The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did their first full day of events in Canada on Sunday, following their Saturday evening arrival in Victoria. For Sunday’s activities, William and Kate left the kids with their “Spanish super-nanny” Maria and ended up spending the day with Justin and Sophie Trudeau. I didn’t see any flirtation between Kate and PM Trudeau, so she must save all of her hair tosses for her one true love, Sir Ben Ainslie. While I too would hair-toss for Ben Ainslie, I would also bat my eyes at Trudeau, so I’m not sure what Kate is thinking.
As for Kate’s look for Sunday… it feels like her Packham outfit for the arrival was not a harbinger of appropriate looks to come, I fear. Kate chose this ruffled, scallop-frilled Alexander McQueen dress in cream and red. She accessorized with matchy red heels and a red clutch. The red heels are the most exciting shoes she’s probably ever worn, but even then… on Kate, they look almost prosaic. The dress is cute enough, not really my style, but it seems in character with the kind of girlish frocks that Kate prefers. My biggest qualm – besides her terrible posture ruining the lines of the dress – is that I think the high collar gives off a pinched/prissy look.
Will and Kate took a seaplane to Vancouver (from the Victoria Harbour) and they did events at Sheway (a pregnancy outreach center), Immigrant Services Society (an organization helping relocated refugees) and a reception at Telus Gardens. While it definitely seems like Will and Kate got a late start to the day – no judgment because they had a long flight and are probably still jetlagged – they also knocked off like six separate “events” in one day. Interestingly enough, William was the one making gaffes, not Kate. When they arrived at Sheway, William was told about the charity’s connection to his mother, which was totally news to William. You see, William is so lazy that he can’t even be bothered to read his briefing papers.
The Duke of Cambridge went with his wife Kate to Sheway, a charity in downtown Vancouver that supports vulnerable mothers and pregnant women battling with addiction and other issues. Sheway is a First Nations word meaning “growth”. Aides said Kate was particularly keen to see the work of Sheway, as the link between addiction and family breakdown has been a focus of her charity work. Ron Abrahams, a physician who works with Sheway, told William how Princess Diana had opened the Women’s Reproductive Maternity Service in Glasgow in 1990, which Sheway has modelled itself on.
It was one of the reasons for the visit and a fact briefed to journalists before the tour but William said: “Oh, I didn’t know, that’s good to hear. It’s probably in my briefing notes somewhere. I’ve got this huge file of notes I haven’t managed to get through yet but I’ll get there.”
His admission of not being fully prepared came after criticism of his poor French at the official welcome ceremony for the couple in Victoria on Saturday. Struggling to pronounce his words in a speech, he prompted laughter after admitting: “It’s a little rusty, work with me.”
But critics complained that a future King of Canada ought to be able to speak one of the country’s two official languages adequately. The Queen speaks French fluently, Prince Charles less so but much more confidently than William.
The fact that William is not a fluent French speaker doesn’t bother me as much as the fact that he literally had no idea why he was visiting a charity. Like, this Canadian trip has been hyped for months. His press office has been sprinkling details about the trip for weeks and weeks, trying to make it sound like Will and Kate were going to be crazy-busy and of course they were totally keen to visit all of these charities that were obviously so near and dear to their hearts. And it turns out that William couldn’t even be bothered to SKIM the briefing papers Poor Jason had prepared for him. Because…this is just a Canadian-taxpayer funded holiday? You can read more about the substance of their events here.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Pretty surer this is the definition of twee. Also, what is Burton doing to McQueen?!?!
Burton should be designing for Boden, really.
That dress is so bad.
Awful.
Shrink it down and put it on Charlotte and it would be lovely, but on a woman in her mid-thirties? Nada.
I was thinking it would look really nice on a tween. Someone in the 10-12 age range.
To be fair – Lee left very big shoes to fill and some of Burtons stuff does have a shade of the old flair (the Unicorn dress Margot Robbie wore). The issue is that putting McQueen on Duchess Bland will instantly render it boring/twee. Girl cannot wear designer/couture – it wears her and badly (its like the outfit has a mind of its own and is a mean girl).
That’s a good shout, LAK.
I’m going to a rehearsal dinner later this week before a friend’s wedding, and one of the bridesmaids is fretting about what to wear (bless her, she’s only 8.)
This style of dress would suit her quite well, I think.
If it weren’t for the hideous price tag and Waity association, that is.
Either way – the words ‘Kate Middleton’ and ‘style’ do not belong in the same sentence unless the words ‘inappropriate’ and/or ‘dull’ are also included.
Edit – I’ll concede on the unicorn dress, Betti, that was a stellar look to be sure.
I just keep thinking back to that incredible multi-coloured, parrot/feather creation that FKA Twigs wore.
My first thought: Sasha or Malia could rock that dress. (They’d probably read the briefing notes too.)
She should stick to Jenny Packham. For the most part, it’s the ideal marriage of designer and client. Ladies who lunch and don’t want to scare the horses. Boring, occassionally glamourous and well put together – like the airport outfit yesterday.
Actually the original dress looks a lot edgier with sleeve details and the styling http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3806714/Kate-looks-inch-glamorous-young-royal-Wills-leave-Prince-George-Princess-Charlotte-nanny-enjoy-day-Vancouver.html (click on the price tag icon and the picture of the original dress comes up). Middleton’s tweaks makes the dress go from interesting to Boden.
Shrink it down…not necessary! I bet it would fit Charlotte as is!
Dodgy – thanks for the link. The original is much cuter with the wide sleeves and a black belt, and a cool purse.
Agree. Love the red shoes, though.
Couldn’t agree with you more Amelia. Plus I have a thing against 30+ year olds wearing stuff 2-3 inches above the knee – no matter how thin and in shape they are.
I love this dress. This is one of the best things she’s worn ever. She looks amazing. Long live twee dresses. With high collars.
Ummmm I LOVE that dress!!! I love the whole look. And as I sit in my grey sweatshirt and black yoga pants (it’s a chilly fall morning here), I hardly consider myself twee, and don’t think I’d like something that was. 🙂
It’s not something I would wear but I certainly don’t have a problem with it. The pattern and color balance the girlishness of the shape. I’d say it’s a pretty good blend of things she favors, fits her well and is a nice length. Plus, red shoes!
I actually love the dress too!
I love the dress, too! I also like the fact that she is not wearing nude-colored shoes, for once. While I personally dress in shades of black and grey, I appreciate a bold color and pretty design.
+1, she looks lovely!
I know that pie pan collars are important in fall/winter fashion this season. So I won’t address that, though I like the more updated versions better.
I simply hate this dress. It’s a childish, twee, birthday cake mess.
It reminds me of a doily.
+1
The flasher returns! She started off soo well. The only positive i have on the look is the shoes – they’re NOT nude/beige/whatever… Also not sure it was appropriate to wear an outfit that cost £5-6K to visit refugee’s fleeing from a war torn country, particularly flashing around a Mui Mui clutch that cost almost £1K itself.
There are photo’s of her crouched down talking to a small girl, said child had a nice view up the royal dress.
And as for Willy not reading his briefing notes – are we shocked/surprised at Prince Lazy? The peasants should be grateful he turned up.
Where did she flash exactly? Link to photos?
There is a photo on the fail of her squatting down in front of a child, given how short the skirt on the dress it, the child got a ring side view.
I actually kind of like the dress and would maybe wear it but then again I’m only about 20. I think the dress it too short for a duchess tbh. The pictures of her walking clearly show a lot of thigh. While this isn’t a problem with everyone else, it’s a problem for a royal.
Yup. Wills couldn’t even bother to read the notes, visiting a place his mother was involved in. I’m shocked, let me tell you!!
