Wednesday 10 January 2018

Kate Discusses "Addictive" Social Media During First Engagement of 2018!

The day after her 36th birthday, the Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first engagement of 2018. Kate visited the Reach Academy Feltham, a school working in partnership with Place2Be and other organisations to support children, families and the whole school community throughout their school career.


Kate celebrated her birthday with family and friends at Anmer Hall over the weekend before returning to London ahead of Princess Charlotte's first day at nursery on Monday. Prince George returned to Thomas's Battersea yesterday. On the royal front, it's shaping up to be an interesting month with a day of engagements in Coventry, a visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative scheduled for next week. William and Kate will also kick off their trip to Norway and Sweden at the end of January.


You'll notice in the photo above, Kate was accompanied by Royal Protection Officer Emma Probert. Emma has been with Kate since the very start, perhaps most notably when she sat in the front seat of the Rolls Royce which drove Kate and Michael Middleton from the Goring Hotel to Westminster Abbey for the royal wedding. The sergeant has suffered great personal tragedy and joy in her time protecting the royals. In 2009, her policeman husband died in a skiing accident while on holiday in the French Alps with his wife. Emma found love again with fellow royal protection officer Colin Childs and in 2012 she informed Kate she was expecting a baby. The Duchess was said to be "absolutely delighted" and joked "you beat me to it". Below, we see Emma beside Kate during a pre-wedding engagement in 2011. If I'm not mistaken, we haven't seen Emma with the Duchess in quite a while.


A very warm welcome from pupils.


More from The Telegraph:

'The Duchess arrived at the school at 11.30am to be greeted by schildren singing Nina Simone classic I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free.
She told them: “Very impressed with the singing. “I wish every morning could start off like that.”

An arrival video from Hello!


Ahead of the engagement Kensington Palace noted: "The Duchess of Cambridge has been patron of Place2Be since 2013, reflecting her interest in children's mental health and the importance of supporting children and families to give children the best possible start in life." Place2Be is one of the Heads Together charity partners. As the campaign progresses, I understand Kate will be focusing on early intervention.


The organisation is a leading UK children's mental health charity providing in-school support and expert training to improve the emotional wellbeing of pupils, families, teachers and school staff. The charity works directly with more than 282 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales.


Reach Academy opened in September 2012, and now serves pupils from Nursery through to year 12 in Secondary. It was founded on a belief that all young people, regardless of background, can achieve great things. The school's goal is to provide all pupils with the opportunity to go to university if they wish and to live happy, healthy and productive lives. It has created a community of pupils, parents and teachers united by the highest expectations of what every young person can achieve, and by the commitment to help young people to excel. The school is small, with only sixty pupils in each year, which means that every adult knows every pupil and their family, and deeply understand its pupils’ needs. Reach Academy is deeply committed to working with parents and believes that communication between home and school is vital, and has worked with organisations including Place2Be and Family Links to ensure families benefit from a range of support.


Kate removed her coat for a visit to the nursery. Charlotte was likely on Kate's mind during the visit; the Princess attended her third day of nursery today.


The Duchess saw the early years provision in the nursery and met parents who have benefited from the school's parenting support.


Kate was in her element with the children.


Time for arts and crafts.


Laura shared this video of Kate in deep conversation with schoolboy Max about dinosaurs :)


Kate took a brief tour of the school before joining a discussion with Place2Be staff.


Kate was delighted to meet four month old puppy Bear who is training to be a therapy dog.


Royal reporter Victoria Murphy shared this very sweet video.


Kate also met guinea pigs, chickens and watched the children planting. She appeared to have a lovely time interacting with the children.


Back inside, the Duchess chatted with a group of secondary school pupils from the Academy about the range of support on offer at their school, including emotional wellbeing support, LGBT groups and a girls' group.


Kate asked the group of teenagers “Do you feel that social media puts a lot of pressure on young people?” After hearing several stories she replied “From what we’ve been learning from the work we’ve been doing it can get so addictive.”


Before leaving, Kate received this lovely birthday card.


Kate sported the Hobbs London Gianna Coat today (with thanks to Marianna).


