The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Gentlemen's Singles Final of Wimbledon this afternoon.
Today is a big day for the couple who are embarking on a tour of Poland and Germany with George and Charlotte tomorrow morning. I expect Kensington Palace is a hive of activity with last minute packing and preparations. William, Kate and Harry likely travelled black from Gloucestershire this morning where they headed the Highgrove guest list for Camilla's 70th birthday bash. The royals joined 250 guests for the black-tie affair. The Sunday Times article revealed more on guests present: "Camilla was joined by her son Tom, daughter Laura and sister Annabel as well as her former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. Penny Junor, author of a new biography The Duchess: the Untold Story. Former King Constantine of Greece was also present." William and Harry also played in the Jerudong Trophy charity polo match in Gloucestershire yesterday, we had hoped to see Kate and the children as it's very much a family friendly event.
Today is a big day for the couple who are embarking on a tour of Poland and Germany with George and Charlotte tomorrow morning. I expect Kensington Palace is a hive of activity with last minute packing and preparations. William, Kate and Harry likely travelled black from Gloucestershire this morning where they headed the Highgrove guest list for Camilla's 70th birthday bash. The royals joined 250 guests for the black-tie affair. The Sunday Times article revealed more on guests present: "Camilla was joined by her son Tom, daughter Laura and sister Annabel as well as her former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. Penny Junor, author of a new biography The Duchess: the Untold Story. Former King Constantine of Greece was also present." William and Harry also played in the Jerudong Trophy charity polo match in Gloucestershire yesterday, we had hoped to see Kate and the children as it's very much a family friendly event.
It's been a year of unexpected early exits at Wimbledon with three of the 'big four' male players; Andy Murray Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic losing before the Quarter Finals. To the delight of many tennis fans (including the Middleton ladies, especially Carole who Kate admitted has a little crush on the 'Prince of Tennis') Roger Federer is attempting to become the first man to win eight Wimbledon titles. The underdog in the final is Croatian player Marin Cilic who hopes to secure his first Wimbledon victory.
More from the BBC story:
'Federer had to wait five years to take his Grand Slam tally to 18 titles with his stunning Australian Open victory in January, and just six months later he is the favourite to make it 19. The oldest male finalist since the 39-year-old Ken Rosewall lost to Jimmy Connors in 1974, the fact that Federer is a month short of his 36th birthday has been irrelevant to his form on court.
It is 14 years since Federer won his first major title when he beat Australia's Mark Philippoussis on Centre Court, and five since he beat Andy Murray to win his last Wimbledon title. "I don't feel like [2012] is that long ago, to be honest," said the Swiss. 2003 feels like ages ago, because of the ponytail, the beard, whatever, you name it. This one is different. I kind of look the same as back in 2012, or at least I hope so."
Luca from Place2Be was delighted to do the coin toss.
Speaking of the Middletons, Michael, Carole, James and Pippa were also there today. The Middleton family clearly adore the tournament and have attended several days this year.
The Duke and Duchess in the Royal Box.
William and Kate sat beside AELTC chairman Philip Brook and his wife Gillian.
Guests in the Royal Box included the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper.
William and Kate enjoying the action.
The couple enjoyed a laugh.
A very sweet shot.
The Royal Spectator posted this cute screen grab of William rummaging through his Wimbledon goody bag :)
The crowd rose to their feet as Roger Federer won in three straight sets.
A historic day in his career as he became the first man to win Wimbledon eight times.
An emotional Roger couldn't fight back the tears.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2017
Hugs, kisses and handshakes from royalty and the family for the #Wimbledon champion... pic.twitter.com/wxpTxn8w6i— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2017
William and Kate also met the hugely talented Garbine Muguruza who won her first Wimbledon title yesterday in the women's final.
Kate looked lovely in a gorgeous white dress with a gorgeous floral print. I think Wimbledon often gives us an insight into Kate's personal style as opposed to her "official wardrobe". It's a beautifully fitted garment with short sleeves and a fuller skirt.
Following hours of fruitless searches, the talented Lauren & reader eclaires discovered the dress is actually by Catherine Walker (with thanks to the lovely What Kate Wore for tweeting the news). The brand posted this photo on their Instagram page in May 2016. It appears to be from a photoshoot associated with Chelsea in Bloom 2016.
A closer look at the floral print.
Kate wore tan sandals.
A closer look.
Jen and several others suggested the Stuart Weitzman Nearly Nude Ankle Strap Sandals as a possible ID. Unfortunately due to the lack of high-res photos thus far, it's difficult to be certain, however they certainly do seem to match. The sandals feature a slim ankle strap, a chunky block heel and a tiny golden buckle. They are available in several colours at Nordstrom.
 |
| Nordstrom |
Kate accessorised with her Cassandra Goad Temple of Heaven earrings.
 |
| Cassandra Goad |
And her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.
 |
| Saks |
The Duchess carried her Victoria Beckham Quincy bag.
 |
| Net-A-Porter |
The tote is fast becoming known as Kate's 'Wimbledon bag', it's been seen publicly three times at the tournament now.
Kate's sunglasses are the Bulgari Women's BV8170 Sunglasses, they retail at Amazon for $169.
 |
| Amazon |
I thought Kate's hair looked great today - very natural and wavy. As you can see Kate wore a purple and green bow, Gert noted they are worn by female members of the All England Club, male members have a tie.
And with that, we will see you tomorrow when the royal tour of Germany and Poland begins. The Cambridges are set to arrive in Warsaw at midday. The Royal Tour Clock is live on the sidebar and the itinerary for the tour can be viewed here. A reminder of events scheduled for day one of the tour:
- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will arrive in Warsaw with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at midday on the 17th, after which they will be greeted by President Duda and the First Lady at the Presidential Palace.
- Next, they will travel to the Warsaw Rising Museum, which is dedicated to the uprising of 1944 which saw the Polish resistance Home Army attempt to liberate Warsaw from German occupation.
- They will next visit the Heart in the Warsaw Spire building, joining young Polish entrepreneurs. The Duke and Duchess will join a busy, bustling event which includes a tech market-place, and pitching sessions from Polish start-ups. This event will mark the beginning of a 'Warsaw-London bridge' initiative that aims to help small Polish businesses access London’s unique opportunities for scaling up to become global players.
- That evening, William and Kate will travel to the picturesque Orangery in Łazienki Park, where the British Ambassador will host a Queen's Birthday Party.
- The couple will return to Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, where the family will be staying.
I'm very much looking forward to following the tour with all of you :)
Kate looks fantastic! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThe shorter hair looks so much better on her. Younger and fresher. Something has changed - apart from the haircut. She's glowing.
Kersti
Kersti, I agree with you. I noticed the other night at the museum: her cheeks are very full and apple-y like when she is pregnant. I am not sure if it is that, but you are right, she is glowy and fuller in the face and arms.
Delete^^ 🙌🏻 Yes, yes and yes Kersti! I love the hair and have said that it just so fresh! And you are right it's not just the hair, she does seem to be glowing even more than usual these days. Maybe it's her increased comfort at engagements and perhaps even more and more confident inher role in the royal family!
DeleteWhat a perfect summer dress and wimbledon white with a twist. Very great and simple Wimbledon look!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what that bow is. It's obviously the wimbledon colours but it's not a "patron marker" because I saw another woman in the box with such a bow.
Now time to watch the game (and by now I'm kind of even starting to enjoy watching the tennis and not just the royal box! Not as much as I like watching for the royals though!)
Congratulations Roger, what a legend!
