Here are some photos of the royal family attending a service at Westminster Abbey yesterday. There was a special Commonwealth service for Commonwealth Day. The Queen is the head of state to 53 nations, including Canada and Australia. For the service, the royal attendance was actually kind of light. I’ve only seen photos of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Queen and Prince Philip, plus Prince William and Kate. No Princess Royal? No Duke of York?
This was one of Kate’s final public appearances before she gives birth next month. She’s due to make some more appearances this week, including her trip to the set of Downton Abbey, and then after that… we probably won’t see much of her until she gives birth. I think for the birth, we’ll probably see the same wall-to-wall hospital coverage and Will and Kate will make a big public debut of the baby after he or she is born. I’m assuming? But there’s bound to be less excitement with this second baby.
As for Kate’s look here, she did a repeat. She wore this pale pink Alexander McQueen coat when she was pregnant with George, back for the 2013 Trooping the Colours. The hat and the earrings are new though. The hat is by Jane Taylor and the earrings are morganite and diamond drops by Kiki McDonough. Kate’s clutch is by Prada. The whole ensemble is very… eh. Familiar, girlish, but hey… at least she looked occasion-appropriate. The Queen wore a suit by Karl Ludwig, but I swear, I thought the Queen was wearing Chanel! Perish the thought!
You can read more about the event here at People. Kate spoke to a few commoners and they found her charming.
PS… It’s good to see Philip out and about. That man is 93!!
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
I like it. She gets a little bit of a pass.
Looks good.
It’s always some basic drop earrings. I knew even before I read it that it would be that Kiki brand. She probably wore some nude pumps by LK Bennett too. Please Kate, some interesting jewelry and shoes!!
The shoes are actually Prada too, that match her clutch. She’s had those forever, during her stalking days… Only reason I know, I actually liked them…
I’d like to see Rebecca’s outfit thought her black hat is interesting.
She’s giving birth next month? To what, the sandwich she ate for lunch?
I know, I did a double take at that, too. She looks barely into her second trimester.
I like the coat but the hair and makeup kinda ruin the look for me.
I think she’s due late-April. She announced early both pregnancies, and George came later than expected. I think this one will be the same (within the last 5-10 days of April) which makes her just shy of 8 months.
The artist from the poppy exhibit said she nearly cancelled because of morning sickness. Event was August 5th, a month before they announced.
I like this look. Very feminine. I think it’s nice that she repeats her clothing as it makes her seem perhaps just a tad bit like the rest of us. And honestly I keep forgetting she’s pregnant. When I first saw the above photo I thought she was around 6 months pregnant not 8 months but she’s so tiny anyway. I just wanted to say that I appreciate all of the royal coverage here at Celebitchy. I’ve been following the British royal family since I was a little girl.
I like the coverage here too…..I always always click a Royal Family story and a Leann/Eddie story, I know I should have left that part out.
lmao
Ginger & kcarp – if you like Royals you should check out GoFugYourself too! They do a weekly “Royals Round-Up” on Fridays and they cover all Kate’s events too. The commentary is a bit more Kate-Friendly than what I find here but always good discussions.
The coat is probably extremely comfortable, which she is probably after at 8 months pregnant. She looks great.
It would be charming if Kate gave birth on the 21st of April, the queen’s birthday!
That’s also San Jacinto Day (a Texas holiday I doubt the Queen cares about). LOL.
I think she looks pretty in pink, and I like the coat. I’m not crazy about the hat with the coat – there’s something about the color and texture that’s off – but she looks nice.
The Queen kills it, as always. Camilla must have just come from a funeral.
I agree about the texture of the hat. It photographs a dusty muted shade that really doesn’t flatter next to the pastel pink coat.
Thank you, I thought I was the only one this bothered…she’s done this before with other outfit/hat combinations. It’s like nails on the fashion chalkboard! Why!?
I liked Cams hat and outfit. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s not gray or all black. There’s some lighter than navy blue making up the majority. Not fit for a funeral. Perfectly fine for this occasion.
