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Mail Online |
In 2009 Prince William was made a honorary barrister at Middle Temple. At the time William was a trainee RAF helicopter pilot and during his speech in the Inn's Elizabethan Hall in front of almost 300 guests he 'promised not to practice, except for the odd speeding ticket' (you can read William's full speech here). Other members of the Royal family called to the bench include the Queen, called in 1944 and Diana, Princess of Wales, called in 1988.
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Popsugar |
Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court entitled to call their members to the English Bar as Barristers. It is located in the wider Temple area of London near the Royal Courts of Justice.
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Middle Temple |
In the 13th century, the Inns of Court originated as hostels and schools for student lawyers. The Inns stopped being responsible for legal education in 1852, although they continue to provide training in areas such as advocacy and ethics for students, pupil barristers and newly-qualified barristers. Most of the Inn is occupied by barristers' offices. One can take a virtual tour of the picturesque Inn here.
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Middle Temple |
Middle Temple Hall is at heart of the Inn and the Inn's student members are required to take qualifying sessions there. The Hall is also very popular for weddings, banqueting and receptions. It has also become a much used film location. Shakespeare's Twelfth Night received it's first recorded performance here.
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Middle Temple Hall |
Kate looked chic in a burgundy suit by French ready to wear brand Paule Ka. The double breasted jacket and short skirt with horizontal ribbing looked sophisticated yet youthful and burgundy is very much on trend for Autumn/Winter.
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Popsugar |
Eagled eyed Anna from My Small Obsessions noted the suit is possibly the same outfit she wore to a pre-christmas lunch in December 2011.
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Roland Hoskins/Daily Mail |
Paule Ka was created in 1988 by Serge Cajfinger and is now established in 54 countries and distributed throughout the world. The brand is described as
'Respecting glamour from a Hollywood movie screen. But always set against an iconic Parisian backdrop, Paule Ka's style breaks through conventional ideas and plays with contrasts, volume, symmetry, humour and seduction'.
A look at pieces from the Autumn/Winter collection.
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Paule Ka |
The Duchess wore a lace top underneath and black tights.
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Popsugar |
Kate wore her Episode Angel pumps (with thanks to What Kate Wore)
Kate did not carry a clutch and accessorised with gold and black drop earrings.
You can watch a video from the visit at ITN Source and a selection of photographs from the visit at Just Jared.
Earlier today Clarence House announced William will not be joining Kate in Tyne and Wear and Stockton-on-Tees on Wednesday as he plans to attend the funeral of Olga Powell, who was his and Prince Harry's beloved nanny for much of their childhood. A spokesman said 'given the significant role that Mrs. Powell played in the Princes' lives. The Duke wished to pay his respects in person'. It will be Kate's busiest solo day's work since becoming a member of the Royal family with four engagements to attend.
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Clarence House Twitter |
Tomorrow William and Kate will attend the opening of the FA's new National Football Centre, St George's Park.
Wow, Catherine looks amazing in burgundy outfits. I really like this suit! She is looking very lovely!
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry for William and Harry... It must be a terrible loss for them.
I really enjoy reading the comments here and from where they were sent!
Hugs from a cloudy city near Sao Paulo, Santos!
I also like this outfit and colour.
ReplyDeleteAnd the skirt is shorter than usual.
Hugs from Poznań, Poland
I love this outfit, the colour and cut are flattering, elegant and youthful. Kate looks gorgeous! No doubt Wednesday will be a very busy and challenging day for her, but it's clear that William wants to attend the funeral of his nanny. I'm sure Kate will do very well on her own and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's and Wednesday's engagements :)
ReplyDeleteNow that I have seen full-length photos I think that the skirt could have been just a tad longer, but the black tights kind of safe it for me.
DeleteWhat a wonderful outfit. I like it so much. It reminds me very much of her pre-wedding outfits, young and fresh with a beautiful colour. Adorable.
ReplyDeleteApart from that I want to try out showing my name instead of "Anonymous". In case it does not work: I am Marion from Germany :-)
Great job, Marion! So fun to see where everyone is from! Kate fans - in case you missed it: instead of using "anonymous", we are encouraging everyone to use the Reply as "Name/URL" option then in the name field, type in your name and where you are from.