DeleteRebecca, did you notice Stefan Edberg and his wife Annette? They were sitting right behind Kate and William. I saw them a few times at Australian Open, many year ago, such a lovely couple!
What a beautiful dress, Kate looks picture perfect, and William looks very handsome!
Royal Watcher
Well, since I've only watched about a handful of games of tennis, and all of them with Kate in the box, I cannot say I am well versed in tennis. But I have heard his name before (although I could never have placed him in what sport he was in based on the name) and the commentators pointed him out. Quite a dashing older (for me!) man :)
DeleteI'm just going to say it -- I think it's weird that she's wearing the same earrings that she wore two days ago!!
ReplyDeleteReally? Haha, does that only count for famous people because otherwise alot of us are VERY wierd :P
DeleteI think this look in general is very "apprrocahable" while still being duchess patron. The earrings from the dresser, a breezy summer dress. Hits exactly the right mark for me!
Where do you see her earrings?! Which pic?
Deletei think it's weird that you find it weird that she's wearing the same earrings from a few days ago.
DeleteWow, that is a knock out dress. Gorgeous! I love her hair too. I know many people aren't fans, but long bobs like hers are very stylish right now and it's great to see her doing something new and modern with her hair.
ReplyDeleteKate and the blonde woman sitting a few rows behind her both have dark blue bows pinned to their chests. What do those mean?
Thanks for updating so quickly today Charlotte!
I'm a big fan of Kate's new style!
DeleteI DO love this dress. What is the black ribbon she is wearin on her left shoulder about?
ReplyDeleteThose are the official colours of the tournament; and it's not black, but purple and dark green ❤
DeleteI love it!!! Super cool and summery. Youthful but the right length and cut for her. Shades of Letizia with the floral skirt design!
ReplyDeleteKate looks fabulous in that dress. Simple and elegant and perfect for Wimbledon. I'm a Nadal fan all the way so I was really disappointed that he didn't make it to the final but my 2nd favourite to watch is, of course, Federer. He is just poetry in motion!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a little disappointed that Kate did not attend the ladies final yesterday. She's patron of Wimbledon, not just the men's final. It would have been good to see her supporting the ladies yesterday as well, they certainly played an intense and challenging game.
Manuela
I am hoping(fingers crossed) it was because they had to be out of town for Camilla's birthday party. With William playing polo, it might have been too much to do time/travel wise.
DeleteKatie. Those things were probably factored into their decision for sure. I know that they would have been for me and my family.
DeleteThere are sweat marks on that dress. I didn't think Kate could be anything but cold since she is always so bundled up!😉
ReplyDeleteKatie I thought that too, but as I enlarged the photo, it appears to be part of a pale gray flower. Not sure, but just an observation.
DeleteUpon further review, I think you're right, Katie! Lol
DeleteI did not see any marks. Frankly, I would be surprised since the match was hardly exciting.:(
DeleteBut she is either bundled up or show up in a short sleeve.
I am a bit on the fence with this dress, looks pretty enough, still not my favourite. I did not like any Middletons' dress today. Pippa was the worst I suppose.
Congrats to Federer!!
It's part of flowers on the dress.
DeleteIt's the pattern in the fabric ;)
DeleteI thought that too off the bat, but if you look closer, they are little grey flowers or clouds (I couldn't tell).
DeleteYou are right Tammy. The gray flowers clearly show on the picture of the dress on the model. I feel better knowing Kate doesn't perspire! Lol!
DeleteI was wrong, it is part of the dress. With more pics available, you can see it's darker in the spot but the seams all the way around.
DeleteAnett, I never like Pippa's outfits. I think almost all of them are a weird cross between a teenaged girl from California in the 90's and stereotypical 90 year old woman.
DeleteI love the Poland/Germany heading for the website, Charlotte!! Thanks for doing such amazing work
ReplyDeleteI like her entire look today. Her hair is straighter, the dress is great, and she is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like she might be wearing Ted Baker
ReplyDeleteIt does resemble the Ted Baker Yvetta dress but the skirt on that has pleats and poofs out more, and the floral design is different. Perhaps a bespoke version?
DeleteOh i love her new dress hmm looking forward on roger federer Winning bring the wimbledon tittle im not unable to watch im not on my home maybe watch it replay on my homw tonight
ReplyDeletethis dress you be almost perfect without the black bow near her collar
ReplyDeleteThe black and purple bow is worn by others as well. It represents the Wimbledon colors. I noticed several people wearing it. Would like to know more about it if anyone has info on it.
DeleteI think I saw someone say that it's worn by members of the All England Club. Maybe it's the ladies version of the tie that the Duke of Kent wears?
DeleteThe Duke of Kent wears it every year as well as the tie, as does the Chairman. It's purple and green, I believe it's worn by members of the board, or "officers" of the All England club, the board of directors so to speak.
DeleteI have never noticed that the men wear them as well! I had noticed the ties, but not the bow. I suppose they blend in quite well with the blazers!
DeleteThank you for addressing this Sarah. I really wish Kate would give time and enthusiasm to watching women's sports. Clearly most of her sports watching time is spent on men. This is so discouraging. Runner Girl
DeleteWilliam keeps saying he doesn't want his children to live behind palace walls but then refuses to take them to any public family friendly events like polo. George seemed to love it the two times he was there.
ReplyDeleteAnd why does Kate refuse to attend a women's match at Wimbledon? Since she didn't go to polo yesterday she should've been there. Has she ever gone to a women's match?
I like the dress and the hair looks a tad messy
I think the children are too young to enjoy watching polo and George loved running around more than the match, and perhaps Kate doesn't want to spend her whole time there chasing after them. Better to let them stay home or do another activity. I know that's what I would be thinking, as a mother! Why do you assume it was William's choice not to have them there?
DeleteShe has attended ladies events over the years. Last year she attended both ladies semifinal matches.
DeleteI assume Pam because he has a super obsession with his children's privacy. Like he seems to think if someone takes a picture of them out in public it will steal their soul. I never understood that.
DeleteI agree Pam. Now, with Charlotte that task has doubled. When they are that age you have to choose your battles wisely, lol. I remember just simple stops at the grocery store could be quite a challenge, let alone a polo field with lots of people, cameras and big, big, often highly strung and roused up polo horses.
DeleteShe attended at least one ladies march this year. Her first Wimbledon visit I believe.
DeleteFrom tennis point of view, I understand her, if I have to pick, I would go after men's matches too, I suppose when she becomes the president in the future, she needs to be a bit more balanced.
DeleteI think because they are not a media friendly family, and next week they have to show the kids anyway, they decided not to attend this polo. So I suppose she went back to Middleton's den. Not shocking!
I think she went to Camilla 's big bash birthday party. She also may have been getting ready for the tour
DeleteSarah, do you know that the Duchess REFUSED to attend the women's match? That is speculation on your part. Perhaps there was something else she needed to attend to.
DeleteWilliam & Catherine are attending the mixed doubles final right now. They were (among) the first to take their seats when the Royal Box was practically empty and hasn't really filled up since then. Female umpire.
DeleteYour comments do all seem to be quite negative, Sarah. If Kate had gone to the tennis yesterday as well as today I wonder if you would have complained that she had visited too often? How many matches, let alone women's matches, did the queen attend in her time as patron?
DeleteAs for the polo, who knows but I suspect the press circus that would turn up is a big deterrent. There was reference in the press yesterday to George and Charlotte having riotous play sessions with Mia Tindall and we know the Cambridges went to a Norfolk horse show last year (which led to lots of social media photos). George also goes to a local nursery. I don't see a conflict between William's comment and those activities. The children are still very young and it is good that they can spend their early years in relative anonymity.
