Duchess Kate in bespoke McQueen at Royal Ascot: another white doily?!

Royal Ascot - Day 1

For the second year in a row, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge put in an appearance at the Royal Ascot, one of the Queen’s favorite events on the summer calendar. The Queen loves horses and gambling, just like her mother. It was said, last year, that the Queen specially requested that William and Kate make an appearance at Royal Ascot, which they did. In 2016, Kate wore an incredibly expensive white doily dress from Dolce & Gabbana – go here to see the photos of the £3,450 D&G dress, which had a below-the-knee skirt, a ruffle, a high neck, long sleeves and an awkward waist. It was awful and not worth that much.

So Kate decided to take a sartorial mulligan this year. She went for a “bespoke” (re: $$$$) Alexander McQueen dress in (you guessed it) white lace, with a high neck and long sleeves. How many long-sleeved lace dresses does Kate need? How many WHITE lace dresses does Kate need? What would have been the harm in repeating the fugly D&G white lace dress if the photos are going to look basically the same from the waist up? That being said, this dress really is so much better than last year’s. The skirt is much better, the waist isn’t as awkward and the whole thing doesn’t look as heavy and sister-wife-y as the D&G.

Kate absolutely gets in these style ruts though, right? She just gets it in her head that she can only wear the same shade of ugly blue, or she can only wear double-breasted coats, or she can only wear doilies, or she has to wear hairnets all the time, or she can only wear white lace to Royal Ascot. I would love for Kate to develop a newfound keenness for a proper stylist who can break her of some of these ruts.

Royal Ascot 2017

Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.

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187 Responses to “Duchess Kate in bespoke McQueen at Royal Ascot: another white doily?!”

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  1. KBeth says:

    The hair is cute but the look over all is rather matronly.

    • dodgy says:

      Yeah, this. She looks like a handsome woman in her 50’s at a society summer wedding/charidee do.

      • RoyalSparkle says:

        This.

        Waity (and bil) middletons will be the end of the Monarchy after King Charles. In such difficult hard times for the country – and someone who NEVER worked or have her own small funds of her own – she continue to waste thousands/ so much taxpayers Duchy funds on frumphy 70-year old doilies – in addition to bill spending on the middletons. And she do this purposely, since she is demanded to be present.

        Lets hope since potential King Henry was not present today, fingers cross he and Meghan will be presented tomorrow. PR Anne, Countess Sophie, Princess Bea most royals dress looked lovely .

      • bluhare says:

        My god, I’m that old and I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.

      • PennyLane says:

        She practically looks like Queen Victoria in these photos. Sheesh. Talk about a look that’s aging.

      • PrincessK says:

        Rumour has it that Harry is inToronto. I was hoping Meghan was in London.

    • Trillion says:

      when does she not look matronly? The “royals'” style is so dull. I’m still confused why they make news for their looks.

      • vespernite says:

        Exactly! Who would want to dress like this? Please stop giving them coverage for fashion…just stick to the “work” they do. Can’t wait until Harry marries Meghan and we can get some real fashion sense out there.

    • Betsy says:

      No, not matronly – time travel-y. Seriously, chest up she looks like she could be from 1862.

      Hail, our time traveling Duchess of Doolittle!

      • L84Tea says:

        That’s it!! The third picture down of her in the carriage….I feel like I’m watching “GiGi”!

      • Susannah says:

        I was thinking her dress looks like something from My Fair Lady, so Duchess of Doolittle is actually pretty accurate here!

      • magnoliarose says:

        It looks like a still shot for a British television adaption of a 19th century novel.

      • London Look says:

        She sooo wants to be a real Duchess. Fail.

    • Harla Jodet says:

      Hi KBeth, I just don’t understand how Kate can manage to look both tweeny and matronly at the same time! It must be her special talent.

    • Rose says:

      BEIGE SHOES AND PURSE???????? Don’t anybody ever say again she has taste.

    • Where'sMyTiara says:

      Gods above, another twee lace dress? Really, Duchess Limpet? This is the best you can do?

      I keep comparing her to Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Maxima is older, but dang that woman has STYLE. If she showed up to Ascot her outfits would blow everyone’s mind.

      But then Maxima could be the proverbial rare unicorn – I mean, have you seen her sartorial choices? She goes out and wears every colour of the rainbow, and I’ve yet to see one color look bad on Max.

  2. Ankhel says:

    The *”#/! lace.

    • INeedANap says:

      This looks like bad “English Rose” cosplay. It’s what I would have envisioned for a British princess…when I was 10 years old.

