The Duchess Updates a Classic Coat for Windsor Castle Gathering

The mini-tour aboard the Royal Train wrapped up at Windsor Castle tonight. 

Above you see HM, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex on the steps of Windsor Castle. After 1250 miles aboard the Royal Train, this was Kate and William’s final stop. 

The occasion was a socially-distanced family visit combined with personal ‘thank you’ sentiments for local volunteers and key workers. Below you see the Duke and Duchess arriving with the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Lizzie Robinson of ITV shared a video of HM arriving with Princess Anne. 

? The grand finale of the #RoyalTrainTour ? The Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princess Royal joined together to thank volunteers and key workers in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/TgJgbdu147

— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) December 8, 2020

The two couples.

More from Victoria Ward in her Daily Telegraph story. 

In wintry conditions, the Queen stood on the steps of the Equerry’s entrance and listened as the Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army played Christmas Carols, her relatives stood, socially distanced, around her.

The Queen’s appearance marked the first time she has been seen in public with the Prince of Wales and senior members of the Royal Family since before the coronavirus pandemic.

HM was wearing a ‘Christmas Red’ ensemble and hat by Angela Kelly, with thanks to Emily Andrews for that info. 

The Duke and Duchess with HM.

Rebecca English of The Daily Mail shared a cute anecdote: 

At the end of the performance, featuring O Little Town of Bethlehem, the Queen, who could be seen singing along, chatted to her family and as she turned to walk up the steps back inside the castle, William could be heard to say: ‘Bye gran’.

The royals wanted to thank local volunteers and key workers who will be volunteering or working to help others over the Christmas holidays. Below, The Princess Royal.

Here you see the Earl and Countess of Wessex with The Queen.

More about tonight’s gathering from Victoria Murphy’s Town and Country story. 

It is the first time since March that all the royals have been in one place. Their last joint engagement was to the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9 when Harry and Meghan were also in attendance.

I believe HM is chatting with Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill of the Salvation Army in this photo.  They are the organization’s Territorial Leaders for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

In this video from Emily Andrews, you can hear the Salvation Army Band. 

??The Queen, in Angela Kelly ‘Christmas red’ hat & coat, Charles, Camilla, Kate, William, Sophie, Edward and Anne enjoy O little town of Bethlehem pic.twitter.com/j4hFoHEObi

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) December 8, 2020

 A tent was set up on the grounds as seen in this photo from ITV’s Chris Ship.

The Prince of Wales chatting with guests.

The Duke and Duchess talking with a kindergarten teacher named Sarah Cottle.

Emily Andrews shared a video of the duo speaking with her. 

William and Kate chat to nursery headteacher Sarah Cottle, who runs three maintained nurseries for the local council. They chatted Early Years, how Kate chided her parents to complete her #5BigQuestions survey and kids’ reactions to the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/KmDrYpYhTo

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) December 8, 2020

Another view from tonight’s event. 

You can see the Wessexes speaking with guests on the left in this photo. 

Now for our look at what Kate wore this evening.  She was in a Catherine Walker coat. 

It was first seen when Kate and William arrived in Dublin this March.   

For tonight’s event, a faux fur collar was added.

It’s possible Kate is wearing the Faux Fur Lapel Collar ($86.77) in ‘forest green’ by Troy London.

The Duchess has updated a coat with a faux fur collar before. Below left, the Hobbs Celeste coat worn as it was originally purchased, and on the right, with the addition of a collar.

Kate appeared to be carrying the same clutch we first noted at the Festival of Remembrance in November 2019. The bag is by Alexander McQueen, and very similar to the brand’s ‘Beetle Box’ clutch, but the clasp has been changed to one like that shown below right.

Kate’s gloves look like her ‘Alice’ merino wool pair ($137) by glovemaker (and royal warrant holder) Cornelia James. 

It looked like the Duchess wore her ‘Katie and Millie’ print (£15) mask by Amaia Kids. We first saw it in March at a World Mental Health Day event.  

The Duchess wore the Queen’s Diamond Frame Earrings, oft-seen, and believed to be on ‘permanent loan’ from HM. 

If you missed our post on the day’s earlier engagements, click here.