Duchess Kate Recycles Emilia Wickstead Dress Coat at Garden Party

Duchess Kate joined the Queen today for her first Buckingham Palace garden party. 8,000 guests attended the party which is considered one of the highlights of the summer season. 

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It was a beautiful day in London for a garden party, with the sun shining throughout the afternoon.

Photographer James Whatling

The national anthem was plated when the royals arrived and again when the party finished.

AP

Prince William's absence is reportedly due to work commitments at RAF Valley where he is a Search and Rescue pilot. During William's deployment in the Falklands, Kate proved she could take any solo event in her stride. The Duchess appeared to enjoy the day, mingling with guests.

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Tea and refreshments were served from buffet tables. At a typical party, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed. Four hundred waiting staff are involved in the serving. You can watch a video about Royal garden parties on The Official Website of the British Monarchy.


When asked how she was finding her first garden party Kate said

'It's very nerve wracking facing such a sea of people but great fun. Everyone looks pretty dressed up'.

When told the average guest consumes fourteen sandwiches Kate smiled and said

'Gosh, no really? Well I had better see what I can do about that'. 

Kate also spoke about how she's loving every minute of married life. When she is not out on an official engagement she is researching for the next one and finds she is kept very busy.

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Guests had an opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens, a wealth of wildlife and the summer house. Unlike the state rooms the gardens are not open to the general public. 

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Duchess Kate recycled the £1200  Emilia Wickstead, pale pink, Alice dress coat she wore to the Queen's Sovereigns' Luncheon on May 18th. The bespoke piece, based on the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is perfect for the occasion. I suspect Kate chose to recycle the piece so quickly as she is in the company of Her Majesty today and perhaps eager to deflect attention from her sartorial choices. 

Emilia Wickstead/Reuters

Kate teamed her dress with an oversized pink, straw and lace hat by milliner Jane Corbett.

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Kate wore her favourite LK Bennett Sledge 2 Pumps. The taupe platform shoes are a staple in Kate's wardrobe, They are available for £185.

 LK Bennett

Kate carried her LK Bennett Natalie Clutch. The £160 clutch is currently out of stock.

Kate opted for minimalist jewellery, wearing a classic pair of pearl drop earrings.

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Overall I really liked this look, I think it worked better this time, teamed with the hat. Did you prefer it today or at the Sovereign's luncheon? Kate seemed incredibly happy today and her winning smile is always a fabulous asset :)


 You can watch a video from the party HERE.

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In other news, 'The Jubilee Queen with Katie Couric' will air on ABC tonight at 9 pm EST. During Prince William's poignant interview he discusses missing his mother on his wedding day

'It was the one time since she's died where I've thought to myself it would be fantastic if she was here. And just how sad really, for her more than anything, not being able to see it. I think she would have loved the day and I think, hopefully, she's be very proud of us both for the day. I'm just very sad that's she's not going to get a chance to meet Kate'.

Prince Harry also discusses his mother and how 'she would have loved Kate'. A rare interview with the Prince's not to be missed.

ABC News

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Finally another engagement has been added to William and Kate's diary. The couple will join HM and Prince Philip in Nottingham on June 13th. They'll make a balcony appearance at city's council house.

Richard Palmer 

Kate Loves: Beauty Products

Duchess Kate always looks impeccable, her choice of beauty products and skincare routine is clearly serving her well. If you have ever wanted to emulate Kate's make up or just wondered what products she carries in her clutch, this is a post for you :)

Moisturiser: Each and every one of you can attest to the fact a good moisturiser is a vital item in your beauty bag. I know from personal experience (and much experimentation) the most expensive does not necessarily mean the best for your skin type. Kate has obviously discovered this too. Kate has been spotted stocking up on Nivea Visage Pure and Natural at her local Boots store. The £5.10 moisturising day cream contains effective, organically grown natural ingredients. 

Nivea

Cleanser: According to Karin Herzog's UK managing director, Kate uses a number of the brands products. The Switzerland based brand is described as 'the original and the best, true oxygen based therapy, proven to deliver back to the skin oxygen, water and essential vitamins'. Kate uses the £33 Professional Cleansing Cream. The cleanser works to dislodge blockages in the skin, and when removed literally sucks out the dirt.

Karin Herzog

Face Cream: Kate uses the Karin Herzog Oxygen Face Cream. The product should be applied morning and night, to the face and neck without massaging into the skin. The cream is described as very well suited to younger users. It's non-oily texture means there is no oily residue left on the surface of the skin. It is £36 for 50ml.

