The Duke and Duchess arriving at Buckingham Palace this morning.
The Duchess travelled in the procession with Camilla, Harry and Meghan.
Trooping the Colour is an annual highlight on the summer calendar - promising a stunning display of pomp and pageantry in London.
Another view of the carriage procession.
There's lovely footage of the duchesses in the video below.
Another view from the Army in London.
The Yorks travelled in the second carriage.
And the Wessexes in the third carriage.
Her Majesty travels down the mall.
Although the Queen's birthday is 21 April, it has long been tradition to celebrate the sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in June, when good weather is more likely. Her Majesty has attended Trooping the Colour every year since 1947 - except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event.
The background of the prestigious annual event? Trooping the Colour actually originated in traditional preparations for battle. Colours, or flags, were trooped down the rank so they could be seen by the soldiers. In 1748, it was announced the parade would also mark the sovereign's official birthday.
More on the history of the day:
'The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour (Queen's Birthday Parade). This impressive display of pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June by her personal troops, the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with Her Majesty the Queen herself attending and taking the salute. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks.The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past Her Majesty, and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past.The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais.'
An enormous amount of planning and preparation goes into ensuring the annual event runs as smoothly as possibly.
Over 1,400 officers and military personnel are on parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and corps of drums march and play as one. Some 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
The Colour of the 1st Batallion Grenadier Guards was trooped.
On horseback, Prince Charles, Colonel of the Welsh Guards; Prince William, Colonel of the Irish Guards; the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals; and Prince Andrew. Harry doesn't ride on horseback at the event as he's not a Royal Colonel yet, and nor did Andrew until last year when he succeeded his father as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
These three little cuties were spotted sneaking a peek.
This little man has the royal wave perfected already...
The family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at 1 pm.
Those Cambridge expressions :)
Louis looked impressed by the view.
A great shot of Kate and Charlotte.
The event culminates with a stunning show by the Royal Air Force. More than twenty-five military aircraft soar over Buckingham Palace in formations thirty seconds apart. Aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, decorate the skyline with red, white and blue smoke.
Louis makes a beeline for Dad.
Kate and her mini-me :)
When it came to choosing an outfit for Louis' debut, Kate dug into the archives for an adorable blue and white outfit Uncle Harry wore as a tot for the same event.
An overview from the balcony.
The Duchess wore a fabulous bespoke Alexander McQueen warm lemon dress for the event. The garment is beautifully designed and tailored, featuring a v neck, defined shoulders and peplum detail. It's a very fresh offering from Sarah Burton, and easily one of my favourite Trooping looks. The colour works wonderfully for Kate.
Kate teamed the piece with the Philip Treacy hat she wore for Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018.
The floral design is from the milliner's SS18 Collection.
Kate accessorised with the Queen's Bahrain pearl earrings. Kate has worn the earrings on several occasions including Royal Ascot in 2017. In 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth received seven larger pearls from the ruler of Bahrain, and two of the pearls were used to create the beautiful pair of earrings. From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault reports: "The earrings each contain one large round diamond and four smaller ones, three baguette diamonds, and a Bahrain pearl dangling below. The Queen seems to have worn them mainly in the early years of her reign; they were later unearthed for the Buckingham Palace summer exhibit marking her 60th wedding anniversary." More recently they were loaned to the Countess of Wessex.
And her diamond cross pendant.
A closer look at Kate's updo.
View the event in its entirety below.
We'll see William and Kate on Tuesday for engagements in Cumbria.
Oooooh I love the yellow! It’s such a great colour on Kate
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful color for her!
ReplyDeleteoh i love her perfect lemon how i wonder the cambridge kids are on balcony
ReplyDeleteIwonder if this was the mysterious " primrose Yellow" by mcqueen that the duchess was supposed to wear At Harry's marriage
ReplyDeleteThat’s what I was thinking! Is that the same hat she wore to the wedding also?
DeleteI was thinking the same thing, especially since she is wearing the same hat!
DeleteI believe it is the same hat & as we chatted last year, I think the bright sun washed out the color which made it confusing. Even when I've gone back & watched H&M's Wedding, Kate's ensemble that day definitely looks like a light limoncello or this light color today, as she sat in the Choir of the Chapel by Camilla! :)
DeleteI was thinking this too!
