Here are some photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving in Berlin with their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Charlotte seems to be much more outgoing these days, as sleepy-faced George looked like he was not in the mood to do a formal tarmac meet-and-greet. The Cambridges left Poland this morning and hopped the short flight to Germany, where they’ll spend the rest of the week. On today’s agenda in Berlin? A tour of Berlin’s Holocaust museum. I wonder if Kate will wear this ensemble, or if she’ll change into something pink and floral.
As for Kate’s ensemble here, she wore a matching “cornflower blue” coat and lace dress by Catherine Walker. Kate and her blue coats, I don’t know what to tell you. She probably needs a storage space the size of an airport hangar for all of her blue coats and coatdresses. The only thing I can really see about the dress is that it is very, very short. It looks like it’s about four inches above her knee. Yikes. Also: The Telegraph says that this color can be called“cornflower blue,” but it’s also known as Prussian blue. This color has deep ties to German history, as the cornflower is Germany’s national flower, and this was a color developed in Germany two centuries ago – go here to read more about the color. It’s obvious Kate and her people did their research on the color scheme. So why did they choose a light floral dress for the concentration camp visit in Poland?
Something nice: at least her hair is pulled back. And she hasn’t flashed anyone on this trip… yet.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
More appropriate than what she wore to the concentration camp.
Yes, she should have worn this, and these shoes.– more appropriate. She looks pretty here..love that .vibrant color, her hair and makeup look good. Very nice.
Yes, she does look fantastic here.
Exactly. But I guess dressing for the street party was important yesterday.
I still disagree about the floral. She’s a walking condolence bouquet. She’s not bright and flashy, and she’s not at a funeral. I think she looks appropriately dressed for her events that day.
I agree with you about the floral. It was very muted old timey print that looked like Grandma’s sofa, totally appropriate if you ask me.
I honestly didn’t mind the floral. It was muted. The Queen has worn floral plenty of times to memorials. Saw a tweet going around about the rose and thorn on Kate’s dress being a symbol of hope that people used during the holocaust – I had never heard of that though – anyone here have any info on that?
Not a fan of those fabric buttons – looks cheap.
Also I just really hate this low style bun thing she does. It is not flattering.
Rose and thorn motif is merely the latest fancy of the designer’s current collection.
Tumblr fans attributing it the holocaust are simply putting spin on the motif to justify Kate wearing the pattern.
Fanfiction at it’s best.
Aside from the ugly shoes, I think the entire look is very pretty and flattering,
But why wear these flashing fly away skirt cuts at the airport – climbing steps especially with kiddies.
The dress underneath is a sheath. She’s not flashing anyone, good grief.
C’mon. She looks fresh and lively–love the color, love the hair pulled back. I think she looks great. Quibbles exist, but I’m overlooking this and calling it a win.
Im with Qzie. I think she looks nice and I even like the shoes with it.
She looks lovely but how is she not dying wearing a coat (and an acrylic dress underneath) — it´s crazy hot today in Germany?! I am a melted puddle of sweat right now.
botox in the face and armpits, plus she’s IMO (only mine of course, and there are many tender lovelies here that get very upset when others say this) probably anorexic, or at least borderline. she’s extremely, unnaturally thin. everyone sees it, but we’re not supposed to say it for fear of reprisal. so let’s just say there is at least “severe calorie restriction” going on with the good duchess if nothing else, wink wink…usually people who restrict like that do not sweat normally, since the metabolism has slowed to such an extent.
I’m thought of as anorexic at 5’4″ and 106 lbs, but let me tell you, I sweat! I sweat buckets. I’m in the deep south of the US, and this humidity is whipping my butt. I’ve got boob sweat just looking at her beautiful cornflower blue coat.
How about we call the color boring blue. And yes, that is a short dress. She loves those types of accident prone ansembles when she is near a tarmac though.
Like I’ve said, at this point, I’ve come to terms with the lack of fashion sense or appropriateness. such a shame.
The color doesn’t photograph well though, it’s actually quite vibrant and lovely in person.
