The Duchess's Monica Vinader Jewellery Available...

Last month the Duchess of Cambridge attended the Wildlife Photographer of The Year Awards tonight at the National History Museum.

photo from the Daily Mail

She accessorised with a silver necklace and earrings set which we hadn't seen before. HRH Countess of Wessex Blog identified the earrings and necklace as being by Monica Vinader. The Riva Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings are available for £745. However, HRH Duchess Kate Blog had noted that the necklace is a Harrods exclusive and was not yet available on their website.

photo from the Daily Mail

However, the whole collection is now available to be bought online. The collection is exclusive to Harrods.

The Riva Diamond Drop Earrings are available at Harrods for £745. The Riva Diamond Bib Necklace, which was not originally available online, is now available for £2,000. The collection also includes a bracelet which the Duchess was not wearing but may well have bought and will wear at a different time. The Riva Diamond Cuff Bracelet is available for £2,500.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Visit USA in December!

Clarence House has officially announced today that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit the USA between Sunday 7th and Tuesday 9th December.

The couple will travel to New York for a series of engagements and the Duke will visit Washington DC for a day, while the Duchess will remain in New York. They will attend events on behalf of the Royal Foundation and other charities which they are closely associated too.

This is the first visit to both New York City and Washington, D.C for both the Duke and Duchess. Throughout their visit, the Duke and Duchess will be joined by the British Ambassador to the United States of America, Sir Peter Westmacott, and the British Consul General to New York, Mr Danny Lopez.

Sunday 7th December
The Duke and Duchess will arrive in New York and attend a private engagement on behalf of the American Friends of The Royal Foundation in the evening.

Monday 8th December
The Duke will travel to Washington DC and attend an anti-corruption conference at the World Bank to discuss a zero tolerance approach to the transportation across borders of illegal wildlife parts. Prince William will also attend a working lunch at the World Bank at which a number of programmes in support of the fight against the illegal trade in ivory will be discussed.

On his return to New York, Prince William will attend a reception organised by the Royal Foundation in recognition of the conservation work carried out by Tusk Trust and United for Wildlife partners: Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge will stay in New York, whilst the Duke visits Washington. The Duchess will be accompanied by The First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, to visit a local child development centre. They will lean about how the organisation fosters the healthy development of children and families by providing high-quality mental health and educational services. The Duchess will also attend a lunch, hosted by the British Consul General in New York, to celebrate the achievements of a successful British community in New York from the culture, arts, hospitality and business sectors.

The Duke and Duchess will then team back up again to attend an NBA Basketball game to help launch a new collaboration between the Royal Foundation, United for Wildlife and the NBA.

Tuesday 9th December
The Duke and Duchess will visit a youth organisation to see the work they carry out in partnership with an inner city youth development foundation. Both organisations focus on programmes and projects that promote positive youth development and social learning. During the visit, the Duke and Duchess will learn about the wide-ranging support services on offer to young people to help them reach their potential, particularly through an arts-in-education model that supports the artistic and intellectual development of the participants.  

They will then attend an event celebrating the wealth of British talent in the created industries based in New York. The reception will be in association with the UK Government's GREAT campaign. 

The Duke will also attend a technology themed event, hosted by a New York-headquartered technology company, which will bring together entrepreneurs from both the UK and the US. 

The final engagement of the visit will be the University of St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The evening event will support scholarships and bursaries for students from under-privileged communities, new student sports facilities in St Andrews, investment in the university's medical and science faculties and a lectureship in American Literature at St. Andrews. 


It is likely that during this trip the Duchess will showcase both British and American designers. British designers that the Duchess tends to favour, especially for formal occasions are Catherine Walker and Alexander McQueen.

The Duchess is also a big fan of Jenny Packham and Alice Temperley - again both British designers.

The Duchess has also worn quite a few pieces by American designers including; Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg and most recently during their visit to Australia Lela Rose.

However it is also possible that the Duchess may go to old favourites such as Emilia Wickstead or Roksanda Illincic. 

I, for one, am very excited about the upcoming trip and can't wait to see what the Duchess wears. If any more details about the trip are released then I will update this post!

The Duke & Duchess Attend The Royal Variety Performance...

Tonight the Duke and Duchess attended the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in Westminster. It was a clear sign that the couple are taking on more responsibilities usually fulfilled by more senior members of the royal family.

photo from the Daily Mail

The couple both looked very happy and relaxed at tonights event and the Duchess showed off the most significant sign of a baby bump!

photo from the Daily Mail

Inside the palladium the Duke and Duchess were greeted by One Direction.

photo from the Daily Mail

The Duchess shook hands with Harry Styles. Harry said to a reporter "I said congratulations on the bump even though she didn't look bumpy". 

photo from the Daily Mail

The couple watched the annual event, this year, hosted by Michael McIntyre. They were treated to performances by Bette Middler, Ed Sheeran, Dame Shirley Bassey, Demi Lovato, Jack Whitehall and Mick Hucknall. Ellie Goulding, who sung at the couple's wedding, also performed.