Sorry, FLORC, I shouldn’t be so mean to Camilla. I’ll try harder.
GNAT
Hehe I was raised to follow some dresscode. Black to funerals. Non-blood relation wears shades of gray with black mixed in if they like. Never color. Ofcourse, there was also no music for a month and widows had to wear black in public for a year at least. So there’s that.
And I love the cut and color and texture of Cam;s outfit. Kate would look lovely in it too. Her coloring takes well to jewel or darker tones.
I get some people don’t like some textures. For me this works, but I get a texture blend might through others off 🙂
Camilla’s outfit reminds me of the blue/teal Malene Birger both Middleton and CPMary wore when expecting. Same overall shape, wide black trim around collar and down in parallel lines to the hem.
Geez @FLORC, were you raised by Scarlett O’hara? 😉
I like the hat a lot. R. Taylor has made at least 4 of Kate’s recent hats with the same basic shape but I don’t get tired of them.
So why is Kate’s assistant/lady-in-waiting attending church with her? I would have thought Deacon would not be needed at this type of event.
You do? I found this item very strange-looking.
I think that hat looks like the stalk at the top of a bulb of garlic.
Royals are always accompanied by their LIWs/Equerries at public events.
Rebecca and ELF are easily identifiable as was JLP because they were publicly outed.
The LIWs/Equerries accompanying the other royals aren’t easily identifiable because
1. they haven’t been publicly outed
2. they don’t walk as close to their charge as Rebecca/ELF/JLP seem(ed) to do. This means they usually aren’t photographed in the same frame as the royals.
It’s easy to gloss over their presence at events as a result.
L AK, Thanks for the info. I don’t know who ELF and JLP are assigned to but I can find out rather easily I’m sure.
I would so love to know a truthful list of all of Charles/Cam, Will/Kate and Harry’s staff and specifics like job titles, full or part time and their assigned royal or household. The Duchy of Cornwall annual financial report only lists total FTE’s, total payroll and just a few names of the senior staff.
Would also like to get the truth about staff rules. I read that the employee handbook for household staff encourages them to refrain from eating spicy and garlicy foods b/c their royal highnesses don’t want to get a whiff of garlic or curry from clothes or even their breath. I could never work for the BRF b/c I will never give up my Friday lunch outing at my fav buffet India Palace.
MinnFinn: ELF = Edward Lane Fox (Harry’s private secretary)
JLP = Jamie Lowther Pinkerton ( William and Harry’s Private secretary)
JLP resigned last year although he still works for them from time to time.
JLP and ELF are always in shot of their royal charges at every public function.
Regarding staff names and duties, 95% of that information is private and confidential. For security purposes. Only a few of them are publicly identified, usually if they are press aides or LIW/Equerries. Sometimes someone providing private service is also publicly identified eg Kate’s hairdresser or HM’s dresser, but that’s the exception rather than the rule.
As for the duchy, Charles doesn’t want any forensic information about it in the public domain. He is exempt from the freedom of information act, so we’ll never have more than he chooses to reveal.
Trusted and awsome advisor friend to the Pribces, JP will be much needed by PW. We all know these reports due and been around that HM disapproves since last year – from the separation / Christmas court held at AH ignoring HMs RF Traditions / Mystique) hence the public message to PW and the in laws. PC. as dad get first shot to his heir approved by HMs (who will be mediators) – no aristo friends of or staff would dishonour the royals.
This is for Pw to decide royals or middletons way … no other in laws disrespect – even the arsto regal Spencers knew their place and respected the monarchy.
The queen is faboosh.
Bea
Agree both HM amd DoCornwall is regal and faboos!!
I’m not so sure doolittle coat is a recycle – she was bigger w/PG in the last coat of similar colour – the back was not the same flowing as this coat (?) ….
Why is Deacon at the service and the commercial ad appearance for the Goring Hotel, considering this is the assistant to a workshy doolittle its really curious that Deacon always around, I don’t see P William assistant as much.