The sold out piece is described this way: "Taking inspiration from the traditional riding coat, the Gianna is a modern classic. Made in beautiful French navy wool, it is beautifully tailored and has a dramatic femininity achieved by the flared skirt and black detailing. The curved collar and pewter buttons add an extra equestrian touch." The piece originally retailed for $570 before going on sale for $174 at Nordstrom Rack.

Hobbs London

The Duchess wore her Seraphine Florrie Dress. Kate debuted the piece in 2015 when she was expecting Charlotte during a visit to Stoke-on-Trent.


It is described as "Made in soft woven fabric, this elegant dress drapes beautifully to finish just above the knee, allowing plenty of movement and a flexible fit for before, during and after pregnancy. Featuring a feminine curved empire line to define your waist" It remains available on the Seraphine website.

Seraphine

Kate teamed the look with her navy Jimmy Choo Georgia pumps.

Jimmy Choo

Kate accessorised with her sapphire and diamond earrings.


And her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.


Kate's navy Stuart Weitzman Muse clutch and navy gloves completed the look.


A lovely start to 2018 for Kate!

***********

Finally, I do so enjoy seeing Kate team up with other members of the Royal family. On Monday, 19 February, Kate and Sophie, will join forces for the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace. It sounds like it's going to be a fantastic evening celebrating talented designers. With many thanks to Cheryl!


We'll be continuing on with our polls next :)
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103 comments:

  1. Silvereyed10 January 2018 at 11:45

    I love this coat! Navy is one of my favourite colours and this particular shade really suits Kate :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rebecca - Sweden10 January 2018 at 11:53

    Great to see Kate back at work again! Look forward to todays interactions! Love her school engagements and Place2Be is such a WONDERFUL charity!

    Very nice and sleek look and a familiar dress peeking out underneath! (I also really like these shoes with their thicker heel!

    Hope everyone are having a nice day and I look forward to the upcoming coverage of today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CK NYC10 January 2018 at 16:42

      I agree, Rebecca. Place2Be does seem like a wonderful charity, and it is nice to see the relationship Kate is building over time since she became a patron of Place2Be I think almost 5 yrs ago--something she is doing and no doubt will do with many more charities. She is so skilled at relating to children. It is always a delight to see.

      Delete
  3. Royal Watcher10 January 2018 at 11:58

    This royal visit seems almost like "another day in the office" compared to the attention that Harry and Meghan are receiving. It must be kind of nice for Kate to be able to go about her day with a little bit less attention now. Nevertheless, Kate looks amazing as per usual, and her outfit is lovely, especially the coat, just beautiful. Kate's visit is so important, well done!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Tina10 January 2018 at 15:49

      I rather think William and Kate are thrilled that the blinding spotlight isn't on them and the children for a while. They never were the sort who loved being the centre of attention. It has been seven years, and I'm really proud of how Kate has conducted herself. I am also happy to see how strong their marriage is.

      Delete
    2. Royal Watcher11 January 2018 at 11:39

      I could not agree more, Tina!

      Delete
  4. Katie C. H.10 January 2018 at 12:28

    She took off her coat!! I love it. I think this is a great dress for her and it's the perfect length in my opinion. She looks so happy to be there. She clearly enjoys the young kids so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 12:58

      Katie ,I think we'll have to wait and see if she took off her coat...the photo without the coat is from the previous wear of this very pretty dress

      Delete
    2. hrhdhd10 January 2018 at 13:40

      She's not wearing it during arts and crafts or when talking to the staff.

      Delete
    3. Katie C.H.10 January 2018 at 14:41

      Right. I saw pics in twitter before Charlotte was able to fully update the post.

      Delete
  5. bluhare10 January 2018 at 12:51

    Love the coat. I wish I'd have seen that when it was less than $200!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KimK10 January 2018 at 13:37

      I know! I clicked on the Nordstrom link anyway for proof of disappointment.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 17:44

      KimK - hahah! Don't we all know the feeling of that.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 12:57

    I am a huge fan of the coat, really pretty and the colour suits her but one wonders how many blue coats she needs. She has just had a very similar one a few weeks ago. I can understand with her budget she can buy a lot of new stuff and she must love shopping very much otherwise why this amount of new and very identical pieces when she usually has an engagement per week.