    • notasugarhere says:

      I’m over lace as well, but it won’t go away. Queen Maxima is wearing an elegant outfit today for the state visit to Italy. A large scale play on a lace pattern cut out of chiffon and sewn over matching chiffon. Shows lace can be elegant and not like KM’s frequent lace doilies.

      • FLORC says:

        Lace can be absolutely lovely, but by majority does not photograph well.
        I’m still a fan of lace and I’m on my very early 30s. It’s just not often executed correctly.

        My lace is tadashi shoji and I highly recommend you take a look. Speaking 1st hand the dresses there are stunning in person and the cuts are extremely flattering.

        Kate’s lace often looks cheap and bunched. Like it would itch terribly if worn.

      • JustBitchy says:

        Max can do no wrong

      • RoyalSparkle says:

        Totally agree!

        Lace is lovely, just not on workshy lazy waity middleton. Lazy waity should be banned from wearing lace and ‘designer’ under-sized wear…

  3. Basi says:

    Channeling the 1800’s? (Except for length). Always passé.

    • Megan says:

      I guess this is more bizarre theme dressing? I just don’t get her style at all.

      • RoyalSparkle says:

        Waity dress to embarass the HM -RF and waste POW taxpayers Duchy funds, that could be used towards UK GB shortfalls. This is how waity throw her tantrum – and not having a career in proper adult wear – she lacking waste of space. This is the best she will want to do in her entitled lazy self.

    • Splinter says:

      That’s what I thought. Obviously this is the proper look if one is riding a horse-driven carriage.
      Her idea of “timeless”

    • Addie says:

      Dull, empty woman on the inside; dull, empty woman on the outside. Too useless to give a fig about. The others were equally ugly.

  4. Lady D says:

    Ugly dress, and I should love it. She’s never going to get it right, never.

  5. Algernon says:

    I’m calling it: Duchess Kate has bad taste and no style.

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      She looks like those old toilet paper cozy dolls.
      http://tinyurl.com/ybghc3y3

    • SoulSPA says:

      @ Algernon, I would like to add the following: really bad posture, lack of self-confidence in public, lack of meaningful achievements, lack of self-respect, lack of respect for the public. What she does have: drive for social climbing, even if stirred by her mother and financially supported by the working members of her family, appetite for shopping, expensive clothing and beauty treatments, renovation of houses she does not own, love for comfortable life with no effort whatsoever, and a love for making chutney. And of course, “keen interest” for whatever is deemed relevant to justify her existence *as a member of the RF* because otherwise she would be irrelevant.

  6. hmmm says:

    The dress would look cute on a 5 year old.

  7. minx says:

    Aside from the dress, shoes, purse, etc., she needs to stand up straight.

  8. Sigh... says:

    My comment from the D & G dress link a year ago:

    “She looks…nice.

    I’m not a fan of the dress in general, but like most have said: a POP of color or ‘shine (metallics, beading, etc)’ would give it a little edge up from her safe, matronly monochrome monotony…”

    Guess since she hasn’t updated/changed her look, no need for me to update my opinion. *Kanye shrug*

    • RoyalSparkle says:

      Colour is not the issue…. There were many beautiful worn white dresses, one in particular on DM – that was simple regal elegance – white dress with long sleeves on a young lady – worn with calss and style.

  9. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    Not a fan of her style but girl does love to shop – again she has to wear something new EVERYTIME she is seen in public. I guess i should stop being annoyed at this but as the taxpayer is footing the bills for her public wardrobe I guess i won’t stop calling her out for it.

    The outfit is fine – pretty standard for her.

    What is it with lace and the Middleton women?

    You know, she acts like the typical arm candy wife that I used to see every day when i lived in Surrey. Don’t work, spend most of the time shopping/working out, in local cafe’s complaining about the help (nanny, cleaner etc..) and planning dinner parties.

    • dodgy says:

      @Digital Unicorn. ALL OF THIS.

      Especially the lace bit? Too much lace makes you look like Mrs Haversham, tbh. It’s so old-fashioned.

      • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

        I likey what Carole is wearing – she is always better dressed than her daughters. She has better shoe game for a start.

      • Countess DeVogue says:

        Agree, Carole looks fab! In the second picture Kaiser posted, from the waist up, Kate looks like Queen Mary.

        She’d fit in seamlessly with the current Queen’s GRANDmother.

        “Old school” or “Neo Victorian” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Next year’s vacay fashion -knitted, woolen swim bloomers!

      • Hazel says:

        Carole looked great!