And $5k for that little girl dress? With the risk of flashing? I swear, she must not care, cause
she doesn’t learn.
She looks looks “stupid”, l can’t seem to find the right word in english.
I mean, I am watching VEEP, House of Cards and Suits. Have you seen those ladies what dresses they wear. I took a photo of one to show my seamstress no kidding. They are well put together, elegant, sexy,serious everything. She can copy Claire from HOC or from VEEP or even better the women from Suits. I LOVE THEM. This woman-child here seems to find the most stupid dresses and with her lack of personality or commitment seems to make everything seem ridiculous. Oh God why why can’t I have her privilege WHYYYY???/ I know with all her money and help she gets I could at least look better dressed. Why why why
Edit: Sorry for the rant, I am feeling poor today. I want to buy some clothes but my budget is so limited I might end up naked this winter.
Love the rant and ITA, although it should be noted that she doesn’t have the power job of the characters you mentioned. Still, first lady would, I guess, be a similar role, and while Michelle Obama is hardly a fair comparison because she’s accomplished in her own right, there are definitely role models Kate could look to.
Elegant and sexy might not be what everyone is among for, beautiful, flattering and interesting is more her goal and there is nothing wrong with that.
And the reds don’t match.
This is bothering me — the red in her dress is a darker red with blue undertones. But her shoes and clutch are true red and don’t match. I don’t think things always need to be matchy-matchy, but this clashes, and it’s a problem she’s had before.
Wouldn’t it seem someone who majored in Art History would have a better understanding of color?
She absolutely should. I went to scad, majored in graphic and web design, but had to take several art history classes. Color usage and color theory were always topics we studied relating to paintings.
Ugh, I saw this pic last night on my instagram and LOLed . Here we were thinking she finally learnt to dress better and bam! She comes out wearing this ! Her ‘ go to ‘ look is so twee.
True. She is the Queen of Twee. And, let me just say “Ugghhh” to that white collar and the cuffs.
I wonder if Bill is even able to speak ONE foreign language ? For a prince with a privileged upbringing he is supposed to speak French at least ?
I guess his anxiety is also related to his lack of preparation. If he’d been up to date with the visits schedule, informed and prepared he would be much more confident and at ease. Lazy spoiled man !
It is so spoilt. It really makes me wonder why any countries remain as part of the commonwealth. They clearly have no interest in or connection to our countries so why should they be our monarch? So they can visit for a great holiday that closes down major streets and creates hassles for everyone else just so we can see them waving? They’re do nothing shit heads it’s just a joke.
My country is a Common wealth state and the only time we think about that fact is during the common wealth games. There were discussions at one point about becoming a republic but nothing became of it because at present there are more important issues to be discussed. I assure you common wealth states remain unbothered by these fools and their families.
This visit schedule wasn’t arranged by royals, they had little input other than ” the rules”. I don’t like these two for their work ethic, but this isn’t on William.
The royals don’t accidentally visit a place. They are sent as much information as possible, forward planning teams meet with the places to be visited, ditto security teams. All this happens months/weeks ahead of the visit.
William not reading his briefing notes is on him NOT the support teams, his or the charity.
And thinking he could blurt out his own laziness isn’t self deprecatingly charming, it’s rude.
Nope . Discussions were had , some of these things literally last minute which is why you will notice how few people are anywhere near the royals in the acual events other than politicians , protection and a handful of people and in some case people were deliberately kept away .not to be rude , but why do you think they would go to Kits CCG Life Boat station which was only recently hastily reopened after an acrimonious closure by the Harper government – for a mental health visit with first responders and they are greeted by Vancouver Fire department and not you know….oh say CCG Coast Guard rescue specialist, RCN or RCAF? For that matter why weren’t the Royals taken to Honour House where military Personel ,First Responders and their family’s are treated for mental health issues.
Sorry, Tia, I’m with LAK on this one. William had briefing papers which, he himself did not read. And if the visits were scheduled last minute even more reason he should have read them, as he may not have had time to be briefed properly at home. He also said he had “stacks” of papers to get through which implies he hasn’t read much if any.
I think this is the story; not that dress.
If briefing papers are actually made for him, I don’t get why he wouldn’t know what he’s doing. He gets a lot of help — use it! Plus, he knows he’ll be covered by the media. The rest of us don’t get to make excuses when we go to work..
Every part of every visit is scheduled, planned, and secured down to the minute. Even the ridiculous mid-court meeting with JayZ and Beyonce in NYC.
Tia: If organisations/people are left off the list, that is not the royals’ fault unless they’ve specifically requested they are left off the list. They won’t be the first set of royals kept away from particular people or in an isolated bubble away from lots of people.
Further, these two are not associated with military or military issues even if those involve mental health. That is Harry’s beat.
Their dip into mental health charities has been as light-weight as possible and inept as possible. And William has requested easy assignments. His office may have requested an easy tour with easy mental health challenges.
Their trip was publicly announced months ago, as rumour and as fact. Tours are planned for months. If something is thrown together last minute, it’s still months in the planning because a final itinerary is announced publicly in the media a solid fortnight ahead of the tour.
If WK aren’t pulling the crowds, that’s on them since their popularity has been dwindling with every passing year. His brother, father remain popular and pull crowds everywhere they go.
@Tia wasn’t it said there were at least a thousand people just to see them yesterday? Maybe it was wrong?
LAK CCG and RCAF jointly operate Search and Rescue for Air and Marine, RCMP operate ground search and rescue, GSAR and RCMSAR are volunteer organizations for SAR. I was speaking directly about Kits Station and WHY the PM office had the royals go there to “meet first responders and discuss mental health and then go on hovercraft” ( which by the way isn’t based at Kits ) did not include people who actually are the first responders who work there or the people affiliated with that asset ” (nor did they attend an actual facility that is in Vancouver to treat first responders for mental health issue) who keep Vancouver safe”. WHY the royals are going to Bella Bella, and Haida GWAII. WHY specific stops are being included and why stops that William and Kate ARE affiliated with aren’t being included . Kate and William don’t know, what they aren’t told they should go to. As has been stated for the past 2 months the PM Trudeau has been heavily involved in the planning of this trip, and that is clear these events are suited to HIS election promises and not particularly organizations the Roylas are aligned with.Look at the actual pictures how far back in the barricades the ” public” are , and who actually is in pictures with the royals IN the events venue. I know who should be there at some of these events and aren’t , I have an educated guess why that is.I know directly destinations were specifically chosen by PM and a request was put out for events at those destinations, to make there be a reason for the royals being there. Some events on their itinerary were decided and officials at those destinations literally found out at the same time as the press release. WIlliam and Kate would NOT have been briefed far in advance or thoroughly because as of a couple of weeks ago those smaller events did not exist per say. I know William is lazy, but I’m not suprised he hasn’t gotten through his brief. There are a lot of political land minds this trip has dumped those two into and a lot of ill will has been generated that wasn’t intended. Ps as for security, things are on lock down around here, and some destinations there is very little chance of security risk. General public can’t easily get to Bella Bella , or Haida Gwaii so little advanced planning there.if you don’t want me to share things I know, versus gossip I won’t . Moderators here know how to verify my ” tea”
He also stated he didn’t read the briefings he was given.
Tia: You are using so many words to say exactly what i said.
None of which stops William reading his briefing notes.
Nor does it change how a royal visit is organised and planned.
The fact that some organisations find out at the news conference doesn’t mean they were randomly chosen and no information is known about them. All that will have been vetted and decided ahead of time.
And if you think a visiting royal is lax about security anywhere, even in so-called safe places, i really have a bridge to sell you.