The Duchess's outfit tonight was a classic Kate look. Clean lines and a polished finish. I love her hair up - it emphasises the delicate neckline.

photo from the Daily Mail

The back of the dress featured a lovely v-neck, which again looked much better with the Duchess's hair being up.

photo from the Daily Mail

The Duchess stuck to an old favourite designer-wise tonight. She wore a new gown - the Zarita Lace Gown by Diane von Furstenberg. It currently retails for £785. It is described as "fitted through the bodice, waist and thigh, this piece opens to a sweeping fluted hem".

The Duchess of Cambridge stuck with an old classic for her footwear tonight - the Jimmy Choo Cosmic Pumps with are still available for £450.

She also brought back her black jewelled clutch first seen at the Action on Addiction gala dinner last month, but has yet to be identified!

The Duchess kept her jewellery simple with her Kiki McDonough Lola Blue Topaz Hoops. They are available for £3,200.

Copy Kate

Now I know that we don't have the opportunity like Kate to wear a full-length gown, so I decided to find a replica in a knee-length version as I thought that more people would be more likely to copy Kate this way! M&S Lace Skater Dress has delicate sheer neckline and sleeves which are very flattering. The knee-length skirt flows beautifully over your frame. It retails for £59.  Kate teamed the outfit with platform black suede pumps, these ones from Dune, Head Over Heels BamBam Stiletto Heel Platform Court Shoes, are a good substitute at the much more affordable price of £55. For a sparkly clutch, an essential as the Christmas party season approaches, Star by Julian McDonald Black Beaded Clutch Bag, is the perfect one. These earrings from Azuni are not exactly like Kate's but they are a very good alternative for blue drop earrings, and much cheaper at £36. 

I loved Kate's outfit tonight. She seems to favour black and lace more in the winter, although it suits her very well, so I won't complain! 

I can't wait to watch the Royal Variety Performance on television this year when it airs in December! It will be lovely to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the royal box this year.

Kate is Pretty in Plum for SportsAid...

Today the Duchess attended an event on behalf of SportsAid. She arrived just before 3pm to visit Olympic hopefuls.

photos from the Daily Mail

The Duchess was joined at the SportsAid event by swimmer Keri-anne Payne, who won silver at the 2012 Olympics and is also a two-time World 10km Open Water champion, and wheelchair athlete David Weir CBE.

photo from Clarence House

The Duchess of Cambridge took part in cognitive tests at the GSK High Performance Lab which puts young aspiring athletes through their paces. You can watch the video here.

photo from Clarence House

The Duchess of Cambridge also met young athletes who hope to compete for Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

photo from Daily Mail

The Duchess watched Emma Allen from Southampton as she took part in some of the exercises.

photo from Daily Mail

photo from the Daily Mail

She also watched other young hopefuls as they showed Kate how the equipment worked.

photo from the Daily Mail

Today the Duchess returned to a tried and tested British label - Goat. The Duchess first wore Goat last year when she visited the headquarters of Child Bereavement UK with Prince William and then again in July this year when she attended an M-PACT event in London.

photo from the Daily Mail

Today Kate chose the Vreeland Dress in Iris. It is currently available for £450 on the Goat website.

The Duchess chose to keep her look casual today and teamed the dress with opaque black tights and flat boots. The pictures aren't very clear but it is looks like they are new boots from Stuart Weitzman - the Half n Half Stretch Rider Boots which retail for £455 at Russell & Bromley. She also added her Stuart Weitzman Muse clutch that she took to Wales last week. It is still available at Russell & Bromley for £255.

The Duchess repeated her diamond and sapphire drop earrings too.

photo from the Daily Mail

Copy Kate
A shirt dress in a dark winter colour is perfect for the colder months. Like Kate, team it with opaque tights and knee-high black boots. Hawes and Curtis have lots of shirt dresses in the sale currently, however for one most similar to Kate's choose the French Navy Shirt Dress. It has similar features, such as the belted waist and 3/4 sleeves. It is currently on sale from £99 to £49.50. Principles by Ben de Lisi have a gorgeous pair of flat knee-high black suede boots in the sale for £48.75 (they were originally £65). They will last you the whole of winter and look amazing! I really like the buckle detail around the ankle. And don't forget your opaque tights, for me the thicker the better in winter. John Lewis Polar Fleece Tights will ensure your legs stay warm in the cold weather.

I liked the Duchess's casual ensemble today and I hope you like my 'copy Kate' version. I will update this post as more pictures from the event emerge!