      • CynicalAnn says:

        Carole’s shoes are great. I thought the bottom of the dress was a little too loose, I get the midi look but it’s too big-maybe it’s the material.

      • minx says:

        I think Carole dresses well, usually tasteful and pretty.

      • hmmm says:

        Could it be that Carole is competing with Dolittle? It’s been speculated that Carole is Kate’s stylist.

      • LAK says:

        Countess: Yep.

        I was momentarily confused when i first saw Kate’s pictures because i thought they’d printed last year’s pictures.

        I think i’ve got it!!

        She looks like a turn of the century wealthy socialite at their summer cottage in Newport on the East Coast of America. I fully expect Newland Archer to join her in his summer whites and his boater hat.

      • Cerys says:

        Agree. Carole usually dresses well and today’s dress was no exception.

      • AmandaPanda says:

        Carole’s dress is Goat London and it’s on sale at the Outnet right now – I tried it on last week and sent it back as thought it was a bit matronly. Guess I was right 😂

        Kate’s hat is beautiful but the whole thing together is too much.

      • LAK says:

        AmandaPanda: i can’t decide if i like Goat. Clothing is phoyographed better than it looks in reality. Not so ergregious that i wouldn’t wesr it, but not deserving of the price point so i look, but don’t purchase.

      • Llamas says:

        Why are the middletons in the royal box?

      • SoulSPA says:

        Queen Carole was at the same event! I saw the pictures. I don’t remember seeing family of other members of the RF, save that they are members of the RF themselves, at such events. Does Waity Chutney need moral support? It seems she does not have any friends, or support within the RF. Not sure whether I am right about this.

      • PrincessK says:

        Very irritating that Carole Middleton in in the Royal Enclosure again! Is she the only royal in law? The others probably prefer to stay in the background which is better. No further proof needed, this woman loves publicity, no doubt we will see her in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, can you imagine what it will be like when William is actually King?

      • graymatters says:

        My understanding (admittedly weak) of the Royal Enclosure is that it’s available by invitation if you’re sponsored by two unrelated members who have known you for 5 years. Also, I think Mike and Carole own a share of a race horse that sometimes runs at Ascot. So they may well be there on their own merit.

      • Where'sMyTiara says:

        Am I the only one who thinks it’s creepy that ‘Carole with an E’ has chosen a dress that is the nearly the same exact shade as Bill’s waistcoat?

        Aw, bless… she remembered to bring her husband to Ascot.

    • Erica says:

      Kate needs a fashion intervention. The Middleton’s seem to go to every Royal event.

  10. CynicalAnn says:

    She has almost the exact same dress-this one is shorter. Why would she wear almost the exact same dress to the same event a year later? She really needs a stylist. Sigh.

    • Zaratustra says:

      She has one style concept worked out for the whole year:

      Christmas: Red
      Grand Ball: Rose
      Ascot: White lace doily
      Charity visits: Dark boring heritage style
      Diplomatic visits to other countries: clothes with few cloth / fly-up skirt baring biscuit / nude sunbathing to get tits into tabs

  11. anniefannie says:

    That’s by a million miles the absolute worst get-up ever. I’m not one to comment of the
    DOC but those pics have laser burned my pupils. Stylist …stat!!

  12. Cleo says:

    Her hair and the hat are beautiful though! I don’t have a general hate-on for lace and I actually wear lace-accented clothing quite a bit, so I’m neutral about this whole look.

    • teacakes says:

      Same, I don’t hate lace.

    • India Andrews says:

      Me neither.

    • CynicalAnn says:

      I don’t mind the look-I actually think it’s pretty. It’s that she has almost the exact same dress that she wore last year to Ascot.

      • Sigh... says:

        That’s basically what I said upthread: she looks neither great nor bad, just a head-to-toe repeat of a “nice” look. Just…nice, appropriate. Needs a change in color, cut, styling, something…? But the bar is not high for her so I guess it’s a win.

        I like *certain* laces (they differ just like plaids, florals), but when in neck-to-knee white lace, she gives off a mother-of-the-bride vibe.

      • graymatters says:

        I doubt the mother of the bride would wear a shorter version of her daughter’s dress. This looks like second (or third) marriage bridal wear for the middle-aged divorcee.

      • tigerlily says:

        Graymatters her dress is very similar to what Jackie Kennedy wore to her wedding to Ari Onassis! I just googled as your comment made me think “where have I seen this?”. Sure enough Jackie wore a high necked, long sleeved white lace dress. The bodice and waist are different but very similar look. In 1968.

        I was just a kid in ’68 but I remember very well the scandal of that wedding.