Lol ( I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at the royals for being dim and proud of it) I stated my belief in the ” last minute ” nature of those briefs and he admitted there was a pile he hadn’t red, to be fair I can see how he’d skip the minutia of detail on some things( don’t jump on me, an organization based on his mothers work is not a a sister org of his mothers work, and I personally would not , as a stranger, bring up his ymother to him) ESPECIALLY when the organization it’s self didn’t read THEIR brief……which was dun dun da……do NOT talk to His and Her Royal Highnesses unless you have been pre approved to speak to them, DONT ask questions of his and her nibs, and do not digress from pre approved topics of conversation. ( I’m speaking about actually inside official events/ photo ops, not public meet and greets)
Tia- LAK has explained this very well.
Also if you isnist on your ‘last minute’ belief… even then, WIlliam had notes to read, he should have done that much..he had a 10 hour flight to prepare and if he didn;t read for whatever reason, he had a lifetime to prepare better answers than that! How offensive to his hosts!
And what does it mean , he will get through the notes sometime.. like when next year? lol
I’m saying and you aren’t listening, that the PMs office set up this trip and itinary.its not set up ” in depth” it ISNT a typical royal visit. Frankly William looks bewildered between what he may have thought was going to go on, and what actually is.And handing a dim wit a bunch of briefs last minute and expect him to give a fk. What in gods green history of these two makes you think “this Royal trip was planned in depth months ago” when hosts found out about it at the same time as you? This trip was the PM saying ” hey come on over ” ” royals agreeing, pm saying ” hey look at my cool back yard, why don’t I introduce you to some friends” and willand Kate looking at each other like ” huh I thought we were getting together with the kids, kayaking hiking, and sailing ” . Only it suits the PM to have great photo ops, and William and Katherine to look busy. Nobody needs to sell me a bridge. As I said before Moderators know how to get a hold of me to verify gossip I’m NOT putting on here and my connection to this trip. And the part about organizations not reading THEIR brief, was a sly nudge nudge to discuss what exactly are in Kate and wills ” riders” . We all thought when Trudea invited the Royals it would be ” yes we would love to come for the 150 year celebrations” , not “hey September is good for us, how about you”. To me it’s been an eye opener , not that the royals are unprepared and lazy, but how it’s a reflection of the host governments planning. The host government actually has ignored requests from royals, in favour of PR photo ops.
Tia, that isn’t how it works not matter who sent the invitation. Every minute of every event is planned down to the last minute. No royal tour is undertaken without the full schedule being approved by the royals. Canada is not running this show, W&K are.
William looks bewildered, as per usual, because he didn’t study his notes or read his itinerary which has been available to him for weeks.
William needs therapy. He’s suffering. The laziness isn’t an explanation for appearing bewildered. I wish Diana was here for him. The Cambridges were using vacations as a way to lift William’s mood and of course they found out it’s not a solution at all.
I’m surprised that the younger Royals don’t speak foreign languages, tbh. They’ve been to the best schools since birth. Or failing that, just get a Berlitz coach around to the house and get drilled. With one to one tutoring for a few hours a day you can go from threshold to B1 in decent time.
No kidding. Especially if you’re going on a tour where it’s reasonable to assume that you’ll need to speak at least one additional language. I can understand being rusty if it’s been a while since you last spoke a language (I took a foreign language in high school and don’t remember much today!), but as you mentioned, he could get a tutor to get him up to speed.
Don’t they supposedly speak French at Christmas dinners and such? Was that just when they were kids?
@carolind, is William and Kate religious? I mean it seems as if they live for the world and not for God.
I do not know the royals ,meeting them is not the same. I believe Kate and will “do “charitable work because it’s expected. I believe they are deeply guarded, private and paranoid ( with good reason) . William has never made any bones about not wanting his public position. He can’t just walk away, and he won’t give up the privilege. I respect Charles because he deeply believes he has a moral duty in his charity. And I adore Harry because it’s obvious how passionate he is about his charitable work and he does seem to want a meaningful life as he views that to be to himself. FYI I believe William is actually very shy. I will love Harry forever for his work with Veterans and their families, for which he isn’t credited. The royal family snubbed a primary reserve infantryunit here in Victoria for their centenial. It was a huge issue in the Officers Mess – think how the Irish Guard felt about Kate snub,only this is a highly decorated unit, volunteers going to Afganistan, that is a Royal Regiment , ignored on their centenial. HUGE !….They were voluntold to show up for parade as an honour down when Kate and William unveiled the new plaque for Afgan Vets ( that’s why Royals were at the Ledg the day they came in) the serving Vets volunforgot to show up ( it’s reserve they can have other plans). The public didn’t get to see all those lovely kilts.The royals would be oblivious , but the military never forgets a snub. For a ” royal visit” there have been a lot of perceived snubs, this time around.AGAIN.BUT given this is the Trudeau Show ,I’m not suprised.For the most part , especially infantry , they’d love to share a beer with Harry.
As a french-canadian, I am quite offended. A visit in a bilingual country? What about your prepare yourself Bill?
Meh.
William is an asshole.
He is a dummy that is for sure but I am pretty confident that Canada will be ditching the British monarchy after the queen passes. They don’t do anything for us so he won’t even be the symbolic head of state.
Calling William an asshole is a bit much IMO.
Looking at his life I actually feel a bit sorry for him. He’s been traumatised repeatedly and he’s stated more than once he’s a private person. I would imagine he views his life as pretty much a curse and wishes Harry had been the first born. I think William feels sad to a large extent he and his family are on display like zoo animals. The earlier statement from LAK with regard to declining popularity is sad in many ways but the reality is- I think if someone were to discuss it with William, and if he responded with total honesty, he would say he doesn’t care about his declining popularity and doesn’t want to be King.
He is not a prisoner. He has $10 million in the bank and the ability to walk away at any time. Remove himself and kids from the line of succession and move the family to Switzerland where no one is allowed to photograph them.
notasugarhere, I have a feeling William is waiting for HM to pass and then we’re going to receive an announcement he’s intending to abdicate and special arrangements will be made for William’s immediate family to live in seclusion, not exile. Everything will go to Harry. This public life is too much stress for William.
It does beg the question…what on earth does he DO with his days? I could see him spending a great deal of time on the couch with a spliff, googling hair loss prevention/plug surgery whilst juggling an x-box remote trying to stay in a game of FIFA that he’s playing online with some annomous teenaged boys in Brighton, Sunderland and Essex.
I dont think William will withdraw from public life. That is just not how they operate. Edward Viii was the only one in over 1000 years who has ever abdicated. They are annointed with special oils at the coronation and it is a very religious ceremony. I believe that QEii thinks ahe is there with God’s blessing. Ok William is probably not religious but you get the drift.
At first sight I did not like Kate’s dress but then I think “what is wrong with it”? She is only 34 which is so young.
My classic, classy 26 year old niece thinks it beautiful and that Kate is lovely.
carolind, with regard to speculating as to William withdrawing from public life, I didn’t believe it either but as more time passes since the wedding, we’re seeing more and more hints with such things as a lack of preparation, lack of effective communication (language comprehension etc), lack of engagement and involvement, lack of interest really.
William is just not suited to public life and he knows it.
Two things about William stepping aside, 1)10 million personal income to live his life style on versus gross income of 29, million annually …yah I don’t see him giving up that perk. And 2) even if Harry or William would step aside, they will always be hounded by press and people intent on killing them ( ala Lord Mountbatten) as a terror target. I’ve rally been thinking a lot about why the extreme avoidance of a public life and in addition to abject laziness/ apathy .I think that does weigh heavily given these dark days internationally. Organizations of Terror have made no bones about Harry is a wanted ” get”. As a mother I would be terrified for my children. That’s my compassion to them for today , but only because well I have witnessed up close , this week that they really are animals in a zoo. No wonder Harry runs away when ever he can, for months at a time.