I swear Kate could wear the best outfit in he world and it would still be awful for some. Haters gonna hate (sh-shake it off)
The queen looks so cute I can’t even handle it.
Queen & Camilla look great. Love the Queen’s suit. Kate is meh. Boring. Rebecca looks nice. I like dark hat/light coat combo.
Harry is in Africa, working with Sentable. Not sure about Anne & Andrew. I thought the Wessexes and Glouchesters were supposed to come as well.
I am virtually certain Andrew would have been told NOT to come. I thought Camilla looked best of them all. The Queen has just turned into an adorable old lady. I fear for the monarchy when she passes. And is it wrong that Prince Phillip is still somewhat hot at 93? LOL!
not wrong:) Must me so sad to never be as hot as your grandpa!
I want a better look at that brooch the Queen is wearing. 🙂 That woman has the best collection of brooches.
Doesn’t she? Oh to play dress-up with her jewelry!
Check out the blog, From Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault for a closer look at that brooch.
Maybe she’s trying to tell us something with the pink coat. Maybe.
I figure it was a little attention getting. Whether they know or not, she knows well enough that wearing all blue or all pink so close to her due date is going to get the gossip mags to talk………
This dress is a repeat from her first pregnancy. When she wore it then, she was heavily pregnant with George and it signaled nothing – since he was born male.
I think she just likes blush tones.
I doubt it. She wore the same coat when pregnant with George. She is wearing it because 1) it is occasion appropriate and 2) it fits. Still, there is a 50/50 chance she’s telling us something with the coat.
Lol
But someone was going to say Kate wears pink/carrying girl. It’s just how it goes.
When she gives birth to a girl I will know I was right.
Lol!
Well, as astro said. You got a 50/50 shot at being right!
Kate and William know. It’s all guessing for us in the cheap seats.
I don’t like her fascinator. Her face looks nicer and younger with the little bit of weight she’s put on. And I love the pink coat.
Phillip looks amazing, as do the others.
Outfit looks great and perfectly appropriate for an 85 year old…
My thought exactly….. The coat sort of reminds me of the housecoats that I’ve seen old ladies wear (my mother-in-law for example). Not fond of the hat, either. I do like the earrings, though. I’m more interested in seeing what Rebecca Deacon is wearing.
Although they are decades older, the queen and Camilla look better in their outfits
It’s the Pearl buttons imo. Pearl buttons are not youthful for an adult.
Children and senior citizens.
Definitely a twee outfit! I especially dislike that round collar on the coat and the hat as well, but then I dislike all these cutsey saucer hats. Give me a proper big, widebrimmed hat any day – Maxima style 😉
And are my eyes deceiving me but the sleeves look a little short. Is that part of the design or just a poor fit? You never know with Kate and her wardrobe.
The 3/4 length sleeves, round collar, pearl buttons, and pale pink — all contribute to the granny’s bed jacket theme. I guess we can be thankful it isn’t shiny, quilted satin.
it does look ‘twee’. What a great word!
The sleeves are intentionally short, but they don’t really do much for the design. If you’re going to wear a shorter sleeve, then why not have on an incredible bracelet??? Or some longish gloves like they did in the 1960s?
I especially dislike the collar. The buttons are OK, but I would have put different ones on the coat. It’s just a very flattering design for a coat, IMO.
HM is wearing some great black gloves. Rebecca Deacon (also in a jacket with 3/4 length sleeves) is wearing a nice bracelet. So you get half your wish?
I really wish that she would wear some statement bracelets, especially since her hair always cover her earrings and/or necklace. Gloves with a 3/4 sleeve would be divine and wonderfully retro, but I guess it could be seen as too old-fashioned. CP Mary is one lady who really know how to work a pair of gloves.
edit my previous post:
with regard to the collar, “it’s just NOT a very flattering design for a coat, IMO.”
