Now that Duchess Kate, Prince William and Prince George’s grueling, whirlwind 19-day royal tour (with built-in vacations) is over, there’s a good news/bad news situation. Good news: we have literally thousands of wonderful, awesome new photos of the Cambridges which we can use for months. Bad news: we probably will be using them for months, because after their tour, they’re probably going to go on vacation for the rest of the year.
Also good news? We’ve gotten a good look at cute Prince George and his “bruiser” personality. Smacking other babies, stealing toys, wanting to grab a bilby’s ears and making exquisite grumpy faces as Aussie leaders tried to speak to him. To their credit, William and Kate seemed happy enough to show George off in both New Zealand and Australia, so everybody got a piece of Bruiser Cambridge. Simon Woolf, the official photographer for the New Zealand baby event, spoke out on Friday, saying that Kate told him that he took her now-favorite photo of George – the one I’m using as the header pic, with George’s head on her shoulder. Simon said: “She said it was just lovely and that it was her favorite photo of the tour.” So he’s going to send framed copies to the Queen and to Charles.
And now that the tour is done, it’s time to assess the financial damage. Thus far, the Daily Mail is only making guesstimates as to the cost of Kate’s tour wardrobe. I’m saying they are guessing because many of the figures they’re giving are for the off-the-rack versions, but Kate wore several custom-made “bespoke” pieces and you know that drives up the price. Anyway, The Daily Mail says the cost for “25 stylish and elegant outfits” comes to a grand total of £49,560, which is about $83,000. I would guess the real figure – counting alterations on off-the-rack pieces plus the added expense of custom-made pieces – could be double that.
Considering there were rumors Kate would drop that much money on just one Ralph & Russo gown, I guess we should consider it a bargain…? I do have to give Kate some faint praise though: she saved some money by endlessly recycling her favorite shoes (wedges, LK Bennetts) and by mostly wearing jewelry that she already owned. Plus, I liked that she didn’t recycle a bunch of outfits that we’ve already seen. The jig is up, we know she’s a world-class shopper, so I’m glad we got to see her in tons of new clothes. It was fun for me, someone who likes to talk about clothes and duchess-wear. All in all, the tour was a success!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
George is the cutest.
+1 adorable
Kaiser knows her audience, LOL. Many of us are her for the grumpy King George pictures. I know I am. That boy is so huggable. Question: if Kate liked the pic of George on her shoulder why would the photographer send framed copies to the Queen and Charles? Would they really care about a mom and son bonding moment or did Kate ask him to do it?
I would have thought as George is Charles’ grandfather and the Queen the great grandmother they would love such an adorable photo of George.
At first I thought this was going to be a train-wreck tour because she exposed herself, AGAIN, coming off the plane. BUT she did a good job as far as her clothes are concerned.
I have come to terms with the fact that she will sit in Will’s shadow and not do much. I expected more, but at this point even a small effort get lauded by the peasants and it just insults the public’s intelligence.
Although, PG is a cutie and I loved looking at those grumpy pics. He is mirroring what his mother is feeling on the inside.
@ Tsarina, regarding your last statement: Oh, come on. I’m all about Energy, but that is just absurd.
Even I was able to read that as a joke.
It was a joke, yes?
Yes, good job FLORC that was a joke. I enjoy his grumpy faces.
I’m with Tsarina
The coverage here in Australia was nauseating. Every time the news was on, it was first up. What she wore, a child giving her flowers, standing and pointing at things.
Morning programs were worse, I watched 15 mins and 5 was spent on what Kate was wearing, then it went to the half hourly news where another 5 minutes about where they were going to go today etc.
They were falling over themselves to cover every single aspect of the tour. Manly council gave them a surfboard? Let’s interview the maker! Teenage girls got shake hands with them? Interview them!
Don’t get we wrong, if you come to a gossip site I expect to read about what Kate and Wills are wearing. When I watch or read the news I want it to be… newsworthy.
Even my beloved ABC 7:00 news mentioned the tour, about 30 seconds worth at the end; almost in passing.