Citresse- Carole Middleton will NEVER let that happen.
Tia, they can retreat to a country like Switzerland where it really is illegal for anyone to photograph them in a public place.
Carolind: Despite the PR ‘resigning for the woman i love’, David didn’t abdicate willingly. He was pushed out and led to believe that life as an ex-King would go on as normal minus the kinging bit.
He got a rude awakening.
All the abdications in the past 1000yrs have been forced, David’s included.
William won’t step down willingly no matter how miserable it makes him, but if he pushes the govt to the brink, he will be pushed out and PR used to make it look like it was either his choice (David) or the right choice for the govt and the people (Matilda, Edward 2, The Stuarts).
@Tia do you know if William and Kate do charitable work because its from their heart or if its part of their job?
I do not know the royals ,meeting them is not the same. I believe they do charitable work because it’s expected. I believe they are deeply guarded, private and paranoid ( with good reason) . William has never made any ones about not wanting his position. He can’t just walk away, and he won’t give up the privilege. I respect Charles because he deeply believes he has a moral duty in his charity. And I adore Harry because it’s obvious how passionate he is about his charitable work and he does seem to want a meaningful life as he views that to be to himself. FYI I believe William is actually very shy. I will love Harry forever for his work with Veterans and their families, for which he isn’t credited. The royal family snubbed a primary reserve infantryunit here in Victoria for their centenial. It was a huge issue in the Officers Mess – think how the Irish Guard felt about Kate snub,only this is a highly decorated unit, volunteers going to Afganistan, that is a Royal Regiment , ignored on their centenial. HUGE ?..They were voluntold to show up for parade as an honour down when Kate and William unveiled the new plaque for Afgan Vets ( that’s why Royals were at the Ledg the day they came in) the men I, volunforgot to show up ( it’s reserve they can have other plans). The royals would be oblivious , but the military never forgets a snub. For the most part , especially infantry , they’d love to share a beer with Harry.
@Tia, honestly I think Harry will be king in the future. Of course they only do this because it’s part of their work not because its from their heart.
I’m getting an “Ikea” vibe from the pattern on the dress.
Overall, the whole thing is too buttoned up and fussy.
Yes, IKEA napkins. The new TWEE line of napkins.
A pattern on paper napkins – yes, you nailed it. That’s exactly what it looks like.
Oh my god, it actually looks exactly like the IKEA curtains in my kitchen! White with a repeating pattern of red tree outlines. (We just bought the house and the window treatments were included… this makes me want to speed up the replacement process.)
I thought it was another fussy Temperley London. And a closeup of the buttons show they’re little blue, pink, & yellow flowers. Twee, indeed!
Lampshade dress! http://www.oggettiveneziani.com/shop/en/rubelli/565-italian-lamp-shade-rubelli-jacquard-fabric-red-off-white-fiammetta-pattern.html
I give her credit for choosing to wear patterns from time to time. But she’s got such awful posture that it kills how some outfits look on her. And this is yet another dress that looks like it may fly up any second, the scallops making it more aerodynamic.
She looks like a toilet roll cover. And I may be a prude, but I wish she wouldn’t wear above the knee hemlines. It’s indiscreet. I know she’s young and has fabulous legs, but she’s also now a member of the Royal family and as such should dress with some degree of decorum. I’m sick of her flashing everyone. Yesterday’s outfit was perfect.
Above the knee hemlines are indiscreet? Just…. Wow. What era are you living in? This dress is perfectly lovely and appropriate. I’m not sure how you’re imagining a mini skirt.
When you know you’re going to be climbing into a seaplane and bending over meeting kids, a shorter skirt can end up being indiscreet. She has a work dress code, just like many other people here. Her dress code is hems to the knee or lower and heels less than 3 inches. Doesn’t matter who thinks that isn’t fair, aging, or whatever. Those are the rules for her work place.
OMG toilet roll cover…..that’s it exactly!!
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Crochet+Doll+Toilet+Paper+Cover&FORM=IRIBEP
I’ve been wondering where she gets her fashion inspiration!!!
LOL…………………..I haven’t seen those since I left the Midwest!
Something just looks off and the outfit looks plastic. Too matchey matchey as well. I have come to the conclusion that she has no personality so the clothes wear her. Queen Maxima wears some crazy outifits but she has fun with it and I love waiting for posts to see what she wears. And I think it just boils
Down too lack of personality.
There is always one look in a lookbook that is trolling it’s customers. No one ever buys that look, not even eccentric fashionistas.
And that’s the look we have here. Adapted into Katie Bucket fashion.
William knows he can get away with anything and everything so why bother knowing why he is visiting a charity.
When I saw that the dress is McQueen, I was surprised, although I shouldn’t have been. Just can’t get over what has happened to his design house, and he certainly never did twee.
I’m sorry but I do not give him a pass on the French – as future King he should speak French. He has never had anything else to do and access to the best schools in the world. The brat should be multi lingual.
I don’t give him a pass either- being multi lingual is so common among rich UK kids so it’s like he’s purposely avoided it. He is so entitled to not even bother to learn the language of a country he may one day be the King of
He just needed to be able to read his remarks well. Practice buddy.
But why French? Maybe he speaks some other foreign language? Why are English speaking people always so opsessed with French?
Common history. Many English words are actually french origin.
Also, French is one of the premier diplomatic languages. Historically, it’s been the main modern foreign language taught in British schools.
I will bet you a pound to a pint of cat’s wee that Normal Bill is no more proficient in any other language.
personally , I think is daft and doesn’t give a damn!!
Another tablecloth. I saw something like that on her this year, red and white cell. Looks like paper. And very childish. She really too infantile.
This dress is awful. The style, the price, the theme of the Canadian flag colors…..I’m sorry but she just looks and is ridiculous. I was looking at photos of her with the children and they looked more sophisticated than she did. The choice of fabric is the deal breaker, it looks like a tablecloth or some vintage china and the pattern just looks weird in a dress. Shoulder pads to try to disguise her awful posture. She looks like a little girl in this mess!
William should be ashamed of himself. Not only did he read his briefing papers – he stupidly admitted it publicly!!!
the moment I saw her in this dress I thought “OMG”. Then I looked at it again and my next thought was like “really? did she really mean it?” This dress is a disaster. I am now 100% sure Kate has no sense of style at all. However, I kind of suspect that for Kate a chance of looking good in this or that outfit is defined by the price tag.
As fo Will, he is so delusional and full of himself that it just annoys.
edited to read, “not only did he NOT read his briefing papers…..”
But what do we expect from someone who is a theme dresser – who even dresses her children to match her outfit like the red shoes and Mui Mui bag.
They are both clueless beyond words and are truly an embarrassment to their country and the institution they represent. We should keep a tally of their blunders just to see if they manage to outdo the India/Bhutan trip. Maybe open a book as to when they will p!ss off the royal press pack with the diva behaviour, demanding ‘private’ time at an event.
I hope poor jason has lots of asprin!
They hassel Prince Phil for his gaffs. Bill and chutney have out numbered him and they are only just a few years in. At least Phil was a fricking professional.
I wouldn’t be suprised his they abdecated after Liz pops her clogs. I bet he has been embezzeling money for the last 10 years on prep for it. He will cash out too when Liz dies and leaves him personal funds. Charles prolly will give his blessing and focus on Harry. This would explain why bill and chutney have sucked so hard at their roles because they know it’s only temporary. But don’t tell Ma chavelliar.