Jamie Murray was playing (and won) so that was most appropriate. I don't think it would have been good form to leave since he was up next.
DeleteLouise
DeleteBluhare had such an excellent way of coping with comments she finds monotonous, negative to read. I suggest reading it, it is in the National Museum post!!
I think Sarah do has a point with how many interaction, friends, mates these two kids have. I would like to be a fly on the wall, sometimes.
Not bad to have had two British participants in the final with Heather Watson. :-)
DeleteSarah, this is just my opinion, but maybe when William said he didn't want his kids to grow up behind palace walls, he was not referring to polo matches with a circus of photographers watching every move.
DeleteI think that he wanted his kids to have playdates without the media reporting on it, attending school without paparazzi following them, be able to take part in sport without it ending in the newspapers, going to MacDonalds. As much fun as it is for us to see them at the polo for Kate taking 2 toddlers out in full view of the world's media is as much 'work' and as little 'fun' as taking them to the Trooping of the colour.
Sarah in the USA....Royal family members (several) attend and support all players during the Wimbledon fortnight. That includes Kate, just ask Serena! See for yourself. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5d/bb/3d/5dbb3dff6cbea9ace6c97b1b75965d6c.jpg
DeleteThanks, Louise, London.
DeleteAlso, it is the belief in some cultures that a photograph will steal the soul. I don't think that idea should be mocked.
I think any mother would have concerns about her children's privacy. These pictures are going to be around for a long time on the internet. As the children get older they might be embarassed or become self conscious seeing some of these pictures. When they are older they will understand that they are targets for all manner of photographers and can adjust their behavior accordingly..
Delete
DeleteI do think one reason the public is enchanted by little Mia is she is allowed to be a child and a lively engaging one, as are the Swedish children. George and Charlotte are only seen in more controlled formal situations - George especially often seeming stressed. (Unlike William and Harry who romped about (and were even scolded). I don't put this forward as necessary something William and Kate should do - but possibly something to consider.
I don't believe Kate would be criticised for attending the women's match but she made have had another engagement. If she attended every day - it might be different, especially when her schedule is light.
Perfect dress for summer! It's a dress I would wear too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we will see some fotos of which shoes she paired with it.
About her hair...do you think it is a long bob? Too me it seems so, with soft waves. But I'm not sure if that kind of haircut suits her. Seems like the hair has all the same length and tink she would look better with some layers. I have the same problem as I have very thick hair. However, it doesn't look bad but not sure whether it is her best haircut.
Can't wait for tomorrow to see the family of four :) and they will have super sunny and hot weather here in Germany!
Allegraflora, I agree about the hair. I just don't think a bob is good for her nor is the wavy look. Either go curly or go straight but these curly things are not for me.
DeleteOn another note it is quite a coincidence but we were supposed to be in heidelberg on the exact days that Kate was going to be there.. We were going to fly into Zurich, hike in the Swiss Alps staying near Interlaken and then drive up to Heidelberg, stay a few days while hubby attended his conference and then come back.. All of this was planned last year. It turned out that I got hit by bad deadlines on a hugely important project and about three weeks ago I cancelled all our reservations because it seemed that I might have had to work while on vacation.. Then a couple of days after that I found out Kate was going to be there ! That might have made it worth the trip even if hubby hiked with kids while I slogged away in my swiss chalet.. oh well.
Ah well.
But would you have gone to stand in line or a crowd somewhere to see them Rosman ;)
DeleteThe dress looks fresh and pretty and I'm loving Kate's new hairstyle more each time I see it.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, the new header on the site is beautiful. It's really going to get everyone super excited. Looking forward to your insights and phenomenal posts during the week.
ReplyDeleteI agree Elle! Charlotte you did a great job mixing both flags and making it exciting!
DeleteThank you so much!
DeleteWhat a pretty dress! Go Federer! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty dress!! Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteShe looks st him with such loving, endearing eyes. It's beautiful :)
Is her dress Ted Baker?
ReplyDeleteThe perfect summer/Wimbledon dress!!! Love this outfit and the hair is growing on me.
ReplyDelete🎉 Okay. Today is the day before the tour. Yay.
ReplyDeleteA couple of times today I will be offering a reminder for those who want to participate in the
"DKB Pre-Tour Toast" to Charlotte for all the effort she will be putting forth to keep us expertly up to date on the tour. You can toast with wine, juice, milk, tea, water, champagne or whatever. Just do a quick (or not so quick) text to acknowledge that you have made the toast. I will start things off.
🇵🇱🇩🇪🥂 CHEERS CHARLOTTE 🥂🇩🇪🇵🇱
surfer girl, I will GLADLY join in your toast to our wonderful Charlotte!
DeleteI look at that wonderful "tour banner" and get tears in my eyes...
I grew up in a country divided by a lethal wall... I saw people dancing with joy on this very wall in November 1989... I saw our Eastern "enemies" growing to be our friends and even our allies... Today, I am so proud to see the Polish and the German flag united on this banner, side by side! The tour will show us the wounds from the past, but also the beauties of our two countries. Charlotte will once again provide us with so much information and wonderful pictures of this tour. Let it all be a reminder of how important working together in peace instead of fighting against each other (or building new walls for that matter) is....
So, CHEERS to our friendship and CHEERS to you, Charlotte!! (that was with white wine from the region where I originally come from, should anyone be interested! ;-)))) )
yay. very, very sweet message Eve and I concur wholeheartedly. Nice that you had wine from your homeland. X
Delete🇩🇪🇵🇱
Delete3 cheers to Charlotte 🥂 Hip hip hooray
Looking forward to following along & excellent coverage. Hip hip hooray
Thank you Charlotte for all you do. Hip hip HOORAY!!
🇵🇱🇩🇪
Toasting with sparkling grape juice. Here's to a wonderful and safe trip and to Charlotte!!!
DeleteWhat a lovely sentiment, Eve! As an Australian-born Pole who has family in both countries and has had the opportunity to visit all the towns that Will and Kate will be touring, I think this will be an exceptional tour for them and their children!!! I loved the beauty and history of Germany (almost as much as Poland!)
DeleteTo Kate's look at Wimbledon today, she looked sensational! The dress is gorgeous and her hair is finally sitting properly and framing her face! I think everything was spot on. Can't wait for the tour to start tomorrow!!!
Yes! Cheers to Charlotte and all of her tremendously fantastic work! 🍸🍾🍷🥃
DeleteAgreed - I'm so looking forward to keeping up with the tour while I'm at work next week and I know Charlotte will always have the latest news and pictures!
DeleteHappy to toast Charlotte anywhere, anytime, for any reason ;) She is a reporter, writer, producer and editor extraordinaire!
DeleteLatte over ice (hot and humid here in CA today) and up goes my cup! Hip, hip hooray!! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Cheers everyone!!!
DeleteThree cheers to our lovely Charlotte. Hip hip hooray 🍸🍸🍸
DeleteHere is my toast to Charlotte. Thank you for everything you do for us. Great group of people here.
Delete:)
DeleteHere's to you, Charlotte, and the interesting, insightful, inviting, interactive, international space you are providing.
DeleteCheers Charlotte from my nation's capital in Washington D.C. Your blog is simply the best!!! 🎉🥂
DeleteYes, cheers to Charlotte!!
DeleteIt's going to be a very special tour for me as I'm German with Polish roots, and extra exciting as I will be in Hamburg to see the Cambridges in person :)) (Still don't know how to keep focused on work the next days...)
Cheers Charlotte! Mine is grape juice. You are soooo admirable!