Karin Herzog

Spot Zapper: To banish spots, cold sores, boils and blisters Kate uses the Karin Herzog Vita A Kombi 3. The acne cream is described as 'extremely effective'. It is £21.50 for the handy 15ml tube, which will easily fit into your purse.

Karin Herzog

Foundation: Kate chose to do her own make up for the royal wedding and reportedly uses Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation. The popular foundation provides SPF 15 sun protection while it hydrates skin. It is available in various shades for $46.

Bobbi Brown

Concealer Pen: The YSL Touche Éclat Concealer Pen has been described as a 'miracle pen'. The $40 gold pen brightens around the eyes managing to erase fatigue.

YSL

Mascara: Kate is rarely photographed without her trademark black mascara and eyeliner on. To create the illusion of longer lashes Kate uses Lancome Custom Wear Volume Mascara. With its 1,000 sensor bristles, the brush delivers made to measure lash volume that you control with each sweep. It is available for £21.

Lancome

Eyeliner: Kate uses the £16 Lancome Crayon Khol eyeliner to define the colour of her eyes.

Lancome

Eyeshadow: To create the perfect smokey eye, Kate uses the Get In Line Smokey Eyeshadow and Stencil Kit. It is available for $36.

Bettes Boutique

Blush: Kate uses the pale pink Bobbi Brown Blush to add a little colour to her cheeks. The formula glides on smoothly and offers a matter finish. It is $24.

Bobbi Brown

Bronzer: To give her cheekbones a shimmer Kate applies the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact. The brush on powder is $39.

Bobbi Brown

Lips: Kate favours darker eye make up and balances the look out with a neutral lip. The Duchess wears the $23 Bobbi Brown Sandwashed Pink Lipstick with a layer of pale pink lip gloss.

Bobbi Brown

Nail Polish: Kate wears Essie nail polish, mostly opting for pale pinks. However recently Kate has been experimenting with darker colours. Essie comes in all colours for $8 per bottle.

Essie

Perfume: Kate wore White Gardenia Petals by UK brand Illuminum for the royal wedding. It is described as 'As fragrant as a vase of white flowers, this is a delicate and refined perfume. The top not of Lily evokes a tropical seaside location, Amber wood underscores the light and capricious bouquet'. You can purchase the perfume for $140.

Illuminum

Kate Loves: Concerts

Hello Duchess Kate readers,
I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend. The Jubilee concert is fast approaching and reportedly no one is more excited about it than Duchess Kate. Her favourite singers Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams from popular UK band Take That will be performing. Of course, we are all eager to see what Kate chooses to wear. Kate has attended memorable concerts over the years and her sartorial choices have been lovely. Continuing on with our Kate Loves series, Let's look back on those concerts :)


2007 was a tumultuous year for William and Kate. The couple decided to take a break,  Kate would later admit she wasn't happy about the decision. In July 2007 Kate showed her support for William by attending the Diana Concert at Wembley stadium.

Kate sat two rows from William, she kept a low profile as this was a day to celebrate Diana's life. When Take That performed she was seen singing along to their song Back For Good.

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The concert was hosted by William and Harry on what would have been Princess Diana's 46th birthday. It was broadcast in 140 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million. At the end of the performances a video montage of Diana as a child was presented accompanied by Queen's These are the Day of out Lives.

Reuters

Kate looked lovely in a white lace Issa dress, white trench coat and knee high boots. Loved this look. 

Daily Mail

The couple rekindled their romance after the concert :)

In June 2008 Kate joined thousands of people at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park. The then 26 year old attended the gig without Prince William who was away pursuing his military career. 

Contact Music

Kate watched acts including the late Amy Winehouse, Queen and Razorlight at the party which was introduced by actor Will Smith. The Men in Black star told the crowd 'If the world could only have one father, the man that we would choose to be our father would be Nelson Mandela'. A look at Hyde Park, one of London's eight Royal Parks.

BBC

Kate looked lovely in a long printed top teamed with a black belt, dark blue jeans and brown knee high boots. 

Contact Music

After the Canada Day celebrations William and Kate had a chance to relax at Parliament Hill, where they attended a concert celebrating Canadian music. Kate looked elegant in a purple Issa dress and the maple leaf brooch, loaned to her by the Queen. We also saw Kate wear her hair in a chic updo.

The couple enjoyed a firework display after the concert. There was very much a 'date night' feel to the event. William and Kate exchanged glances and whispers throughout the event. 