    Also her hair, I am one who does not like her shorter hair, but this is what it is, she would look so much better when it is straight and not curly. It looks like a huge blanket now again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anglophile (in Ohio)10 January 2018 at 22:02

      She only has two other navy coats--the Herrera and the Beulah London. Since this brand/style is sold out she may have purchased it on sale. It is what I do with some clothing, especially dresses. If I find something I like that fits well at a good price, I buy it and keep it for when I need it. Saves me money and time.
      As she has naturally curly hair, this style is easier than straight hair would be. It looks fine.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11 January 2018 at 08:05

      I did not go back and count how many navy she has, maybe 2 but she has plenty more of this shade which she wore with this dress before. And I am absolutely with you on buying stuff on sale, sure she does that too. And while I am usually a huge fan of her coats, it is just seemed unreasonable to come up with a new navy coat so soon.

      On her hair, we might agree to disagree.

      Delete
    3. Saira11 January 2018 at 08:28

      Kate's hair does not look just fine, her hair looks beautiful! Longer or shorter, her hair always looks fantastic. By now, it should be obvious to everyone that Kate's favorite color is blue (all shades of blue.) So what if she has numerous coats and other clothes in different shades of this color? With her personal coloring, blue (in all its varied shades) suits her perfectly. In these photos, Kate looks lovely, radiant and happy. She is enchanting.

      Delete
  7. Ally10 January 2018 at 12:58

    I am curious if anyone (non-pregnant) has purchased this dress and made it work?

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    1. Virginia10 January 2018 at 13:23

      Yes, I wear it a lot. I buy Seraphine dresses for pregnancy and for when I'm not pregnant too (especially when they have sales). I have to wear empire waist dresses, and Seraphine has a beautiful supply of them. They are designed to NOT scream "maternity wear". They drape beautifully and are made of quality fabrics. Sadly, this particular dress is no longer in their stock, but they might bring it back.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 13:09

    Kate is always in her element at events involving children. I love the coat, and at the discounted price is something I could actually afford! I was hoping we'd see this dress again (and I wouldn't be opposed to her repeating it again!) Love those shoes with a thicker heel. A win all the way around for me.

    Hope USA

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  9. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 13:10

    She looks lovely! So happy to see her in her element.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Virginia10 January 2018 at 13:11

    Kate is in her element, as usual. I think she looks beautiful. I actually own this Seraphine Florrie dress. Unfortunately, it is no longer sold, but Seraphine could bring it back. I've worn it when pregnant and even when I'm not. Because of my body shape and tiny bust shape, I can only wear empire waist dresses. This dress has a beautiful empire waist and flows gently from the bust line down. The colors are great too, as I have red hair, very pale skin, and blue eyes. The combination of greens, blues, and purple in the dress work well for me. I'm glad to see Kate wearing this dress again (I thought she would.), and the coat is beautiful with it. When I wear the Florrie dress, I usually add a navy or Williamsburg blue (aka...lighter blue) cardigan.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. surfer girl10 January 2018 at 16:01

      Virginia.šŸ˜Š That sounds perfect for you. Neat that you have the same dress or rather that she does as it sounds like you had yours first. :)

      Delete
  11. Anon C.10 January 2018 at 13:12

    In the Daily Mail article (link under ly name), you can see that the Duchess is wearing a gold watch. Is it new?

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    1. Patricia I11 January 2018 at 00:35

      Kate's watch, which Charlotte has identified above, is stainless steel with a sapphire in the stem.

      https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Cartier/Jewelry-and-Accessories/Ballon-Bleu-de-Cartier/shop/_/N-1z12vn0Z52floiZ52iuev?ranMID=13816&ranEAID=TnL5HPStwNw&ranSiteID=TnL5HPStwNw-qHI0b.HqKzjlA5l.AJKs7A&site_refer=AFF001&mid=13816&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-qHI0b.HqKzjlA5l.AJKs7A&LSoid=488251&LSlinkid=10&LScreativeid=1

      Delete
  12. Jo in Arizona10 January 2018 at 13:15

    Thank you for your uplifting coverage Charlotte. As I was teaching 6th graders (12 and 13 year olds) yesterday, word filtered through the teacher’s lounge that a 14 year old boy had shot himself in the bathroom at another school in our town. We had to of course keep on and also of course not say anything to the students. The times we live in—it is heartbreaking. Which is why initiatives that bring families and schools together to take care of our precious children are so important. I hugged my 13 yo granddaughter and 12 year old grandson extra hard last night. The first thing my granddaughter asked her mum when they saw each other after school was “Do they know if he did it over bullying?”