Deletehow fun. :) you guys are the best. ❤️
DeleteEve, your message was so moving to me. I read it and pondered it a second time. It is nice to be reminded how it used to be. Incredible, wasn't it? We can see how far we've come. This IS a very special tour.
DeleteLifting a margarita in your honor, Charlotte! Thanks so much for your fabulous blog and the hard work it takes to keep it so! :o)
DeleteCheers Charlotte !!!!
DeleteCan't wait to see the family in Poland 😍😍😍
The banner is quite wonderful - I don't text but am glad to toast to Charlotte and all she does for her readers.
DeleteWILLIAM'S GRAY SUIT!!! Kate looks great; I love the relaxed wavy hair. But William looks so good today! Dapper and cheerful and handsome... I could go on and on!
ReplyDeleteYES! I was thinking the same thing! So nice to see him in something other than dark blue!
Delete"Dapper" captures my impression of William today too! I'm happy with Kate's look today, but William, WOW!
DeleteTo me, this is the best William has looked in years.
DeleteLove her shorter hair! Fresh, updated, and suitable for summer. I also really like this dress as well.
ReplyDeleteI was wrong about the dress not having pleats, just got a good look at it during the live after match coverage
ReplyDeleteThat hair is perfect! I'm growing mine out after having shoulder length for awhile and now she's making me rethink it!
ReplyDeleteA few media outlets reported that W, K & H attended Camilla's party last night. I wonder if Kate was busy yesterday getting ready for that as well. Maybe even letting the kids see Grandpa Charles before they leave? Or is that too optimistic?
ReplyDeleteLove Kate's dress! I recognize the flower pattern on the hem from something--a china pattern?
And of course congrats to Roger Federer for the win!
I think that is what happened
DeleteP.S. Re Camilla's birthday party last night. I read that Penny Junor was there. I wonder if W, K & H gave her a wide berth.
DeleteLord I know I shouldn't do this, but for what it's worth, Junor wrote a book about Camilla's life, 70 years and counting. It contains much, much more than Diana references.
DeleteI will share something I told my daughters when they were approaching "girl drama" age as we called it. Unless you go live in a cave, you will be part of the human experience, you will interact with other human beings. They will become part of your story, and guess what? You will become part of their story. And everyone has a right to tell their story.
We extend that right to even the guiltiest man, the worst criminal still has a chance to stand up and give his side of the story. Diana certainly took full advantage of that right while she was alive.
The timing may not be ideal, and while I am not the soul baring type myself, I understand many people feel a real need to have their version of events told, particularly historic events. And I have found over the years they do it less for the public and more for their own family and friends. A comment I hear or read often "my mother will see that" or "my children will see that" - most people, in the public eye or not, usually fixate first and foremost on their own world, and the people in it.
I am glad you did Claudia as now I don't have to go back to the prior post to thank Julia for her nice response to me.
DeleteAnd Julia please let the dogs know that not only do I not condone puppy torture I have this genetic condition that precludes me from even saying no to a dog. I fend to be quite popular with dogs as a result interestingly enough.
lol, bluhare. I think I have that same gene.
DeleteThat would have been a little more than awkward wouldn't it, Jo @ 19:00. So sorry the boys (Kate) have to go through that.
DeleteI must respectfully disagree. Everyone has a right to tell their story but should take particular care not to do harm to others when doing so. Diana cannot answer back and say what is being said about her is wrong, misinterpreted or even outright lies. Camilla was very much alive when Diana spoke out and her friends and supporters have been rubbishing Diana for years in a way I would call brutal and completely against both Head's Together and Camilla's own work with abused women - because it has reached the level of verbal abuse. Charles has had his chance to speak out and has done so.
DeleteThis is not the first biography of Camilla - I read an earlier one that was favourable but not salacious and it could have been updated to discuss her work. She has also been mentioned favourably in biographies of Charles. Her story has been told. That's not the point. Her apparent compulsive desire for the crown is the point.
I've known family where there has been this sort of situation - a blended family very close to us has a situation where the original mother has not always behaved well to the stepmother. But the sons have accepted their stepmother graciously and in thanks for that, she would never say a word against their mother, even if she has cause to tell her story. This, to me, is admirable. Even if Diana was guilty of everything said, having it brought out by Camilla supporters will mostly harm William and Harry.
Camilla has not given William and Harry that consideration or any consideration. It's been painful to watch the two men get criticised for being too obsessed with their mother's loss when it's quite obvious they are trying to defend a woman they loved deeply and thought a wonderful mother without harming their father and stepmother. Most sons would simply refuse to have contact with a woman like Camilla but William and Harry don't have that option. (It'w clear they avoid contact with her when possible and as a result, Charles sees little of his grandchildren - because of his 'busy' schedule according to Camilla.) It is clearly causing them anguish at a time they want to celebrate their mother's life. I don't find Camilla doing this remotely admirable and am sorry to think others who I admire do. In the meantime, Camilla can't shut up and won't - apparently because her desire to wear the crown is so urgent. She could simply let her work and earlier books speak for her but she has to try to claim praise by attempting to destroy the reputation of a dead woman. When the Junor biography was not well received, she has turned to puff articles and her own second interview. Judging by comments in all papers - the main birthday gift the majority of the public wants to give Camilla is one big NO.
I am getting so confused about what I think about Camilla. I really disliked all the Penny Junor hype just as I disliked Diana's sycophants. I thought they did so much damage to Diana and I believe that was what William was alluding to when he said that he wished he and Harry could have "protected" her. She chose "friends" so unwisely and the people who should have been looking after her didn't. Did the RF (meaning Charles and the Queen) have a duty of care to her? I believe they absolutely did. But the Queen came from another generation--my mother's generation, my mother was almost the same age as the Queen Mum actually--which would have believed that she would just "come around" not realizing that Diana was living in and experiencing a different world than she did. The Queen was isolated from so many ideas and things and her friends would have supported her in her sense of duty and all that. Diana's friends were free and easy. And Charles? Well Charles has always lived in his own little world which was all about him. Do I like Charles? As a man, no. Looking at King Juan Carlos in the stands at Wimbledon I almost superimposed Charles on his face. (And BTW, why didn't Charles go over to Cirencester and watch H & W play the polo? He was an avid member. I am sure he wasn't polishing the silver for Camilla's birthday.)
DeleteAnyway, back to Camilla. I read Rebecca English's article about Camilla this morning. I have always thought Rebecca English was a very balanced reporter? Those of you who are more au fait with the Royal reporters, am I right? So when she is SO complimentary of Camilla, should I perhaps take what she is saying and ruminate on it? I agree with Julia that the hatchet campaign on Diana was wrong when she can't defend herself. Not that she didn't do her own hatchet work when she was alive. But she is dead now. And no one is trying to make her out as a plaster saint this year. I think what W & H are simply trying to do is say "She lived. She tried her best. She made some good changes in the worldview of AIDS, of land mines, of Royals getting out there. We loved her, she was our mum and she isn't going to be erased from history as a person."
But I am still worrying over my feelings about Camilla. It's silly for my non-monarchist friends I know but when I would write my History papers I always had to justify what I wrote about historical events. So when I look at the subject of Camilla I want to be as balanced and fair as I can be. Hence my wondering about the Rebecca English article.
The dress is nice, but what steals the show is her hair! In my opinion that's the best the new length has looked yet and it suits her so much better than the big curls in the shorter hair. I love it, and would wear it like that myself everyday if I wasn't so lazy and preferred a pony tail most ofthe time...