DeleteLove this color on Kate. It goes great with her hair color!
Fifi from Texas USA
It is *so* interesting to see where you all come from. I know so many of you take the time to comment whenever there's a new post/appearance and we've built up a wonderful community. With more people sharing their first name or a username it's much more personal than 'anonymous' posting.
DeleteA huge thank you to everyone who is taking the time to do that :)
Hi Marion. I am also from Germany. About 4 generations ago. Great blog with positive notes. Kate does look great!
DeleteI love the color of her dress. But there is something child-like about the length of the skirt. I think it would have been more sophisticated if the skirt were longer (below her knees).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful suit, beautifully accessorized. I like this line of clothing. Very dignified, very businesslike but still feminine and lovely. I give William credit for choosing to go to his nanny's funeral and for trusting his wife to handle everything in his absence.
ReplyDeleteThe Duchess looks absolutely beautiful and I admire her for her ability to just get on with the duties she is undertaking this week. I am so excited about her increase in royal engagements and hope the trend continues, as she has the capability to draw attention to so many worthy causes!
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit! Very nice colour on her, plus I like the pairing of black tights and shoes - appropriate and warm for the cool October day.
ReplyDeleteIt appears she's wearing black pearl drop earrings if you were to examine other photos.
ReplyDeleteThe color is beautiful, but the whole suit felt a bit too young (and dare I say it, maybe even cheap?).
ReplyDeletesecond this. The skirt is just too short and puffy for her height and figure. It would be much nicer if it was a pencil or even her favorite pleated shape.
DeleteI like the shape of the skirt but agree that it is too short. Two more inches would have done wonders. I think that the 'little girl' look is being magnified by all that hair in her face. I don't understand why she can't have it pulled away. She looks SO much better and just far more polished and mature.
DeleteAbsolutely agree. It's just too short for her age and shape. She has such an amazing figure- I hate when her outfits take away from it. The jacket and skirt don't appear to match very well either. The jacket is very structured and short with a snug fit while the skirt doesn't seem an appropriate compliment for a suit.
DeleteShe did seem to be her bubbly self though. Love that!
Yes, too young and slightly cheap looking was exactly what came to mind. I don't think the length of the skirt helped much. It felt too short to be sophisticated.
DeleteI agree totally, Is it actually a suit as the jacket and skirt do not see to match and it look like the material used for fleece. very cheap material. also she is 30 and the outfit seems to be too young, the shoes also appear to be dirty and worn, she doesnot look well groomed
DeleteIn agreement on the too short of skirt & miss match with the jacket cut for her figure. The style might have been OK for someone in early 20's and in summertime fabrication with nude legs. But not with Kate's age now, nor all that black leg and shoe - tosses off the proportions so she looks 'all legs.' We know she has long legs. This tiered skirt might not look right at all 1" longer even - meaning it's the wrong skirt for a dressy suited look. But know she is trying to set style...just this was a miss for me except for the color.
DeleteYeah... I gotta say I'm with y'all in that I was a little shocked at how short that skirt was. LOVE the top though, I would love to have the burgundy jacket as a solo piece just to wear over a dress!
DeleteBasically this was my reaction as I slowly scrolled down: OHH!! NEW POST!! NEW OUTFIT! Love the color and she looks so beautif--eek... that's awfully short... :p
(Side note: I'm the Sarah who usually signs my posts as just "-Sarah", but I'll make sure to do the Name/URL thing from now on since we've got multiple Sarahs posting here :) )
Loved this outfit, back to her young stylish flirty look. The length was perfect and gr8 to c the black tights again. Only one grumble do not like her sausage curls in her hair. Loved her hair when she went to the ark gala dinner last year it was sleek and wavy long and flowing instead of this sausage look, big n clumpy. Bit old fashioned. Still think she looked nice though.