DeleteOh my gosh, her hat is beautiful! Love yellow on her. Can’t wait to see her whole outfit. 💛
ReplyDeleteOooooooh a different style dress!! Me likeeee
ReplyDeleteWow love it from what I can see Kate looks stunning x
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and elegant look! I like the cut of that coat very much and the hat reminds me of the wonderful "potato chip" hat she wore to Zaras wedding! I love that it seems like she's wearing the cross necklace she's had for ages as well! A perfect standard Trooping look for Kate once more!
ReplyDeleteI love this look & that necklace! The Queen’s Bahrain earrings are stunning.
DeleteI love how classic, regal but a bit different looks showed by Kate. Primrose yellow suits her so much, matches with brown hair. But the best thing is naturally big hat which looks terrific.I wonder if it's the same which she wore for wedding of Harry and Meghan.
ReplyDeleteThe hat looks the same as the one she wore to Harry and Meghan's wedding and makes more sense with this dress, which is also sort of a canary yellow. I wonder if there was a last minute malfunction on this dress a year ago and she couldn't wear it so she's wearing it today. But either way it looks great, and Kate seems to be having fun in the carriage with Meghan and Camila.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder if this is Kate's way of saying "Nothing to see here re: the feud, move along." By wearing the same hat she wore to Meghan's wedding it might be her way of saying "we're a family, a year later despite all the rumors we are still a family."
Well... you know, sometimes Life is far more simple than that ... The only thing Kate had is mind, surely, is to honour the person who is celebrated today, The Queen. Yellow is one of the Queen's favorite colours. Or a more prosaic fact: Kate might just wanted to wear a yellow dress which was a good idea because she already had a yellow hat.
DeleteI agree. It is a hat that goes with her dress. Both are lovely. She looks fabulous celebrating the Queen with her family. They all look light and bright and happy together, so the pictures are wonderful.
DeleteI agree with Ivy Lin. Kate does not have to settle for a dress or hat just because it's the right color. And she knows when she wore this hat last -- just like she dressed Louis to match little Harry, she is dressing herself with a purpose. And there could be a deeper meaning -- she is probably sensitive to Meghan's first-time-as-a-mother worries and could be letting her know that this is what Kate wanted to wear last year and now she can wear it. Kate must have 100s of choices, so I doubt this is just coincidence.
DeleteAlso interesting that Camilla wore the dress she wore at Charles' birthday party right after the wedding.
Yes, interesting sartorial choices!
DeleteI would agree with Ivy Lin and Allison. Kate is a very thoughtful dresser and there is purpose to what she chooses. She has a respect for tradition and in many ways honors that tradition through her dressing. Love that she choose something of Harry's when he was younger and if you look at the picture, Anne is holding Harry and wearing a yellow dress, that may be a coincidence, but it's a great optic and works well. There was speculation that the children would ride this year with the Cambridge's and I like that they did not. Charles' family riding together is a great show of unity, as is the interaction between Harry, Meghan and Kate. If you look at videos of them leaving the gate of the palace, there seems to be this engaging conversation going on between them. I think Kate's choices were a nod to Harry and Meghan, from the hat she did wear to their wedding, and possibly the dress she was suppose to wear to their wedding, down to the outfit for Louis. Kate seems to have a knack for connecting meaning to her dressing. I don't think she cares if others see that or not, it has meaning to her and she pulls it off elegantly all the time.
DeleteI also think wearing the same hat might simply have been to remind Meghan of a really happy day. Because let's face it, being a new mom is wonderful and exciting and all that but it's also lonely. Kate has spoken about how she struggled with post-pregnancy blues. Not saying Meghan has post-pregnancy blues, but the vibe I got from the carriage ride was that Kate was definitely trying to make jokes and cheer the whole carriage up. Meghan looked tired and a bit withdrawn, which is to be expected.
DeleteAnonymous, I agree with you.
DeleteAnother good point, Ivy Lin and Anon! I do feel like Kate was giving something to M&H. And despite the stupid rumors, last year, on the balcony, Kate was turned around to Meghan to say something or participate in general laughter, also showing support. I'm sure Kate is aware of how much her family supports her and feels for Meghan without her mom around now. Meghan's dress looked really interesting but the little capelet seemed like a coverup, and I think Kate was making Meghan feel at home being back in the spotlight again. Kate and Will also went without a nanny and then found it wouldn't work. Both Kate and Meghan have a justified reputation of being very kind people, so I'm sure Kate chose the hat out of the zillion other choices just for M&H.