    Thank you Charlotte for your deft and sensitive balance of information and fashion on your blog. I was also startled this morning on a personal note to see the reference to Kate’s wearing the dress to Stoke on Trent. I had literally just finished reading a social commentary piece on Stoke in The Guardian and thought “I wonder if any of the young Royals have visited that struggling area?” I then typed in your URL to read about Kate’s visit today to Place2Be and there is a mention of her visit to Stoke! Amazing coincidence and I will Google and see if I can find more mention of her visit there. As always, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Allegraflora10 January 2018 at 13:19

    Navy is a good color on her! Wonder how she managed to close the buttons (if I have understood right it is not a maternity coat). And yes, she took of the coat.

    Looking forward to the January engagements. Might this be her last month on duty?

    Charlotte how many weeks before birth did she go on maternity leave when pregnant with George and Charlotte?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gaby10 January 2018 at 15:18

      With Charlotte she had her last engagement on 29 March and when asked, when she said she was due mid-late April. So I think her last working days will be around St. Patrick's Day.

      Delete
    2. Admin10 January 2018 at 16:22

      Gaby is spot on, I agree around St. Patrick's Day will likely be her last appearance before maternity leave :)

      Delete
  14. Rosemea MacPherson10 January 2018 at 13:29

    A great cause! You are elegant as usual!!! I think you like kids ;-) XOXOXOXOXOX

    ReplyDelete
  15. Julia10 January 2018 at 13:31

    It's been a great coat week, love this coat on Kate, navy is and always has been a great look for her, loved Meghan's coat and wide trousers too and Letizia in Spain also featured a great tailored look.

    Very much enjoyed this engagement, loved see Kate interact with the children and with the service dog. There are so many stresses on young people today - just read about that tragic case of the girl in Australia - it would just be nice if every student could have a small nurturing environment like this for school instead of big impersonal ones. But at least there are more services like Place2Be trying to support families.

    I'm glad Kate took her coat off for part of it - liked the dress before and now.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bluefire10 January 2018 at 13:40

    Im a huge fan of the coat im really surprise that she worn the.seraphine dress when she have. Princess charlotte these is very pretty dress and great too see the duchess interaction with the people and kids around her i cant wait when she finished enangement

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kate Middleton's Jewelry10 January 2018 at 13:44

    I think Kylie Wallace (The Lady Wallace on Instagram) owns it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Virginia10 January 2018 at 13:48

    I just checked the Seraphine website, and they have brought back the Florrie dress. It is part of their "Luxe" dress collection.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ROYALFAN10 January 2018 at 14:03

    It's absolutely true that Kate is in her element here. She looks happy and healthy. Wonderful to see.

    And the coat ... navy, gold buttons, double-breasted. What's not to love?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. American Army Wife10 January 2018 at 16:16

      the buttons are pewter, not gold, which is why, in my opinion this coat is more attractive than some she owns.

      Delete
    2. royalfan11 January 2018 at 03:04

      Yes they are. :-) So much for cell phones and multitasking!

      Delete
  20. Annabel10 January 2018 at 14:10

    Much prefer the Hobbs coat on Kate, than the Carolina Herrea she wore recently.The cut and length is far more flattering, and at a fraction of the cost, by the looks of it !
    Overall Kate is glowing, and looking well. Without being too 'nit picky', my only gripe is her hair. She is blessed with beautiful thick hair, I much preferred it a little longer and little more thinned out, to make it more manageable, and a side part, is less harsh than the middle part she favours at the moment. But overall, loved today's coordinated navy look.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jaime10 January 2018 at 14:40

      I agree. Her eye make-up is a bit dark lately. Comparing to the photograph of when she was pregnant with Charlotte, I much prefer her hair and make-up then to now.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 15:37

      Completely agree with the eye makeup comment!