Tsarina and I might be putting in a lot of energy disliking the Cambridges; but I assure you it is only a fraction of the energy that I have seen the Australian public fawning over them.
Rant over
Does anyone remember how much coverage they got when they came to the US? Granted they didn’t have the bruiser with them, but I don’t remember it being that much. Maybe my memory has protected me from remembering lol
It was the same in New Zealand. Vomitorious.
@whipmyhair – the BBC have been equally puketastic. I’ve taken to leaving the room for the ridiculous amount of time the evening news bulletin has been devoting to, well, not a great deal of work. Thank the lord there was a baby – always a saving grace for me, royal or no.
Yes, lol, the chubby cheeks that might save the monarchy!
She’s a princess, for pity’s sake. I think that amount of money is completely reasonable when you’re representing your country. If she’d worn outfits from the Gap or Top Shop that’s all anyone would be talking about (in a bad way). And George’s clothes are PERFECTION. Although I have no idea how they fit around those glorious thighs. He’s my new pin up.
May I introduce you to Letitzia, Crown Princess of Spain (Not her proper title, trying to keep it simple). She shops at Zara and other similar price point shops and turns out beautifully every time she’s seen in public.
She really does have incredible fashion sense. Kate could take a page from her style book. It’s not the price that matters.
Comparing Letitizia to Kate? ??
Apples and oranges.
Kate wishes she had her hair.
Also, Letitizia is capable of wearing her hair up, something that Kate has yet to master.
WHIPMYHAIR: I agree entirely, but that wasn’t the point I was trying to make.
Letitzia has a fraction of Kate’s budget, shops on the cheaper end of the high street and turns out beautifully at her official engagements.
By comparison, because that is the ONLY thing we can compare, Kate spends a lot of money on bespoke and the higher end of the high street and at best, she’s presentable.
Letitzia is not known for her fashion sense. Just stop.
@Bohemia – I also think Letizia has good fashion sense. She is also a risk-taker which may not always turn out right, but I like that she tries new things.
Here at CB we enjoy a lively chat or good debate. So you’re welcome to disagree, but saying “just stop” is disrespectful.
Bohemia
Letizia here is known for how she shops and how well it turns out. She wears proper clothes for the events. And is not seen overspending while her country is not also prospersing.The point that we know how much her outfits cost means she is known for her clothes, their cost, and how she looks in them.
And she’s known for working as well and being very intelligent.
I’m open to what you think she is known for if not clothes.
Letizia also has to be REALLY careful about the price of her clothes. Close to 30% of Spain’s population is unemployed. The royal family used to be untouchable but in recent years there have been multiple scandals (King Juan Carlos hunting elephants in Botswana, Princess Cristina’s husband Inaki Urdangarin being involved in some kind of money laundering scandal) so Letizia is very aware of the image she projects through the clothing she wears. The UK is more financially stable which means Kate can buy more expensive clothing if she wants. Though I think she got into a good habit of recycling clothes. People can complain about it but should the UK ever experience as much unemployment as Spain, she will then be praised for being thrifty.
Guess who’s paying for this ‘princess’s’ clothes? Hint: it’s not daddy-in-law or hubby.
Hmmm
Really? I thought it was Charles. It certainly not William or the Middletons. And not the tax funds. So who?
I swear I read somewhere that on this trip, her clothes are billed to Aus or NZ. I hope I’m wrong.
Didn’t someone on here (bluhare?) state that Charles pays initially, but he gets reimbursed by the government (ie. taxpayers) for everything Kate Middleton ends up wearing “on duty”? So at the end of the day, it is still the taxpayers paying for her clothing.
FLORC,
Aren’t the tour clothes considered a business expense? I’m confused. Are they not billed to the UK?
bluehare,
I can’t imagine those countries would have to pick up the tab!
Hmmm Bluhare
Oh, you meant clothes for THIS trip and not her general wardrobe.
I would love to hear from a more seasoned Royalloonie, but I think I heard the same. It’s a business expense. The travel and accomodation costs all came via NZ and Aus as far as I know.