DeleteMeghan might also be feeling a little low for needing maternity leave -- being a super achiever, she may not have fully realized the demands of a newborn. She can't leave him with a relative and she can't put him in daycare.
Lovely Duchess of Cambridge. Thanks, Charlotte. I look forward for the full post.
ReplyDeleteIt was the first time I watched live rather than seeing photos the next day. I loved the tradition and the outfits, but especially the jolly little Louis! Clapping and waving. So precious! William and Kate having a little chuckle at Louis' enthusiasm. Loved it all.
ReplyDelete"Jolly little Louis", I love that Sharyn! :) He's Adorable!! It made me think of how different his & George's personalities are already & how they will continue to be, as their paths will be so different! Not unlike Will & Harry! xx
DeleteOMG, Louis is the most adorable baby I've ever seen - so charming, lively, happy.He stole all show. I love that we can see family of five on the balcony. They looks beautiful together.
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah he was adorable! The enthusiasm! I love how he waved at everything and nothing and joined in the applause!!
DeleteYou can tell he's such a smuggler!! Kate must just want to freeze this adorable time with him!! :) xx
DeleteBeautiful color for her, it’s a classic Kate work look. The hat is perfection.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I was watching it all live on the BBC! Prince Louis was just enthusiastic on the balcony!!! Waving and clapping! 😀😁👏
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing the whole family together, and more than anything, I love HM's look - what a pretty colour, slightly changing shade, so elegant and lovely!
Kate also looked great - beautiful colour and cut!!
It was a real treat for me to watch, I was even able to enjoy a cup of tea and some shortbread while watching the RF on the balcony. Perfect! 😀
Hope all royal fans are having a nice day!
Thank you, Charlotte!
Oh Zora!! Sounds Devine!! I also love everything you said & Totally agree!! :) xx
DeleteZora, the Queen's look was very elegant. The color so different from what she normally chooses for Trooping, but so very appropriate...something very sage and wise in her choice this year. Got up early here to watch it before work. Absolutely loved it! cc
DeleteThe queen is truly Majestic today! And slighyly Chanellish, I'd say ..
DeleteI agree that the Queen's look was slightly different and I like "Chanellish", Lella :). I checked her Trooping looks from 2010 on and this year's was a bit similar to 2015. She always looks beautiful and I will never forget seeing her in the bright green in 2016 when I went to London for her 90th birthday celebrations. That was when I understood what it means to wear something for the people to see you from a distance!! (She was distinguishable from, I'd say, 500 or even more metres.)
DeleteI wonder why Louis is wearing an outfit originally worn by Harry. Why wouldn't Harry want that outfit for his own son?
DeleteI reply this comment: By wearing the same hat The Duchess Kate wore to Meghan's wedding it might be her way of saying "we're a family, a year later despite all the rumors we are still a family."
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see this Primrose yellow on her. It looks terrific. Duchess Kate of Cambridge looks so Great, Stunning, Fabulous, Lovely, Amazing (Dress, Hat, Queen’s Bahrain earrings, the cross necklace)
Love that incredible hat, and her dress is really pretty. Love the color and the design, and her earrings and necklace are beautiful. She looks terrific! Love to see the ladies supporting Meghan in her first outing after Archie.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful family! Love the yellow outfit on Kate! Amazing occasion! XOXOXOX
ReplyDeleteHmm i loce the catherine she looks like a ray of bright sunshine i love prince louie he waving and clapping all along hmm i love the duchesses they are chatting i dont see a rift i love the family of five
ReplyDeleteHmm i loce the catherine she looks like a ray of bright sunshine i love prince louie he waving and clapping all along hmm i love the duchesses they are chatting i dont see a rift i love the family of five
ReplyDeleteThe photo of five is the best I’ve ever seen! What a great moment for the Cambridge’s.
ReplyDeleteI Love Trooping!! :) First, I think this confirms that Kate's dress was a light lemon, or as they called it then (primrose yellow) color for H&M's Wedding & that the bright sun was just washing it out that day, causing confusion.