      Delete
    3. Erika10 January 2018 at 15:51

      I agree, Annabel. Her hair is the only flaw today. Kind of an undone mess.

      Delete
    4. surfer girl10 January 2018 at 15:54

      šŸŽ€That middle part is SO aging. Again, not everyone can wear a middle part, trend or no trend. Please. Someone counsel Kate about that
      asap. It is NOT a good style for her.

      Delete
    5. Barbara U.S.10 January 2018 at 17:00

      Many have commented in the past about Kate wearing a hairpiece or fall. I never really noticed it that much, but today, it looks so obvious, not in a good way. She has great hair. I say stick to what you’ve got, and rely on a top professional stylist.

      Delete
    6. Erika10 January 2018 at 18:32

      Its really obvious today, Barbara. Her hair is two different colors clearly delineated. Using the fall may free her up from a morning hairstylist appointment but today its not well blended. This is the week of undone hair apparently.

      Delete
    7. ali10 January 2018 at 19:49

      It could be a hairpiece but it also can just be ratted with some comb over. I have looked over the years and I really can not tell for sure. But overall I thought she looked great. I found the color of the coat looked different in the photographs above as compared to the advertisement photos. If her coat is navy it shows how different the lighting can make in how colors appear.

      Delete
    8. Penny10 January 2018 at 21:02

      Her fall is quite obvious in these photos, I agree, which is unusual for her. Nothing wrong with using one, I think you'll find most celebrities enhance their hair in some way. I guess she likes big hair!

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 22:55

      I don't see it. Which picture are you refering to?

      Delete
    10. Patricia I10 January 2018 at 23:11

      I agree that this fall is too heavy. But Kate is not wearing a center part! Her hair is parted at its natural place a bit to the right (her right).

      Kate looks splendid in that shade of blue, especially when everything is the same lovely color. The Hobbs coat is beautiful. I am less enthused about the dress, but it was nice for the inside part of her visit.

      Someone made a lovely birthday card.

      Delete
  21. ILoveElephants10 January 2018 at 14:32

    I love how she is repeating her maternity outfits. I really hope she re-wears her baby blue serephine maternity coat. That has always been my favorite

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erika10 January 2018 at 15:52

      I'm waiting for the baby blue Seraphine too. Really nice coat.

      Delete
  22. US reader10 January 2018 at 14:39

    Children and puppies - the perfect engagement!
    And Kate looks wonderful today. I’m in the ‘side part’ camp in respect to her hair, but love the current length.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Penny10 January 2018 at 14:50

    Love this coat but I really love the way it's styled in the picture of the model, with slim cropped pants. Perhaps that's more of a Meghan look though. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara U.S.10 January 2018 at 16:56

      Same here, Penny! Especially after seeing Meghan’s black pants yesterday.

      Delete
  24. Pam from Boston10 January 2018 at 15:07

    I love the coat today, and she took it off inside!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Zipzipzippy10 January 2018 at 15:14

    Based on her silhouette, I'm wondering whether #3 is due closer to the end of April vs beginning of April. When she wore that dress on 18 February 2015, she was just about 10 weeks to delivering Charlotte, who was born 2 May. (Like George, a little late.) Kate was "showing" a lot more at that visit than she seems to be today, which is what is making me think #3 might be on path to come along around nearer the end of April.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina10 January 2018 at 17:00

      I actually think the opposite. I think she's a bit bigger this time round than last time, which leads me to believe it will be an early April baby. But Cambridge babies seem to come late, so maybe mid April :)

      Delete
    2. Penny10 January 2018 at 17:20

      I agree, she seems much smaller this time around. Or maybe she’s just hiding it more cleverly! She barely looks pregnant with the coat on but with Charlotte she was quite obviously pregnant.

      Delete
    3. Erika10 January 2018 at 18:35

      I think it depends what she's wearing. I thought she looked bigger on Christmas day and on Sunday in the brown coat than she did with Charlotte.

      Delete
    4. Anna from NYC10 January 2018 at 19:26

      I agree, Zippy, I was noticing how much smaller her belly is now compared to the photos from before. The baby might very well end up being born around the same time as Princess Charlotte.

