Thursday, 12 March 2015

Duchess of Downton...

The Duchess of Cambridge today visited the set of Downton Abbey in London. I am very jealous of the Duchess, even more so than usual, today as I have long been a fan of Downton Abbey and would love to have met the cast and seen behind-the-scenes!
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess chatted to Jim Carter who plays the butler, Carson.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess also met Robert James-Collier who plays Thomas, the under-butler.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess spoke to Joanna Froggatt, who plays Anna the ladies' maid, and Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley. 
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess spoke to Phyllis Logan in the sitting room of her character - Mrs Hughes, the housekeeper. 
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess met Sophia McShera, who plays Daisy the assistant cook, ad Lesley Nicol, who plays Mrs Patmore the head cook.
photo via The Daily Mail

They presented Kate with a cake featuring DA - for Downton Abbey.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess was shown the servant's bells by Brendan Coyle, who plays John Bates the valet to Lord Grantham.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess was shown around the costume department by Anna Robbins...
photo via The Daily Mail

...and even took part in a little pattern cutting.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess wore headphones whilst she watched one of the scenes for the next series being filmed.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess was also shown around the make-up department.
photo via The Daily Mail

Kate unveiled a plaque to mark her visit to the Downton Abbey set.
photo via The Daily Mail

Oliver Barker,  who plays Master George, gave the Duchess with a wooden train for Prince George.
photo via The Daily Mail

His twin brother, Zac Barker, who also plays Master George, gave the Duchess a bouquet as she stepped out of the car.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Countess of Wessex and the First Lady of Mexico also visited the Downton Abbey set last week, where they posed for an official photograph.
photo via The Daily Mail

Now on to what Kate wore...

The Duchess looked lovely in another cream coat, this time by maternity label JoJo Maman Bebe. It is the Cream Princess Line Maternity Coat which retails for £69. After two repeats earlier in the week, it was nice to see the Duchess debut another new coat!

The Duchess also carried her Mulberry Bayswater Clutch and Stuart Weitzman Power Pumps - the same as yesterday.

She also wore her Annoushka Pearl Drop Earrings - a favourite of Kate's.

I loved the look today - it is a very similar style to what Kate has chosen in the past but I enjoyed it all the same! 

Copy Kate
Look elegant in cream coat like Kate with the New Look Cream Button Front Formal Coat which is currently half price at £25 - a bargain! Just like Kate, I love the monochrome look so team the cream coat with Aldo's Lindsay Court Shoes will take the look from day to evening. Choose an elegant black clutch like Kate too with Aldo's Whitebread Clutch. Pearl drop earrings a wardrobe staple that everyone should have but if you don't want to spend over a £1,000 like Kate then why not splurge with Tiffany & Co? These Olive Leaf Drop Earrings are not cheap but they are much more affordable and everyone deserves a little treat now and then!

A group photograph was taken during the visit as a souvenir for Kate and the cast and crew alike.

***

Another engagement has also been added to Kate's calendar. We had thought that the St Partcik's Day Parade would be the last engagement before her engagement, but the Duchess will also be out on Wednesday 18th March. 

The Duchess will visit Brookhill Children's Centre in Woolwich. It is very exciting that the Duchess will undertake so many engagements towards the end of her pregnancy.

We are still uncertain about the Duchess's actual due date. It was believed to be the end of April - with many hoping the birth will co-inside with the couple's 4th wedding anniversary. However, recent reports have said that it could be even earlier than that!

They announced the pregnancy early in September, and so many assumed that was the very beginning of the pregnancy when Kate was suffering with severe morning sickness. But, it has since been reported that Kate nearly didn't view the Sea of Red: Poppy Display at the Tower of London on August 5th because she felt unwell - this could have been very early onset morning sickness.

With Kate's last pregnancy the Palace announced her actual due date, however they haven't this time round! They may still do this closer to the time to help the press get ready. Prince George was around 10 days late, so this could be the case again! 

Whatever happens, I will try and keep a live blog going of what's happening to keep everyone up-to-date!!

***

We will see Kate again tomorrow with the service to signify the end of combat in Afghanistan!

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Another Royal Repeat for Kate's Day by the Sea

The Duchess arrived in Margate this morning looking happy and excited of her day ahead.
photo via The Daily Mail

Today's day was a very creative based one, with Kate's first stop being a visit to the Turner Contemporary Gallery.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess was visiting on behalf of her patronage the National Portrait Gallery of which the Turner Gallery is connected too.

The Duchess was greeted by representatives from the Turner Gallery on her arrival and seemed to get along with them well.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess then went on to visit Resort Studios where she met artist Trish Morrissey and spoke to her about her photograph entitled Hayley Coles June 17th 2006.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess also met pupils from the Holy Trinity and St John's Primary School in Margate. 

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess, who has a degree in History of Art, seemed to enjoy her creative day.
photo via Kensington Palace Twitter Feed

Many of you will recognise what the Duchess is wearing. It is another repeat from her first pregnancy with George. The Duchess has only started to repeat outfits from her first pregnancy towards the end of her third trimester, but it is nice to see some old favourites getting a second outing.
photos via The Daily Mail

I was not a huge fan of the coat the first time, but it has since grown on me. I think I prefer it for this engagement rather than the boat launch! It is the Hobbs Dalmatian Print Mac which retailed for £169 before selling out in 2013, when Kate last wore it.