ReplyDeleteI Looove The Cambridges with 3 kids! Such great opportunities for us to see them as a "family". When outnumbered, lots of juggling etc ensues! lol :) Kate looks lovely today! I would call this color Limoncello"! Gosh I Miss London.... I digress! lol :) (was on calls & meetings with London the last 2 days, so it's very much on my mind.)xx So many favorite pics: Louis looking out the window = Man, he's going to be handsome & have the ladies swooning! lol :) Love Louis in Kate's arms, but reaching for Will!!! Gosh that made me think about how proud Diana would be, of the Dad he obviously is.. so much is said in Louis's reach for his Father & in Will's expression! I love those Cambridge Munchkin "looks" lol :) They both looked very Windsor with those little noses scrunched up! lol :) I love how you can see such a variety of family resemblances, based on the expressions! :) When Kate was tucked down by Charlotte, I could see lots of Princess Anne in Charlotte's face!.... So much to feel & say, but don't want to write a complete novel!! lol :) Lovely Weekend To You All!! xx
Love your post Becca USA! It made me smile as I can just see all the thoughts rushing around in your head and you trying to type as fast as you can!! I agree with every single one of your thoughts!! Love the Cambridge family, and Trooping the Color is such a visual overload, you have to take it all in at first and then go back and look it over again slowly! Charlotte is right this was a family affair and the royal family showing their strength as a monarchy and as a family. Kate is beautiful and her hat and dress a definite stand out. BTW Limoncello is a perfect name for that color!! cc
DeleteCeCe, You Nailed Me!! lol lol lol :) xx
DeleteBecca, That's exactly what I thought when I saw that picture of Charlotte. I had to go look up pictures of Ann when she was little. They don't look much the same, looking at Ann's childhood pictures, but I thought of Ann at her current age. Charlottes' eye's I think.
DeleteShe wore a clutch when she was on the balcony when the Queen is back in carriage. It seems the clutch was white. Could it be the same the wore at the State banquet on Monday?
ReplyDeleteFrance
OMGoodness!! Louis sucks his thumb!! xx:) He is just such a SnuggleBunny I can't stand it!! So Adorable!! :) xx & his enthusiastic waving!! I Can't Even!! :) xx
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite looks ever for the DOC. The creamy yellow is wonderful on her. The dress looks not only elegant but comfortable, too. Love the necklace and earrings with it. Louis, of course, makes it all over-the-top fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAlways exquisite & regal Duchess Catherine - practically perfect in every way!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, your history lessons never disappoint. Thank you. The Cambridge children are growing and so delightful. The Queen is beautiful and the Royal family appear united and happy.
ReplyDeleteHmm, the cross today has a bail or another stone above the top compared to the one in the older photo??
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. This is a new cross pendant. Very pretty and obviously not the much older one she has worn previously.
DeleteKate is looking absolutely beautiful these days. Her garments are perfectly fit, very flattering, and lovely. Her makeup is perfect and appropriate. The hats and the hair are right out of a magazine. She is impeccable and has been for months now!
ReplyDeleteI say this every year, but this is definitely my favorite outfit for Trooping the Color. The Cambridge family is precious, so happy and.....well just so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteKate looks absolutely beautiful, dressed in her lovely smile and in this shade of yellow. Her interactions with William and the children are so relaxed and warm. I wonder if they may try for Baby #4, just to keep an even number (male or female, it wouldn’t matter!). :)
ReplyDeleteGreat cut and color of the dress. The fabulous hat is the icing on the cake. The Duchess of Cambridge looks stunning!
ReplyDeleteIn that photo with her hands behind her and with a boater hat she could resemble princess Diana in some photos with the same pause. She really became more confident and regal.I love her wearing the hat from Harry's wedding and I hope she wear more frequently pearls earring but not the vintage one from Luis christening.
ReplyDeleteKate looks fantastic. Love the hat and dress and jewelry. Beautifully tailored. I saw a shot of the dress from the back and gorgeous lines.
ReplyDeleteWow! In that picture of Kate and Charlotte, Charlotte looks very much like Lady Louise. I had never noticed that before.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte and Louise do bear resemblance with the Queen mum as a child ! I saw a photo of her when she was two , and it really was clearly visible ! Well, they could do worse, and I wish them both the same long and happy life , less one thing - the war ....