Maybe there is some trouble in Party pieces and what we see is marketing, napkin advertising?
@vava. I don’t think it has anything with being stupid (admitting to not reading the papers) I think it shows how much he just doesn’t care. He open about it and the joke is on us for keeping him in the role when he comes unprepared. How many of us could do that at work and get away with it????
Stupid he is not for he gets what he wants and exerts little effort while getting a life style fit for a king. Pun intended.
I can’t believe how poor William’s French was considering they were basic remarks probably written weeks in advance which he easily could have practised and learnt by heart. It wasn’t as if he was doing an on the spot interview in French. Poorly prepared, yet again, just like the briefing notes gaffe.
He’s such an embarrassment and it’s obvious he just doesn’t give a hoot. Can you image someone in their mid-thirties showing up at their job and just shrugging and saying they didn’t prepare? They’d be fired. Let’s get rid of their idiot already.
“Oh, I didn’t know, that’s good to hear. It’s probably in my briefing notes somewhere. I’ve got this huge file of notes I haven’t managed to get through yet but I’ll get there.”
Jebus H effing – splutter splutter splutter I don’t know any swear words strong enough.
Can he not be prince of another country? Please?
That’s what got me too, Sixer. What an embarrassment he must be.
When will he “get there,” on the way home?
It makes my blood boil, it really does. It’s not even the failure to properly read the briefing notes (he has an army of flunkies who could cover that over for him) – it’s the sheer arrogance of saying that he hasn’t bothered, out loud, in public, while actually on the bloody visit.
THIS is representing Britain abroad?
Representing the worst of the boorish, wealth-without-earning-it, disengaged one percenter portion of Britain abroad? Yes.
I am afraid so.
Exactly – how rude – totally embarrassing. And Ive heard a few times today how this is their “first outing as a family of four” – maybe that should’ve been here in the UK with the taxpayers who help fund their lavish lifestyle – and at least he wouldn’t need to learn the language…..
He is completely and totally ignorant, in his own world where nothing he does is wrong and nothing he says is questioned. This is the problem with royalty – who is going to tell him he’s a dolt?
I have to agree with these comments. Even if he received the notes somewhat at the last minute, he could have prioritized reading them. He has a study, a wife, a nanny, a very flexible air ambulance job — nothing stood in his way but his own laziness.
Showing up at a non-profit without having read up on WHY you’re even visiting is not just unprofessional, it’s also highly disrespectful toward the people who work there. They work way harder than William, for much lower pay and no perks, yet they managed to carve out the time to prepare for HIM.
Hahaha, Sixer. It’s not funny, I know. I was horrified he doesn’t read his briefing notes and even more horrified he admits it!
On a more entertaining note, Season 2 of Poldark started over here last night. Aaahh. . . . a little Aidan Turner for the soul. Although I have to admit, Francis is growing on me, and I *love* George Warleggen (sp). He’s awesome.
Mr Sixer LOVES Poldark. I keep telling him that it’s supposed to be Sunday night crumpet for the women but he is the world’s biggest sucker for a bit of BBC period drama.
I gave my sister season one of Poldark and we loved it! It is really beautifully shot and I really liked how they used the natural surroundings in the visuals. Aidan Turner is also very easy on the eye (as is his doctor friend).
I can’t say that I like the Warleggan character (the younger) but the actor is good. He plays this odd, akward character in “The Riot Club”, which BTW is about a group of Hooray Henrys going beserk in Oxford. Lots of good young actors – Sam Claflin, Freddie Fox, Holiday Granger, Natalie Dormer and (sadly) Max Irons is the main character + a small part for a personal fave of mine: Tom Hollander. Worth a look though it kind of leaves you sick to your stomach.
I want to give these two “The Great Gatsby” and tell then that F. Scott Fitzgerald would be horrified to see Tom and Daisy actually exist.
Art Historian!! Lovely to see you!
I’m really starting to love George Warleggan!! He is so superciliously awful I’m loving watching him do it. Lots of fun, that. And I agree about Dr. Ennis. Yum.
Sixer, agreed! The epitome of arrogance and entitlement. “Work with me,” Why don’t you try working, period. Sigh.
He’s not good at anything requiring consistency to master (anything, really). I remember when he mentioned that he “missed flying” at an event several months ago so I studied the few photos we had of him in his chopper. No wonder he misses flying; he’s still not piloting the thing. So he doesn’t turn up enough for his part-time job to get the flying hours he needs to pilot, he doesn’t practice a language enough to attain even minimal fluency, and he doesn’t read his damn briefing notes to even understand why he’s talking to whoever he’s introduced to. Does he know that as monarch he will have to deal with red boxes every day (except Christmas)? Every. Day.
I feel sorry for him, actually. He seems to do just enough work to feel inconvenienced, but not enough to actually accomplish anything. That’s a miserable way to live.
As I recall, his Uncle David has a similar attitude towards work. Perhaps a future government can come up with a similar solution.
Concur with all you say, graymatters. Except I DON’T feel sorry for him!
Sixer,
I’m American, so neither he nor his fashion-impaired wife cost me anything.
Actually, I just took a look at the Tom Hiddleston Does Gucci post and it’s clear that I don’t understand fashion. It’s as though they took a decent-looking person, dressed him in some nice clothes (he does wear a suit well) and then added something random and hilariously ugly to make a statement. No wonder he sought consolation in the affections of an over-groomed, over-bred dog. Who else would understand the angst of a Shakespearean actor in such a situation? They could just entitle that shoot “performance anxiety.”
Sorry to thread-jack. I started off with a point… The Duchess of Hair is a decent-looking person, dressed in some nice clothes, but there’s always something off about her outfit. It this case, I think it’s the fact that the top half looks like a shirt — buttons and cuffs — and I think she should have just left the whole top part white, or the same red as the print — a la Caroline Herrera.
I confess to being a little disappointed that she didn’t flash us. She wore the right dress to a sea-plane disembarking for a flash. I wonder if she’s disappointed that the wind didn’t cooperate.
I have no understanding of fashion whatsoever, so I prefer the Hiddlesburp shoot to anything Katie Bucket wears, unless she flashes. I like laughing (Hiddlesburp shoot) or having a good old moan up (Katie Bucket flashing). Whether or not her non-flashing fashion is appropriate or not is way above my pay grade!
Trudeau has been called the Dauphin by many of his opponents, but the one thing William’s visit is showing is what a true lazy prince is like. Trudeau would be butchered by the press if he ever said he hadn’t read a briefing.
William’s laziness is now fully exposed.
LOLOLOLOLOL “I’ll get there [even though the trip will be over and there will be literally no point to do briefing then]”
These two effing kill me. Like shit, I thought I was lazy because college continues to drain my energy and crush my soul but my god they make me feel less guilty about doing absolutely nothing for a couple days and sleeping a ton after a week of exams, essays, charity events, crafting 24/7 for people etc. Thank you WK for making me feel better about myself. Your laziness put all my worries into perspective.
It’s too late for this centre.
Interesting phrasing. Willy makes it sound as if he has been ploughing through a mountain of papers but the task has been soooo overwhelming. So it’s not his fault, and isn’t he *such* a hard worker beavering away. Such a tone deaf liar. Everyone gets what you’re really saying, Willy, except you.
This is the man who would be king. How is he going to plow through the mountain of papers that he’s supposed to read as monarch? He is going to be completely unprepared for the position and doesn’t seem to care that everyone knows it. Arrogant and dim to boot.
Imagine the highly educated Prime Ministers who will have to endure weekly audiences with him.