      Delete
    5. Pam from Boston10 January 2018 at 19:55

      Though every baby is different - with my fourth my bump was much smaller throughout the pregnancy than my previous girls, and I gained the least amount of weight, (and she was the smallest at birth). It seems the more older kids I was taking care of, the less weight I gained.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 21:56

      It depends so much on the angle etc. I do bot think that drawing conclusions on the due date base on two pics that are nor even taken in the same month of the year is a safe guess.
      Strangly enough i alwasy end up seeing that especially her arms look bigger sonce she is pregnant with the third :) does not make any sense though, i know.
      In general i think shes doing perfectly fine, taking care of herself and the baby.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10 January 2018 at 21:56

      I was trying to decide if she was carrying different than with Charlotte (so maybe a boy)or if she was not as far along. All this guessing is fun . . . . but time will tell!

      Hope USA

      Delete
    8. ILoveElephants10 January 2018 at 23:22

      I think she is due in early April because the royal wedding is scheduled for May19th. I don’t think they would have scheduled the wedding then if she was due in late April. Knowing that George and Charlotte were born late

      Delete
    9. Josie E11 January 2018 at 02:18

      LOL at all the speculations. So fun! Even more so that there's no pressure to have a specific gender because they already have one of each! I am also so happy for Zara, and keeping my fingers crossed for Pippa.

      Delete
  26. Jennifer10 January 2018 at 15:25

    Great visit today and a really important topic, especially for children growing up in a time where social media is much more accessible than ever before. I agree with the students Kate spoke to and with her saying that social media can be so addictive, much to the detriment of people who frequently use it or rely on it. I struggle with it even as an adult, so it must be difficult for children and teenagers to distance themselves from it. One of my New Year's resolutions is to spend less time on social media.

    I think Kate looks lovely and very happy today. I love the new coat and am glad to see this dress again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina10 January 2018 at 17:02

      That is a fabulous New Year's wish, Jennifer. My sister's kids are so addicted to their mobiles that they refuse to go hiking and camping for fear of poor satellite. That scares me. My kids are still very young, so we make sure they grow up to love the outdoors and to love sport.

      Delete
    2. Zora from Prague10 January 2018 at 20:07

      Jennifer, I agree with everything you say.

      Delete
    3. hrhdhd10 January 2018 at 20:53

      So I'm not a fan of hiking or camping, without regard to internet coverage, but I do know that if my parents had said, "Hey we're going camping!" I couldn't have refused. ;)

      Delete
    4. CcLA girl11 January 2018 at 01:03

      What's troubling are teenagers taking a dozen photos before spending 30 minutes filtering the perfect pic to post on Instagram! Not only addictive, but at times also narcissistic I think.

      Delete
    5. ROYALFAN11 January 2018 at 12:41

      CCLA...absolutely agree.

      Delete
  27. Becca H10 January 2018 at 15:36

    It's always nice to see Kate with this charity, as everyone seems to enjoy themselves so much. And Kate is truly a natural here. The blue coat is a gorgeous fit and color. I've never been a huge fan of the dress, but it's simple and pretty and she wears it well. Overall, she looks glowing and fresh today.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Tina10 January 2018 at 15:39

    Lovely to see Kate again. So elegant and classy and happy. And boy is it true that social media is addictive! It can be such a chain. We make sure our kids spend enough time outdoors to prevent too much time on social media. It's healthier. I'm sure Willam and Kate agree.

    ReplyDelete
  29. CeCe USA10 January 2018 at 15:42

    What is not to love!! The coat is beautiful and well tailored, she barely looks pregnant in it! Nicely paired with the Seraphine dress. She is definitely in her element with children! Love the picture of the little girl looking up at her, made me smile. Kate is lovely and looks very happy. Very nice engagement and a wonderful organization. cc

    ReplyDelete
  30. surfer girl10 January 2018 at 15:48

    Love the coat. They should bring the coat back, named the Kate. It is a beautiful classic. ❤️
    Kate was in her element for sure. She looked a little tired but with two young ones and having hosted guests for her birthday and the holiday season she probably wishes she could take a break on Mustique like they used to do. šŸ–

    ReplyDelete
  31. surfer girl10 January 2018 at 15:57

    P.S. Kate took off her coat inside this time. Good for
    her.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Karolina Joanna10 January 2018 at 16:54