I had no idea that our national flower is the cornflower??? I didn’t even know we had one. And I bet 99% of Germans don’t either. But she looks very nice. It’s pretty hot today though so maybe she should’ve switched this for the flowery dress yesterday. Behold, the nude heels. Where were you yesterday? This looks appropriate for a more serious event.
And George is me today.
IT was made the National Flower by the Son of Queen Luise of Prussia, the Emperor of Germany from the House Hohenzollern, you know the Queen of the the Early 1800s.
She was called the Mother of the Nation and in her Case the People actually meant it, nearly lifted to a Protestant Version of Sainthood. Her Son, Wilhelm I was first King of Prussia after his Brother and then made Emperor in 1871.
BUT no one can tell me clueless Kate would know anything about National Colors Or Flowers.
Nice of you to give out this info 🙂 Kate would not know anything about the national colour of any country. I cannot see her doing research on any topic such as national symbols or colours and make a meaningful contribution to all discussions around her official wardrobe. Nope, I do not give her that.
It looks that some things have changed and the BRF actually pay a bit more attention to the whole issue of wardrobe with a bit of more oversight and control over Kannot. Dresses at a more decent length, change of hair style is OK. No such progress with shoes though, nor choice of dress for solemn occasions.
In short, all changes are purely cosmetic and related to physical image (wardrobe, hair). No change regarding more substantial stuff like work ethic, and proper posture, facial expressions. Speaks a million.
😊You’re welcome.
actually, the symbolism evolved. it’s the flower illegal nazis wore as a recognition sign in the twenties. still quite a loaded symbol here in austria.
Yes in Austria!
I was merely writing how the Flower first was acknowlegd as National Flower, in the time of Imperial Germany.
We have no national flower! The cornflower had various meanings in the Empire, Military and Nazi times, but our modern German Republic has NO national flower.
It’s kind of funny that foreign websites come up with this stuff. Kate’s assistents are so good at research 😉
Somehow your comment wasn’t visible to me before I posted mine just below, no idea why…
Another German here who highly doubts the idea of a national flower, but likes the cornflower just because.
I think it’s highly suspicious and questionable that sites out there propagate that the cornflower is Germany’s national flower, especially given the symbolism associated with it, and its use by mostly far-right and/or patriotic groups, paramilitary organizations and even by a division of the SS.
Good god. I mean I’m kinda glad I didn’t completely miss the fact that we have a national flower but then where do people get this stuff???
The coat/dress seems too ill fitting and uncomfortable. Short length with three-quarter sleeves. It’s like she’s outgrown the outfit some time ago but can’t let it go.
The dress is not four inches above the knee. Maybe one inch, but I don’t think it’s too short. All I care about is sleepy,grumpy George! So cute!
You’re looking at the coat. You can see the actual dress underneath the coat in the 3rd picture, and it is EASILY 4 inches above the knee.
Question: Does she ever take these coats off? I feel like 99% of the time she wears a coat buttoned over a dress like this, we never see the dress underneath. And how does she not start sweating profusely wearing a coat over a dress in the summer?
Does the Queen ever take off her coat? The Queen dresses exactly like this all the time. Matching dress under coat and hat. The Queen’s shoes are a sturdy black, as is her handbag. As does Camilla, come to think of it!
Ahhh, yes I see it now.
The dress, not the coat, is way too short. Kate Dolittle is the only RF who shows off so much skin. Must work out to exhaustion to have those legs but better show them off at the beach. But no, we cannot see the happy couple at the beach, and the Middleton legs, for all the privacy concerns expressed by Billie the Ordinary, *feel free to insert title* of the Middleton. The only occasions to show off the hard work (only work?) she puts into those legs are official engagements at the expense of the BRF image. Good grief!
Not to argue but I have severe mobility issues and a pair of feet dying painfully from a neuropathic disorder, and my legs look like hers. I do low impact aerobics for 35-40 minutes 3-4 days a week although I would love to do more. I did start in January, and it took over 6 months, but my legs look amazing now.
All the best to you, Lady D 🙂 My comment on Kate’s legs was based on old reports that she works out everyday in her (private) gym, plus that she’s been involved in all kinds of sport – you know the official narrative on her genuine interest in sports.