I don’t really like this dress, but I think it could have looked less like a child’s birthday party dress if she’d worn her hair up.
I foolishly got my hopes up yesterday that she might have brought appropriate clothing for this tour. Silly, silly me.
If that dress was a skirt and she’d worn it with a plain v neck dark top and her hair in a ponytail it would have been gorgeous.
Queen Letizia often does patterned skirts/plain tops and it also looks very chic.
This is just too much and with the ridiculously high non collared neckline and her messy hair it looked bad.
I agree with you completely…there is nothing wrong with separates and I kind of like the pattern, it’s just a bit too much on top and bottom. I do like the red shoes/clutch.
If her dress/skirt hems covered her knees, I think her legs would actually look longer (and her torso shorter).
Hate this dress. Someone on Twitter pointed out it looks similar to her India/Bhutan dresses.
Their last engagement yesterday lasted only 20 mins and were at the Charity which means so much to Kate for less than an hour. Their Twitter also said they wanted to meet as many people as possible and yet didn’t do walkabouts at most of their stops. Glorified photoshoots at this point. And Williams comments prove that. Him not being fluent in French doesn’t bother me to much but he should have practiced that speech till he knew it inside out.
Chutney NEVER stays at an event for more than 45mins and yes they are desperate to up their yearly totals that they are resorting to official pap strolls now. The Royal press pack will only put up with this for soo long before they start snarking on twitter.
Pretending to be keen for 20 minutes appears to be all she can handle. Actually being engaged and interested in the world around her? Not unless that world is contained in a shopping mall.
@notasugarhere, you think William and Kate do charitable work because its from their heart or because its part of their job?
Kitty: definitely because it’s their job. If they were required to do it, they wouldn’t.
@LAK, so you are saying if it was not required they would not do it? How pathetic is that.
Kitty,
Look at what Kate did before marriage. She was an adult for nearly ten years before she married in and chose to do less than most high school graduates accomplish before they’re 20.
It’s harder to see what Will is actually interested in, because any charitable effort is (and should be) publicized. However, he has not demonstrated any true commitment to any activity post-graduation. He was given special consideration at Sandhurst so he didn’t have to complete all the tasks, he nearly lost his wings in the RAF because of low flight hours, and he practices blitzkrieg charity work : infrequent, from a distance, and confusing to civilians.
Neither of them show the kind of passion or even sustained interest in what they do to indicate that they do it willingly.
@graymatters, then why do people still love them? Did you see the crowds for them yesterday and the day before that?
Kitty,
I’m not sure that many people do love them. I doubt if most people think about them much at all. That would explain why their appearances are so superficial. Why bother doing something right, when in the same time with less effort they could half-ass a lot of somethings and get more notice in the CC and more articles in the DM? I do know that many people in the crowds were there to see the PM and his wife and some to just see them out of curiosity.
As the heir, there is Palace PR that exists to push him as the golden child and by extension, Kate. Ditto George. Reporters have to keep telling the world that they are wonderful, smart, hardworking etc ad naseum. And people believe it.
However, did you notice how Charlotte was barely mentioned? She’s the spare and already unimportant in the media. She better find her place early lest she is subjected to Harry type harrassment as a teen and Andrew/ Yorkies type abuse as a grown up. She won’t receive the same type of protection or help as her father and brother.
@graymatters, wow reading news online and the DM, they made it sound like the crowds were there to see William and Kate more =. I mean the crowds gave them gifts. I wonder if they have a special arrangement with the DM. Honestly I still think Harry will be King in the future. @LAK, I want to know why is it the media seem to love and praise Harry a lot more than William nowadays? Harry has a Caribbean tour coming up and I would not be shocked if its more successful than this tour.
Kitty: The newspapers print what sells or clicks. It took them awhile to flip the ‘bad boy Party Prince’ narrative for Harry articles. Only when they saw how popular he is with the public did they started covering him properly or positively. That said, they still add snide comments in his articles as if to remind the public that Harry isn’t all that.
Until his recent ‘workshy’ headlines, William has always been covered as the golden child. Every so often, an off-message article would appear, but it didn’t gain traction.
Even now, media is presenting him as the golden child like those ‘work shy’ articles and receipts never happened.
Can you imagine if Harry said he never read his briefings? It would be headline news across all media with a recap of all the low points of Harry’s public behaviour.
@LAK, have you read the DM comments? Honestly every time they go on tour the comments always change and people forget they are workshy and can not see through them that they do royal duties and charities because its their work not because its their passion.
She has the worst taste, I just cannot get excited about anything she wears. I hate the tiny little hats, the make up and the hair its all just….yawn. I know this will fascinate some, and annoy others…but my mum is an astrologer and she has had a little look at Willy’s chart and whenever we see them on a magazine and I say how painful I find them, she says he will only ever care about his family. His family is his passion and everything else is secondary, she will not be surprised if he is never king.
@SENSIBLE, I agree with your mother that he will never be King. Do you and anyone else agree as well?
Do not like that dress
Looked so much better yesterday.
That dress is not pretty at all. Why does she do this. One day great dress the next horrible? Also have you guys been on DM? It seems like anytime they are going on a tour and bring the kids they get praises and everyone forgets their lack of work ethic. How fair is that?
Typical Daily Mail. They always fall for Willie and Waity’s PR stunts
You got that right.
This is a Canadian tax payer funded trip? Woo hop!!! (Does somersaults and cartwheels from one end of room to another). So glad us Brits get a few days break from W&K.
On the other hand, something about this dress is odd for the occasion. Its like something one would were to a garden wedding. Or a garden show of some kind with beautiful hedges and bouquets all about.
When I first saw the dress last night my first reaction was “so ugly”. Looking more closely at it I think its a pretty dress, it just looks awful on her. A proper fashion plate like Dianne Kruger would make it look good.
As for Normal Bill’s comments, *shakes head* *rolls eyes* *heavy sigh* #PoorJason will deserve an award if he can somehow spin this positively
I knew she was going to get dragged for this dress (and rightfully so). She needs a proper stylist, but it’s nice to see the nude shoes go away for a day.
God, he’s such an ill-mannered, arrogant boor.
No wonder she’s as hopeless as she is with him as an example of how to be/do royal.
I keep wanting to say something nice… But no, she simply can’t choose work appropriate clothes to wear.
yeah.. 5k$ dress to meet refugees.. there is clueless and then there is Kate!
$5000+ to meet refugees? How much more clueless could she be?
I’m sorry but why isn’t he fluent in French? That is unacceptable. I would have loved going into foreign services career-wise, working in an embassy and so forth. But I couldn’t as I wasn’t fluent in French, only in Spanish. It’s required to even be able to apply. I’m neither British, French or Spanish by the way. I’m German and in order to apply fluency in English and French is a given, then, an additional language.
It’s not that Prince William learned yesterday what his job description is. He’s been to all the snobby schools too. At least do your part, royalty. You have one job.
Most of the other major royals around his age speak 4-5 languages each. Felipe, Philippe, Willem-Alexander, Victoria, etc.
William speaks one language and has an undergrad in geography. Just doesn’t stack up.
She just can’t resist flashing her legs at everyone. It is a dress that would suit a little girl and not a 30 something woman. The red shoes are a nice change from the nude ones but they look cheap and plastic-like. The dress might have looked slightly better if it sat on or just below her knees but that would reduce the risk of flashing and Waity wouldn’t do that.
As for William not reading his briefing notes I am only amazed that some people on other sites are surprised by this. He really is a silly, ,disinterested, spoiled man-child.
Sophie Trudeau looked nice but enough with the hand-holding. He is not going to run away.
