Duchess Kate visits ‘Downton Abbey’ set, wears £69 cream maternity coat

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The @KensingtonRoyal Twitter account has been posting photos of Duchess Kate’s visit to the Downton Abbey set all morning. I’ve been enjoying the photos, but it seems like only a limited number of photographers were allowed to photograph Kate upon her arrival. You can see some additional photos of Kate on the set here, at the Daily Mail. KP is trying to make #DuchessAtDownton into a thing, just FYI.

Kate went for a new look for this appearance, but she actually went for something affordable: this £69 coat by High Street brand Jojo Maman Bebe. It’s actually a maternity coat, not a regular coat that Kate had tailored for her figure. It’s actually called the Princess Line coat. Oh, duchess. Kate was greeted first by the young child actor who plays George Crawley, the son of Lady Mary and the (spoiler) late Matthew Crawley. The young actor gave Kate a wooden toy to give to Prince George.

Kate to meet pretty much everyone in the Downton world, except for Maggie Smith (who was ill) and… I didn’t see any photos of Hugh Bonneville or Elizabeth McGovern. Oh, Lady Edith wasn’t there either. It seems like the focus was on the “downstairs” actors, plus Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary). Kate seemed pretty happy here. Let’s be honest, I would be thrilled to hang out with some of those actors too – the Downton people seem to have a lot of fun.

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Photos courtesy of Getty, Kensington Royal Twitter.

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98 Responses to “Duchess Kate visits ‘Downton Abbey’ set, wears £69 cream maternity coat”

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  1. aims says:

    I don’t mind the coat. What gets me is that she’s wearing pantyhose. Being as heavily pregnant as she is, I’d think it would be uncomfortable.

    • Hope says:

      She has to wear the pantyhose, it’s royal protocol.

      • Tough Cookie says:

        I don’t believe there’s a royal protocol for pantyhose. I think it is Kate’s preference. (Thinking of pics of Diana at events not wearing pantyhose.) That being said I think she looks….zzzzzzzzzzzz……

      • notasugarhere says:

        I think Diana only showed up bare-legged after the separation and divorce. That’s also when she started painting her fingernails, before then it was clear polish.

      • FLORC says:

        There’s a PDF of it. It’s a thing. Panty hose and closed toe shoes. It’s what the Queen wants and it’s part of a dress code. I don’t believe Khloe can walk without her butt making her topple over backwards. She can though. You don’t believe there’s such a thing as a royal dresscode/protocol. There is.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Don’t they make “maternity” pantyhose, so they might not be as bad?

      • justme says:

        They do make maternity pantyhose – I wore it for months when I was pregnant. It was fine and not tight around the middle.

      • Dolce crema says:

        Yes they aren’t too tight but I tried a few sizes like medium large and x large (being 5’9 with a big ass I didn’t try small. and they would not stay up, which is the most uncomfortable thing ever

      • Anon says:

        I actually found maternity pantyhose to be comfortable and supportive.

      • veronica says:

        Britain can be quite cold, especially at this time of year so protocol or not, it just makes sense to wear them. When j was pregnant, I wore hose to work and had maternity tights. They were really comfy and supportive.

      • FLORC says:

        Lol Anon
        I prefer maternity pantyhose! It’s less itchy and the material is better.

    • vauvert says:

      But what’s wrong with pantyhose? It is cool spring, she’s in a skirt… I would too, I wouldn’t want that much breeze around, thank you😀

      • aims says:

        There’s nothing wrong with pantyhose. I’m just thinking comfort. When I was at that point the thought of something tight around my tummy would drive me crazy.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Maybe they are thigh-highs?

      • Citresse says:

        Your comment Lilacflowers reminded me of Diana when she left hospital with baby William. She wore white knee highs with the green maternity dress and red shoes. Wait, are those the colours of Wales? Yes, the Red Dragon.
        The wind revealed the look otherwise we may not have known. Comfortable, sensible, and it wouldn’t surprise if many times Kate wore thigh-high.

  2. vava says:

    The photos over at the Daily Mail show just how horrible her hair looked during this visit. Wiglet!

    The coat looks cheap, IMO. And yet another cream colored one at that. Meh.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I’m torn. At this stage of pregnancy, would it be smart to pay tons of money for yet another coat? But I also agree with you, it’s not great looking. I also think that’s not her color especially.

      • vava says:

        She has other coats she could have worn and buying this just seems like a waste of money, even if it isn’t a lot of money.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Good point.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She already has at least two white coats that fit during pregnancy. Why buy another white coat?