Dowdy. Back to those damn coat dresses again and hair that makes her look like she’s in her mid 40s when she’s only 35 or so. She never looks fresh and youthful. Always like a 1940s housewife.
She wanted and chose the life of a 1940’s (very rich) housewife so that look is appropriate for her.
Catherine Walker is very “Mother of the Bride” fashion. But we couldn’t get a through a tour without a new coat for Carole Middleton, now, could we?
😉
LOL! Spot on.
LOL
It looks as though Kate has put on a little weight. Her face and figure look really good. As blue is my favorite color, this gets the thumbs up from me. Also, I like the shorter hair and I like that she wore it up here.
The kids are adorable.
Keeping the expectations low, it’s considered a successful trip if she didn’t flash anyone 🙂
George is very ill prepared and scared of people. He is not grumpy or sleppy like others elsewhere state – he is locked away in AHForest far too long from people/ public and it shows.
George is just turning 4. He does not look “ill prepared” or “scared of people.” He looks like a little kid. I’ll assume from your comments that you’re not familiar with small children.
The Cambridges really should be introducing him to the British public more regularly, like the Swedish royals do with Estelle. It’s not going to get any easier without any practice!
D, me too!! I am glad to see she doesn’t have a flyaway skirt, although it is pretty short. Kate just doesn’t seem to nail it totally ever. One or two things are off, and there is no excuse for that, considering the money and time spent on her appearance. I mean, she doesn’t seem to think about anything else, right? So she should at least get this right.
Sigh.
Kate looks lovely…. fresh, young, and appropriate for the occasion, as opposed to the flirty-looking tea party frock she cluelessly chose for the solemn concentration camp visit.
Only small quibble is that the ensemble is a little too short. The color is very pretty on her.
The kids are scene-stealers.
If you read the Kate fan forums, they have all been doing research. They found a flower in that bouquet plopped in the middle of Kate’s bosom, which happens to be part of a Polish china pattern, and in some contexts is seen as a flower of remembrance. So, it’s not that Kate’s couch cover dress said, “Look at me among the drab, somber people,” but it was the secret language of flowers she brought to the terrible concentration camp and we were all just too thick to miss it.
LOLOL I read that too. The claims that “Kate is so fashion and history conscious we cant even keep up” are getting laughable at this point.
As if Kate’s THAT deep lol. Seriously though, if you’re going for symbolism, make it clear enough so people will understand it as soon as they see it!
The rose was also a symbol of Nazi resistance. Odd the Nazi cornflower connection and the current Austrian political connection wasn’t also known given her knowledge of the symbolism of flowers.
Those nude shoes… I can’t. Girl. Stop.
I like that her hair is pulled back, with an event like this and a look like this it’s very appropriate. I like the coat and the dress, blue is definitely her color. I just feel like she wears different variations of the same outfit all the time, coat after coat and coat, I wish they would add some variety but I think they probably just try to go with the safest option.
I think this is a great color on her. Sure the look is a bit boring but she still looks nice.
I think she is wearing her hair back more because the cut makes it more comfortable to do so. I had very long hair and i never put it up because even low ponytails hurt. Once I chopped a few inches off I wore it up all the time.
I like the outfit. Predictable but nice.
Taking out the extensions would help with the weight and give her more options for updos.
I’m assuming she wears extensions because she thinks her hair is too thin…..? She just needs a good cut in a shorter length. The long curls look so girlish.
If she isn’t eating properly then that would be affecting her hair, hence the need for extensions. That said, her hair wasn’t that thick when she was in university, and wasn’t severely monitoring her calorie intake.
the dress isn’t too short for pete sake. Yes kate usually has ugly/boring/non event appropriate style, but the dress isn’t too short here. Why should she have to wear a ankle length coat dress in the middle of july? Sheesh.
I commented on a similar post above, but if you’ll look at third photo where you can see the dress underneath her buttoned coat, then you’ll see that Kaiser is correct… that dress is easily 4 inches above the knee. Hope Kate doesn’t plan on taking the coat off. The coat is an appropriate length.