Nota
Wow. Reading your comment triggered a memory of mine. My grandmothers robe/bed jacket/zip up snuggie from Vanity Fair (the store) was pink satin and quilted. It was the same color as the jacket on Kate.
And never knew the term bed jacket before, but that was absolutely what it was.
Thanks!
Kaiser: small correction. The Queen is head of state of 16 countries.
She is head of the Commonwealth which comprises 53 countries some of which may be the 16 for whom she’s head of state.
The other countries have their own heads of state.
I thought that number was a little high.
This is just one of my Fashion Issues, but satin shoes are for weddings or evening events, IMO. She does look very well, but I am quite disappointed we don’t have any kissing/not kissing photos to analyse to death!
Those photos ARE epic. LOL.
Blu-
agree no ‘kissy’ paps or the ‘frozen look off” (#7 pap on DM). Ibut the last photo here is interesting – P Will departure, the church step up and m) be trying to lighten the mood of P Wills while doolittle is left in the back (due to thje middletons).
I have read references to “Sea Biscuit” on a royal site….who is this and why the reference to Sea Biscuit? Someone please clue me in?
Seabiscuit is William’s nickname because he has very horsey features and Seabiscuit was a very famous horse.
Thanks LAK. I should have known 😉
Sea Biscuit was a famous race horse. Many people call William that because he looks like a horse especially with his big yellow teeth.
That hat!!! Reminds me of a craft project my daughter made in elementary school using dried cornhusks.
The coat is beautiful, but I have never been a fan of this pink. No matter how classy the cut, it still ends up looking like pajamas.
I’m not entirely sure this is the same coat – unless she’s had the pockets reset. The pockets on the coat she wore last year are at a pretty steep slant but on this coat they are horizontal (if I’m making sense). Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her to have two nearly similar coats as she does this all the time.
I think she looks fine, but boring. But I guess that’s an improvement from mini skirts and bum-flashing. I think she’s having a girl. Not because of the pink coat but because her face is a completely different shape from the PG pregnancy (unless she has just purposely gained a lot less weight this time…which I would also believe is possible).
The awkward kissing photos were the best – can’t believe you left them out!
You are observant!!!!- I think you are right- it’s a new coat- she really is the master at this kind of sleight of hand!!!!- Houdini Kate !
She buys lots of things that look the same with slight differences. I wouldn’t be shocked if this was the case for the coat.
I can see that. But doesn’t she sometimes make (or request) some serious modifications, too, that go beyond basic tailoring? I seem to remember her removing or adding buttons and so on with other outfits.
I’m pretty sure this is the same coat, her belly was just bigger for the 2013 appearance. There are some photos where the pockets look angled, but if you look at other views they are horizontal. (i.e.: third photo down here: http://www.growingyourbaby.com/2013/06/15/the-royal-family-celebrates-the-queens-birthday/ )
She does, so when you can find the price of what it costs from online, that cost doesn’t include changes. The Matthew Williamson has added embellishment at the neckline (pale purple dress, giant embellishment at cuffs and neckline). That $1,000 Goat black suit coat she wore as a dress in Harlem had an extra chunk of fabric added (badly) along the bottom.
She and Sophie Wessex have a very similar coat (Burton / McQ) either blue or white. Sophie has the original, Middleton’s has a changed waist height and waistband, flaps added or removed, different pockets, etc. She adds buttons, changes seams, moves seams, adds extras.
The tailoring is often bad.
A while back there was a Burton bespoke gray sack dress. Threads at the bottom frayed. The hem line was uneven. The fit overall was awful. It was custom for her so why the terrible quality?
And the blue with white pokadot dress after GEorge’s birth was cute. For the price tag involved it should have looked better than something I could have made with one of those trace, cut, and stitch sewing kits.
I was extremely unimpressed with that hospital outfit, too, FLORC.
I know next to nothing about tailoring clothes, but I do know that I’ve seen some of her outfits and cringed at the poor quality of the alterations. Doesn’t she have staff who can help her? I’d also think it would be easier to just leave the original outfit alone than try to “fix” it.