ReplyDeletePlease excuse me not replaying to all your nice comments a few posts ago - I had quite a busy couple of days. Yes, there's a lot of excitement in the office and half of the team has offered to babysit George and Charlotte during the evening, in case the Nanny needs a break :D The question on what to wear is a big one, because it seems like a nice occasion to support a young Berlin-based designer. But the "Berlin style" is always rather laid-back and cool, and I wouldn't guarantee that nobody will arrive in trainers...
By now we've heard of several other young women working in Berlin who got an invitation - all of them started their own business or charity. I don't know how many people got invited and I don't really know anyone from different fields like science and arts, so I can't tell you more about the guest list (yet!).
But hopefully I will be able to on Friday or the week after (although my bosses seem a bit reluctant to talk about the event. I don't know if they are not that excited because it's "the Berlin way" to always keep your cool or if they don't want to be seen as bragging in front of the team)
Cool. Cristin. Hope you get to be there or nearby as to see them. :)
DeleteWhat is Kate wearing on her left wrist? The gift from the first day?
ReplyDeleteI also wish Kate had attended the women's final. I am glad she did not go to polo instead. Apparently the family was at Highgrove for Camilla's 70th birthday observance.
She's wearing her Cartier watch. I suspect the gift she was given on the first Monday was the purple & green members' bow she is wearing on her left shoulder.
DeleteYes, thanks Louise, I see the Cartier watch now.
DeleteToday is a win for Kate! Love the dress!
ReplyDeleteFinally the new hair cut looks fantastic! Styled with the loose beachy wave it looks current, youthful and modern!
Jennie...absolutely agree with you on the hair. This is very youthful and perfect for an afternoon watching tennis!
DeleteI think the beachy wave thing has had its day, to be honest. It was fresh two years ago.
DeleteI'd like to see it a bit smoother, personally. But her hair, her decision!
Agree on the hair bluhare..
DeleteI think the attendees in the royal box are the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra, not the Duchess of Kent, unless there is a picture I missed
ReplyDeleteWow, just gorgeous, and I love when we get to see William out of his traditional blue garb, too. This is my favorite Wimbledon look on Kate in awhile--so relaxed, pretty, and flattering. It seems she's hit a new style stride lately. It's not the super skinny, tight, fashion forward ensembles of her early marriage years, but it's not dowdy or all over the place like some of her winter choices were. I think she's looked very confident, comfortable, and stylish lately.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much of a difference the haircut makes. It's still versatile, but she looks fresh, contemporary and younger.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the tie James Middleton is wearing (he also wore it earlier in the week to watch a match)- it looks like it has a small crest on it?
ReplyDeleteAbout the dress... the print looks so familiar! Could it be the same floral pattern but in a different style as on the sheath dress with flowers on the top that Queen Maxima wore to the women 2017 summit in berlin where she met Ivanka Trump??
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of Flora Danica china.
DeleteThe woman sitting next to duke of Kent is not duchess of Kent his wife, is his sister. princess alexandra of Kent.
ReplyDeleteFinally her hair looks so much better! A soft wave suits this length much better!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all join in the "DKB" toast to Charlotte.
DeleteShe rocks. :)
Ohhhhh she is fantastic !!! I'm loving Kate's new hairstyle, and I like very much her new dress !!! Perfect for a summer day at Wimbledon...
ReplyDeleteStill on the fence about the whole look... She & William do look happy, though. 😊
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Charlotte for her wonderful blog. Hers is the only one I go to for updates on the DOC. My hat's off to her for her dedicated, accurate, & friendly approach to her reporting. Looking forward to the Tour. Brava, Charlotte! ❤
Take a look at catherinewalker.com. I think that's the same dress/print.
ReplyDeleteI think Kate is wearing the Monsoon Fleur Wedges as you can just see them at the start of the video of Kate + William meeting with Federer. I have them too and they are not that comfy!!
ReplyDeleteCute outfit today and hope that a photo pops up of the shoes she chose. Her hair is really cute....love the waves instead of the curls. I'm still hoping for her to part it on the side to see how that would look. She looks so much younger now....I love the pic of her and William "The couple enjoyed a laugh." She looks as young as when she was in college! Thanks Charlotte for a wonderful post! Looking forward to tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. In the trophy video, the bling from Roger's wife's ring distracted. :)
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yes, I saw something shiny and forgot all the rest of the video!
DeleteTo those who still don't prefer Kate's new hairstyle, compare it to January 17 when she attended a mental health event with William and Harry. It looked like a style from the late 60's....(think Sharon Tate). Heavy, overpowering, etc. I know her hair itself is gorgeous in any style, but her new style, especially today, is fresher, lighter, youthful, has movement and looks much easier to take care of. Perfect for a busy 35 year old mother of 2 young children.
ReplyDeleteThrilled to see her wearing a prominent British designer, well done!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte it's funny you mention her "official wardrobe" as opposed to her "personal style" - I've always thought that with Kate, and thought it's the very thing that trips her up in the fashion department. They should be one and the same in my opinion, I often think she tries too hard to achieve a "royal look" - I remember Diana wearing the same pieces to private or public events. A dress or suit worn to an engagement would also be worn to lunch with friends, as with most royal women really.
Obviously everyone has different wardrobe for casual or formal events, but the style is consistent. I think Kate is still figuring that out.
I agree that I think she is trying to balance the looks. Get the right amount of "her" in her royal looks. And since Kate has had quite a bohemian look it's a bit harder to fit in with a traditional British look. But she's figuring it out :)
Deletetradtional british ROYAL look*
DeleteMy work wardrobe and personal wardrobe used to be the same. But a few years ago I started to make a concerted effort to separate them. It made it easier to seperate my work life from my private life. I suspect Kate might be doing the same thing.
DeleteFor her own sanity she needs to keep princess Catherine seperate from Katie Cambridge.
This is not meant to be aggressive at all - but when has Kate had a bohemian look? Aside from wearing a maxi skirt a few times pre-marriage, I thought she has always had classic style, if a little bit country.
Deletehttps://www.google.ca/search?q=bohemian+look&rlz=1C1CHZL_enCA745CA745&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2u6--uo7VAhVL_mMKHSwOByoQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=638
https://www.google.ca/search?q=bohemian+look&rlz=1C1CHZL_enCA745CA745&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2u6--uo7VAhVL_mMKHSwOByoQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=638#tbm=isch&q=kate+middleton+pre+marriage
In any case I have mostly really liked her style.
Do we really know what Kate does in her spare time apart from being mom? I think her personal style is what she wore for the Vogue shoot, casual clothes, countryish. We haven't seen her having a casual lunch in London for ages or even going shopping. Maybe she does wear a dress to personal events but we just haven't seen her. She has really been keeping a very low profile.
DeleteI think it was Rosman who said (and I completely agreed with her thought it was really well said but can't find the comment now) that the real Kate may actually be quite shy and not liking to be "out there." And I agree with those who say that she has got to be out there because of who she now is. I'm just saying that it isn't as easy for her as it is for a Letizia or a Mary of Denmark or even Sophie. They were all in journalism or PR work before they married which makes me think that they are extraverts so that making the change to a public role was difficult only in that they now had to kind of "pull back" on their extraversion and channel it into a Royal role. (They all made extravert-type faux pas in their early Royal lives.)
Kate chose to work behind the scenes (some would say she didn't work but I don't agree with that--she just worked out of sight in what was a "safe" environment for her) and the more I look at her the more I see the classic introvert. So she has to push herself out there AND learn to be Royal. An extra task compared to someone who is an extravert and has no trouble putting themselves out there. I think both she and William are introverts and Harry is undoubtedly an extravert. It really helped me to accept a lot about who I was, and also to work on those things I needed to change to survive in the outside world, when I read about extra/introversion.