The coat looks too short because of the pleats. If the cut was straighter it would be fine. She needs a decent tailor & stylist. Never gets it quite right.
The skirt is too short because the length together with the sleeves (speaking of it being the middle of July) makes the whole thing look like a doll’s dress. No one said ankle length for heaven’s sake! But the shorter skirt has a hint of that dirndl/1950s shirtwaist look and both tilt the affect to dowdy. A longer skirt with a nipped in waist and high heels I think is a (quietly) sexy and more elegant look.
Sorry, she looks like a housewife heading for an afternoon of bridge here.
Ugly shoes, nice suit
She looks good but the skirt should be longer. Charlotte looks adorable matching her mother. And George looks over it which is the age. I’m sure we can find a million pics of will and Harry looking the same way.
Yeah, Wills and Harry generally looked bored. So I don’t find George’s behaviour particularly weird.
On Youtube, there’s even a clip of Harry sticking his tongue out at photographers while in the car with Diana.
Horrible. It looks like some awful, polyester, catalog dress. She has no style.
Agree
BBC online has published an article The Royal family’s dress code uncovered by Cherry Wilson.
Was this published before or after the concentration camp visit?
After
That article is a reporter speculating based on photographs and whichever etiquette expert was happy to be quoted.
There is no written down dress code manual, but if you are invited to meet the royals, the Palace will supply instructions. Those instructions apply to the royals themselves.
From that, people are able to pull together a list better than this article.
Eg state banquets
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a740/rita-wilson-buckingham-palace-dinner/
Well, both, actually. It’s certainly not inappropriate, but it is a bit dull. If they are headed directly for their lodgings to put the kids down for a nap and get ready for the state dinner or something, it’s perhaps understandable. But it is one of Kate’s eminently forgettable outfits – I agree with posters who have already observed that again, the proportions are off, and the skirt should have been longer – the length of the skirt yet again suggests that 1950s shirtdress look that she seems so fond of – God knows why.
Looks lovely, length is appropriate and I personally the colour. Fashion is personal, perfection is boring and you can never please everyone!
Also… that floral dress really wasn’t as garish as people have been saying (IMO), but I understand that people have opinions about what is appropriate. I feel like its more important to focus on the history of Stutthof, and the lessons to be learned from the attrocities than the clothes worn by those visiting it (but then this IS a gossip site and here I am contributing …..so…?).
Catherine Walker is fantastic, and has managed to flatter misses No-Hips. Id wear her things any day!!
I think it looks like the dress inched up when she picked up Charlotte, it looks higher in one picture than the other. Either way, short as it might be, at least it’s not loose and at risk of giving everyone another free tarmac show!
So is this tour a success or will be?
Such a gorgeous color! This might be one of my favorite coat dresses of hers. The shoes are a big no though, but that’s expected.
Why does William never holds Charlotte’s hand, pick her up or even look at her? It’s very odd that he seems focused on George to the exclusion of his daughter.
Most babies go through a “mommy only” phase when they are around Charlette’s age. Wm probably doesn’t want to be photographed holding his baby girl screaming “No, I want Mommy” whilst the cameras are rolling; who could blame him for that, eh?
Yes, that makes sense. Going through the mummy only stage.
I suspect Kate has a lot to do with why she only handles Charlotte.
At the last trip where there was a garden party he was interacting with Charlotte and she was hanging out with George.
Could she not have worn red (one of the colours in the german flag) and worn the identical coat she has to this? More money spent.
But that would ruin the “blue matchy-match” tableu, and they’ve already done the red matchy-match once this tour.
I bet she doesn’t fit into the red one.
I’m only here for George and his ‘I don’t wanna be here and be nice to these strangers’ attitude.
William, on his first year of school announced “I don’t like togrophers”. I guess his son doesn’t like them either.
We know who must have instilled dislike towards media/photography from a young age. Pun intended. No shade towards those adorable cheeks.
Of coarse the kid is not in the mood for a Tarmac meet and greet. Not sure I’ve ever met a kid who was.