ReplyDeleteToo young for her...something some commented on with some of her summer dresses on the South Seas tour last month. She is top heavy here with all that hair and then suited color. Despite she is pencil thin, it's out of over all good silhouette proportion.
DeleteI agree, she is top heavy and this suit makes her look even wider from her shoulders, this does not flatter her figure.
DeleteWhat a sweet smile!
ReplyDeleteI love the color but hate the silhouette of the skirt on her...too short and flouncy.
Lovely outfit for graceful and beautiful Kate!
ReplyDeleteI really feel sorry for William and Harry. It must be a terrible loss for them both and it is only fit that Harry being in Afghanistan, William pays homage to their beloved nanny.
Monica, from France
Love the color of the suit but the skirt is too short. Kate often gets criticized for wearing clothes that are too old-looking but she actually looks much better and more balanced in a longer skirt. The shape of the jacket is very good on her.
ReplyDeleteSurprised that they scheduled the funeral on a day William was known to have engagements, but some things do come first and it's good he is attending.
I believe it's the prerogative of the immediate family of Ms. Powell to schedule the funeral on the day that best suits them.
DeleteOther mourners - including William - then adjust their schedule - if necessary - to attend.
I imagine William wouldn't dream of telling Mrs. Powell's family to schedule her funeral to suit him.
DeleteOdd that they did choose this date for her memorial. She passed back on Sept 27th 2012 - so this is not a funeral with body internment. It's a memorial/celebration/honor of life and passing.
DeleteFirst off - congrats on the speed of your post! you beat everyone hands down. How do you do that??
ReplyDeleteI really like this outfit. When I first saw the picture by the car, I thought it was another coatdress :( but a skirt suit - yippee!
Cameras mess with the colour but it looks raspberry to me rather than maroon (I'm comparing with the coast she wore to the church service at Christmas). Really beautiful and suits her and great on a miserable cold day in London. Like the accessories as well although black suede does pick up dust very easily.
I think this shape skirt suits her. She has a long body and proportionately "short" legs and pencil skirts dont quite work. So I like this a lot.
And I love how unpredicatble she can be.
Charlotte you rock! Thank you for this quick update, love the wine color of her dress. She looks lovey and chic.are there any videos of the event??
ReplyDeleteI just added a link to a video in the post :)
DeleteI hope to see her in more suits - they can be businesslike and fun at the same time. A perfect look for a Fall day.
ReplyDeleteSorry Charlotte, I forgot to post a link to more beautiful photos, if you don't mind!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newmyroyals.com/
Best regards,
Monica, from France
Number one Charlotte!!!... :-)
ReplyDeleteHas Catherine lightened her hair? Or has it been lighter for a while and I'm just noticing it!
ReplyDeleteShe looks amazing as usual but yes I did think the skirt was an inch or 2 shorter than it should've been.
Yes, I think her salon has moved to a lighter tone for a couple of weeks now. She looks pretty, she is pretty, but I think a darker shade of brown suits her more. I love Kate as a brunette :) I find it a more natural look.
DeleteI think she looked lovely and she certainly doesn't flag on the conversation. Love the colour and William's matching tie.They make a superb team.
ReplyDeletePity about Wednesday, but he will only have a limited number of days off from his job, so other days might have been even more difficult.
Does anyone else think it strange she doesn't take a bag, with no lady in waiting who would help her out if she needed a hanky or a spare pair of tights!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same...
DeleteI expect her secretary-assistant carries it, or she just leaves it in the car ;)
I seen inside a car once and they have a big box full of things like water,fruit. Maybe tights and hanky also. It was pretty full.
DeleteAbsolutely love the colour of the suit, but I agree with most of the comments : it is too short. Imagine when she sits down ! She has a gorgeous figure, but a longer skirt is much more elegant. The tailoring is a bit off to me as well, but as a Parisian, I don't usually find the cut of Paule Ka's clothes very flattering.
ReplyDeleteIs it me or do they both seem a bit tense in the ITV video ? It is great to hear them speak to the students, you see how considerate and thoughtful they both are. Love the way the Duchess gives all her attention to each person. That is tiring at the end of the day, especially with cameras around...