If this is true it seems terrible they wouldn’t visit without that cost coverage.
And they should get to keep the clothes if they bought them. Then they could auction them off for charity. If a dress style Kate has sells out in hours imagine how fast the actual dress would get!
CIDEE I agree. Her JOB is to look smashing, and she does. A lot of her clothes are quite normal. She recycles her outfits often – and every time she does someone calls her out for wearing the same thing twice.
Also she had weights seen into the hems of all her dresses. I don’t fault her for that Marilyn Moment – she was too inexperienced to know the weights would not be enough while deplaning.
She seems good humored and energetic and she clearly adores her child. She isn’t weeping about the paparazzi or making scenes. She seems awfully dull, but that’s not a crime. What’s with all the Kate Hate?
She is not a princess. Her title is Duchess.
George is adorable!
That total is probably the retail price for all of that clothing- even though they won’t take freebies, I would bet the designers are giving it to her for a fraction of the price in exchange for the exposure and publicity.
She’s not allowed to take discounts but I’m guessing some of the bespoke pieces get sold to her at cost.
AM
I thought she was allowed to take discounts. Even large large discounts. Just not freebies. Although we’ve come to learn the Cambridges do indulge in freebies.
According to this from 2012, she doesn’t: http://www.celebitchy.com/236391/the_real_cost_of_duchess_kates_style_over_one_year_163000/
AM
I’m having more issues posting links, but it was covered last year on this site.
William and Kate were caught getting on a helicopter by a civilian cell phone camera shot. They both looked grumpy and when the helicopter landed they took seperate cars. Lupo was there too I think.
Anyways they were caught using the helicopter for no real purpose so a statement was released.
The summary of the statement was they were gifted the use of the helicopter by a friend of theirs. Whenever he is in the area with his helicopter they have free use. In short the statement clarified how William and Kate were receiving “freebies”.
Correct me if i’m wrong, but the basis to refuse gifts and free items is to show no sway of opinion among the royals.
You’re right on both counts. I absolutely believe they like to blur lines and the whole family has been caught out many times, I just think Kate was told to be careful re: her clothing.
AM
I think the only thing Kate has been advised about regarding her clothes is to not repeat them for similar events or within the same month of each other.
P.S.
Do we know if that RR gown was ever actually made and Kate didn’t get to wear it? I’m thinking this estimate from the DM is only counting what she wore for events that we saw. Not the stuff under coats or on those days off.
I don’t believe Kate or any of the royals refuse discounts or freebies. I believe they accept things very discreetly and the giver’s discretion and loyalty are rewarded in ways we will never know about. This is not some conspiracy theory; it just makes sense IMO, especially for those people or businesses who don’t have royal warrants but have something the royals want or value, and are too stingy to pay for with cash.
Oops, almost made a double post.
Well, considering that people were saying she spent close to that amount on one dress, I think it’s reasonable. She has to look appropriate.
I enjoyed the tour and think it was a success. George stole my heart.
I hate to say it, but it’s what rich people clothes cost. There’s obviously a range, but It’s not like the Queen is running around in a $200 Ann Taylor suit either. The clothes are expensive, but at least when designers give Kate a break on the price (but only in the most appropriate, patrician way) it’s worth it, because the stuff she wore on this tour sold like crazy.
That’s not completely true.
Lots of what she wears is custom made. Loads of wealthy people do not have closets filled with custom pieces. And i’m comfortable paying a few hundred for a hand bag and more for a coat (coats are my weakness), but Kate’s wardrobe is very pricey with pieces that don’t look expensive.
And what Kate worre on the tour sold out… The DVF wrap dress and what else? Most of her pieces are custom made or too expensive for the bulk of people.
I’m not stating that all rich people only wear extremely expensive items – that’s a silly blanket statement. But we’re also talking suits amd other dressy, ‘professional’ items which typically are on the more expensive range of anyone’s clothing budget, as are cocktail dresses. $2500 for a good suit? That’s not exactly out of line.
