Choose Your Dream Tour Looks for Kate, Kate Sends Message of Support to AFC & A Family Affair in Canada!

We're back with a fun activity and a look at latest news updates.

Last August, our always insightful commenter Julia suggested readers submit their dream looks for the Duchess, and it turned out to be a wonderful idea. As we all enjoyed it so much, let's make it an annual August activity during what is traditionally one of the quietest months on the royal calendar.

With a royal tour of Canada set to commence late next month, it seems a most appropriate time to ask readers to 'Choose Your Dream Looks for Kate in Canada'. Many of you have expressed an interest in choosing both a formal and casual look and that's exactly what we'll do, as whilst I expect there will be at least one formal event on the itinerary, I understand we're going to very much see a family-friendly, outdoorsy trip allowing the Cambridges to explore British Columbia and Yukon.

With all this in mind, we're asking you to select the following TWO looks:

• LOOK ONE - A look for the Duchess of Cambridge to wear for a black-tie gala dinner. The event will be attended by dignitaries and well-known figures. The Duchess would likely wear a full-length gown for such an occasion. Don't forget to accessorise with a bag, clutch and jewels as you wish. As a portion of the tour will likely focus on the countdown celebtations to Canada's 150th Anniversary of Confederation, the gala would likely be related to this.
• LOOK TWO - The second look is a dayime look and this one offers far more scope for personal preferences. Hypothetical appearances you could style Kate for include: the Cambridges' arrival in Canada; the Cambridges spend the day with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family; or perhaps you would be likely to select a look for a day of outdoor pursuits such as hiking.

Additional Information:

• Leave a comment with your suggestions. Please include links to the designer/retailer in order for me to obtain images and to share your selection.
• Don't forget to leave a name or a moniker of some sort to ensure I can appropriately credit your look.
• Please only select one ensemble for each look.
• Feel free to accessorise with shoes, bags and jewels.
• You can choose items already in Kate's wardrobe.
• And most importantly have fun. This is YOUR ideal look for the Duchess; you're the stylist.

To help get you started here are links to a number of Kate's favoured designers and online retailers who stock labels she's fond of:

• Alexander McQueen  Temperley London Jenny Packham

• Roland Mouret Matthew Williamson L.K. Bennett

• Reiss John Lewis Hobbs Neiman Marcus Beulah London

• Catherine Walker Nordstrom ShopBop Net-A-Porter The Outnet

• Really Wild J Crew Ralph Lauren Jimmy Choo Tory Burch

We do expect Kate to implement a piece or two into her wardrobe from Canadian designers. If you would like to include a piece or a look from a brand with links to Canada (we'll be taking an in-depth look closer to the tour), here are several suggestions beginning with a Kate favourite!

• Erdem Jason Wu Simon Chang Brian Bailey Tanya Taylor

• Wayne Clark Zvelle Sidney Molepo Mikael D The Bay

• Davis Dunkley Sova Design Smythe

If hoping to include the colours of the Canada flag - something we saw Kate do during the first tour of Canada in 2011 - we may also see the maple leaf incorporated.

A refresher of several of Kate's looks during the Canada tour in 2011.

Here are two sample looks I've chosen:

Evening Look - For the evening look, I had to choose red not only because of its connection to Canada but because it is sublime on the Duchess and really complements her colouring. I chose the Zuhair Murad Embellished Evening Gown and styled it with the Jimmy Choo Milla Clutch, the Dolce & Gabbana Crystal Embellished Satin Sandals, and the Queen's chandelier earrings.

Daytime Look - For the second look, I decided to "style Kate" for an arrival outfit or an official event with the Prime Minister and his wife using a combination of new pieces and items Kate already owns. I was taken by this clean, simple and elegant skirt suit by Canadian designer Jason Wu, who has been championed by Michelle Obama. The embroidered lace and cotton blend jacket and matching lace midi skirt. would look great on HRH. I styled it with the red maple leaf hat Kate wore in 2011, the Queen's Maple Leaf brooch (which was loaned to Kate for the 2011 tour), and her new, gorgeous Gianvito Rossi red pumps.

I will put all your looks together in a bumper post in a few days. I am enormously excited to see your submissions! :)

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We also have news updates to share with you. Kensington Palace released a message of support for the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, who today launched a series of expert podcasts to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems. The series, Child in Mind, is presented by BBC Radio 4 presenter Claudia Hammond.

Anna Freud Centre

In the message, Kate noted how strongly she and William feel about getting children the support they need: "We wouldn't hesitate to get expert support for George and Charlotte." Below the full message:

"One in three adults still say they would be embarrassed to seek help for their child's mental health. No parent would fail to call the doctor if their child developed a fever, yet some children are tackling tough times without the support that can help them because the adults in their life are scared to ask.  It doesn’t need to be like this.

Throughout my work with family and child support organisations, one thing that has stood out to me time and again is that getting early support for a child who is struggling to cope is the best possible thing we can do to help our children as they grow up. Knowing this, both William and I feel very strongly that we wouldn’t hesitate to get expert support for George and Charlotte if they need it.

I hope that this excellent series of podcasts by the Anna Freud Centre will go some way to help families overcome that fear of what happens next if they look for professional support.  They illustrate that many of the therapies are actually very simple and practical steps that include the whole family to help children make sense of the world around them. They show how with the right help, children have a good chance of overcoming their issues while they are still young, and can have the bright future they deserve.

 Please do listen, and share them with your friends and family and let's change the way we all talk to each other about our mental health."

Click here to learn more about the podcasts.

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Finally, as we're chatting about the royal tour, who is hoping to see George and Charlotte join their parents? Although no official confirmation has been given, The Sunday Times (a very reliable source) reports the children will accompany their parents "on some engagements" during the "eight-day tour". Meanwhile The Mail on Sunday reports the itinerary will include a private day and notes William hopes to take George fishing.

We're beginning to see details coming through and will likely hear more in the coming weeks. The 2011 Canada tour remains a favourite for many, this one looks to be even more enjoyable with George and Charlotte! :)