And @Not: That’s a good point about the price tag!
Agree with LNG. I believe it’s the same coat from 2013. Her stomach is larger this time around and that causes the pocket flaps to angle downward. As someone up thread said, with it’s large rounded collar and shiny buttons, it looks like a 60s housecoat. (BTW, “twee” is a good word for quite a few of her coats and dresses.)
http://www.theshoppingtrend.com/celebrity/high-society/kate-middleton/kate-middleton-in-alexander-mcqueen-pink-coat-trooping-the-colour-2013.html
Green Girl
We know Kate shops often. She does buy things each time. Times when she’s not seen with bags it’s often after leaving stores known to deliver.
She could wear things that fit better. And her personal/private style fits well.
Her public style seems forced. It wears her and it’s not at all mimiced in her personal time. She’s dressing herself to appear a certain way she thinks she should look. I think Burton sells her on terrible outfits “Emps new clothes” style.
And no clue on the tailoring. No one else has bad hems and frayed threads. It makes no sense.
The Queen outshines everyone else, as usual. The Duke of Edinburgh still has it, looking dashing at 93. He and TQ always made such as handsome couple – Philip was always a dish. Love him.
Same here. Stone cold fox in his younger days and still has the dash of a much younger man. He looks a decade younger too. I would think 80s not 90s. But the Danish/Greek royals have some long lived blood in them.
I really like her coat. It’s pretty and the color looks good on her. On a purely shallow level, if they are having a girl, I really hope she looks like Diana, since Diana’s features were much more attractive. Of course, she’ll never be as beautiful as my own daughter is. 🙂
For those who want the awkward kiss/greeting photos… With video
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2986499/The-dazzling-duchess-Kate-pretty-pink-joins-Queen-senior-Royals-mark-Commonwealth-Day.html
If Liberty was still around these photos would provide her with pure comedic gold.
I miss Liberty’s story telling talent – brilliant and great fun!
I think she looks really good here but I prefer the shape of the hats that the queen and Camila are wearing. The pale pink is very flattering on Katherine. Too bad William has lost so much hair. He has a very handsome face.
When I read Charles’ body language DM photos with Kate, he appeared really phony. I don’t like Charles and it has very little to do with what Diana said/wrote about him.
As for Kate, yes she looks nice in pastel colours. She should wear more of them but I dislike her choice in fascinators and hats. I also don’t think her shoes are a good choice for this occasion.
Citresse
The media can indirectly sculpt our opinions. I think many do not realize how true this is and does apply to them. Charles has a very good record of action. He also has lots of bad pr. He has improved much though. I’m not a huge fan, but I think he’ll be a good King.
And Kate has a head for hats. A great one was maybe her 1st year at a remembrance(?) event.
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/403057/KATE-MIDDLETON-REMEMBRANCE-DAY.jpg
The satin shoes match the hat, but i’m with bluhare. That type of sheen is for evening.
Yes, Kate does look good in hats. That’s why I don’t get the choice of really ugly fascinators on her.
Her head with hat would look even sharper, more polished look if she had a nice haircut to really define and shape her locks.
Citresse
Completely agree here. Charles is a self-centered man child with lots of issues. If you criticize him you will be accused of believing all of Diana’s hype. The truth is that Charles was fair game for criticism before the war of the Wales and has done lots more to deserve it in the years since then.One shouldn’t have to drag Diana’s faults into the conversation in order to somehow make Charles look better by comparison – it is desperation, I believe, to make him look more like a victim.
Imo
Yeah, and that time Charles was skiing with the boys and he commented negatively on the one journalist to single him out – not only in front of his peers but in front of the world – yeah, as if he didn’t know the microphone was on. He knew.
Really, really poor form and low class.
So many more examples like this. No one is perfect but there seems to be an irrational need to make Charles’ faults the results of factors other than himself. Ugh.
I think she looks great!
Lovely!