Kate wore a lot of dresses that were available for purchase, and a lot of the custom work used existing designs in new colors.
Exactly this, FLORC. I find Pippa often suffers from the same affliction…expensive clothing that just photographs so cheap.
AM: speaking of Pippa, did you see what she was papped wearing at another wedding this weekend? horrid beyond belief. Whoever told her a mint green satin sack coat dress was a good thing was clearly taking the piss. *shudder*
LAK,
With the nipple darts! That whole event was super bizarre – with Tanna as photographer. I wonder what it’s like at those country weddings, when everyone’s milling around and there’s just one paparazzo trying to get pictures.
And @FLORC: those clothes may be too expensive for the bulk of people, but there is most definitely a market out there. Those fashion shows we see several times a year? People buy those clothes. And those who can’t afford the clothes themselves buy the fragrances and the handbags. The luxury market is thriving.
Plus she probably got the ‘custom’ stuff on a discount – since its technically custom and doesn’t have an off the rack price, they can get around the whole ‘Kate doesn’t take discounts’ thing. The amount of press Kate’s wardrobe gets and the worldwide exposure is definitely worth it for any designer.
Bridget
I didn’t mean to make a blanket statement. Only in regards to the BRF, aristos, and the wealthy within those circles. Since cultures and perspective of clothes differ as well as money from region to region it was not my intent, but I see how I misworded myself.
I don’t disagree about the fashion shows, but many of those clothes are altered to be wearable off the runway. Kate has many off the runway dressed that are heavily altered as well. And they don’t need to sell that many at some of the prices and the known markup.
Regarding the discount, we just don’t know what it is. Could be nothing or 99%. Anything between. I’m sure their is something, but not enough to make it a reasonable sum for anyone.
And a bit to the side, but I think DVF wrap dress came from DVF for nothing. She’s famously sent out entire wardrobes of new season items early to anyone who’s anyone. She’s a smart lady and gives her clothes away.
And as a side note I think Kate would look amazing in a trouser suit. Seriously amazing.
LAK/AM
That dress was tragic and Pippa used to look really cute. What happened to her fashion sense?
RE: Pippa – The coatdress was awful. Simply awful. I don’t know who told her it looked cute. If she hadn’t paraded around in disastrous outfits during last year’s summer weddings, I would have assumed this current poor choice could only be an attempt to hide a pregnancy. But alas, it’s just her awful formal attire. I’ve said this before, but Kate is better at formal wear and Pippa is better at casual wear. Kate’s casual style is nice, but it’s extremely bland. I like that Pips is a little more youthful with her casual clothes.
The other thing I think sometimes with Pippa is maybe some of this stuff looks better in person? I can’t imagine the coat dress ever looked GOOD, per se, but that material doesn’t photograph well.
I thought it quite strange that a pap just happens to be at a wedding in Scotland that the Middletons were attending.
Bluhare
I’ve assumed the Midds always have a pap on hand at this point. Some time ago I would have assumed the paps follow them for interest. Now, the interest has dwindled and it seems narcissitic.
Although I woudn’t discount Nico.
One day I hope a future duchess or princess married to Harry, baby George, or their heirs will be able to be called a success; not only by the clothes she wears, but by her elocution skills, elite education, or successful career before she married a prince. We are giving Kate praise because she wore expensive designer clothes that most women would look good in given the right styling and tailoring to suit their figure. I wonder how long Kate and Will will rest from this gruelling tour before their next “job”/public appearance?
But whether you like it or not, that IS her job. Look good, smile, walk around, shake hands, chit chat, bring attention to whatever cause, represent the Queen…that’s what they do. When Charles tried to become more involved in substantive issues and gave thoughtful speeches about it, everyone told him to sit down – that’s not your place and we don’t want pressure from you to do anything. Imagine if Kate started becoming less neutral. People would freak out. I agree she needs to learn to give a speech without looking down every three second, but the substance of what she says has to stay fairly bland. This is a wonderful organization because blah blah. That’s all she can really do.