It’s called royalty they come out of nappies and are taught royal duties note James Whittaker in an interview
I bet William is hating every moment with the kids…not that he does not adore them, but rather that he has to bring them out in “public”. I am very surprised the kids are along for the ride on this one.
And also…little Charlotte seems like the most interesting one in this family thus far…she will be something to watch grow up!
Better parents wouldn’t have dragged the young kids out of their usual routine for useless PR photos. Or skip Easter to visit an ex girlfriend on her wedding, or take ski trips without their kids present to party with friends.
They can’t win. The argument is always “No one sees the kids.” Well-here they are.
I think most people have a beef with the fact that the children are never seen at home, and then dragged across the continent, in unfamiliar places, flying on planes, etc., and it seems bewildering to George, at least, because he isn’t used to all these strangers. This has to be stressful for him – he looks very out of sorts in all the pictures.
It would be much kinder for them to bring him to smaller events at home, such as the garden party they took him to in Canada, more frequently. Cause if Wills is trying to raise a child who will be even more unsuited to a public role than he is, he is doing a good job. Not the child’s fault. The parents’ fault, 100%.
It’s not really the *seeing*, but what the kids are doing. Look at Estelle of Sweden. Often out with her parents, attending their functions, or in videos for Christmas/birthdays etc. A nice gradual progression into the public eye, in a non-threatening way. Vs. the Cambridge kids who get off an airplane in a strange place with new people and dozens if not hundreds of photographers snapping away.
I disagree; nothing wrong with them taking short trips with or without their kids. It’s summer so no school and parents need a break from the kids sometimes.
I love the outfi, the style, the color on her. Very nice. The shoes are the only miss.
Saw a pic of the Duchesses assistant Rebecca Deacon in the Daily Mail. She always looks so rumpled. Her dress was too short and badly creased. I don’t know what influence Rebecca has with Kate but her own presentation is so often unprofessional that it makes me wonder whether if she gives bad advice to Kate?
I always look at Rebecca’s outfits as well. Her skirts are almost always well above the knee & if she wears trousers, they’re usually painted on skinnies. I figured she & Kate dressed a lot alike, either deliberately or unknowingly.
Rebecca never looks classy or smooth and professional. Like you say often too short or tight. So unkempt. If I was her I would have a business ‘uniform’ of trouser or skirt suit or modest well cut business dress. If she focused on the cut and fit and kept it simple she would look so much better.
The dress is ok. Very like the one in pale pink that Carole wore at Pippa’s wedding. A bit longer would have been a bit better, but she looks very nice today and the colour suits her.
That’s it, that’s why it looks so familiar. It’s Carole’s mother of the bride coat.
Dowdy – she is so slender yet the fit of this coat dress gives her quarterback shoulders from behind and the look of a buxom housewife from the front. Her hairdresser is very talented too: quite a feat to turn a nice modern cut into a 19th century do.
It’s a nice colo, but otherwise snoozeworthy. I swear Catherine Walker only seems to make one style of coat dress.
Catherine Walker is dead. Her husband is keeping the brand alive by re-using her original patterns. So you’re not entirely wrong.
I like it too. Especially the subtle way that Charlotte’s dress kind of matches the blue hue Kate is wearing as well. It looks cute in a Mother/daughter kind of way. Very lovely.
Just saw a video of Charlotte shaking hands on the tarmac. Really adorable.
Dowdy. I don’t understand concept of coatdress. You can have a dress and wear a jacket over the dress. Or an open light coat. The proportions of a coatdress are so odd. The length of this one and the flared styling is dowdy. And everything is so matchy. It makes it look cheap. A beautiful print dress with a solid jacket would be sophisticated. In US she looks like she is going to Easter parade.
Hated Carole M coatdress for Pippa’s wedding. Also in a dorky pink.
Do other royals wear coatdress? I doubt it.
Every time I see her with the flesh colored shoes I think of figure skaters. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDP0rCm6BGw/UwLgRnKd6PI/AAAAAAAAAT4/dqHAopXj8zY/s1600/figure+skating.jpg
Click, click
I’m the first to say that they have had a poor work ethic, and she has bad style. But the nit picking a lot of you are doing over her outfit or over how the kids are behaving is ridiculous.