Well, I guess this is Burton for McQueen redesigned by Kate Middleton really. Oh girl, if you are going to wear a busy dress, please, tie up your hair! It is nice to see that she is making an effort especially in the shoe department, but again the whole thing could have been much better. It should not be so very hard to put a decent outfit together when you have all the time and help in the world, and nothing else to do…
I actually like the fact it looks very Native American pattern – I am sure Wills could have made an effort to say one sentence in French but he is a bit gauche actually didn’t I read somewhere Kate was having French lessons after the wedding. What happened.
The pattern reminded me of a couple dresses she wore on tour in India. Though, they were black and white and blue and white.
The red shoes, could they be the same shoes from the tour in Canada in 2011 she wore in Ottawa?
How can anyone justify wearing a four thousand pound dress to visit a charity for mothers and babies? That’s the place for more casual dressing when Kate wears skinny jeans.
Do you really want her to traumatize the poor babies with her super skinny jeans and wedges of dooooom!
I wanted to like the dress. There are elements to it that I like, but then I realized that the original was probably awesome and the changes she made are why it looks “off”. I like the bottom. I think it’s the top and sleeve modifications that ruin it?
Actually, the original (on HRHDuchessKate) is weird. She actually improved it.
The dress would look cute on my 17 year old daughter, who is tall and slender. And very young.
Stop with the crotch clutching! Hands at sides! It is not that bloody difficult!!!
I like the dress, but I think with such an overwhelming pattern, having long sleeves and a buttoned up neck just makes it too much.
NO MORE RUFFLES!!!
That crotch clutch grab is super annoying. She needs to learn how to wear the clothes instead of the clothes wearing her. No body awareness whatsoever.
Well its disgraceful William has plenty of time to be briefed before the tour commences
His French was disgraceful considering his position
It is also disgraceful going to a refugee centre in a 4thousandound dress with a thousand pound clutch bag this girl child thinks she is on a fashion catwalk. .
Really these two lazies are so embarrassing for our country she thinks its a holiday constantly dressong inappropriately. .. The way she arrived standing in a pose resembling Diana was copied as she has no thought process of her own .. These two are not even bothering to read their notes before going to charities as both are spoilt over indulged and its really time someone was man enough to stand up for what is politically right. ..
I will not give William a pass regarding his “poor French and lack of preparation” during a business trip. The endless possibilities and access that he had during his education years to the best schools only makes him look like an under-prepared adult unable to have a Chief Executive Position. He must be so lucky that all his professional life is handled and figured out because if he was out there in the real world his possibilities of having a career would be dramatically reduced.
The fact that we are only able to comment on Kate’s dressing choices during an official trip is depressing.
I agree. He had nannies for crying out loud – they could have hired a French nanny for him to be painlessly fluent from an early age. But this is not how it’s done in RF. All other royals in the world speak many languages fluently but lazy Wills couldn’t not be bothered.
As for the French issue I noticed the gov aircraft which flew the Cambridges had the french first then english with regard to identification. It read Gouvernement du Canada/Government of Canada. Understandable I suppose, if the aircraft departs and arrives within regions of Quebec only. Then I wondered if perhaps it reads english first on the other side of the aircraft.
I absolutely love it 😍 Of course me being me I would have added some pops of turquoise but I love the dress.
I’m with you. I thought it was great-love that it is bright so that it stands out in a crowd. I was so happy that she ditched the beige shoes or those damn wedges. I actually thought it was a win. Clearly we’re in the minority though-lol.
I like it also
Let’s stick together then! It’s a rough comment thread 👀
Can I join you 3?
Holy crap there is no one on this earth I would rather NOT be than Kate. the hate she receives about her dresses and shoes, good lord people.
What they’re doing today is so important btw!!
They are bringing the world’s attention, for the first time, to the Great Bear Rain Forest. With knowledge will come protection. Big applause for them.
Big lonely applause.
ah sh!t, the Great Bear tour was cancelled due to weather. They’re now doing a “trail walk” in Bella Bella.
I’m sitting down now. no applause.
I think the dress is twee although, as a Canadian, I appreciate the fact that she chose a red and white colour scheme to honour the country she is visiting. And William – lazy, lazy, lazy. Can’t be bothered to read the briefing notes – just what the heck was he doing while preparing for the tour? And I’m not going to give him a pass for not speaking French adequately. His father and grandmother both speak the language and obviously put in the time and effort to learn, why can’t he? Once again, it shows that he enjoys all the perks and privileges of being royal but doesn’t want its duties and responsibilities.
Not reading his briefing notes (and then admitting it) is inexcusable. This is his job, and these two constantly excuse themselves for a month before any trip to “prepare” – either this is the result of said preparation (in which case, YIKES), or they really are just that lazy.
On a similar note, is William actually good at or interested in ANYTHING? He seems to not be able to stick with something through to the end, or have a knack for anything? Same question for Kate.
I think she looks fine probably 90% of the time but then I’m no fashion maven. However, she is getting into that age where this kind of “cute” dress will just look unfortunate. Hopefully either Jenny Packham will grow with her or she will find another designer to dress her that will do so.
She either looks like an air hostess or too casual. Girl needs a stylist asap. That dress is so wrong. The hair. Come on!
I was at the crowd in Jack Poole Plaza to greet them when they got off the sea plane- I adore the comments and snark on Celebitchy regarding these two and thought since they were going to be 10 minutes down the road I might as well make the effort to see them.
I was surprised to see the Daily Mail reporting that the crowds were 10 people deep to see them- more like 3-4. We got there less than an hour before they were supposed to arrive and I was still able to shake William’s hand and say hello. Kate was on the other side. I had wondered if they would look improved versus photos you see of them, but no. William looked… Like William and Kate looked a tad haggard and tired but in fairness they did just arrive the previous day.
What I was really amazed at was the amount of crap they are given. There were some real royal loonies present giving them books and flowers and paintings and apparently someone gave them a book on the royal family (perhaps a subtle hint? :)! They had aides just standing around with their arms full of things that will be dumped as soon as they leave the vicinity. I understand people bring it to get some face time with the royals, but my goodness, it was a lot of stuff!
May I ask, how many people were really there so see them? Hundreds? Also do you think WIlliam and Kate will make a good King and Queen?
Definitely hundreds Kitty, not thousands as was reported. I think they will be a rubbish king and queen! Wouldn’t be surprised if the monarcy ended with Charles. I am Irish and living in Canada for the last few years, so I probably know more than most about the “real” do nothing-ness of the royals and the Kate Middleton hunt for the crown than some of the Canadians!
@Kaitax I so agree. Honestly something tells me they won’t be King and Queen in the future. Either the monarchy will be done with Charles or Harry will end up being King. I will go with the latter. Hundreds. You know whats funny. In their Indian/Bhutan tour there was barely people to see them.
Good queen consort who knows..creepy grinning queen consort- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtR-jgLW8AAE-wb.jpg
For the record, CTV news reported approx 5000 people showed up at Poole plaza to see W&K.
Did you see the protesters with the mock guilotine shouting “no King, no Landlord”!!!???
I am glad you posted this! My husband has friends who live in Vancouver and he asked them how bad traffic/crowds were. They said you hardly noticed anything ‘special’ was going on!
@Citresse, Really? I doubt that.
Kitty, based on photos and video I doubt it too- it’s just media trumping up interest in a royal visit because W&K aren’t nearly as interesting as was Charles and Diana and never will be.
Darling Katie, stop dressing like a convent girl. We have all seen the knickerless shots of you tumbling out of taxis.