I’m no royal apologist – far from it – but it *is* hard. They must steer clear of any issue associated with party politics, choose causes that absolutely everyone can get behind, or those where public opinion needs a nudge but are about to become causes everyone can get behind (eg Diana touching AIDS patients when HIV paranoia was at its height and public education was needed).
I think these two are pretty useless but it’s never going to be easy to find an association that will keep everyone happy.
I think it is possible to be passionate about a non-political cause. My job invovles being a public face for my employer. I am paid to say good things about my employer to the media and our “clients”. Kate can do the same for a number of non-political issues. Things like supporting the arts, raising money for hospitals, children’s charities, arts education, etc. She can show that she cares more about her charities than her hair and clothes. It’s obvious she is not excited or very knowledgeable about the charities she supports which is why she has no idea what to say when she has to give a one minute speech.
Exactly right. Plus- what “accomplished” career woman is going to want this life? It wouldn’t suit their personality at all. I wish Kate and Will would bump up the amount of stuff they do-and I assume/hope they will in time-but it’s all still a lot of smiling/waving/chit chat.
Happymom
This is where Kate is almost blameless. She can’t work more than William without him looking bad. William has to pick up his work load and she can increase hers. I wonder when the next article will come out of William procrastinating.
@HappyMom. Please see the examples of Maxima, Mathilde, and Letizia. Successful career women who are FAR better at their royal jobs than Middleton will ever be.
FLORC, I don’t think Kate is remotely blameless. Wills just happened to meet his match in the lazy and feckless department. Given her work history pre-marriage, and her lacklustre interest in her charities, I doubt that she’s champing at the bit to work. And I’m guessing she supports and enables him in that laziness.
Hmmm
Kate is driven when motivated. William only wanted to vacation so Kate made herself available for random and immediate vacations.
I firmly believe if William did more Kate would also do more. Maybe not for the right reasons and just to impress her husband, but it would be action taken.
She married well and her child(ren) will be well taken care of should a divorce occur. The same can’t be said of a civiian marriage.
Why can’t she get behind a “women in sports” program in schools? She obviously enjoys the competitiveness of sports and imagine the good she could do! The only thing she’d have to change is what she wears to these events. I am so tired of seeing her playing sports in heels. I know, she is usually going from one event to another, but at least wear the right shoes. If you want to be seen as serious about athletics, you need to dress for the occasion.
Other royal are able to negotiate the non-politics issue. I’m most impressed with my queen Margethe II because she has managed to give carefully worded admonishments in her New Years speeches when she felt that the public debate about fx immigrants were turning nasty – she just focuses on the human issue – be decent human beings.
It is entire possible to support charitable and humanitarian organisations without straying into politics – by focusing on the human element, like basic decency and compassion.
I predicted that once the public saw the heir, really Kate and William could do no wrong. And it came true!
Kate looked good, I thought, and really that isn’t that expensive considering what might have been. I think they did a good job, actually.
Of course the tour was a success for media at least. When you job consists of wearing designer clothes, getting your hair and makeup done, shake hands, smile and make small talks while traveling in private jets with army of people to do everything for you and eating 5 start meals, you have to be really really dumb to screw that up. That’s why almost all royal tours are success, when you job is so narrow there is no room for failure IMO.
Tour was a success in terms of personal PR for these two thanks to adorable George but all in all I doubt it did anything else for Australia or NZ. I don’t it effected their republic movement and as far as people in my circle are concerned, they were really annoyed by so much extensive coverage of Kate’s frocks and that’s all media reported other then George. I think it also showed how people in general are not really interested in them or how boring they are with bare minimum coverage of these two even by Laniey who is actually a fan of them only covered the tour when George appeared which was the case with most media channels outside UK.
They did however messed up a few times, like on the day they visited the beach Kate refused to take off her wedges and resort to run on the beach in those ridiculous shoes. Next day it was all about her Baywatch moment rather then the hospice she visited to meet terminally ill children.