DeletePerhaps this was the outfit she meant to wear to H&M's wedding? And it just didn't fit yet. Kinda makes sense because it goes so well with the hat.
ReplyDeleteBut she looked amazing today. And Louis is just ridiculously cute!
It is likely the dress she wore under the coat she wore at Harry’s wedding.
DeleteI doubt she wore this under the coat to the wedding last year. This would be much too bulky to wear under the fitted coat dress. But I would not be surprised if this was the original dress plan and it didn’t work at the time.
DeleteNo, you would have spotted the "collar" under the coat.
DeleteThe Duchess looked absolutely stunning, her upstyles are getting just better and better.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see all three children on the balcony, what a perfect family.
Elegant Kate! I love the entire look- style, color, and love the hat! Thank you Charlotte for all the details you share about the events and the fashion. I want it all lol! So nice to see the kids too and can’t wait to see Archie next year!
ReplyDeleteOh wow these pics are fantastic! Kate looks fabulous. One of my favorite looks tbh. It looks fresh but still traditionally regal. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteI can’t really judge Meghan’s outfit. But she looks very fresh faced and happy. It looks like motherhood suits her!
And those kids are the highlight let’s be honest here. George is over it in the cutest way. His face is really losing the “baby” and he is looking so much like a little boy. And TALL. And Charlotte is such the doll which a big personality. I personally can not wait to follow her grow up. And Louis as Kate’s mini. So excited the little mister.
I know it’s a year away but I can’t wait to see him and Archie next year on the balcony!!!
The dress is simply beautiful! I think it is the one she was supposed to wear at H&M’s wedding and the matching hat is a great combination!
ReplyDeleteLove it all. Simply amazing. Thanks Charlotte
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Trooping outfit yet!! She looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThe York girls looked amazing as well!
I'm not the biggest fan of Sophie's hat, though. Not for such a beautiful and sunny day.
Fabulous to see all the Cambridge’s on the balcony Little Louis absolutely gorgeous Kate’s outfit is stunning And as always she looks so regal Charlotte thanks for the detailed post x
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of how Kate manage to synchronize their outfits so that every years pictures look completely different but also very much the same. When I look at the pictures there is such a familiar feeling to them. But when you put her outfits next to each other each year has something different.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I love your observations & insights! So True!! :)
DeleteThat's so very true RachelZA. It's why I look so forward to seeing what she will wear each time, because while I know there is a style she goes for, her choices and the way she pulls it together each year is amazing. Somehow when you expect one look from her, she tops it each time. Her hat game is definitely at a high level. What comes first, the hat or the dress? Would love to know what are her inspirations and how she coordinates her looks.
DeleteI absolutely love the yellow color and the dress style was very Princess DI, imo.
DeleteA splendid event indeed!!XOXO-Siddhii
Baby Louis made my day ! All sweetness ! Lovely, loving and solid family.
ReplyDeleteLove that hat! One of my all time favorites! I agree with other comments. The dress at the wedding was yellow but looked washed out in the sunlight. Was def not the same white coat dress worn previously. And if she had wanted to wear this dress at the wedding she could have had it tailored to fit. The other dress was more flattering on a post baby figure. And she respectfully wore something similar to a previous dress so as to not detract from Meghan.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know why Prince Charles did not ride back from the ceremony? He looked quite red in the face on the balcony. Is he ill? It was a lovely event as usual and Louis was adorable.
ReplyDeleteThose military uniforms are quite hot, even if temperatures outside are mild. I think that is the reason his face is red. He did not look ill; just very warm. I bet he, William, and Harry couldn't wait to trade their uniforms for much cooler attire.
DeleteHis face does look red a lot. He might have rosacea, my husband has a touch of it on his face too.
DeleteWhat a stunning look! I don't know if it would take a lot of work on Charlotte's part, but it would be fun to see a montage of all of Kate's Trooping of the Color looks in this post. I think she has NAILED her style for this occasion from 2016 on... tailored, happy feminine color, dramatic hat... I love that she chose not to carry a clutch in the carriage or balcony (I know she probably didn't because she needed her hands free for the kids, but being without a clutch really contributes to her looking relaxed, yet regal).
