The reception is showcasing the GREAT Campaign which is designed to promote the UK abroad, and aims to deliver long-term economic benefits from the level of interest generated by London 2012. The campaign offers a chance for the whole world to discover what the UK has to offer.
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| GREAT Campaign |
Greeting Prime Minister David Cameron on the red carpet. The Duchess wore her hair in an elegant updo.
800 guests were invited to the reception including Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Roger Daltry, Snow Patrol and Julian Fellowes.
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| David Wilkinson Twitter |
Kate chatting to guests.
The red carpet before guests arrived.
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| Mark Stewart Twitter |
The Royal Academy of Arts is quite something isn't it? Founded through a personal act by King George in 1768 with a mission to promote the arts of design in Britain through education and exhibition. Kate is a History of Art graduate and very passionate about the arts so no doubt we will see her here again in the not too distant future.
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| Wikipedia |
Inside the Royal Academy, all set for the VIP guests.
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| David Wilkinson CNN Twitter |
The online shop sells everything from limited edition books to homeware and stationery.
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| Royal Academy of Arts |
Kate pictured inside the royal academy.
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| Rebecca English Twitter |
Kate talking to one of her favourite designers, Stella McCartney.
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| David Wilkinson CNN |
Kate wore a dove grey dress by Serbian born designer Roskanda Ilinic Peridot dress. We first saw the Duchess wear the dress when she arrived in Los Angeles in July 2011.
The dress originally retailed for £815 and was later reduced to £570. It is no longer available to buy in boutiques but can be ordered directly from Roskanda Ilincic. It is described as
'Light blue grey. Draped neck to one side. Cap sleeves. Pleats down from drape neck to waist band. Pleated skirt. While tulle neckline and cuff trim. Exposed centre back zip'.
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| The Mombat |
The 'Peridot' is available in petrol blue wool crepe at Net a Porter for €668 (reduced from €978)
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| Net a Porter |
Kate chose a pair of LK Bennett shoes this evening. Not her favourite Sledge pumps but the £195 Harper Shoe (With many thanks to Michelle) The light taupe court shoe has 110 mm heel and is available in numerous colours.
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| LK Bennett |
Kate is carrying a sequin clutch and wearing her Kiki McDonough blue topaz and diamond earrings.
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| Rebecca English Twitter |
I'll finish the post with a lovely quote from Jeremy Hunt.
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| Victoria Murphy Twitter |
See you all tomorrow :)
I love that dress! Lovely hair!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you : )
Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteYou are so fast - my favorite blog by far. I am one of those "lurkers" who never comment on blogs, but wanted to post just this once to say thanks.
Nora
Nora your comment got lost in my 'spam' and I just saw it now. Thank you so much for your very kind comment and for reading the blog! Please comment as often as you would like, We would all love to hear your thoughts on Kate :)
DeleteShd really likes blue,doesn't she?:-D But I'm satisfied,she has an up do (finally) and very beautiful one! Generally,very neat and polished look,I like it-just supposed it would be a black tie event(so I expected a gown) and this is more a day time outfit,but seeing other guests,it hadn't been planned as a black tie reception..
ReplyDeleteLove that dove gray color on the duchess and she looks so elegant with her up! I wish she would wear it that way more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent updates today Charlotte!
I like it when she was on Canada tour but don't like today in this event. Maybe it was the hair or maybe something else...I am not quite sure what it is..Side by side you can definitely tell the beautiful Duchess has put some weight around the waist, which I really love to see. She looks every day more confident and comfortable as new Royal.
ReplyDeleteI like the recycled dress but dint think the shoes matched.
ReplyDeleteThey look cream colored to me on my iPhone screen:)
Any idea which earrings she wore ?
Thanks C for the quick update!
Charlotte is there a video of the event?
DeleteI'll add one to the post if I find anything :)
DeleteI think Kate looks absolutely stunning! Her hair looks lovely up she should wear it like that more often! Nice to see her recycling her dress and earrings they're lovely together with similar blue tones :) although I can't recall seeing the shoes before makes a nice change from her lk Bennett nude sledges! Perfect for the occasion :) thank you again for your quick updates Charlotte! Your a star! :)
ReplyDeleteGrace
Charlotte, you are always so quick - thank you so much, you are fantastic!! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love the dress and the hair.
ReplyDeleteThe earrings are the ones she wore on Friday, but more visible--there is a description on the post for the opening of the games.
She looks absolutely stunning and SO much healthier than the last time she wore the dress. She is literally at the perfect weight. There were times she was so pin thin she looked as though she'd break! Gorgeous Kate just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLook at those arms...She must have been working out. I love toned arms. Mrs. Obama has nice arms as well.
DeleteFor those who are interested in these pumps, check out j.crew "Mona" pumps in suede.
DeleteI don't usually comment, but this look has just entered my "Top 5 looks for Kate". Beautiful!
ReplyDeletePositively STUNNING!! I love her hair up and the larger earrings. Her long hair is lovely and it looks fabulous, as it did earlier today, but there are times when she should show off her neck and shoulders. She's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing and SO elegant. A fairy tale princess!
ReplyDeleteThe first photo- a real (and regal) beauty!
