It’s an Emilia Wickstead Repeat for Anti-Bullying Week Engagement

The Duke and Duchess made a previously unannounced visit to the BBC today.

Here you see them being welcomed by Director-General of the BBC Tony Hall and Alice Webb, the BBC’s Children’s Director.

They were there in support of Anti-Bullying Week and related initiatives.

The duo didn’t look at all tired following last night’s birthday party for Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace that went until well after midnight.

From Stephanie Pettit’s People story:

…. [they] met young people who wrote and performed in a new campaign video for “Stop, Speak, Support,”  a code of conduct on what to do when they witness bullying online. The campaign was started by the young persons’ panel on the Taskforce and is now being run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

The Alliance oversees Anti-Bullying Week. This year’s message is “choose respect.”

More about the Taskforce and the Stop, Speak, Support initiative from The Daily Mail’s coverage of today’s events:

The campaign was launched by the young persons’ panel on the Taskforce and is now being run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which is rolling out materias to thousands of schools across the country.

William and The Royal Foundation convened the Taskforce in May 2016, to support young people and their families affected by cyberbullying, with a focus on 11-16 year olds.

The Instagram caption from the Anti-Bullying Alliance graphic seen above is spot-on: “The online world is the REAL world with real consequences. THINK before you send and remember there’s a human being with feelings and emotions behind the screen.” It’s likely every single person reading this post has experienced some form of cyber-bullying, be it as the person on the receiving end of the behavior, witnessing it online, or helping friends and loved ones deal with the fallout.

The couple met students who worked on a new app called “Own It.”

On the @BBCTheOneShow sofa, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet Ellie, Eliza and Cameron from Wormholt Park Primary School for a discussion on the upcoming Kids Online Wellbeing app. #AntiBullyingWeek pic.twitter.com/Yhtp9FpKLp

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2018

The Sun reports, “The app will educate children about how to stay safe on social media as well as highlighting cyber-bullying warning signs.” Here you see Kate trying out the app with Tony Hall.

The BBC has helped develop the app along with a lengthy list of contributors; it will launch early next year. This BBC story notes “…the app will combine state of the art machine-learning technology with kids self-reporting their own online activity and moods. In response, the app will provide nudges, a helping hand, and advice when their behaviour strays outside the norm.” Components of the app:

• How messages and the use of certain words could be perceived by others, before they hit send
• Tracking their mood over time – and guidance on how to improve the situation if it’s needed
• Whether they should share their mobile number on social media before they do so, and why they might want to think twice
• Snack-able info on topics like using phones late at night, and how it affects their wellbeing

Kate and William posed with children and parents who gave feedback on the app.

William also delivered a passionate, hard-hitting speech about the impact of social media, and the responsibilities of tech companies. From a BBC story:

In a speech given at the BBC, Prince William said social networks had allowed “misinformation and conspiracy to pollute the public sphere”.

“Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating,” he warned.

“We have to acknowledge that much of the early optimism and hope of social media is giving way to very real concern, and even fear about its impact on our lives.

A portion of the Duke’s speech via Kensington Palace :

“Social media companies have done more to connect the world than has ever been achieved in human history. Surely you can connect with each other about smart ways to deal with the unintended consequences of these connections?” — The Duke of Cambridge #AntiBullyingWeek pic.twitter.com/9PZPjWqe9i

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2018

Here is a bit more from the speech:

The tools that we use to congratulate each other on milestones and successes can also be used to normalise speech that is filled with bile and hate.

The apps we use to make new friends, can also allow bullies to follow their targets even after they have left the classroom or the playing field.

The full text of Williams address is available here; you can watch the full 11-minute speech here.

Now for our look at what Kate wore, starting with her ‘Alice’ dress by Emilia Wickstead. The knee-length dress is crafted of double wool crepe, with a fitted bodice, inset waistband, full pleated skirt, and concealed front closure.

The piece was first worn to a 2014 Palm Sunday service in Dunedin, New Zealand. The next time we saw Kate in the frock was at an Action on Addiction engagement in December 2015.

The Duchess also has a pink version of the ‘Alice’ coatdress.

Kate accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi black suede heels ($675).

And the Asprey Oak Leaf Small Earrings in 18K yellow gold with pavé diamonds that we first saw at Wimbledon this summer.

The Duchess had on either a new watch or watchband today. 

I’m leaning toward it being a different watch, not the Cartier Ballon Bleu with a different watchband.

LINKAGE:

• You can watch William’s entire 11-minute speech here; the text of his address is available here
• Learn more about the Stop, Speak, Support campaign at the Anti Bullying Alliance website; the Anti-Bullying Alliance Facebook page is here; Alliance Instagram page is here 
• In the USA, Stop Bullying is the governmental entity dealing with the issue.