All best from a very, rainy, depressing Paris ;)
Kate is working more and more without carrying a clutch. Good for her, to have both hands unencumbered. I still expect them in the evening though. I'm not aware of any other royal who is doing the same.
ReplyDeleteModern and the antithesis of QEII who we know always carries a purse with little in it! Not like Kate can carry a cross body bag like many women do today so we have both hands free.
DeleteGood catch on the hair color! The roots still look dark. Maybe it was sun bleached while she was in the South Pacific?
ReplyDeleteHer outfits are either matronly or juvenile. This one is juvenile. I also don't care for the little black lace peeking out under her jacket. There is way too much going on here. No need for such dark black tights. Sheer ones would have been more elegant.
ReplyDeleteWhen wearing dark stockings or tights it is OK to raise the hem a bit. I love this, and the proportions look great to me!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I like the outfit but what has she been doing with her hands? They look horrible.
ReplyDeleteYes I noticed one of the pictures her hands looked really bad, old. Thought it was me being picky!
DeleteOh too funny - I have been noticing her hands since the wedding and thought it was me being too picky. She was, it would appear, 'gifted' with pre-mature aging skin on her hands. Many folks have that...it's genetic typically, but sometimes sun and work enhanced.
DeleteCharoltte,
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely convinced she read your blog over the weekend and all the comments that we've missed her more youthful and more fun looks!! :)) This is much less consrvative and looks SMASHING as you all say in the UK. The length is perfect for her age and I love the color. Her hair is so prety and she looks overall really healthy.
Great post! Tracy
the pumps she is wearing look suede, but the episode pumps in the picture look leather. are we sure they are the same?
ReplyDeleteShe stylish more than before
ReplyDeletebut Wow, She sure made her come back!
Way to go my (future) Queen
Fikri I so agree with you. The beautiful Duchess stepped up to the plate today and hit it out of the ball park. I love seeing the Duchess & her Prince together, they are such a stunning couple. And I hope the Queen is very proud of them.
DeleteNice outfit she got there
ReplyDeletesure she has inner beauty to support it
ROBIN INDIANA USA I love the Duchess outfit, maroon is my favorite color and she looks great. She will do great solo on Wednesday. I understand why William and Harry want to go alone to the funneral of their former Nanny. Love and best wishes.
ReplyDeleteHI Robin- I don't think William want's to go with out his Duchess but they had these other engagements scheduled so the Duchess will do them by herself. And I am sure she will do a great job and make William proud. And Harry is at war.
DeleteThank you Charlotte for this great post again. You are the best.
ReplyDeleteI loved her dress/suit today. She looked stunning as always. Like the way William's tie matched his Duchess's clothes. I am happy that he will be able to say go by to his friend and nanny. And the Duchess will go a great job or they would not send her out by herself. I think William has alot of pride in his beautiful Duchess and know's she will do a great job.
I look forward to see then again tomorrow and your post. Till then rest my friend.
Thanks for the history lesson on the site - like many American's I would think, I assumed it was probably a college for those studying to be barristers (attorneys in the USA). Sad about their nanny - but recalling they were very close to their other much younger nanny, Tiggy.
ReplyDeleteI also thought as others have commented, this skirt is too short. It would look better about 1" longer. There is too much 'sea' of black from end of skirt down to the tip of shoes and tosses off the over all silhouette proportions. A stylist would have caught this. A short skirt like this is easier to do in summer with a nude leg or in winter with a high boot and tights but not on a 'lady' with heals and tights.
Surprised anyone spotted those earring!
Yes, I agree with the post above, I like how Charlotte adds background information about the places they visit for those of us unfamiliar.
DeleteI think the background information is very important because most people outside of the UK wouldn't be familiar with Middle Temple and other places William and Kate visit. It adds more context to the post and the type of organisations and charities the couple are supporting.
DeleteI'm glad you all enjoy it :)
Does William ever wear a suit of any other color than blue?
ReplyDeleteSeriously! It would be nice to see him mix up his wardrobe every once in a while. Both his brother and his father usually do a good job of being stylish - he should take some tips from them!