ReplyDeleteSeeing Kate "in her fashion zone" for this Event the past four years makes me look forward to her discovering her "fashion zone" for State Dinners. I think she's still figuring that out. I admired her China State Dinner look (red dress) the most. The past few State Dinner looks (pale blue and white ruffle gowns) just haven't showcased her beauty in a way that fits with her. I'm still trying to figure out why I don't like those looks; it has something to do with how the gowns make her shoulders appear as if they are drooping and the amount of detail (gathers and ruffles and accessories) that seem to wear her instead of her wearing them. Maybe someone else can articulate better than me. :)
Back to today's occasion... bravo on all points... dress, hat, accessories, hair, smile, countenance and engagement with others!
Carla
Carla, you are definitely onto something and I agree. Today she is utter perfection. My contention has long been that the more formal she gets the more costumey she becomes. It could be as simple as she hasn’t yet found a way to express her fashion comfortably in these ultra formal events. But not today!!!
DeleteWhat a treat to see the family together. William is clearly a very hands father. I love that. Charlotte is really going to be a character!
I have this theory that royals have satorial sweet spots. Kate is really hitting the mark at these quintessential British royal looks like the Trooping and military events. But I agree that she has not yet found her groove with State dinners (unlike normal evening events where I think she does a lot better) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark for example does the State dinner so much better.
DeleteRachelZA interesting thoughts. You might be correct that some work events are easier for her to dress for than others, that is where she needs the help of a good stylist. We can not all hit the mark all the time and over the years. Another set of eyes is very helpful.
DeleteKate looks stunning! My favorite moment was when Louis reached over for William.
ReplyDeleteThat balcony is getting rather crowded :)
Kate looks amazing! Glowing! Happy family for sure. She has grown so comfortable in her role and it's really starting to show. By far one of her best looks.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, lovely family. I like the happy colours. And that hat is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThis would have to be my favourite outfit worn by the Duchess, beautiful. The colour suits her so well. The dress is streamlined and fits perfectly Her earrings stunning and necklace I love. Her up style is gorgeous. She looks amazing. Loved the long gloves the Duchess of Wessex had, so elegant, beautiful navy blue. The Queen looked beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSeriously love everything about the outfit, jewellery and hairstyle. It is such a „Kate outfit“ but looks much more youthful yet elegant and sophisticated than her last choices.
ReplyDeleteC.
I know I'm in the minority, but I still hold her dress at the wedding last year was in fact cream, not a washed out yellow.I actually think that the photos of the hat show that it's cream and the flowers on it are yellow. The photo of her wearing it last year shows the dress matched the hat--both are cream. This year's dress matches the flowers, being yellow, with the hat being cream.
ReplyDeleteDenise, you expressed My thought exactly 😊
DeleteThe children are adorable, you can see little bits of their personality. Love the picture of them peeking out of the window. Loved the moments where Louis was reaching for William. They appear to be very hands on parents and have a lovely and personable family.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the whole family on the balcony has given me the opportunity to further study my observation about Kate’s right side hat tilts. It does appear that tilting one’s hat over the right eye is the standard for the BRF (at least for hats that are styled to be tilted.) I’m working on a theory that this tilt placement might be to replicate the traditional hand placement when one salutes.
ReplyDeleteThis isn’t a royal thing. If you go to the website of any milliner you will see that all models are wearing hats tilted in the same way. It’s just fashion.
DeleteI think Prince Louis stole the show! A handsome happy-go-lucky toddler.
ReplyDeleteI love that Kate integrates old family clothes, jewelry and flowers (forget me nots for princess Diana) in so many things. She’s a family woman and clearly a “peacekeeper, peacemaker” personality. Love her. She will be an excellent queen consort.
Charlotte or anyone, Did the Queen ever wear that suit before--or a similar one? It looks familiar to me, but I don't think she ever repeats an outfit, does she? Maybe she wore it for a christening, or her birthday celebration?
ReplyDeleteThe Queen has worn this outfit several times. She repeats all the time, she has only worn a couple of new outfits so far this year.
DeleteI don't know if this one is a repeat, but it's certainly not true that the Queen never repeats an outfit. She's known to be thrifty, and I would imaginae the concept of only wearing things once would horrify her. She certainly does repeat.