ReplyDeleteShe is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHAHA Charlotte at first I thought you just meant that this was a really really really good reception!
ReplyDeleteI liked this dress in Canada and now, I always thought we didn't get to see quite enough of it in Canada so I'm happy to see it out again. I'm glad she picked the gray color as well; the dark blue looks awfully like surgical scrubs... hey, now there's something I could wear to work... :p
-Sarah
She is so tanned! She looks beautiful! Love the hair up for a change! Do you think she uses self tan? Or
ReplyDeleteSun?
Batsheva
First thing I thought of when I saw that first pic was "damn, Kate has curves." I think she looks amazing, and it's good to see her with different nude shoes & her hair up, I hope this soon becomes another trend for her
ReplyDeletePerfect Outfit! The Duchess is stunning. Kisses!
ReplyDeleteAgain at least, she looks so beautiful! I like the dress, her hair and the shoes!! The whole outfit is a really great choice! Wonderful.. I want these shoes!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIs she wearing spanx power panty. The line on her thigh in mid-stride looks lit.
ReplyDeleteShe's quite the catch for William. The Queen must be proud of his choice.
Absolutely love this look! Her hair looks amazing and she just looks so much healthier at the moment :)
ReplyDeleteGlad she has her hair up... I think she looks great!
ReplyDeleteShe looks radiant and she has definitely put on weight.
ReplyDeleteyet ANOTHER pair of nude shoes. someone tell me why she basically has two pairs of the SAME shoe? the wedges, multiple black shoes, navy pumps. it is ridiculous.
ReplyDeletethe first pic is fantastic! she is radiant and beautiful . i was always a fan of this dress... i'm glad to see it again :)
ReplyDeleteThe Duchess looks gorgeous! The UK must be very proud to have such an amazing person representing them.
ReplyDeleteThank Charlotte, you rock!
i *loved* this dress in usa, but less so now. i think the slight snugness in the fit is throwing the draping off a little.
ReplyDeletehaving said that: i still think she looks great! a very pretty dress, nice color, good cut and draping to give her curves. overall a really good choice for a dressy evening event which emphasizes modern design.
the big earrings are a nice touch.
and so nice of her to attend an event to bring business to gb and connecting all the ppl and attention brought to london by the olympics.
Is duchess Kate expection?
ReplyDeleteSorry, what did you mean?
DeleteMy thoughts exactly
DeleteWasn't she just drinking a glass of champagne at the BP reception on Friday?
DeleteSorry I didn't reply to this comment! I accidentally made just a normal Comment! It is under Anonymous at 2:53.
DeleteOMG she looks so stunning! As others have already said :-) But seriously I think this may be the most beautiful shes ever looked second behind her wedding of course. I love the dress now that we can see the neckline. She looks so tan and healthy and I agree this is the perfect weight for her. You can tell she doesnt starve but really works out. And I can't help it but she is reminding me so much of Princess Diana in the first pic, so graceful and beautiful, elegant and tall. And something about the way shes smiling and maybe the dress, I dont know just really reminds me of her but that is of course a compliment!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. And yes, it is a compliment! :)
DeleteHow beautiful! She looks amazing, happy and comfortable! I love her hair like this--so elegant!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
There has been a lot of buzz about Kate being pregnant! Like On access Holywood, I don't trust them and am wondering! I got to study the British this year in school and am fascinated by their royals!
ReplyDeletelove kate dress as we know recycle that from canada kate looks gorgeous love it and i like kate up....
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning - LOVE the hair in an "up doo" SO elegant!! 11/10
ReplyDeletePPx
I am stunned with this whole appearance. Man, she doesn't look like a Duchess or Princess but a Queen!!
ReplyDeleteImpeccable. Classy.
I say: more swept back hair!! Silvia
Her hair looks phenom in an updo. Well, is there any style she *doesn't* look good in? No.
ReplyDeleteI love her hair pulled back. She is so pretty and I think the hair up/pulled back really compliment her face. The dress is quite pretty, too bad she hasn't worn it with the belt/bow, I love belts and bows :P
ReplyDeleteI'm also happy to see her experimenting more with different earrings. She use to wear chandelier earrings more when she was single and even though she is a duchess now and I understand she wants a more elegant look I also think they give a youthful twist to her outfits.
Beatrix
Her hair and dress are perfection! I wish she would wear this hair more often gorgeous
ReplyDeleteAsking questions are really fastidious thing if you are not understanding something completely, but this piece of writing presents nice understanding even.
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I liked this dress the first time she wore it here in the U.S. however when the Duchess " recycled" it which so many seem to have issues with for what reason who knows? Anyway, women wear their clothes more than once. Why should she be criticized for it? I think it shows that she is trying to keep to her roots. Royalty or not, wearing an extremely expensive item only once is a bit excessive and puts off an image that money is just money and it has no value. Wearing these exquisite pieces more than once shows the public a side of her character that deserves credit. Fashion editors may not see it that way but you cant please everyone. Back to the point..Catherine was glowing at the GREAT event. She looked flawless. Onevof my all time favorite ensembles. Her accessories were perfect and her updo allowed the structure of the dress to be on full display. Her appearence was demure yet stunning.
ReplyDelete