    I love,love her with children.She is so lovely and caring.
    I wish see this dress again.And I must claim that it is more beautiful than earlier.I don 't know how she does it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tedi Dreiser Godard10 January 2018 at 16:58

    Kate is so natural and dear with children. I loved her outfit, and it was nice to see her remove her coat while inside. Perhaps after her pregnancy, she might wear the coat with trousers, as shown on the model. That would be a smashing look for her. I too, am in the camp of longer, sleeker hair, with a side part. However, she still is a truly beautiful lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renda10 January 2018 at 19:11

      I think Kate's hair is so lush and thick that it does not matter much how she parts it. I sadly have very thin hair and a center part makes it terribly look flat and balding. Kate is so blessed. I hope Charlotte inherits her gorgeous locks.

      Delete
    2. Denise11 January 2018 at 03:25

      Tedi, I was thinking the same re: the coat with trousers & perhaps a mock turtleneck or full turtleneck as shown in the photo. I think it would be a great look on her as well. =)

      Delete
  34. Tedi Dreiser Godard10 January 2018 at 16:59

    PS: Loved Bear! What an adorable puppy.

    ReplyDelete
  35. surfer girl10 January 2018 at 17:46

    yes. xoxoxoxoxošŸ¾

    ReplyDelete
  36. florida girl10 January 2018 at 18:03

    Thanks for information about her protection officer, Emma Probert. Very sad she lost her husband. Nice to see stability in their "court" (probably the wrong word but I've been re-binge watching The Crown AND reading a biography on Edward VII I received for Christmas so my vernacular is particularly royal these days.... ;) ).

    As someone else pointed out, I'll wager Catherine has at least privately acknowledged that with Meghan and Harry around now she may get a break from intense attention for a bit - at least until Baby Camvridge comes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Admin10 January 2018 at 18:38

    Ladies, I have removed the link to Hardwick Hampers. They are not a listed stockist of Hobbs. I suspect the clothing consists of copies of popular items made in China. Unfortunately, it's become a very common practice online.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda10 January 2018 at 19:07

      Thank you! I tried the link, found "the coat" readily available but my bank blocked the credit card purchase. The site my bank could see (I received a "suspicious activity" call from them & spoke to the fraud dept) appeared to be out of China. I feel rather foolish, but guess I was saved from myself, lol.

      Lovely blog, btw, I read all the time but don't comment. Thanks again.

      Delete
    2. Sunny in New Jersey10 January 2018 at 19:36

      Hi Charlotte,
      Thank you for the follow-up on this company. I apologize for sharing info that’s possibly from a fraudulent retailer. I wasn’t aware that a pirate would sell copycats so openly and thought I had found a lucky link. Well, I’m generally not that lucky, so I should have known better... I did order a coat and will share what I find.

      Delete
    3. Admin10 January 2018 at 19:53

      Sunny, no need to apologise at all. It can be very difficult to tell especially when photos/product description are identical.

      Linda - Welcome to the comments section :)

      Delete
    4. Briggs11 January 2018 at 03:32

      Sunny, contact your bank and see if they can cancel the charge based on fraud. You never know, you might be able to get your money back!

      Delete
    5. Kathleen12 January 2018 at 22:24

      Thank you for looking out for us Charlotte! I tried to buy the coat with both my credit cards and my banks declined the purchase twice. After being upset with them yesterday, I called both banks to thank them today and to tell them to keep rejecting any charges from this site.

      I don't usually post but I wanted to say I really value the positive forum you give for those of us that admire Kate. It brightens my day to see your posts!

      I had a question. I was happy that the Queen invited Kate for her birthday. Do you think she could have given her an honor for her sash finally?

      Thank you so much,

      Kathleen from Ventura

      Delete
    6. Admin12 January 2018 at 23:23

      Hello Kathleen,

      Thank you so much for reading and for your very kind words :)

      The only way we'll know with certainty if Kate has received the Royal Family Order is when she attends a white-tie event. We're looking at State banquets or the annual Diplomatic Reception.