DeleteThe queen actually repeat her outfits a lot. I also feel like I have seen this one before but I can’t remember when. Maybe on her way to church at Balmoral?
DeleteThe Queen wears repeats ALL the time. For example, she wore a repeat for Chelsea Flower Show, for garden parties in May, for welcoming President Trump, for the D-Day commemoration, etc.
DeleteThanks, All! It was a repeat, at least once. I thought it looked familiar. Another blog said it was from Feb 2017, when she opened the new Charterhouse Museum and Learning Centre. And possibly before that. She wears so many beautiful outfits, it's hard to keep track. This was an especially pretty one. I liked the flowered, fabric ruffles down the front of the jacket, and when she was in the carriage you could see that the buttons were sparkly rhinestones.
DeleteThey all look so terrific! Kate’s outfit-head to toe is terrific! Great style, fit, and color. Love the accessories and hair/makeup.
ReplyDeleteLouis is adorable!! I also think it’s hilarious that ‘coincidentally’ George/Charlotte are on opposites sides from Savannah/Isla. I would love to hear what William is telling George when he is tapping him on the shoulder. Like, are they discussing how someday this will be for George’s birthday celebration? Or something dad’ish like, ‘did you wash your hands after using the bathroom?’
Katie, I had the same realization that George/Charlotte were wisely apart from Savannah/Isla. It would have been too hard to keep the four untangled while holding Louis. :) Still haven't figured out why there was such a crowd behind the Queen, but I did read somewhere that there were 39 people on the balcony.
DeleteI find it interesting that she had Louis wear an identical outfit as Harry wore. Maybe William wore the same outfit at some point. Maybe it was actually Harrys or William's old shirt? I know when my boys were little their Father's Mother had carefully preserved their clothes and they still could be worn and looked brand new when she gifted them to me when they were little. Some very cute little boy outfits.
ReplyDeleteIt was originally William's outfit. There are pictures of him with Charles and Diana disembarking from a plane wearing it. Harry wore it to Trooping as a hand me down.
DeleteThanks:).
DeleteKate looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteI finally took a good look at Kates hairstyle in the photos above. It is a very elegant style and works so well with her face and the hat. I did not go back to look at her older cross necklace but I also thought when I first saw it that it might be new, Bigger maybe?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely ceremony. Everyone looked terrific, and the children were just adorable. It was wonderful to see the three Duchesses, and Prince Harry riding, and chatting together.
ReplyDeleteKate looked so very beautiful in her outfit.
I didn't see Lady Sarah Chatto, the Queen's granddaughter, with whom she's very close. Did anyone else see her? We don't often see Sarah but considering there were some folks on the balcony this year who I didn't even recognize, along with some very "minor" royals like Lord Frederick and his wife (usually they're in the US I think) and Lady Helen and her family, I was surprised to not see Sarah and her family.
ReplyDeletePrincess Margaret’s children haven’t attended Trooping in years.
DeleteLord Frederick and his family have lived in the UK for years. Their daughter Maud goes to school with Prince George.
Lady Helen Taylor and her family are usually at trooping every year, but as the balcony is so crowded there are only glimpses of them and photos in the press usually only show the Queen and those standing nearest to her.
Delete*Lady Sarah is the Queen's niece, sorry, not granddaughter. Oops!*
ReplyDeleteNo more polite, "Her Majesty" waves for Miss Charlotte. It's full-on Eva Peron. I half expected her to kiss her hands and throw them to the adoring crowds. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true RM!! She seems to have her own style and so much personality! Loved it! :)
DeleteThe Queen has worn this outfit many times. theRoyalHats blog always lists the dates last worn and this hat and coat have had many outings
ReplyDeleteHow adorable!!!! Love it! Louis looks so cute!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Kate's outfit!! It is phenomenal and the color is just great!! The children are adorable and that picture is Prince Louis sucking is thumb is precious!!!
ReplyDeleteWere Zara and Mike not there?
ReplyDeleteNo, they weren't. It is not often that you see them in a gathering like this; Peter and Autumn are more frequent attendants. Perhaps we'll see them in Royal Ascot - an event which is probably closer to Zara's heart.