Oh, yes. She has a very "jeans and shirt" style, but I meant more outside of that. She wasn't "bohemian" per se. More kind of neutral with a leaning towards bohemian and flowy rather than sculptured and suit-y, if that makes sense.
DeleteRebecca, I agree. It's not technically bohemian, but it's kind of quirky maybe? There were definitely multiple outfits that I would just kind of wonder about(not that I am any pinnacle of fashion). I can't really say that I ever loved an outfit prior to her engagement.
DeleteI have to disagree slightly, Jo. I'm an introvert by nature too but having to be out in the business world gave me confidence to the point people are often quite surprised when I tell them I'm shy - saying how easily I speak to people and bring them out and how much confidence I radiate. (Talk about a toot of my own horn.)
DeleteKate worked for her parents which isn't remotely the same - she was allowed time off - for the amount she was in London lots of it and was sheltered from the reality of expectations. And I believe since she became royal, those expectations have been a shock for her. She certainly wasn't shy about the press in her dating days so it's not clear to me why she is now - except that if she is seen shopping or lunching - this is not surprising balanced against her lack of work.
I'm all for people have choices but if you have a job, you do it, even if means slightly less time with your children (Kate still has tonnes more than the average working mum with a fraction of their worries and burdens.) Kate married a job - if she wanted to be a stay-at-home mum that should have been something she considered. There are many political spouses I'm sure who would rather stay out of sight but do their best for their spouse. Her situation is not unique.
That IS what I said Julia--that she needs to be out there :) But the main emphasis of my comment was that it isn't easy for her so I have some compassion for that. As I have compassion for all famous spouses who are introverts. Just because they aren't unique doesn't mean that I don't acknowledge the issues. In the "old days" they could just stay in the background like Queen Mary did. Even the Queen Mum picked what she wanted to do and everyone was happy when she did appear. Did we ever hear from Dennis Thatcher? Margaret Trudeau in Canada (Justin's mom, Pierre Elliot's wife) was vilified for calling attention to herself having too much fun. She has written some very moving books about how hard it was for her.
DeleteWhen you say she wasn't shy about the press--was that her courting the press or their keeping track of her? I don't know if it is a good sign or a bad one that the press doesn't know where she is anymore. Is it because they don't care or is it because she has got better at eluding them? If it's the former then maybe that's actually a bad sign; the Royals need the press to care as has often been said here. I don't disagree with that. During the time she and W had their break-up I think she did make sure she appeared in the papers but I also think it was to ensure that he knew what he was missing. I did that as a 20-something who was dumped by a boyfriend more than once. Not that my photo appeared in a newspaper but I was sure that our mutual friends saw me having a great time.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I don't think we are exactly disagreeing Julia. It's just that, unique or not, I think she IS an introvert in an extraverted role. She knew she was going to have to put herself out there--just as we did in our business lives. And like you, I, too, have been told "you are NOT shy" so now I explain myself more fully by saying that I am an extraverted introvert who can be "out there" but doesn't get energy from it. It was so hard to want to creep away from parties, my job done, and be told that no, I had to stay there and look like I was enjoying it.
Just as in mental health, I am glad that there is a little more understanding of introverts and their difficulties in an extraverted world. Kate DOES have to adapt, of course she does. But I have sympathy for her as a fellow introvert. And I really do hope she has read Jung and Myers-Briggs so she can come to identify where her strengths and weaknesses lie :) With all respect, Jo.
Carole must be extra happy that it was her favorite Federer taking his eighth victory. :)
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who thinks every pair of sunglasses the Duchess wear is not made to compliment her gorgeous features? Except for the Chanel and Givenchy ones, I have never liked how her Wayfarer and Bvlgari sunglasses suit her face. Same for Wills, I don't like his Rayban sunglasses on him.
ReplyDeleteI adore her dress. It's pretty, summery and has the loveliest floral details. I only wish she had worn different earrings. The Temple of Heaven earrings are too flashy and huge for Wimbledon. Perhaps she could have brought out the Kiki Double Stud Peridot and Blue Topaz earrings. We haven't seen those in years.
ReplyDeleteI love the peridot and blue topaz Kikis, I wish we would see them again. I don't like the Cassandra Goad earrings...Kate seems to be partial to them, though.
Delete"Gert noted they are worn by female members of the All England Club, male members have a tie."
ReplyDeleteOh, the man next to Kate (Philip Brook) has a tie and a bow too!
Very pretty dress - perfect for Wimbledon. Kate looks very nice. The party could explain her absence at polo but not earlier absences.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify a comment I made in the previous post about Kate's scuba diving reference, contrary to some of the responses, I never said scuba diving was frivolous or something to be ashamed of.
ReplyDeleteI *did* say, and do think, that especially while her engagement count is so low, Kate should not comment on her leisure activities in speeches. *In MY Opinion* it paints an increasingly pampered picture, without much substance. If she wants to scuba dive to her heart's content, have at it I suppose, but don't talk about it unless and until her royal work time rivals her leisure time.
I believe it was Gordon Rayner at the Telegraph who broke the story that she had passed advanced qualifications, his article appeared the summer of 2015, just a few months after Charlotte was born. KP confirmed it to him, but interestingly wouldn't say when she passed the test. Kate had a very low work count at the time, the line was she was a busy mother taking care of George. Quite true I'm sure, except we keep getting evidence that William and Kate are happy to find time for other things, as long as the other things suit them. Royal work hasn't been top of that list.
It was the following year, 2016, when the narrative began to change for the Cambridges. Think of the bad press (from even Ingrid Seward) when Kate skipped the Irish Guards that March, because, according to her own staff "she didn't want to create the expectation that she would be there every year." If that scuba story had broken *after* March 2016, Kate would have been pilloried, "Kate skips royal work for scuba lessons" - that kind of thing.
I personally wish Kate's passions were even a *little* more public service oriented.
As Julia mentioned it came naturally to Diana, the Duchess of Kent also comes to my mind, and for what it's worth, it seems to be inherent in Meghan Markle. (It was refreshing to read that when they first met, Harry was most impressed with her involvement in the clean water initiative in Rwanda.)
So Kate likes some very leisurely and luxurious pastimes, she's entitled to that. But until she starts focusing on more royal work, I personally think, from a PR standpoint if nothing else, she should keep them to herself. That's all :)
I completely agree with you Claudia.
DeleteIs it so bad she took time out as a new mum for herself? She has a supportive family that probably wants her to be happy and let her enjoy her hobby by watching her kids for a few hours. Isn't she allowed that? Why do we as women judge each other so harshly on what it means to be a "mom". I am glad she got to go enjoy her hobby. I know it helps me tremendously to take time out for myself.
DeleteI'm a little confused by your response, since I'm not judging her harshly as a mother or woman at all Radhika, I don't think I've ever judged or commented on her parenting actually.
DeleteI do hold her to a certain standard as a member of the publicly funded British Royal Family, a very senior member who represents the Head of State and has received an enormous amount with (so far) not much in return.
I was clearly not saying it's a matter of either/or, but, in my opinion, her lifestyle is still awfully lopsided, and I don't think it's wise to draw attention to that. She may have all the hobbies she likes and hopefully health to enjoy them, but I do expect Kate (and William and Harry) to have fuller work schedules as well.
I see your point, but she used to vacation regularly in the Carribean with her family. I assume she started her interest there, probably many years ago.