      • FLORC says:

        Nota
        It’s not white. It’s cream. Total difference 😉

      • notasugarhere says:

        Silly me. None of them are listed as white on the designer websites. Redgrave Goat Coat is cream. The MaxMara (that Eugenie also has) is ivory. Today’s coat is officially cream. Why not have one white/cream/ivory coat for maternity wear and change the dress underneath?

      • FLORC says:

        Nota
        But there’s difference button placement on this one too.
        You can’t simply have 1 maternity coat that is a shade of offwhite. Oh my. The thought of just 1 offwhite maternity coat calls for a swoonish sofa!

    • Liz says:

      I think the cost looks nice. A perfectly fine spring coat and I’m really not getting the whole cheap thing, it looks tailored and lined. What am I missing?

      • vava says:

        The fabric looks cheap to me, but I’m a seamstress and so I may be unduly critical about such things. Also, it’s too tight in the bust area. And there isn’t much of an overlap in the front and it doesn’t hang right. Granted it is (for once) a true maternity coat and so luckily the hem is straight.

        How many off-white coats does one duchess need? She could have just as easily worn the Max Mara, which it high quality wool.

      • Kiki04 says:

        I actually really like the coat. Although I’m the kind of person that would wear a cheap coat like that so I honestly don’t know the difference with high fashion 🙂

      • ilovesunnydaze says:

        What am I missing? Jealousy!

      • vava says:

        @ilovesunnydaze……………..please spare me the jealousy line.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Please spare us all the jealousy line, ILSD, it adds nothing to the discussion. She already has at least two white maternity coats. Shopaholic strikes again.

      • FLORC says:

        Sunny who said…. “What am I missing? Jealousy!” Yes. Because there’s no jealousy here. That discussion has been done too many times and never comes out well for the accuser.

        Some counter points that deal with the thread and not the commenters are always welcome.
        In debates it was always a sign of weakness on the side of those who stooped to personal attacks and mockery over counter points and facts.

      • Feeshalori says:

        Straw man strikes again!

    • Liz B says:

      Wiglet for sure. In some of the Daily Mail pics, it’s really obvious.

    • LAK says:

      Vava: Ha!! all I noticed on the DM pictures was the Wiglet!! 🙂

    • The Original Mia says:

      Oh, wow. The wiglet is so obvious in those photos.

    • Clucky says:

      How is her hair obviously a wiglet? What signs do you look for to see if it is a wiglet or not? Help me to identify wiglet from non-wiglet wearers please!

      • PHD gossip says:

        Wiglet begins where the part ends. Sometimes one sees a little “bump” – it is more obvious in profile photos.

      • LAK says:

        Further to PHD Gossip’s description, the hair line of the wiglet’s fall of hair isn’t blended in from top of her head to her shoulders.

        Plus it’s a different texture from her own hair.

      • Clucky says:

        Okay, I think I see what you’re talking about now, especially in the Daily Mail article in the three smaller pictures where she is holding a bouquet of flowers. I probably would have never picked that up on my own. Thanks Celebitchies!

      • FLORC says:

        Once it is seen it cannot be unseen! Welcome to the Wiglet Watch.

    • Olenna says:

      Wiglet is right–looks like a female pompadour. That’s just too much hair, but her coat length is good.

      • Deedee says:

        She makes it worse by pulling all all that hair over her shoulders, leaving only a small section in the back. It looks like hair curtains. It would be much better to wear a pretty scarf or a cute brooch (maybe something Art Deco to fit the Downton theme) to draw attention to her face. As it is, it looks like she’s hiding behind her hair and this outfit is so blah.

      • Olenna says:

        Agree…hair curtains is a good description! I think that mane is her security blanket.

    • FLORC says:

      I was late this this one, but yea. Total Wiglet and the 1st thing I noticed.
      Even with a blow out this amount of hair on her shoulders is absurd.
      http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/110303/kmfeathersinherhair_16mtl5e-16mtl5j.jpg?x=300&q=80&n=1&sig=KrGhdU0Hr8fAEUd9If627A–

  3. Maria says:

    Kate looks so much better pregnant. Softer, rounder, around the face. I hope she doesn’t go back to being super skinny once she has the kid. The boy that plays George on Downton is one of a set of twin boys who alternate.

  4. Hope says:

    Nope, all but Maggie Smith are there in the group shot! Some came in street clothes though, so obviously they didn’t have to shoot today but still showed up to meet Kate.

    • vava says:

      Maggie Smith was smart!

      What exactly is the point of Duchess’ visit?