    • jannab says:

      i actually like the dress, but i am a fan of lace. it worries me sometimes.. reading here.. how often they hate her style. i like it more often than not!

      • Cleo says:

        Whenever I read the doily comments I feel like I need to reassess my whole wardrobe 😂

      • Polly says:

        I’m also a fan of lace and I like her outfit. I didn’t like the dress she wore last year because it made her look droopy in the chest but this one is pretty.

    • Carmen says:

      I like it. It’s pretty and she wears it well.

  13. teacakes says:

    At least she wears her hair up more often now.

    But she’s no style icon in the Diana/Michelle Obama sense, she just doesn’t have the taste, presence or personality for it. She’s never come off as anything but a singularly milquetoast Sloane Ranger type.

    • India Andrews says:

      The hair up is a blessing. I’m glad someone was able to reach her.

    • Cleo says:

      The everything from the neck up is the saving grace for this look, since the cut of the dress is so boring

    • Betsy says:

      I agree! I was going to say, hey, she isn’t touching her damn hair all the time now. I’d rather she wear these little snoods than fidget with her sausages.

  14. ickythump says:

    Looks like she is auditioning for a role in My Fair Lady – “I’m a geud gel oi am…!” Yeuchh – ghastly …..please Kate – phone Princess Mary of Denmark and ask her to take you shopping.

    • sienna says:

      Yes! All I could think of was Eliza Doolittle…. Such an ironic name don’t you think!

    • Tina says:

      Exactly! What I wouldn’t give for a “Come on Dover, move your blooming arse!”

    • Sophia says:

      Yes! The first thing I thought when I saw this dress was that Kate was trying to reference the dress Audrey Hepburn wore in the Ascot scene of “My Fair Lady”.

    • PennyLane says:

      Good call – Kate is there for the audition: “Lots of chocolates for me to eat, lots of coal and mate, lots of ‘eat. Warm face, warm hands, warm feet – oh wouldn’t it be loverly!”

  15. perplexed says:

    I feel this dress is ugly.

  16. Suzanne says:

    I’m sorry…but are those two different dresses shown in those photos? And the hat? It looks like all the same outfit…and hat and shoes. Did I miss something?

  17. India Andrews says:

    The DM posted shot of Sophie nearly falling in Kate’s lap while entering the carriage. You can see Kate’s botoxed face in the surprised reaction. Not a single wrinkle where you should see a lot of them.

    • Sam Lewis says:

      Not everyone has wrinkles, just fyi. Looking at myself in the mirror and making her exact face, I have no wrinkles, not even on my forehead. I DO get wrinkles when I smile. I have since I was 5. Botox is a stretch….

      • perplexed says:

        I think Kate has had wrinkles in other photos though. She’s not always wrinkle-free, depending on how you define what a wrinkle is.

    • CynicalAnn says:

      I love that picture-I thought it was funny.

    • spidey says:

      I’m 69 and I don’t have wrinkles – it’s a genetic thing in my case.

    • Zaratustra says:

      Her face is fuller with fillers. And Botox, too. As does Carole.

    • India Andrews says:

      Kate wrinkles and has wrinkles and gray hair for that matter. Watch her photos and videos from her pregnancies when she wasn’t botoxing her face.

  18. Samantha says:

    I think its fine if she’s comfortable. There are a lot of lace dresses in the UK high street shops at the moment now that I think about it.

  19. Reece says:

    Are they renewing their vows?
    That is about 15 ins from her wedding dress.

    • Anitas says:

      Hah, exactly my thoughts! I think she’d like to repeat the wedding. Everybody loved her then and thought she was the most beautiful princess. It all went downhill from there, when it comes to public goodwill.

      • Penelope says:

        I didn’t care for that wedding dress at all–it did nothing for her imo.

        But yeah, it *has* been all downhill (at least public perception-wise) for them since that day.

    • What's Inside says:

      Here comes the bride, again…..Why are they wearing high heels on grass? That must be awkward trying to walk about.

  20. HK9 says:

    Y tho? I know she loves lace but we’ve seen this look so many times. It’s lovely but boring. Don’t even get me started on those damn nude shoes….

  21. Anitas says:

    Hmmmm. Playing at being the bride again? Especially that shot of her and Wills in the carriage.

    And yuck to the hairnet. Her updos are so boring.

  22. MrsJonSnow says:

    I’ve just gone to look at those photos at the DM. Did you see that everyone except Her Majesty and Prince Phillip had name badges pinned to their chests? 😀 I dad a good laugh…. just in case people don’t know who they are. And I saw a pictures of Kate’s mum lurking about. Ugh, not a fan *side eye*

  23. Bliss 51 says:

    It’s broiling in my part of the country and I can’t looking at her high necked, long sleeved dress!