The Duchess Attends Remembrance Sunday in Alexander McQueen

Members of the royal family were out today attending the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph in London.

The Duchess has attended the service every year, since marrying Prince William in 2011.

The Duchess watched the ceremony from the foreign office balcony with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex. It is protocol that dictates that those married into the Royal family, apart from Prince Philip, watch from a distance.

photo from the Daily Mail

The Duchess looked in deep thought throughout the service, no doubt thinking about her late grandfather Peter Middleton who trained Canadian pilots during the Second World War.

photo from the Daily Mail

This year the Duchess debuted another new coat, this time by Alexander McQueen. It is currently available at Harvey Nichols for £1,745. It is described as a flared wool coat. It has distinctive Alexander McQueen double buttons across the middle. It also has oversized lapels, which made it easy for me to identify!

The Duchess also appeared to have a dress underneath with a ruffled edge. This has not been identified yet, but I will update when and if it is.

The Duchess chose to repeat one of her black felt hats - the Jane Corbett hat that she wore back in 2011.

photo from the Daily Mail

The Duchess also wore her sapphire and diamond drop earrings and her Mappin and Webb Empress Class White Gold & Diamond Necklace.

Copy Kate
A black coat will never go out of style and is a wise wardrobe investment. This season I love the French Connection Talia Coat. It is double breasted with a statement lapel in a different material. It also features belted cuffs with button details, a very similar feature to those on Kate's coat today. It currently retails at £220 - a much more affordable price compared to Kate's! At this time of year a poppy, for me, is a must have. My favourite one is the Reflections Poppy, it is beautiful and a lovely poppy to wear as a sign of respect. Now I know not many of us have an occasion to wear beautiful hats like Kate, but if you ever do and you want one in black felt then this Whiteley pillbox hat will be perfect. It is styled on Kate's summer version and available for £64.95.

I loved the Duchess's look today and hope you enjoy my replica of it!

Duke & Duchess Spend the Day in Wales...

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began their day in Wales today with a visit to Valero Pembroke Refinery on the Pembrokeshire coast. The couple were greeted by lots of well-wishers upon their arrival. 

photo from the Daily Mail

According to the Daily Mail the oil refinery, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, said their visit was a 'huge honour'. The royal couple met with workers and apprentices before being ushered into a minibus to travel to the 1,270-acre site's control room where they met shipping and blending workers.

photo from the Daily Mail

The Pembroke refinery was officially opened in 1964 by the Queen Mother.

photo from the BBC

The visit ended with a performance by the Young Actors Studio and then William and Kate unveiled a plaque and painting by a local artist. 

photo from the Daily Mail

Following the visit, the Duke and Duchess then went to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to watch the Rugby Union international match between Wales and Australia.

photo from the Mirror

The Duchess is said to be around 15 weeks pregnant, with their second baby due in April. Today's outfit offered the first real glimpse of a baby bump.

photo from the Daily Mail

Today Kate chose to wear baby blue again, a very similar hue to that of the Jenny Packham gown she wore back in October. This time it was in a coat version. 

photo from the Daily Mail

This coat is by British designer Matthew Williamson and is described as a 'crisply tailored coat with four pockets deliberately placed to flatter and emphasize your waist'. 

It is currently retailing for £1,195 at Net-a-Porter. 

Underneath the coat, the Duchess wore a new dress by Hobbs, the Animal Silk Shirt Dress in Light Bitter Chocolate. This dress is currently retailing at £118 at John Lewis. The Duchess wore the dress with top button undone and the collar overlapping the lapels on the coat. 

The Duchess stuck to old favourites with her choice of footwear and elected to wear her Aquatalia Hi and Dry Stretch Platform Boots in Black Suede. They are still available for £395 at Russell & Bromley. 

She also chose her Stuart Weitzman Muse Envelope Clutch in Black Suede, which is also available at Russell & Bromley for £255.

The Duchess wore her Kiki McDonough Classic Green Amethyst and Diamond Cushion Drop Earrings with retail at £1,300.

Copy Kate

Wrap up for winter in baby blue just like the Duchess. This coat from Planet will keep away the chill and still look stylish. It is currently reduced from £249 to £179. These Pointed Toe Platform Stretch Long Boots from Marks & Spencer's will keep your legs warm and fashionable and are a very good replica of Kate's. These earrings from Azuni are not exactly like Kate's but they are a very good, and much cheaper at £36, alternative. They are available in a number of colours. I've shown them in the green like Kate's and the blue, because personally I think the blue work better with the coat!

I love the Duchess's classic look today. The colour of the coat looked beautiful against her skin tone. For me, the whole look worked wonderfully for the day. 

I will be back tomorrow with Remembrance Sunday, the service starts at 11am, following 2 minute silence.