Deletedoes anyone know why the queen rides alone? in the past, maybe phillip rode with her? Surely someone would go with her and maybe sit on the opposite side? (maybe not charles or william because of security and their being the heirs. but someone?) i had an awful lonely feeling just watching it.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
NY, USA
Annie, it did feel a little awkward, seeing her alone, and it made me sad too; we were so used to seeing her with Prince Philip! He has more than earned his retirement, though, and when you think about it, all the others had their places and functions, whether riding on horseback (Anna, Charles, William) or in a carriage (Camilla+Kate+Harry+Meghan, the Yorks, the Wessexes). It has its logic; at the same time it is a bit of a paradox: it is the Queen's birthday celebration and she is surrounded by people, yet, in a way, she is a lonely figure. I'm sure she felt happier on the balcony afterwards, in the middle of her family.
DeleteThe Duke of Kent has joined her at previous occasions, since he also doesn’t ride anymore. Not sure why he didn’t this year.
DeleteHad the same thoughts, being a sovereign can have its solitary moments! Wondered what she was thinking as she was riding in the carriage, probably a kaleidoscope of memories running through her head. She is quite amazing.
DeleteThe closed carriage made the affect even more obvious, I think. i'm sure if it bothered her terribly, she could easily request anyone to ride with her, though her sense of duty would probably win over any personal discomfort. She must miss having Prince Phillip with her in those moments, but as Zora said- it is a well earned retirement. I hope he is enjoying his birthday, today.
DeleteAnnie
NY, USA
Oh, Annie, thank you for reminding us! 98, isn't that incredible! Prince Philip and HM are a truly unique couple. One day, when our grandchildren read about them in their history books, we'll be able to tell them: we remember them so well! We watched them and admired them.
DeleteI have a sneaking suspicion that this is the last trooping of the color for the Queen. Thus she rides alone. I think that because there were sooo many extended family on the balcony. Perhaps it was a celebration for the end of an era. But maybe not.
DeleteIt was a day for hats!
ReplyDeleteKate's was lovely. Interesting that it was styled so differently than for the wedding. When Kate wore it last year, I loved the dropping roses in a summer garden vibe. One could almost hear the bees. And Kate's hair was youghfull and soft, as was her face, she was truly blooming, three weeks after giving birth.
Today the updo and earrings are so elegant. The hat shines and Kate is sophisticated and magnificent.
For simple elegance, I am amazed at Gabriella Windsor. It helps that she is young and pretty but one feels she will always be elegant, even 50 years hence. She seems to have an elegant mind.
Sophie's hat was a work of art, too bad it was black, on the other hand I can't imagine it in a soft colour.
Eugenie s and Beatrice's hats were both very charming. I also liked Autumn Philips, nice one.
Meghan's wasn't the best she has worn A wider brim and somewhat higher would have gone better with her tight updo.
And those were only a portion of the hats, so many people on the balcony!
I agree Natacha! Kate's hat choices are one of her strong suits for sure and it seems to have elevated lately. Gabriella Windsor is a beautifully elegant young lady and has that ease of dressing simply, but elegantly. Beatrice seems to have the same fondness for the 'tudor' headpieces that Kate has favored; both she and Eugenie wore some similar headpieces a few weeks ago for an event and they looked great. Probably in the minority, but I loved Sophie's hat, I didn't mind the black, when I saw her stand up and she was wearing a black belt and accessories. Sophie definitely steps outside of the traditional box sometimes with her hat choices. Would agree that a wider brim would have looked better with Meghan's outfit and hair, but think she is still trying to find her hat 'game' so to speak. So looking forward to Ascot and another day of great hats! cc
DeleteLove, love, love this!! Kate is stunning, the kids are gorgeous and the whole day looked fabulous! Thanks Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post. Kate looks beautiful and what a nice set of photos of her, William and the children. A gorgeous family. Love that color on Kate and I'm especially fond of her earrings!
ReplyDeletekate looks lovely! i love seeing william and her so happy. nice to see cute Louis too! nice also to see Meghan:)
ReplyDeleteFrom my observation of all the pictures, I notice Kate was wearing her cross too with a little change, because I love wearing my diamond cross and always observe what others wear too. In another pictures Kate was carrying a white clutch and it was said it was an Alexander McQueen style called the Butterfly Box clutch. Did anyone see what color shoes she was wearing, hopefully white pumps. Kate outfit is perfection. 💛
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