Good Lord! A bunch of napkins folded together. The length of it is all wrong, like it’s her younger sister’s. And the matchy-matchy shoes and purse! With her height and figure and money, she could look like a million every time! But she has no personality and that, unfortuantely, spills into her clothes. And, of course, let’s not forget her security blanket hair and the eyeliner, which will be her “trademark” until she’s in her mid-80s. Ugh..
The hair extensions were looking particularly bad. If the humidity is going to cause a problem, then her hairdresser needs to take care of the situation with an appropriate up-do.
She’s berated when she wears something “boring” — then gets berated when she takes a fashion risk.
She can’t win.
I think a lot of you need to ask yourselves why you’re so critical of this woman.
People are critical of her for 2 reasons: The Brits/Commonwealth citizens because they are paying for her & her husband’s lavish lifestyle and the rest of us because this is a gossip site and we can.
I think it’s ridiculous that the entire royal family–not just these two–are kept like pampered poodles. Why? But I’m American, so if the British people don’t mind, that’s up to them.
The Queen seems like a nice woman but I don’t think that she deserves to live in her grand style either–I don’t care how many charity events she attends.
@minx haha! Kept Poodles!
Who’s a good Queenie! Who’s a good girl! Sit…sit! Wear your crown! Now say “Magna Carta! Mag-na Car-ta!” Good Queen! Here’s a nice, juicy, sovereign grant for you!
Imo, then people should just say it instead of going on about her fashion.
If it is really about monarchy, then go ahead and say it.
So far it seems to have more to do with people’s aversion to nude shoes,
Original Mia, SPOT ON!!!
There’s plenty of room between boring and atrocious, esp. when she’s spending thousands on one dress. She can win, but she needs to make better choices. She seems to care more about fashion than she cares for her causes, so the girl needs to up her game.
Kristen, I’ll give her props for trying something different and for the shoes and clutch.However, still not wearing weighted skirts is just beyond me when she’s flashed before. What bothered me the most was Williams lack of knowledge and effort to read any notes before he visited Shenway.
why is she always with William 24/7. from being coddled by mummy . now William is her babysitter. but she had no problem stalking him.waiting by the phone to ring and hitting London nightclubs shes a phony!!!!!
Ugly and twee. She’s a 34 yo woman and mother and she’s still dressing like a teenager. And why in the world would she wear a flyaway skirt on a seaplane?! Seriously, this woman’s synapses aren’t clicking at the same pace as normal folks.
….actually I was in Vancouver two years ago on that very pier same time of year thank goodness it wasn’t windy as that skirt would have billowed over her head
But, but its a 5000$ flyaway dress *sarcasm* AT this point it seems she is just spending money to spend it..
Kate could’ve chosen a nice red and white dress with a nice red hat (I’d like to see her in a red fedora style) but we get doses of the twee again and again. Others have mentioned it’s hard to believe she’s the mother of two children and it’s certainly reinforced when she dresses this way. The woman is in her 35th year and married to a Prince. She’s not a 17 year old attending a school dance. Kate is stuck at age 17 and William at age 15. Sad really.
I agree with Kristen.
At this point I don’t give a hoot for whatever Kate is wearing but Jeezuz H. William – you can’t even read the goddam prep notes and at least FAKE being interested and concerned? Could you not have memorized a brief speech in passable French knowing you were visiting a bilingual commonwealth country? If he were an employee at a regular job and came to meetings completely unprepared and not giving an arse about the subject matter he’d be fired.
The sooner he removes his lazy butt from the line of succession the better and I really resent having to foot the bill for their total lack of interest and concern.
Jaded, that’s it in a nutshell. Kate is just too bland and dull to get in a state over but him, oh him, with all the opportunities he’s had to do something good with his privilege and this is what he does with it?
In any other capacity, he would be the employee given, after a series of arrogant missteps, an official warning, and then, after showing no sense of care or responsibility, fired for bringing the company into disrepute.
Wow..appalling that William conveniently uses his Mother’s memory for his benefits (blocking the media etc) and yet he had no clue about a charity modeled after one opened by her!! And to go to an official visit so unprepared??!!
William is now publicly letting everyone know he does not care about or want the job of king. Why would anyone admit that they hadn’t read the briefings. Just imagine how lowly it would make these people who have put out a great effort to welcome you and show you what they do feel when they hear that. He just basically said he didn’t care and he and Kate were just there because someone drove them over at no cost to WIll and Kate. If these visits are their “jobs” then how are they still on the job??!! Where can we all get a job like that!!
And 5000 pounds for the table-cloth like dress :O http://67.media.tumblr.com/e6f3679525e001fc4fc7aad4c887c749/tumblr_oe33ctOKqF1tti0r3o3_r1_540.gif
Agree. This is his NOT so subtle middle-finger-up to being reminded of Momma Diana while on ‘duty’. Its a sore spot for him. Dude is conflicted for soo many reasons.
Recall his terrible PR a few years ago, shading working parents (like his own) who couldn’t be there for their children (like him!) 24/7 as BAD parents. Its very possible he resented her royal work. Or resents the press attention she got, thereby putting more attention on him. Now and as a child.
Perhaps he feels overwhelmed having to follow two such hardworking parents who achieved so much and he doesn’t know where to begin…
Willy: So I won’t begin at all! So there! I showed you! If I can’t be the best and only King I’ll barely be King at all! And my wife will show you all her underpants! Look at it! Look at her underpants!
And then he sticks out his tongue. And then he takes another 8000 pound helicopter ride cause he might as well bankrupt y’all while he’s thumbing his nose.
Just awful, something a 10 yr old would wear with ankle socks & patent leather shoes. No one older than that would touch it. WTH is wrong with her? Her hair is a mess, awful posture, dress too short. Just ugh…
What I don’t understand is why Justin Trudeau and his wife have been accompanying them everywhere ? And why did they receive them off the plane? Did the last PM do this with them the last time in Canada? For sure the Indian PM or the Australian PM did not..
I understand that the Trudeaus have some kind of PR agenda, but it seems to be an awful lot of resources spent just for PR. Can anyone throw light on this?
I was wondering that as well. Surely the Premier or the Mayor of the cities they’re visiting should be accompanying them. Justin needs to get back to Ottawa and do the job we’re paying him to do – running the country. Enough with the photo ops and Sophie’s fashion parade which, of course, we’re paying for.
This dress made me think of the Russian folklore’s Ice Maiden , and for the reason I would wear it. But in blue,
I actually love it.
What is this “King of Canada” the Express was referring to? We Canadians don’t have a King or Queen. We have a figurehead monarch, but they are in no way the “ruler” of Canada. The head of Canada is the Prime Minister. Just wanted to clear that up.
Also, this trip is a waste of everyone’s time and money and I’m appalled that William would admit he hadn’t read his briefing papers yet. Once the trip is going on, it’s too late to just get to it later!!
I’m not be facetious, genuinely asking. Isn’t ‘a figurehead monarch’ the, um ‘King?’ Or more currently, isn’t Lizzie the ‘Queen of Canada’? If not, why not? Thanks in advance 🙂
Kat: I have to correct you. The prime minister is Canada’s head of government but the Queen is Canada’s head of state, so “head of Canada” doesn’t mean anything on its own. Moreover, Queen Elizabeth is officially titled Queen of Canada – you can verify this with a five second google search. One day William will indeed be King of Canada.
That dress is an odd choice for a West Coast visit. It would make more sense in the Prairies, since it sort of has echoes of traditional Ukrainian fabrics.
Dress needs to be a few inches longer, and paired with more “statement” shoes. Her shoe game is terrible.
I thought she looked great in that dress, and it was a nice nod to the red/white of the Canadian flag. It could have been slightly longer, but still looked great.
[*Sigh*]
I love this dress very much!!!