DeleteIm confused. Are you suggesting that Kate got her scuba certification during the summer after she had Charlotte? I thought it was assumed that since Kate got her certification at a school in Mustique, it happened before she was even pregnant with Charlotte and Raynor was just reporting old news.
DeleteYou haven't mentioned, Claudia, that Kate has a stated concern for marine ecology. That is far more important to all of us than clean water in Rwanda, admirable as Meghan's project is. I hope that Kate will lend her voice to saving coral reefs and ocean life in general. She probably cannot go up against big oil or the plastics industry, but she can favor care for aquatic wildlife in the same way William is outspoken about the major mammals in Africa and Asia. And actually, he does work to abolish nonsense like medicinal use of ivory and bone from those animals. Perhaps that is not so far from advocating paper, glass, wood, and metal as suitable containers for our food and merchandise. I hope Kate becomes more specific about her concern for the oceans, and about her experience on and in the water.
DeleteRadhika, nobody here is saying that. Please go and read this comment carefully, and other comments before you accuse anyone of not wanting other moms to take time out for themselves. You seem to be extrapolating far and wide ! That too your first comment.
DeleteYou must be new to the comment section and don't really understand where many old commentators stand. If so, it would help if you could spend some time reading the comments first.
We are all women (most of us moms) who take time for themselves. Most of us are modern women, not old relics who want other women chained to the kitchen. You might want to wait and read before you jump in with such a strong comment. With all due respect.
I think I read she had training when she was on vacation.
DeleteBeautiful dress; hope we see it again this summer. Great work finding the maker! Looking forward to their tour. Hopefully, some knock-out ensembles.
ReplyDeleteHair commentary coming: I think it's great that had a few inches chopped off, much llighter and summery, and more sophisticated. But I think she's having trouble getting used to styling this new length, especially since this
ReplyDeletecut seems to hit her natural wave at a funny spot, sort of mid-wave, causing the bottom part of her hair to look a little messy. (I have wavy hair too, and getting the perfect length is really a challenge.).Also, she may have had it more formally styled for Camilla's party last night, and if she didn't shampoo today, the styling has sort of fallen apart. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this new length looks on tour, with the benefit of professional styling every day.
zipzipzippy, I was thinking this same things. I notice that in the back of her hair, the stylist cut a giant layer that seems to always be out of place. If the stylist had cut it with few layers and made sure they were all really long, I think she might have an easier time with styling it.
DeleteI don't know who cuts her hair but I think this cut is a disaster. I think it is exactly wrong for her face. I LOVED the old cut with the layers and the little bang.. she should have a short layer framing her face, wear it short till the shoulder and have a tiny layered side swept little bang.
DeletePlease Kate just listen to me,... LOL.
I agree about the look of the lower part of Kate's hair. Getting even an accomplished hair dresser to cut waves right is indeed a challenge I know well! I actually like Kate's curlier look because it blends rhat lower edge in. Thank goodness she is not still wearing those little girl curls Pippa took to Wimbledon, or the messy look she has worn her long hair in recently. A good slightly curly blow makes Kate's shorter hair lush.
DeleteAgree. Maybe some more highlights as well.
DeleteI do think she likes some variety in the way her hair is styled,so she won't always wear the most flattering look. That's ok. I do think she'll grow it out a little though.
At first glance, the gray 'flowers' looked like perspiration stains. Really surprising CW didn't notice that.
ReplyDeleteJane
Great hairstyle! I LOVE how she had styled her hair, I would love to do the same with my hair but I'm afraid this kind of hairstyle needs a lot of care!
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask you ladies if there's any post about royal spots in NYC... I'm going for the first time ever to NYC and I would like to visit some royal-linked places.
Also, since this amazing blog is followed by so many kind ladies from all over the world, I would like to ask if you would like to suggest me some places/cafes/reasturant you like in NYC and you think one fellow replicate/royal fan should see.
I hope my comment is not off topic :)
Umm... why on earth would you go to NYC and visit "royal linked places" ? I think that is an absolutely silly way to see one of the world's greatest cities. Sorry for my bluntness. The royals are really not very interesting to people in NYC. No one gives two rats a*** about them, so you won't find many "links" there.
DeleteAs for suggestions on NYC - I went to school there for grad and undergrad. Depends on who is coming with you - will you have kids? Or by yourself? How old are you? I can't imagine going to NYC and not seeing the Moma.. it's mothership to me. So do that regardless of age and interests. If you are on a budget and want to see many plays one thing to do is get off-broadway plays on rush. You can stand in line 1-2 hour before the show and get tickets at $10 for fantastic plays - I have great memories of doing that with hubby then bf. It was a friday night ritual.
Honestly, if I were you I would just get the most recent copy of the NewYorker. They have a section called Shouts and murmers or something like that. They list the most notable shows/galleries and general happenings around town. Soho has some fabulous galleries - the UES has a few small places that showcase local up and coming artists. Really depends on what you like.
Anon, are you looking for places royals have been? Diana loved the Carlyle, and William and Kate stayed there as well on their last visit. (Diana met JFK Jr there, when he was trying to convince her to pose for the cover of George.) Also, if you're a fan of the Madeline books, the bar is named for the author, Ludwig Bemelmans. (It's a big hit in our house)
DeleteCharlotte blogged about William and Kate's trip, you could search that to see the spots they visited. In general, Tea and Sympathy is a popular Brit spot for tourists, and The Spotted Pig is one of my faves :)
I hope this is what you're looking for? British themed places?
Anonymous, it's totally fine to visit spots the royals visited. I know William and Kate went and visited the World Trade Center memorial. I would definitely recommend it. It's intense, but also really good.
DeleteI would second what Claudia said. Check out Charlotte's post from the visit a few years ago. I feel like some of the stuff they did(like going to a basketball game, Empire State Building and the Metropolitan Museum of Art) are great stuff to check out if you are visitor to New York. If you can appreciate that William and Kate enjoyed it too, even better!!
I have lived most of my life in NYC, (born and raised there). There is so much to see and do, depending on time and budget.
DeleteIf you are into art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on Fifth Avenue is a must. Also MOMA and the Guggenheim. A walk down Fifth Avenue is wonderful, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Broadway, where you find same day half price tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum. You can walk the High Line too. There is every kind of food imaginable, from cheap eats to blow your mind expensive. New York is one of the greatest cities in the world. Do your homework before going, and pick just enough to fit your time and budget. You don't want to cram too much in or you will be in overload, with your eyes and brain spinning. Have a great trip.
NYC!!!! Just walk from North to South! Moma, yes, but all the other stuff!. Buy a sandwich from Zabars and wat it in Central Park! Compare the West with the East. Take a boat trip. Sit in one of the many littke parks and do dog and people watching. As Rosman says, what arw you interested in? Food, then do foodhopping. Books? Art? Its all there. Enjoy.
DeleteI'm a native New Yorker and I don't have a clue about "royal linked places". You could try for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park (Central Park) or just walk around the park. Google the top ten places to have afternoon high tea. Yes there are some iconic tourist things to do: Broadway, Lincoln Center, Museums, shopping. Neighborhoods to walk around: Soho etc. But please don't limit yourself. Get out and about. The Bronx Zoo is world class, as is the NY Botanical Gardens. Horse racing. This time of year I would catch a baseball game. And the beaches (yes we have beaches) are fantastic. Try the web site "Open Table" for restaurant reviews by neighborhood and to make reservations.