I don’t think that cost is too much but again no matter how much she spends or who the designer is, none of her clothes are memorable or have any impact. She didn’t gave us a single WOW moment re her wardrobe IMO.
George is the start of the show hands down.
I agree and blame the press for not covering where she visits more than what she wears.
Good comment and it reminded me of an article I read in the UK Telegraph. In a nutshell, the writer said that the success of any royal tour has precious little to do with the efforts of the royals themselves but rather their “behind the scenes” team who spend countless hours of time and effort on planning and orchestrating every detail. Yes, all Kate has to do is show up and act gracious.
I agree, it was a success and here’s why:
1. Kate Middleton has changed everything about her external appearance to create the Disneyland branded Duchess of Cambridge (hair, thick makeup, veneers, accent, posture, weight loss, etc.). Who she is in private is not who she is in public.
2. She has TONS of help (nannies, housekeepers, cooks, interior designers, drivers, milliners, personal assistants/staff, fashion designers, tailors, Queens stylist, her family, etc. A success for her is really a reflection of all of the people standing behind her holding her up.
3. This tour was CAREFULLY planned and executed to play to her strengths and weaknesses (brief appearances-20 min at Rainbow Place for example, fun sporty tourist events, short walkabouts, no meals/lengthy dinners, little press at an unannounced speech, no formal attire, etc). A team of magicians crafted this tour using smoke and mirrors to create a new image of the DoC.
4. The have the wealth and power of a desparate royal PR machine behind them to spin and control the media. Beautiful glossy pictures, praising articles designed to quiet rumors of surrogacy, infidelity, lack of work ethic, posh vacations, millions spent in KP rennovations/rerennovations, shady Middleton family business practices and social climbing, etc).
For some people it is more important to BE someone than it is to DO something — you decide which category to put the DoC in. I would think someone with commoner roots would wake up every day saying “I have everything I need and want, how can I repay and show my gratitude?” When that day happens, then I will see her as a success.
Lovely and on point, Switch.
Surrogacy? That’s juicy! Please elaborate!
That’s bordering on insane. Lol
That is such a terrible conspiracy theory that is kept alive by no fact checking.
Again, please remember that everyone is free to express their opinion on here. You may not agree with their opinion, but they are allowed to state it. No one here has definitive proof of anything regarding PGTips, no one.
It is all conjecture and opinion, and at the end of the day, no one knows *for certain* who his biological parents are. Most people assume it is William and Kate Middleton, but everyone is allowed to draw their own conclusions and make up their own minds about the issue. To me, it is yet another example of how untrustworthy these two are, that this type of theory is floating around. They’ve lied so much about so many other things, why wouldn’t people question this as well?
I’ve read the theories, and what convinced me there was no surrogate was her face when they came out of the hospital with George.
How Kate looked in her 3rd trimester got me.
My time in the maternity ward and working for an in facility OB showed me some women get huge and others barely look pregnant 9 months in. It’s so hard to tell. That she gained weight was pretty solid for me
I apologize for unintentionally stirring the pot regarding the surrogacy rumor. The decision to have a child is so deeply personal and private — not to mention sorting out the logistics of it all. It is not my place, nor my intent, to speculate, opinionate or spread rumors, but to instead state the fact that they exist. Neuron, if you are curious, you can google Kate Middleton Surrogate and read what comes up. Some comments seem believable, but many seem outlandish and laughable. Regardless, PW and DoC are real human beings and while it may seem okay to comment on their public lives, their personal lives should perhaps undergo less scrutiny. I mainly was trying to illustrate that from a media standpoint their lack of transparency unfortunately erodes their public image–leading to rumors and criticism. Hence the ongoing need for a media spin. Ultimately, that is a much more compelling discussion than fueling any rumors that may be out there.
Good post, Switch although I’m a bit doubtful on the surrogacy. Agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments, particularly with regard to the carefully crafted image and cosmetic overhaul (i.e. veneers, weight loss, etc.). Based on what I’ve read (Telegraph for example) you are right to recognize the fact that Kate had very little to do with the success of the tour – despite assertions to the contrary in comments on this site and others. Her team deserves the praise and credit, all she had to do is show up, act nice and wear clothes that spark discussion!! Very successful on all counts.