I think it’s hysterical that tabs here are running stories like this pink coat is maybe a subtle hint that she’s having a girl. I was pretty sure it’s a repeat from George. I think there will still be attention to the birth–there was with Harry. Even with Beatrice and Eugenie and those were before the 24 hour news cycle.
Ofcourse attention. The huge deal that was made with George? Can’t say.
This child will have an uphill battle their whole life if it’s a girl and given Diana as a name or a variation.
Two weeks ago when she wore a blue coat, they said the opposite. There isn’t much to write about her, but they keep writing.
The picture of Philip in the DM looks like he could walk into any Halloween party as is. Terrible purple under eye bruising.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/09/2679B9DD00000578-2986499-image-a-260_1425921472997.jpg
That bruise is actually better. He took some time to return to public events after the christmas break and that bruise was nasty.
yep i saw it in full flower. Wonder what that’s about? I don’t think he looks too good, frankly. I think he’s probably very gritty about carrying on and all that…but been looking pretty frail. Like his tie though!
Elderly people bruise very easily. My 96 year grand-mother took a fall and hit her face, which turned dark blue! Understandably we all freaked out, even though she kept saying that it didn’t hurt at all. It just looked so dramatic.
Wow, AH, your grandmother is 96? Amazing! Glad to hear she didn’t break anything from her fall.
dawnchild
To add to what AH said Philip has been sick a lot lately. Not too recently he had exploratory surgery in his abdomen. And that Is not on a whim at his age. It is too high a risk to take unless you believe there is a serious issue that needs addressing.
As a result for his health and very thin looking skin I bet he’s on prednisone or warfarin. That would also make it very easy for him to have terrible bruises from what we would consider grazes.
Vava,
She’s a tough old bird. She was very sick around the time my grandfather died and she couldn’t even walk. When she got into a nursing home, she trained until she could walk with a walker – and now she takes a walk every day even though she is almost blind.
Are the royal women not allowed to wear pants during official functions? I don’t know if it’s a rule or preference.
HM (rarely), Princess Anne, and Sophie Wessex have all worn trousers or trouser suits on-duty. I don’t remember if Camilla, Kent, or Glouchester have.
Trousers are ok. Pretty sure Kate only wears jeggins or skinny jeans and those are not for these types of events.
I wish she would wear a pair of trousers.
When will I learn? I click on these Kate stories because her position in life is so interesting, but – consistently – she bores the hell out of me when I take two minutes to read about her. “Pregnant woman repeats pink coat.” I don’t get the hype.
I know she’s just going along with this ready made position of privilege – but there’s something flawed about the fawning media coverage that puts her on a pedestal as someone to admire. And so many people buy into it. It’s crazy.
I don’t get it either Jane, but where Kate is concerned there is precious little to discuss other than her clothes and general appearance. Unlike certain other royals who fulfill their roles with drive, passion and a genuine purpose – Anne, Sophie, Harry – she does jack squat except turn up at various events, smile her maniacal grin and shake a few hands. Sad but true.
Jane Candice Va Judy others,
thank you. My office feels the same… We all open reports on appearance hoping there will be a change to real duty and service / substance and sincerity from doolittle – only to turn to the next critical things – if the dress was proper as a royal rep to HM ( too short , wind malfunction/s etc.)
Ma middleton pr is good (like that of US kardash- Jenner) -using public interest flashing royal wear, flipping public curiosity as if due to doolittle ‘style’.
I usually look at Kate posts, but mostly to see the outfits. That first year of her marriage cured me of any expectations that she could give a speech, or develop a healthy work ethic.
She has disposable income when it comes to clothing bust constantly looks cheap. She needs to listen to someone who knows what they are doing at this point. She always look like someone who is playing dress up in Mommy’s closet.
Why can’t someone wear clothes TWICE!!!
Is it a crime? I hate this passion for dissing celebrities who repeat wear. What a waste of money and clothing to only wear something once.
Minor correction: QEII is head of state of 16 countries. 53 countries belong to the Commonwealth.