DeleteYou could go to the Frick Museum if you want a taste of American royalty - it is simply wonderful - my favourite spot! And if you want to follow Kate's interests - the Natural History Museum is wonderful too and has a brilliant dinosaur exhibit or did when I last visited. But quite honestly I can't of anything royal other than what Rosman and Claudia suggested. The royal family has visited the 9-11 memorial which is a must regardless but you must book. The queen took a boat ride around the island and I would suggest that too. We loved it. But there aren't royal sites. Maybe there are sites connected to past monarchs - does anyone know?
DeleteThere are so many fabulous restaurants - I love little places on the upper west side myself - I would look online and avoid tourist places. There is a gorgeous restaurant called Artisanal that we particularly like if it's still there. Brilliant cheese. I believe Gordon Ramsey has a restaurant - he is a famous and rather controversial British chef. That will cost though. And you should go to the Leopard (sounds like Sicily but it's not truly) where Cafe des Artistes used to be which has famous murals. President Clinton dined there I think. All these are quite expensive - Leo and I sleep cheap as we can and eat well. (I think William and Kate ordered pizza when they were in Manhattan so they missed a lot but the Carlyle is incredibly grand - so they slept expensively.) The Iroquois offers good prices at times. Balthazar is a wonderful restaurant in London that is also in Manhattan - I believe it started there.
Oh, and they went to a party for St. Andrew's at the Metropolitan Museum - the Temple of Dendur which is fabulous to see - although of course, no banquet but it's nicer that way, especially when not too crowded. I would visit in the morning on a weekday.
It's some years since I've been, so I may not be accurate.
I love the hair. This is the style that the shorter cut was made for. Beautiful and modern. The dress is fine and appropriate. Since Kate has such an amazing figure, of course she looks great in the dresser. But something about Catherine Walker always seems a bit matronly to me. Not my favourite but not bad. The shoes are a win though. Love the open toe and the block heel.
ReplyDeleteI like Kate's dress for Wimbledon except that, like some of her other recently worn garments, it is fitted too tight. The resulting wrinkles are not attractive. Her dress for the museum suited her figure much better. Nice to see her in appropriate sandals again!
DeleteFor those who won't find sleep tonight :-)
ReplyDelete"Is everyone aware of the Load More button below the comments? You need to keep clicking it until it disappears, in order to see all of the messages. It appears when there are 200 comments, and continues in 50 message increments until the current number is reached."
Love the dress! Very sweet and appropriate for the event. I love how her hair looks today: sort of a wavy, beach look. This is my personal favorite look with Kate's new haircut. I like the part down the middle too. I would love to see it blown out straight on one occasion, I bet it looks stunning.
ReplyDeleteI have a question: I thought people who were not royalty were not supposed to touch royalty. I remember when Kate was in LA, a basketball star put his arm around her for a picture because he didn't know that custom and it was noted by the press. Is Federer permitted to kiss her (and I mean in an appropriate friendly manner) because they are actually friends (I believe they are friends as he was at her sister's wedding)?
I loved his win and his tears. He seems like a soft soul to me and I am a fan.
BY THE WAY: I was watching TV last night and saw a Land Rover commercial. Sir Ben Ainsley driving. Made my whole night... Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Ive seen the LandRover commercial too!! And I have to control my excitement every time it comes on, or the hubby might wonder ;-) On another note, Kate looked lovely today in her perfect summer dress :)
DeleteCan't wait for the Royal Tour to begin tomorrow! Charlotte, will you be posting a live feed of the tour?XOXO
Great ad! Sadly, it appeared awhile back, when the crew still hoped to win the America's Cup. But it has not been withdrawn. I see and hear it often. The sound is a large part of making that ad so appealing.
DeleteI shouldn't think the part about touching royalty applies to friends and it is quite variable - people were always hugging Diana but the queen doesn't fancy it - although she was tactful about Mrs Obama. Kate doesn't seem as fond of hugs as Diana but I'm sure she wouldn't mind in this case. It's a quite sensible rule but not rigid and I suspect the younger generation is less troubled by it.
DeleteKate did look very pretty - I loved her dress and her hair. I didn't care for Pippa's dress though - looked like a nightie and not one for the wedding night.
Cheers to Charlotte for all her hard work and making this my favorite blog to follow!
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
DeleteFirst time I've liked her shorter hair. Been too curly up to now but LOVE it like this.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Love the choppy ends and the length when it's a little straighter like this.
DeleteFirst time commenting. There seems to be someone two rows behind her wearing almost the same dress (but the print goes higher). It's so weird, I feel like you pointed out the same thing with the polka dots on Kate and someone just behind her on the other Wimbledon day this year!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Carina. :)
DeleteWelcome, Carina. :)
DeleteThe Duchess of Cambridge, from head to toe, @ Wimbledon 2017 has been awesome; a fashion delight. She has my prayerful support. I don't want her to fail in her marriage, and I don't want her to fail in her royal duties. God bless her and her family.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcia for your kind comments. I think there are way too many people who would like to see failure or mistakes for this devoted couple. The truth is they are a young happy family who happens to be of royal lineage, choosing to put their children out of harms way whenever they can. Prince Harry talks sadly about being on display to the whole world during his mother's funeral procession. I too wish them the best, and pray for their family.
DeleteDon't get me wrong, I love to see the royals whenever I can, but at their choice and disgression, not mine.
I love her hair like this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your delightful coverage of today's Wimbledon final. Great choice of photos with various tennis legends (Chris Evert, Rod Laver, etc.) in the Royal Box to watch Federer's historic win. I felt sorry for his opponent, who seemed to have a terrible day from the start and burst into tears at one point. Reminds me that we are all human! The Federer children were adorable - TWO sets of twins in that family. I am glad the Duke and Duchess stayed to watch the Mixed final and congratulate the Women's champion, too.
ReplyDeleteI so want to know what was in William's Wimbledon goody bag. :) Cool seeing him be real and hurrying to see what's in it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, is that Chrissy Evert in the first photo dressed in the red?
Whoever mentioned the similarity in print of a dress of another lady there (second photo), it is very close but a different print I think. I didn't see any little birds on Kate's and I think the print on the other lady has a bird on it.
Keep the toasts 🥂 coming ladies. We are getting closer to tour take-off. :)
So uber cool that they had Place2Be do the coin toss.
ReplyDeleteI love that.
I love Kate's whole look. The dress is very summery and fresh. I like her hair today, the soft waves suit her better than the curls she usually go for during official engagements especially now that she has shorter hair.
ReplyDeleteKate looks gorgeous with the short hair and the gorgeous dress wow !! Truly one of her best looks thanks for the great post and all your hard work Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteMellie
Isn't that Goldie Hawn, seated directly behind Kate?
ReplyDeleteI love this look on Kate today! Her hair looks great, and I love the flowers on the cute summer dress.
ReplyDeletecongrats roger Federer great win I love mirka and pippa dress looking forward too the tour charlotte are you going back the style your outfit with the duchess love the header
ReplyDeleteThe dress is very appropriate for the Wimbledon match. I can see her getting a lot of use out of the dress in her private life - lots of occasions would fit for this dress and style. I'm surprised she wore a new dress as she has usually recycled for this event.
ReplyDeleteI do like the shoes - thanks Charlotte for tracking down a photo - I do like seeing what shoes she has chosen. These are very similar to the back ones she wore last month.
Both William and Kate seemed to enjoy the outing together. I wonder if they spent any time talking about the tour and what needed to be done before leaving in the morning? Or maybe they were talking about the party the night before. Glad they had fun today. Kate is really in her element.
Glad she wore her hair somewhat more natural. Watching the match the announcers did say that the grounds crew was ready and that they were expecting some rain. Given the moisture in the air, going with natural was the perfect solution.
At last: red toe nails! 😃
ReplyDelete