joined cadets in some of their exercises.
More from Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story:
The Duchess now represents 42,000 air cadets aged from 12 to 19, and 15,000 adult volunteers at more than 1,200 units across the UK and abroad.
The week acts as an initial camp experience for cadets who are in their first six months of membership.
Kate and the cadets in a training exercise.
Duchess of Cambridge joined cadets at RAF Wittering for team building games. pic.twitter.com/a683TKUYaQ
— Stuart Leithes (@LeithesITV) February 14, 2017
Kate became royal patron of the Air Cadets in December 2015, taking over the role Prince Philip held for more than 60 years.
Kate tried her hand on a flight simulator.
The Duchess takes to the skies for an @aircadets flight simulator training session @RAFWittering1 pic.twitter.com/3XuPHczFPi
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 14, 2017
More from an Express story about today’s event:
Kate reached a speed of 60 knots at an altitude of 4000ft as she took the controls of a flight simulator. The simulator mimics the performance of a Vigilant motor glider that the air cadets use.
The Duchess clearly enjoyed her time with the Cadets.
Now to what Kate wore for the day’s engagement, a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini twill blazer.
Net a Porter / James Whatling
The jacket is from the label’s Resort 17 collection.
It is a rayon/wool blend with classic double-breasted styling, and it features front patch pockets, peak lapels, front darts, center back vent, and embossed shank buttons. The official color name is claret, a stellar shade for Valentine’s Day. The blazer is available in most sizes at Net-a-Porter ($1515) and in limited sizes at Barneys ($1515).
Net-a-Porter
The blazer is also offered in a blue shade; it is available at Farfetch ($1515). It is carried at Browns as well, where it is a good deal; it is £760, roughly $950 at today’s exchange rates.
Farfetch
This is the second Philosophy piece we’ve seen Kate wear; the first was also a jacket, seen in a 2016 official photo. (More info in our post here.)
Philosophy is the Alberta Ferretti diffusion line targeting a younger demo with more contemporary designs and lower prices. The current Creative Director, Lorenzo Serafini, has previously designed at Dolce & Gabbana, and also Roberto Cavalli. The brand is carried online by Net-a-Porter, as well as Stylebop, YOOX, Barney’s, and the Philosophy portion of the Alberta Ferretti website.
The Duchess was in a black turtleneck (aka ‘polo neck’) that has yet to be identified. A WKW Facebook friend messaged to say she believes Kate was wearing Zara’s Body Curve Jeggings. The style is a blend of cotton/lyocell/Poly/elastane. Most recently the jeggings were sold for $7.99, discounted from their original price of $35.90.
ZARA
She brought back her Stuart Weitzman Half ‘n Half Stretch Rider boots from Russell and Bromley (£395). The knee-high boots are suede on the front, with a stretch material on the back and a low block heel.
Russell & Bromley / James Whatling
These digitally lightened photos better show the different materials used for the boots. The pictures are from the first time Kate was seen wearing them at a SportsAid engagement in 2014.
BOTH: Nunn Syndication/POLARIS
We still haven’t identified Kate’s gloves. (Our friends at Cornelia James tell us she is not wearing one of their styles.) A message also suggests Kate might have been wearing gloves by Butterfly Lane. In the image below I have digitally enhanced the photo a bit to better show the details, it is difficult to tell if the two pair are the same. 
We saw the return of Kate’s Lauren earrings by Kiki McDonough. While they are officially designed as a leaf, today I think they are doing double duty as a stand-in for hearts.
© Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Kiki McDonough / James Whatling
When Kate arrived, her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail which she later loosened.
Kate signing the guest book at today’s engagement.
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In case you missed yesterday’s post, you can read all about the trip to Paris Kate and William will take in March, as well as a quick look at the 2017 fall collections from Diane von Furstenberg and J Crew.
In addition to the Paris trip, Kate has added an engagement on February 28th, when she will officially open the new Ronald McDonald House located within a 5-minute walk of Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
LINKAGE:
- Learn more about the RAF Air Cadets at the group’s website here; its Facebook page is here, and Twitter feed here
- The Express coverage of today’s engagement may be seen here; The Daily Mail’s coverage is here; The Evening Standard’s story is here; The Mirror’s story & gallery may be found here
- PopSugar’s gallery is here; the Fug Girls oversized photo gallery is here
patricia
Tuesday 28th of February 2017
It's a beautiful blazer i like you so much and your style very unique one the blazer is very graceful looking and the color is very chic one and button style is very good. especially the blazer neck line design very beautiful and like your all the posts thanks for sharing good blog.
Tess
Sunday 19th of February 2017
Has nothing to do with the outfit but was your post title a reference to Shelley's "Love's Philosophy"? Apologies if anyone above me in the comments asked this already; I didn't have time to read them all.
admin
Sunday 19th of February 2017
That's a great question. I'm familiar with the poem (and very fond of it), but the post title was merely referencing the blazer brand. (I wish I was clever enough to think of the poem!)
Travelingblush.com
Saturday 18th of February 2017
That jacket is beautiful, well made and the fit is excellent. That shade of red looks really unique. Love this overall look, very athletic yet sophisticated, and agree with a comment above, equestrian. The hair seems to also transform seamlessly.
Larissa
Friday 17th of February 2017
To me this really feels like a perfect outfit. Lovely pop of colour from the jacket, the gold of the buttons continues through the earrings, the boots are stylish but appropriate for climbing in and out of planes and doing jumping exercises. Kate looks elegant and put together, but not like she is trying too hard in a setting that calls for appropriate but not over-the-top clothing. Her hair colour looks absolutely fabulous as well!
Lilly
Friday 17th of February 2017
At a first glimpse I thought this is a ZARA blazer!! and not such an expensive piece which I think is just another Jacket/blazer