      • notasugarhere says:

        There is no point. Sophie visited before for her charities and recently with a dignitary. KM is just there for personal grins.

    • FLORC says:

      I thought they had a reading. That almost never has actors in costume, but they do come in their street clothes and meet together.

  5. The Original Mia says:

    Was she there for her charities or just because she wanted to meet the cast?

    • rosalie says:

      Is that a rhetorical question Original Mia?

    • Tough Cookie says:

      She has charities? 😉

      • Deedee says:

        Without her promotion of Downton Abbey, I doubt it would have any success at all. Now maybe people will start watching it. Let’s hope the “Kate effect” works. (crosses fingers)

    • Green Girl says:

      I was wondering what the connection is, too, Original Mia. What’s the point of this trip?

    • Kiki04 says:

      I think we all know that answer 😉

      Plus you would think they would wait a bit longer for her to visit when Sophie was just there with the first lady of Mexico…….really makes this look like a fan visit.

  6. Carolina says:

    boring like always.

  7. Talie says:

    That top pic cracks me up! Lady Mary is like, “Oh, hello…commoner.”

  8. Betti says:

    The talking points about her always seem to be around her clothes and hair – says a lot about her and her ‘duties’. I just can’t with her over the top facial expressions and the vacant look in the eyes.

  9. CommentIsFree says:

    Some think the color is meh, but I am thrilled it’s an actual maternity cut piece. All of the other non-maternity pieces worn during both pregnancies, while I am sure are tailored, all rise up in the front because of the bump. I say “YEAH” to this.

  10. Birdie says:

    I see her working really hard. Visiting actors. Oh well.

  11. Mia V. says:

    What would Carson says about the crown prince marrying a commoner? :))

  12. India says:

    She sure bends over quite easily for being 8 months “pregnant”.

    • Angel says:

      I could never have done that 4 month+s nevermind 8.

    • FLORC says:

      Not really. Not eeryone callies the same. In yesterdays links there was a shot of a model 8.5 months pregnant and she’s barely showing. She’s pregnant and can bend over. This isn’t uncommon.

  13. Lucky Charm says:

    I don’t recall ever seeing her so engaged with a child (that’s not her own) before, so she gets a point for that. She scores another point for wearing an actual maternity coat. Too bad this is a pleasure trip and not an official work function, or else it could have been a three point day for her.

  14. murphy says:

    LOL @ Spoiler, I think if you know George is Cousin Matthew’s son, you know Matthew is dead lolz

  15. inthekitchen says:

    I’m sorry, but what is the point of this visit? If she wanted to visit the set, she should have done so privately, without cameras and hubbub. How on earth is this being considered official work? She is such a waste of royal space. It’s utterly pathetic, IMO.

    And, why is it that she looks soooo much happier and more engaged on this fun/private visit than on official “working” engagements? So transparent.

    I really hope Harry marries someone with an actual work ethic and they put W&K to shame. IMO royals have such an easy “job” and it’s shocking to me how lazy she is at this (and, yes, Will too).

    • The Original Mia says:

      +1000

    • MinnFinn says:

      Private visits are for charities.

    • caitlin says:

      To add to your point – which I agree with –

      I think making a frivolous, self-serving “visit” like this public makes her look worse than if she visited the set on the fly. The only one who benefits from this is Kate – she likes the show so as a favour and because of her royal status, she gets to visit the set and the stars. An opportunity not available to the plebs whose tax dollars support her.

      • Feeshalori says:

        She doesn’t need to promote a show that’s breaking all records in its popularity and should instead be visiting one of her charities that could use the exposure. This really comes across as a lightweight self-serving visit indeed.

      • FLORC says:

        Fair point. If nothing else tax funds are covering this for security and calling it work tallies up the numbers.

        Honestly though… This seems like only a leisure visit. Is there a charity angle involved? If not is this seriously being counted as work?
        If yes i’m going to an amusement park tomorrow and counting hours there as billlable hours on my time sheet.

  16. Merritt says:

    Laura Carmichael who plays Lady Edith, was there. She is in a group photo on the Daily Mail website holding the child actress who plays Marigold.

  17. Jaded says:

    Dear God the sausage curls are back.

  18. Trillian says:

    Why is it so notable that this is an actual maternity coat? She is so slim even pregnant, probably the real maternity stuff just didn’t fit well until now. I didn’t wear maternity clothes until well into my 7th month, everything was way too big.