      People has a pretty good article on the topic:

      http://people.com/royals/why-princess-kate-didnt-wear-a-sash-to-the-state-banquet-plus-see-her-plunging-dress-up-close/

      It's entirely possible the Queen will bestow the Order to Kate this year. We'll know at the next State banquet :)

      Delete
  38. Renda10 January 2018 at 19:06

    I immediately came to this blog after work knowing it's Kate's official day in 2018. And she did not disappoint. Loved the coat and the repeat dress. Mostly the dress gives me happy vibes of past pregnancies and just reminded me that in a few short months, God willing, we will have another Cambridge baby. Kate is so good with kids and the videos show that. She's gentle and motherly. You can often tell a parent from a non-parent. Those who do not have kids often love to play and have fun, whilst parents know how to gently guide and direct children to accomplish tasks.

    ReplyDelete
  39. SeƱorita Dee10 January 2018 at 19:41

    Love every inch of it. Had this Seraphine dress when I was pregnant with my son after seeing it on Kate. It drapes so nicely and I felt so elegant wearing it. I love the coat and shoes and clutch and just everything. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Joanne from CA10 January 2018 at 20:09

    Love, love, love this coat! Blue for baby boy? :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Marcia USA10 January 2018 at 20:55

    Great to see the Duchess of Cambridge invest her time in helping children and teens. She seems to really enjoy what she is doing and passionate about mental health issues. I really like the coat and dress that she wore. Charlotte, thanks for a great cover of this engagement.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Juniper10 January 2018 at 21:05

    Something is going on with her hair here, but I’m not sure it’s a fall. It looks like she tried to do something interesting with tiny cornrow-type braids in the front, and either she didn’t get it finished in time or it just didn’t work. I have thick wavy hair myself, and when I was pregnant there was always about twice as much of it. Hair that would have fallen out normally in the course of washing and brushing, didn’t fall, and new hair grew in so it was all different lengths as well. I never could get it under control. Maybe that’s the issue.

    Apart from her hair, I like everything about this look.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ms. Cuppa10 January 2018 at 21:05

    I know there's there Great Hair Divide on this board--the long hair from the past vs. the shoulder-length at present. Kate has such beautiful hair that both suit her well. I was struck today, though, with the side-by-side photos featuring the dress repeat, that when Kate wore the dress earlier with long hair while pregnant, she looked like a girl. Today, in the same dress and also pregnant, she looks like woman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CcLA girl11 January 2018 at 01:10

      I think the shorter hair gives a more grown up look. After Charlotte was born, I didn't think we would see Kate pregnant again, so I was incredibly excited when I heard she was expecting their third. I think if the Queen's children had happier marriages, they would have probably had more children too.

      Delete
  44. USA Granny10 January 2018 at 21:58

    Just a little heads up for friends in the USA. Bloomingdales carries Hobbs and currently much is on 50% off sale.
    Additionally, there is a Hobbs store in NYC. Bloomingdales also carries the shoe line.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Diana10 January 2018 at 22:42

    Loved every bit of this outfit. Coat is amazing. Dress is stunning. Love that she is re-wearing maternity clothes!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Josie E11 January 2018 at 02:24

    I loved today's engagement. My favorite is the video of Kate talking to the little boy about dinosaurs and she said "no way!" when he said T-Rex. So cute! And love that adorable pup!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Kiwi Gal11 January 2018 at 02:44

    I can’t wait to see Sophie & Kate together at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. Ever since the incident where Sophie nearly fell into Kate’s lap at Royal Ascot, I could see they have such a fun rapport with each other (as well as Edward & William). I think those four make a great team & William reminds me so much of his Uncle Edward :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zora from Prague11 January 2018 at 19:46

      I agree, Kiwi Gal! I also have a feeling that Sophie and Kate make a great duo and the Ascot incident was priceless :). The C.Fashinon Exchange is going to be fun!

      Delete
  48. Melissa Hafting11 January 2018 at 02:46

    I love the outfit she looks so classy and elegant and her hair is lovely. Must be scary for a mom to have her little girl off to nursery you must miss them so much! Or maybe she enjoys the break haha.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Tina11 January 2018 at 12:17

    Charlotte, Kate is today attending a conference with Anna Freud. It's an unannounced event but they have a pic on Twitter. Please write to us about it. I hope you get more details

    ReplyDelete

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