DeleteAgreed!!!
DeleteI LOVE this outfit! Great color, cute silhouette. I totally agree that it's too short to be considered "professional," and I would never wear it to my job as a lawyer in the US, but I think it's appropriate enough for a royal visit. It's not as though they have her actually arguing a case while wearing that suit :-) Personally, I'm thrilled to see her wearing something a little more youthful, in such a flattering shade.
ReplyDeleteMy only negative comment relates to her hair - great shine, great color, but PLEASE someone take away her stylist's wide-barreled curling iron! Those heavy sausage curls are so juvenile! What's wrong with a low ponytail, or even straight hair from time to time? Remember how it was styled at the engagement announcement? It was shiny and bouncy, but only had a little bit of a wave. However, the wedding kicked off the Reign of the Sausage Curls.
-W
I agree. Her hair is so beautiful, but she always remains with the same style over and over.... It's so drab!
DeleteNicole ;)
I agree those sausage curls r awful. You can't see her neck or shoulders. I love long hair and it was lovely pre wedding. She looks stunning when it's up, although to have it permanently up like princess Anne is such awaste too. Variation would be better. I liked the outfit but do get the comments on either her style is matronly or juvenile. Liked her pencil looking dresses she wore in Canada , not keen on the pleated ones she's now wearing.
DeleteKate's hair is definitely being lightened! I first noticed when Kate and Pippa went to Wimbledon this summer and were shown side by side and Kate's hair looked so much lighter, and in older photos of the two of them their hair colour is almost exactly the same. I've wondered about it in recent photos this summer noticing it wasn't as dark or shiny as last year... even so, I would give a lot for hair as gorgeous as hers!
ReplyDeleteI like the colour, I don't mind the tights, I like the jacket... I just think the outfit would have looked much better, much more 'put together' if she'd worn her hair away from her face, and worn a different style and length of skirt.
ReplyDeleteBut overall she looked nice.
The Duchess looks splendid and carries herself with such poise and professionalism. She seems to be totally assured of herself; I love seeing her like this!!
ReplyDeleteBurgundy is my favorite color-it is so bright yet mature. And it looks perfect with the Duchess's beautiful hair color.
So happy to have this post (unexpected to me!). Silvia
Sometimes burgundy is a tricky color... :) (For instance, I didn't like the coat dress she wore in Sandringham last Christmas, although the burgundy Jane Corbett hat was great.)
ReplyDeleteBut this outfit... Uau, it's gourgeous!! Very youthful, very appropriate for her age, and the skirt is fun. Her hair is absolutely FABULOUS. It's like a breath of fresh hair in Autumn ;)
Z. (from Portugal)
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI really like this blog. So thank you very much for the recent updates.
Hope Catherine is going to wear this one in pale pink:
http://www.pauleka.com/en/collection-autumn-winter-2012/ready-to-wear/dresses/robe-en-guipure.html
Chris
Wow, thanks for the wonderful postings Charlotte! I've been into Kate and William ever since their wedding last year. William's mom raised him so well.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to more postings!
Thanks
Thank you for the background information. Very helpful. I feel kind of sick, though, now. I'm not badmouthing. I just feel sad. Some of the respect and dignity has worn off. I hope time will distance us from her bad mistakes, but I don't think it will ever be the same. A good lesson. Eternal vigilance is needed to maintain a good name and reputation.
ReplyDeleteIf one looks closely at the close-up shots of the Duchess's outfit, it seems to me the jacket and skirt do indeed match perfectly with respect to their fabric. I believe Charlotte had it right when she characterised this ensemble as "sophisticated yet youthful". Well done by the Duchess. I believe this skirt looks great on her. I don't quite understand why some would have her wear only pencil skirts; she can certainly pull off this style, too, and who would want to wear the same cut of skirt all the time?
ReplyDeleteI love the colours of fall..they are absolutely smashing. I do agree with some folks who says that the Duchesses skirt maybe a tad bit short for her frame. Otherwise a lovely presentation.
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!!!
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