  24. Vinot says:

    In my wildest dreams, I’d love to see someone like Rupaul style her for something like the BAFTAs.

  25. Lainey says:

    The lining on this dress is terrible. It doesn’t look to bad in these pics but some of the ones on Twitter are terrible. McQueen should know better and by that I mean Sarah Burton.
    The original of this dress cost £4,500, so imagine what this bespoke one cost for a dress that’s nearly identical to the one she already has. And a brand new clutch and hat/fascinator, all similar to ones she already owns. Imagine having that kind of money to piss away on stuff you don’t need.

    • BeamMeUpScottie says:

      Marie Antoinette comes to mind. £4500 + ? Why?

      • RoyalSparkle says:

        Middleton is disgusting!

        Both her whiny and carol middleton family spending The POW Duchy- the people’s money like its going out…while crisis after another goes on in the country that those funds could revert to helping.

      • Sorry, no dignity in that says:

        Yep.

        Marie Antoinette: “If they have no bread – they should eat cake.”

        Lacy Waity: “If their high-rise burns down due to cheap inflammable cladding – they should dress in expensive lace like me. Or they should be happy that I dress in expensive dresses.”

        Or Lacy Waity: “Over-priced lace doily dresses for me are much more important that spending money on non-inflammable cladding. The paupers – let them burn because I need another new lace doily dress that looks just like the other one I wore last year.”

        Explanation: Charles, The Prince of Wales, gets money from the state-owned Duchy of Cornwall. So all the money that Charles gets from that Duchy is really money from the taxpayer. And if Charles gets some money then that money can’t be spent on the taxpayer any more.
        Oh, and Charles pays for his sons and therefore for his son’s wife’s upkeep.

    • Addie says:

      It’s money supplied by Charles via the Duchy of Cornwall profits, which if there were no royalty, would revert back to the people. Kate has no shame – spending money so indiscriminately. And for what? Looking at the DM pics – so many of them – all I could think of was that this royal family nonsense is a complete and utter waste of money. Disgraceful.

    • Anitas says:

      Apparently it takes a lot of money to look this boring.

    • Zardi123 says:

      Gosh you are so right
      dress very very overpriced we read it was £4,500 pounds for a see through skirt which is not dignified at any event especially Royal Ascot .She is completely self obsessed about her legs wants everyone to see her thighs. .. This clueless vulgar bimbo is the downfall of our Regal Monarchy as she does not cut the mustard ever .not ever …
      tbe dress was like a summer wedding dress but we are all saying she copied Diana when she was photographed at kindergarten.

  26. Penelope says:

    Will Wills EVER get a proper cut/head shave and work WITH his baldness? GQ (I think) showed what it would do for his appearance, and he looked a million times better!

    • minx says:

      He always looks miserable/sullen/angry. It makes him look far older than his age.

      • msthang says:

        minx, I believe he is in a yucky marriage, all smiles on her part aside, he would rather be at home boozin it up!!!!

  27. DiamondGirl says:

    I love lace and I think I would have liked this dress in a color.

    A hairnet? Does she have a shift at the cafeteria later?

  28. Becks says:

    I don’t think it necessarily looks bad in itself but I am so sick of her wearing lace dresses, and I am so sick of her repeating looks all the time, but at a high price tag.

    Come on Kate. Show us something different. All you had to do last week was wearing cropped trousers and the internet went wild. You don’t have to be daring. Just….not in lace.

  29. cindyp says:

    I don’t hate it but would be better in a different fabric & color. It seems to fit her ok. How many lace dresses does she need?

  30. Joannie says:

    Considering the event and some of the other dresses there Kate outshines everyone else. The woman is stunning! By far the fairest of them all. Im a Monarchist obviously but if she where wearing something so awful as described in the comments above I would say so. Some of the dresses were hideous!

    • marcy says:

      Kate bores me most of the time but I think her fashion sense is purposely trying to dim the glamour. One because William is not the Prince of Wales (direct heir) and two (probably most likely) because William wants to make sure she doesn’t become The Most Photographed Woman In The World.

      • Joannie says:

        I agree with your comment Marcy. There are times where I think she could add a little spice.

      • notasugarhere says:

        If she was trying to dim the glamour, marcy, she wouldn’t spend an average of $200,000 a year on brand new designer clothing. She’d buy a low-cost, flexible working wardrobe and make it about the work instead of the clothes.