The thing I’ve been wondering about after seeing so many pictures from this tour is does William EVER hold Prince George? I’m sure I haven’t seen all of the pics, but in every one, Kate is holding the Bruiser and never William.
This really bugs me, for some reason. Hold you damn kid every now and then! At least look like you’re involved!
I have looked at pictures that were linked to the posts here by CB and by commenters, and have seen many pictures of William holding George, including some really sweet ones of him kissing George’s head.
William held him frequently-there are tons of pics. Also-I don’t know if you have kids, but there are points with babies/toddlers that they only want to be held by one of their parents.
We have pics of William holding George. Several are here on CB — makes it easier to peruse through. The zoo pics were the best!
For the money, the wardrobe was so conservative (except for the jeggings and pink plunging neckline), that it was forgettable. It was also repetitive, with too many full skirts and expensive but boring coats. If that was her goal, then she succeeded. But with a good stylist, she could have left a much better impression for probably less money. Hopefully, those cheap looking grey wedges and dress were ruined by the red dust at Uluru and we’ll never have to see them again.
Personally I don’t care how much she spends on her wardrobe. Baby George was the highlight of this trip for me.
Her hemlines were lower for a change and that is a good thing.
Now if she can just work on her posture, shoes, hair and eyeliner, that would be fantastic.
Her styling was much improved. I know i’m saying baby steps regarding a 30+ year old woman not dressing like she’s still in high school, but Baby steps.
I love that pic where he has his head on her shoulder!! Grumpy bear clearly loves his mommy 🙂
I can’t understand why people give Kate so much grief over her wardrobe. Even at today’s infated prices, I can’t imagine Kate spends a ‘fraction’ of what Princess Diana, who loved to shop tiell she dropped … even during ‘none tour’ time, spend on her wardrobe.
IMO Kate gets grief because she doesn’t work like Diana. Diana could outshop Kate easily, but she also worked.
Kate is seen shopping nearly daily for hours at a time, but we’re told she’s far to busy to work.
It doesn’t help that many of Kate’s bespoke outfits though expensive look very cheaply made.
I think Kate’s entire image is more the wishes of the palace than her wishes. After Diana they are going to be wary of anyone marrying into the family and getting more popular than the royal. So they highly limit her “work” knowing that it keeps public opinion “meh”.
All in all I think everyone in that game is happy… The palace is happy that Kate’s popularity has not overtaken the royals (as Diana did by a mile), Kate is happy she is a princess & mother of a prince, William is happy his wife is not as popular as his mom, and the Middletons are happy they got a step up.
The only people that are unhappy are the people who wanted/expected another Diana. But the simple fact is that Diana was special. You have not seen, nor will you, another like Diana.
Never thought of it this way. In order for the BRF to stay revelant they new generation will have to do more to justify their reason for being so I do think Charles and the Queen would like to see more charity work from Wills and Kate.
Maybe Diana will have a grandchild that will take after her.
The monarchy is being streamlined to focus on Charles, his sons and their wives.
It helps if all of the above work as everyone else is sidelined.
Kate will never be Diana. By that I mean that Diana had bucket loads of charisma capable of leaving the most sensible person swooning in her wake. Harry has this same quality. No amount of bolting the palace doors will stop the public swooning over Harry as they did Diana. Kate doesn’t have this quality, no matter how much people wish she did and attribute the palace’s alleged fear of this quality in her.
All sorts of reasons are given to explain Kate’s lack of a work schedule, but the fact is she never had one before the marriage and she’s not got one after it.
This tour has shown that when she is pushed out the door to work, she can do the work and she improved daily. Left to her own devices, which the palace has been very public about doing, she takes on the quality of a sloth. Ditto William.
Agreed. Kate lacks the charisma and caring of Diana. I can’t imagine the palace is too worried that Kate will outshine anyone.