Last December William and Kate joined Charles and Camilla to attend a Gary Barlow concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert was in aid of the Prince's Foundation. Mr Barlow began by saying 'I hope you enjoy tonight, I hope it's not too loud'. William replied 'The louder the better' :) Kate wore a tulip Zara dress.

The Jubilee Effect: Highstreet, Jewellery and Keepsakes

Good afternoon Duchess Kate readers,
The sun is shining here in the UK and we are finally getting a taste of the long awaited summer weather. I hope the weather is equally pleasant in your corner of the world. For those of us missing Kate's somewhat regular appearances of late there is just over a week left before the Diamond Jubilee Weekend. Overall June is going to be a very busy month for the Cambridges. 


The Jubilee promises to be a memorable occasion with endless keepsakes on the market. The event is having a definite impact on the high street. Jewellery designer Claudia Bradby has designed a beautiful selection of jewellery to commemorate the jubilee. Interestingly Claudia's husband Tom  interviewed William and Kate for their engagement announcement, During Kate's time in Jigsaw she worked with Claudia, participating in the design of necklaces in the heritage collection. Below we see Kate wearing one of the designs, the Cameila necklace, after returning from a trip to Barbados.

Claudia Bradby

Claudia adores creating pieces with pearls. Below we look at the £69 Button Pearl and Crown Bracelet, the £78 Jubilee Necklace and the £40.50 Crown Charm.

Claudia Bradby

Kate favourite Links of London has also designed some lovely pieces, all of which would look amazing on Kate, You can view their Union Jack collection here. I must say the Regal Nodding Dog caught my eye :)

Links of London

Topshop has launched their Co-Ordinate With the Queen collection. Nothing we're likely to see Kate wearing but lovely to see a high street brand taking inspiration from Her Majesty.

Topshop

M&Co are selling a range of jubilee T-shirts for £15. I particularly like the t-shirt with a picture of a corgi.

M&Co

LK Bennett are planning to release a fundraising t-shirt for Her Majesty's Jubilee Trust  (With many thanks to the lovely Susan from What Kate Wore) It will roughly cost £40, to be notified about the t-shirt you can sign up at the LK Bennett website.

LK Bennett

French Sole have released silver versions of their Henrietta and Annie shoes to mark the jubilee. I'm a huge fan of London and French sole personally, very comfortable and stylish shoes.

French Sole

For those of who have a handbag addiction this one is for you. Aspinal of London is currently selling the jubilee inspired Brit Manhattan Clutch for £325 and the £450 Brit Boston Handbag and the £595 Aspinal Jubilee Clutch. The Boston handbag is quite reminiscent of Kate's Mulberry Polly Push Lock handbag.

Aspinal of London

Perhaps a candid or two will emerge of Kate walking Lupo in the sunshine before the next scheduled appearance :)

Kate Not At Garden Party, The Middletons to Participate in Thames Pageant + More

Hello Duchess Kate readers,
With great disappointment I wish to inform you all the Duchess did not attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace today.The Daily Mail article which was written on May 11th exclusively announced plans for Kate's attendance 

"The Duchess of Cambridge is to notch up another major royal first when she attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace later this month. The Mail cannot disclose the exact date of the partly due to security concerns, but it will take place within the next few weeks".

There is another garden party at Buckingham Palace next Tuesday, May 29th. One can only assume this is the party Kate is scheduled to attend. The Mirror's Victoria Murphy tweeted William, Kate and Harry will not be carrying out royal engagements until the jubilee. However I do not think the garden party is considered an official engagement I will keep you updated regarding official confirmation. 

Victoria Murphy Twitter

Below we see Her Majesty in pink greeting guests at today's event.

Reuters

So, what has Kate been up to? Duchess Kate was spotted shopping at her local Tesco in Anglesey on Sunday. Perhaps planning a quiet evening meal with William? 

Sands Holiday Homes Twitter

In other news, Her Majesty has invited the Middleton family to sail on the 'Elizabethan' during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Elizabethan, a replica 1890s Mississippi paddle steamer, is part of the Royal Squadron. A source told The Telegraph

"Michael and Carole's inclusion on the Elizabethan has only just emerged and has taken a lot of people by surprise, but the Queen is incredibly supportive of the Duchess and her family. Boats travelling in the Royal Squadron are solely reserved for special guests of the Queen, which demonstrates just how far the Middletons have come".

Daily Mail

A very romantic photo of William and Kate graces the cover of Hello Magazine this week.

Hello Magazine

I hope to restore and add new pages to the blog within the next couple of days. I'm also planning a new version of 'Repli-Kate' and continuing on with 'Kate Loves' during the quiet period until the jubilee :)