    • Angel says:

      you’re a normal (I assume… pssst is that you your majesty?), she should be thinking about how things look when photographed. When you hems are tilted or you buttons are stretched you look cheap and unfinished. I know they’re going for normal but really not this normal, she’s representing the country for goodness sake.

  19. MinnFinn says:

    Daily Mail says Kate stayed an extra 30 minutes. She’ll take comp time I’m sure i.e. she was going to do 6 appearances for a total of 5 hours on the clock this month but now she’ll have to cancel the secretly private EACH appearance.

    No Branson in any of the photos and no explanation offered. Also no Rose but that’s less suspicious b/c she’s on media tour for Cinderella.

  20. Amy says:

    All the actors were there minus Maggie Smith. There were several shots of Laura Carmichael (Edith), Hugh Bonneville, and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora) in the Daily Mail. Some of them were probably not shooting today but they were all there.

  21. ilovesunnydaze says:

    I think she looks very pretty. She always appears so engaged with whomever she is speaking to. She really interacts well with children too.

    • vava says:

      On the contrary, more often than not, Kate is AWKWARD around people – including children.

    • notasugarhere says:

      I concur on the awkward. What was with the bizarre beard fixation when talking to the artist?

      • FLORC says:

        Nota
        You know this, but still. Some can see all the evidence and nothing will change their minds.
        Another poster said it correctly on the other thread. Speaking to someone you’ve just met and talking about their personal grooming habits is insulting if not opening the door for someone to feel minorly insulted. Especially when he was there to talk about his art when his beard is what gets addressed.
        It was awkward and rude, but others will spin it as polite banter.

      • LNG says:

        Ah, but the rest will spin every single thing that she does negatively, regardless of the context and will never admit that she has done something right. There are two sides to every story, and perhaps, thought many would never admit it, sometimes she is better at small talk than others.

        As for the beard, I don’t think mentioning it is weird. The piece is a self portrait where he does not have a beard. If you haven’t seen the beard this guy is now sporting, go look at it. It is a pretty epic beard. There is absolutely no way that this guy does not expect people to note how different he looks in the portrait versus in person. I would have mentioned it too. The bit about how he takes care of it is weird. Who knows what the context was for that, perhaps there was none and it was just an awkward moment for the duchess where her small talk sucked. Doesn’t make her the devil and I very highly doubt that the guy was insulted.

    • caitlin says:

      Are you serious? Are you trolling/trying to “bait” the majority of the commenters on this blog or making some kind of joke? Kate’s lack of people skills, charisma and empathy have often been noticed and discussed on Celebitchy and in videos and pictures it is self-evident that she does not appear to have a genuine interest in people. Everything she does seems forced and awkward. By contrast, Diana and Harry for example seem(ed) to have charisma in spades and effortlessly interacted with others.

      • maggie says:

        I think she looks quite comfortable with people. Always smiling and looking into their eyes. I don’t see any awkwardness either. It must be difficult knowing what to say sometimes.

      • FLORC says:

        caitlin
        This is a trolling comment and we don’t feed the trolls. They can’t thrive without stiring the pot.

        Though for this I do agree with Maggie.
        There are numerous occasions where Kate is in pictures leaning or bending down to speak with the children and is engaged.
        Also numerous where she wasn’t comfortable, but she has improved. Her last scouts trip (outside) she engaged them well. Same with the last states tour.
        Even if it’s just a pose or a moment for the cameras. Look at the 1st scouts visit she did and look at the newer photos. Huge improvement!

      • caitlin says:

        Thanks FLORC. You always seem to bring depth and insight to the discussion and “think” before you post.

      • FLORC says:

        lol Caitlin!
        Ty for the compliments, but we all have our moments. just as long as we aren’t closed minded to other opinions.
        I was a huge Kate fan when I came here. She had no botox, no work done, her relationship with William was perfect, and all that hair was real on top of other things. There was simply too much evidence to the contrary. The moment we stop trying to understand the argument from the other side is the moment we think we know it all.

        I’m always open to corrections. Nota, LAK, Blu have all corrected me on things. I’d rather have it right than continue posting things I think are right.

      • LNG says:

        How is this possibly trolling if you agree with the comment?

      • caitlin says:

        LNG: I do not agree with the comment in post #21 – I thought that was clear in my comment.

      • LNG says:

        I wasn’t referring to your comment caitlin, I was referring to FLORC. She said ilovesunnydaze was trolling, and then agreed that Kate is often engaged and/or is much improved in this area, which would indicate to me that her comment is not trolling, it is just her opinion (and one that FLORC seems to agree with, at least to a certain extent).