“Left to her own devices, which the palace has been very public about doing, she takes on the quality of a sloth. Ditto William.”
BWAHAHAHA!!!! Just. Perfect.
Yes, I think that doubling the cost is not outrageous and probably closer to the truth. Besides the largely bespoke clothes, there are numerous accessories (hats, clutches), the cost of hairstyles/hairstylist, the manicurist, the jewelry (pathetic and disappointing), the waxing, the botoxing, ….I wonder if the tab for all of that goes to the taxpayer through Charles. I also think they got discounts and freebies.
I’ve just read that her DRESSER is 27 years old.
Also agree with someone above that when George came along people lost their minds and critical faculties just as predicted by commenters on this site (not saying it happened here). As if his perfect innocence is a reflection of his parents. Ha!
I do think Charles picks up the bill for the majority of their lifestyle. It’s said that Charles likes a well-dressed woman, and is happy to do so. The taxpayer, on the other hand…
i thoroughly enjoy Charles’s jewellery on a woman fetish. Have you seen how much Camilla is decked out at all times…sigh.
Drenched in bling. Dripping in it, drowning in it. It’s gorgeous. Sigh and swoooon. The man is NOT stingy when it comes to his wife (unlike someone else I could mention).
Camilla often looks beautifully turned out. And Charles tends to be sartorially splendid; I especially love that he often wears a buttonhole, like pinks.
Age isn’t an issue where style is concerned, but what 27 yr old, in this day and age unless they trained in the art of dressing, will know what is required of a royal and how to prevent wardrobe malfunctions?
i feel we should start a collection to buy books from various generations of dressers like Angela Kelly, Edith Head’s excellent book, Rachel Zoe’s book on style etc
Yes, that was my implication. She lacks the experience and historical knowledge to be an appropriate advisor for royalty. I also read that she scours the internet in places like Net-a-porter for items. How far off is she from being a stylist, then?
Good news: the tour could have been worse
Bad news: they probably won’t keep up the good-will momentum, go back to being slackers and trot out the baby when the natives get restless crying about wasted tax money and abolishing the monarchy
Rumor has it, they left on vacation on the way out of Australia. Probably the annual skiing holiday. Then off to the U.S. for the wedding.
Niraj Tanna @IkonPictures Apr 21
It seems people close to royals are putting out tweets to put the media off the scent. #stillonholiday
My2Pence: i took your bet about a pre-tour vacation holiday, but i will admit defeat since you adjusted your prediction to post-tour vacation.
the question becomes, did they take PG tips with them?
For all that money you’d think they could afford to sew some weights into those hems so we don’t get shots of the Royal Crotch. So many pics of the DoC with one hand holding down her hair and the other trying to hold down her skirt.
Seriously, I have a fraction of her wardrobe allowance and on many of my lighter weight dresses and skirts I have weights in the hems. Any seamstress or tailor can do it.
I’m sorry but she simply has no discernible taste or style. She really would be better off just getting a stylist who would pick everything for her, including makeup and hairstyles. She wears far too much makeup. She dresses like a 20-year-old trying to dress like a grown up. She has no idea how to combine clothes, everything is super matchy-matchy. The main thing that is inexcusable about the pricetag of her wardrobe is the expenditure compared with the results.
What is with her freaky elbow! Uuuurghhh!
Babies are the best PR. Think back just to Feb/March when Will and Kate went on yet another holiday and Will went hunting with his ex. The backlash was huge. It was the first time they had received such pushback publically. And now a month later people are not talking about their holiday but are instead cooing over George which was his only job.
Well done George.
Angelina wears $20.00 dollar dresses to red carpet events – and wears them well! Why can’t Kate do the same?
what a useless woman this kate is, cant she do anything FOR ONCE, which she can get credit for, carole babysitted her, then charles and william, and now using GEORGE for .PR, who else does this only kate, and please let this be the last time, we see her bodyparts, shes not young anymore, its honestly disgusting!
You can’t buy taste.