    • CynicalAnn says:

      I don’t think it’s hideous at all. But she has almost the exact same dress (it’s just longer) and wore it last year at Ascot.

    • Skylark says:

      @Joannie – Well, you ARE a monarchist, obviously, but ‘fairest of them all’ and ‘outshines everyone else’ takes you solidly into deranged fanbot territory.

      Just so you know.

      • Joannie says:

        I’m speaking the truth as I see it. Look at everyone else. Princess Michael of Kent wore a nice ensemble as did Carol. But it’s Kate that I noticed. I love fashion even when its not necessarily something I would wear. Fairest of them all was meant to be funny, not serious. I dont care about your opinion of me. Call me whatever you want.

      • bluhare says:

        Joannie, I am glad you keep showing up around here. I don’t agree with you a lot of the time (and don’t here either!), but I also don’t think it was good form to call you a deranged fanbot. Quite rude, in fact.

        We need people with different opinions, I think.

  31. Andrea says:

    I’m sure when you have thousands to spend you can outshine a lot of people. Compared to other princesses, Charlene, Mary to name two, she is dowdy, lack style and won’t take chances, her dress is high priced tablecloth, I prefer Beatrice’s dress and I bet it doesn’t cost as much

    • RoyalSparkle says:

      +100
      Waity was standing beside Princess Bea, which she seem to ignore; Bea dress is much more.

      • Ree says:

        Daily Mail has a video where they are chatting and laughing…this is what ignorance is?

  32. Kk says:

    I just had fun imagining Kate in that lace caftan and hat/bandana thing rihanna was photographed wearing the other day. Obviously these women have very different lives, but a girl can dream. (I don’t even really love ri’s outfit but at least it was interesting).

  33. Karen says:

    Looks like dress for bride getting married for second time.

  34. Skylark says:

    The dress is hideous. It’s not just the style – that’s a world of dire all on its own – it’s that the lace looks so cheap and nasty. I’ve seen more sophisticated lace (£1.99 a metre) down my local market. Burton should pay a visit.

    Just to say something nice, Princess Anne and Sophie could both teach Lacy Waity a thing or twenty about style. They both looked fab, Anne in particular, in what looked like gorgeous, new ‘vintage’ but was equally just as likely to be something she found (in a ball) at the back of her wardrobe and thought, yeah, that’ll do.

    • Joannie says:

      What?!

    • spidey says:

      the Countess’s dress looks far too heavy and hot for the temperatures we have at the moment.

      and Joannie it is almost compulsory to be spiteful on here to the D of C, as it is to have your comments modded if you criticise that. You have to time your edits carefully if they are to stay. 🙂

      • Skylark says:

        Yes, ‘looks’ but not necessarily is. It could be open-weave cotton for all you or I know. Anyway, that’s neither here not there, she looks completely comfortable in it and her stylish accessories (necklace and hat) are lovely.

        ETA @ spidey – What is your problem? I hate the dress KM is wearing. I’m criticising the DRESS not the wearer who, btw, sometimes dresses really well and who I actually sometimes even defend against criticism when she does.

        Don’t throw ‘spiteful’ at me for having an opinion about a f*ucking awful dress.

      • bluhare says:

        No, spiteful was calling Joannie a deranged fanbot.

      • LAK says:

        What bluhare said.

      • bluhare says:

        Thank you, LAK!! For agreeing with me, you will get two hours of my imaginary wedding planning time!

        For free! 😀

      • notasugarhere says:

        Sophie’s dress looks like textured silk georgette to me, not a heavy wool.

      • Martina says:

        @ skylark. You seem a very angry person

    • Maria says:

      The dress is nice, but so like the one she wore last year. Why have nearly identical dresses? Especially for the price. Was Pippa there? Didn’t see Harry?

  35. Starlight says:

    What is wrong with Willie he looks unhappy – she looks lovely today but he looks fed up

    • CynicalAnn says:

      There were a few cute pictures of them looking at each other. And he was laughing when Sophie almost fell into Kate in the carriage.

    • India Andrews says:

      I wish I knew what was up with william. He often looks angry/fed up/ and/or bored.

  36. Idky says:

    I’ve already resigned to the fact that Kate is not a “modern woman”. In terms of her style, I think she always looks very well put together, but just not modern. I’ve given up on hoping that one day she will dress in a way that reflects today’s working women. Every designer dress she wears she somehow manages to frump it up. Honest to God, even Melania wears clothes better than Kate and even though some of Melania’s looks are misses, her style is much more modern than Kate.