I don’t think it’s as short as it appears. To me, it looks like Charlotte is raising the fabric with her leg – she’s bunching the fabric up. My girls would sometimes do they when they were little.
Nice colour but otherwise blah. Dress too short and the coat looks uncomfortable. As others have pointed out, she looks like a child giving an outgrown outfit a last wearing.
Poor George. I don’t know why they felt the need to drag the children. I expect it was the only way they could get some positive PR after their lack of recent activity.
She looks pretty. Charlotte is so cute!
I like this coat. I love the color and the style. This is a style she wears well.
I would LOVE to see her Closet of Blue Coats. LOL I wonder if she has them lined up by shade, starting with pale blue and ending with navy. I also wonder if she has her nude shoes all lined up by shade, too. Pale nude, nude, nude nude, med nude.
The kids are adorable. George is getting tall.
That poor boy isn’t made for this There was no need to drag him around.
Honestly, I don’t think she ever looks dowdy. Her clothes always look fine to me.
I think the problem is that she just isn’t charismatic or have any “it” factor to want to make the effort to gaze at her.
Diana’s clothes from the 80s look a bit odd to the modern eye (especially her hair), but she had that “it” factor that makes you overlook the horridness of that fashion era and appreciate her attractiveness.
I agree. She doesn’t have any charisma, never has never will. That’s the missing piece. But neither does Wills. I think in some instances she tries by imitating others more alluring like Harry or Diana with their signature hugs that garner(ed) affection. But it comes off as “borrowed” rather than authentic. Neither she nor Wills has any interest in or even the capacity to connect to other people.
At times I can see her straining to connect the dots on how to be a celebrity. But she is really out of her depth. I am shocked by how indifferent Wills is towards her at every one of their public outings. He has the same petulant irritated look Diana had towards Charles when she refused to pretend her marriage was anything more than a sham.
Indifferent is right. He never seems to look at her with any affection or interest.
Gosh so agree with you on your points…
He has always treated her like that. Kate is someone who struggles to feel empathy or connect to others as she lives in a bubble – she has been raised to think only of herself. I have a friend who is like that, she was spoilt when growing up and always had to be the centre of attention esp with men.
+1 no charisma-she is so bland. There ar no words to define her. Maybe Stepford Wife
That coat isn’t Prussian Blue. Prussian Blue is more “dead” just like the Prussians 😉
I am sure madam Merkel will be contented they showed up in the colour of the European Union flag – blue
What give with the hem of the sheath dress?? Is it…chevroned???
The little man looks as though he could use a royal nap.
Kate and Will said George was a handful and I believe it. Will said Charlotte is sweet and he looked very happy discussing her. I believe he is handling George since he is his heir and it would look strange if he was holding Kate’s hand.
Charlotte’s smiles are adorable.
Her outfit is fine. We need to encourage her when she is heading in the right direction.
I don’t see what was wrong with the floral outfit that she wore to the concentration camp. It was fairly muted, for a floral, and flowers are standard representatives for condolences…you send flowers when a person passes away and the length of the skirt was appropriate, so as long as it wasn’t a bright color I don’t see the problem.
Also, I read another site that was talking about this same issue, and someone mentioned that the Queen wore a bright floral outfit to visit the 9/11 memorial…so how is that any different?
I think Kate already has this coat in red and in green.
I actually love the outfit, the color is stunning and I like how it shows off her figure at the waist. The beige shoes are horrible. Blue shoes or a pattern would have looked great.
GEorge and Charlotte are cute by it seems like we see them getting off the plane then they get hidden away somewhere. Why even bring them? There have been no kid centered events.
I think she looks wonderful! I love the cut of the dress! It shows off her toned figure! And that shade of blue looks great with her skin tone.
Prussian Blue is actually a very dark blue. It doesn’t even resemble this blue. http://colourlex.com/?s=Prussian+blue&et_pb_searchform_submit=et_search_proccess&et_pb_include_posts=yes&et_pb_include_pages=yes