    • perplexed says:

      From what I’ve noticed, today’s working women have more flexibility in terms of style. There isn’t really a rigid template anymore — I’ve seen working women wear the weirdest clothes on the subway. So maybe that’s why it’s hard for Kate to get it quite right.

      • Joannie says:

        Well whatever your taste the clothes she wears sell out almost immediately. She’s a beautiful woman and has class. I get tired of seeing these half dressed women with their boobs and asses hanging out. They look cheap. I agree that Melanie has worn some beautiful outfits that I think Kate could wear too.

      • MAfromthe6ix says:

        She’s never had a real job so I find that translates in her inability to dress appropriately for the occasion. Her idea of ‘work’ is screwed by her lack of experience which is why we can find her in sky-high heels and flowy skirts on a windy day.

        I want her so bad to be the person we were sold when she and William got married but each and every time she comes out she ends up disappointing.

      • Nic919 says:

        When Kate wears outfits that are from past seasons then of course the stuff is sold out. Try as you may but no modern women who isn’t into Victorian cosplay ever emulates Kate Middleton. She will never be the style icon that her mother in law was. Never. But keep on smoking that pipe.

        And as for boobs and asses hanging out, how do you justify Kate wearing skirts that fly up and show her thong for a royal attendance? If we are going to brandish the trashy ho wand then it applies to Kate too. Most adult women have not had a skirt fly up and show their ass in public more than once but meanwhile Kate has had that happen several times.

      • Candy says:

        @Nic: I read about that too, she buys things that are out of season and very low in stock. Of course they’ll be sold out quickly lol

    • SoulSPA says:

      She is NOT a working woman. She’s a wife and mother. She does not bring up her children herself or take care of the household. Other people contribute to it or do it. She “renovates” properties that are not hers. All she can do by herself is the fine art of preparing chutney and living the high life with no merit whatsoever just because she’s Bill The Ordinary’s wife. Another waste of space and “role model” for girls that will dream a life in privilege by chasing rich men. But she is not a “model” or a “star”. She is part of the RF now. She gives an awful bad example.

  37. Elisa the I. says:

    They look like they are cosplaying Alice in Wonderland.
    I don’t understand why she gets so much flak for her outfits when he looks/dresses like a grandpa.

  38. Citresse says:

    Pretty much the same look as last year, though I noted some differences:
    the bust area is better supported compared to last year, the skirt portion is prettier IMO and falls better this time around, the hat and shoes look a carbon copy to last year. Among all the fashion criticism aimed at Kate, she’s predictable.

  39. Cerys says:

    I neither like or dislike the dress. It looks like something a mature second time bride might wear but it does work for Royal Ascot.
    My main gripe is that it is yet another new expensive outfit. She has plenty of other appropriate outfits she could “recycle”. Her closet must be the size of an aeroplane hangar.
    If Harry’s future wife has the same spendthrift ways as Kate, Charles will need to mortgage the Duchy of Cornwall or pawn the Crown Jewels.

  40. Millie says:

    I personally like a lot of Kate’s outfits this one included. But then again, my family often tells me I dress like my grandma did in the 1920’s lol. I don’t care I own my old lady ways!

    • Sorry, no dignity in that says:

      Whatever private people wear privately should not be subject to harsh media criticism. Private is private and a protected area to some degree.
      What is worn for business life is another matter.

      But Kate isn’t “private” and she doesn’t attend Ascot as a private person. She is a member of the family of the Head of State and she attends Ascot as a member of this very same Royal Family. She displays herself worse than a Jane Austen figure whose heroines were at least strong-minded and strong-willed and (sometimes) tried to achieve happiness. Austen’s heroines did (try to) push boundaries (to some degree). Fore their time they were (moderately) modern women.
      But Kate dressing like a Jane Austen heroine is a step back for today’s times. She could dress modern and at least set a fashion statement to modern women. But nope. 18th – 19th century it is. Wife is obedient and submissive to husband. Wife represents status with her clothes. Wife katie pretends that the last 100 years in fashion hadn’t happened.

  41. seesittellsit says:

    Jesus. Just – I can’t – even. The hat is very pretty, but the lace dress would only have been acceptable in a Merchant-Ivory film and only if full-length. It looks like something out of one of those Women’s Day EZ Patterns books.

  42. I cannot understand, after several years of newspaper headlines and public scrutiny, that no one has sat Kate down and told her how to dress appropriately. Either hire a stylist who knows the rules for royals/public figures, or learn from older ladies in the RF but start getting it right! Kate does not impress as a strong minded woman who goes her own way (at least not when she is in the company of her husband) but she must be wilfully ignoring her advisors or, no one has dared speak up. Tbh iif i were Carole Middelton, I would have taken her wardrobe in hand long ago. After all, Carole pushed and planned for this marriage, i cannot believe she is now content with the criticism of Kate’s clothing or workshy ways. Any mother would have stepped in long before her daughter turned up at Pippa’s wedding in that ill fitting dress . Makes me feel a teensy bit sad for Kate, lots of hangers on, but no real straight shooting best friend.

    • SoulSPA says:

      Well said Belgian Bonbon. I think that once that the mission to enter the RF was completed, Queen Carol has focused on her own climbing. And if what some voices say is true – that petulant Bill The Ordinary actually wears the pants in the relationship, Waity Chutney and her family do it all to please him. Apparently he does not like to be overshadowed and does not want her to improve and excel.

  43. Susie says:

    Well at least we know what she did during her 3wk vacation – shop!! And I’m sorry but apart from the new pants she wore to the no show Ben Ainsley date, the rest is pathetic.
    The trooping dress didn’t fit properly, especially the waist – made her look pregnant.
    And today, another white lace dress only shorter – why didn’t she cut the bottom off last years. After all its had 2 wears so it won’t be seen again. And a bespoke hat.
    How many thousands has that cost the British tax payer? And all at a time when most Brits are struggling to make ends meet!!!!
    And she’s supposed to be the Country’s future Queen Consort!
    Heaven help Britain.

  44. CrystalBall says:

    So wasteful it’s tragic.

  45. SoulSPA says:

    Whereas her social status and the events she participates at dictate an expensive wardrobe, I cannot stop thinking of the lack of return on investment. Only the clothes cost a fortune. Per event. A lot more than most of us make working full time per month plus household chores. She does not do anything remarkable or sincere and meaningful. Nothing that I can think of. She’s had so much time to adapt to the royal life, including those waiting years. Who knows what kind of arrangement she has with Bill The Ordinary or the dynamic of power in their relationship. She does not even show interest in improving herself. And she does not even have to open her mouth. We can all see that from her bad posture and maniac facial expressions.

  46. Egla says:

    I wonder….does she have a salary. I mean money that are given to her and she can do whatever she wants?? I know that the clothes are part of her “working expenditure” and paid from DC, but I am asking if she has money to spend on her daily life without having to answer to anybody???? Just asking.
    As for this dress and the ones before it is certain this girl has no fantasy at all. She has 3-4 main styles and sticks to them. She fails in between and that’s it

    • SoulSPA says:

      Good point Egla. As the wife of a rich man, she must get some sort of allowance. Maybe Willies gives her something. I don’t know whether she gets any official allowance for the role she unworthily occupies. She’s not in the job market so to speak so it’s difficult to monetize. The roles of the RF are mainly being figures of the country and they are attached to some causes. In my view they have access to basically unlimited public funds and are able to spend them without any accountability. While shamelessly living a life of immense luxury and privilege.

  47. Honey Bear says:

    I think she looked lovely. A bit mother-of-the bride, but still fine. I don’t understand the hate that she gets. She isn’t mother Theresa or Angelina Jolie. Get over it and give her a break.

  48. PettyRiperton says:

    Sad she’s pays so much to look this crappy. If Harry doesn’t marry Meghan I hope whoever his wife is she has some style.

  49. Bee says:

    If she wanted to wear white lace again, a real statement would have been if she’d had last years dress reworked. Better still, reworked and dyed fresh new colour.

  50. PrincessK says:

    She looks very nice in the dress, and for once appears genuinely happy. But I am not really interested in Kate, where is Meghan? I was banking in her making an appearance at Ascot. Rumour now has it that Harry is in Toronto…sigh!

  51. suze says:

    Not at all my thing, but she looks good in it.

    She sticks to what she is comfortable in, obviously.

  52. LizB says:

    The hairnet. I can’t even. Unless HM has requested her to wear them, why on god’s green earth would a woman in her 30s willingly wear them?! She can’t do any middle ground. It’s either out of control teenager hair, or elderly snoods.

    • msthang says:

      LizB, Because it is hard to keep real hair and extensions all nice and tight, it must be a joke to the hairdresser to put that mess together!!!!

  53. Kaz says:

    The shocking pink Trooping of the Colour dress would have been better for Ascot and the Duchess could have reworn a smart pale coloured coat dress thingy for Trooping. And used the lace thing for curtains.

  54. martina says:

    I think she looks absolutely fine.