The wind allowed us a brief glimpse at Kate's black slip dress that she wore underneath the coat.
photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess teamed the coat with her Stuart Weitzman Power court shoes and her Mulberry black suede clutch.

The Duchess wore her hair in a ponytail today, which worked well with the strong seaside winds!
photo via The Daily Mail

She also wore her Annoushka Pearl Drop Earrings.

Copy Kate
If you like Kate's style of coat then why not try Hobbs Ink Spot Coat? It is the same designer but a slightly more casual style, but I still love it! This coat is slightly shorter than Kate's so you may need to team it with trousers rather than a dress, but you can still add a bit of glamour with seem gorgeous heels. Aldo's Lindsay Court Shoes will take the look from day to evening. Choose an elegant black clutch like Kate too with Aldo's Whitebread Clutch. Pearl drop earrings a wardrobe staple that everyone should have but if you don't want to spend over a £1,000 like Kate then why not splurge with Tiffany & Co? These Olive Leaf Drop Earrings are not cheap but they are much more affordable and everyone deserves a little treat now and then!

***
It has now been confirmed that the Duchess will attend the St Patrick's Day Parade at Aldershot, like she has done for the last three years. It will be interesting to see what she chooses to wear!

Monday, 9 March 2015

Duchess of Cambridge Attends Her First Commonwealth Observance...

Today the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attended their first Commonwealth Observance. The Commonwealth Observance is an annual service that is held the second Monday of March at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the Commonwealth Nations.
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Duchess looked lovely for the event and chose to repeat a coat from her first pregnancy. This is the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has repeated an outfit from her first pregnancy during her second pregnancy. This could well be because of the weather differences and times of the year between the two pregnancies.

The Duchess of Cambridge was presented with a posy, which coincidently matched her outfit.
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Duchess of Cornwall looked lovely in a navy outfit.
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Queen shined in a cream and black ensemble.
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Duchess wore her Alexander McQueen bespoke coat that she wore for Trooping the Colour in 2013.

It features an oversized peter-pan collar and large pearl effect buttons. I loved the coat the first time round and so I was very glad to see it make another appearance!
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Duchess teamed the coat with her Prada blush satin pumps and clutch that we have seen on other occasions - most often when the Duchess is wearing a pink dress or coat!
photo via The Daily Mail 

The Duchess debuted a new hat by Jane Taylor and new earrings by Kiki McDonough.
photo via The Daily Mail 

They are the Kiki Classic Morganite and Diamond Cushion Drop Earrings which retail for £3,400. They are currently out of stock but are due back in soon!

The Duchess wore her hair half-up in a twisted effect which looked lovely.
photo via The Daily Mail

Copy Kate
If you want to copy Kate's pink coat then why not try the Kaliko Princess Coat in Light Pink which is currently on sale at John Lewis for £79. This coat is perfect for a Spring wedding when the temperature is still a little on the chilly side. Team the dress with the Dune Breanna Jewelled Square Brooch Shoes and Dune Bree Jewelled Square Brooch Clutch to add a touch of glamour to your outfit. Complete the look with pink earrings by Thomas Sabo, not as incredible as Kate's but a good replica for a much for affordable price of £55.85. I loved Kate's outfit today and hope you enjoy my copy-Kate version!

We will see Kate again on Wednesday and I look forward to her trip which is very much a creative based day!

Monday, 2 March 2015

Kate's Celebrates The Goring Hotel's 105th Birthday and the Calendar is Getting Busy...

The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed leaving The Goring Hotel today after attending the hotel's 105th birthday celebrations.
photo via The Daily Mail

Most of you will remember that The Goring Hotel was where the Middleton's spent Kate's last night before the Royal Wedding back in 2011.

The Duchess also visited the hotel last year  for a board meeting for the 1851 Trust.


The hotel only opened 9 days ago, after being shut during January whilst it went under a birthday makeover.

Kate, who is 7months pregnant, made the visit whilst Prince William tours China and Japan.
photo via The Dialy Mail

The Duchess of Cambridge chose a designer she has worn on many occasions - Erdem. She also wore Erdem in 2013, during her pregnancy with Prince George.

The Duchess looked lovely today in a bright floral dress and navy accessories. A very pretty look for the beginning of Spring.
photo via The Daily Mail

Today she chose the Erdem Darla Dress, which retailed for £995. It was part of the Resort 2013 collection.

The Duchess wore the dress with her Alexander McQueen navy pumps and Russell & Bromley Muse clutch which retails for £255.

Kensington Palace have said that the visit was not part of Kate's official duties and she attended in a private capacity and receiving a personal invitation from the hotel.
photo via The Daily Mail

Copy Kate
If you would like to add some florals to your Spring wardrobe then why not copy Kate in the Coast Harla Print Dress which retails for £85. Pair this dress with navy heels just like the Duchess. I love these ones by Miss KG - Natalie High-Heeled Shoes which cost £60. Add the Azuni Athena Round Labrodite Set Stone Earrings which are available for £22. This look will be perfect for Spring and Summer evenings out, I hope you like it too.


***

The Duchess of Cambridge's calendar has also got a lot busier recently. On Monday 9th March the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for the Commonwealth Observance at Westminster Abbey. It is a formal occasion which requires a hat and so it is a very good possibility that Kate may repeat her maternity outfit from 2013 that she wore for the Queen's 60th Coronation Service at St Paul's Cathedral.

It was a beautiful outfit and one I would love to see her repeat at some point!

On Wednesday 11th March the Duchess will visit the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery to view the "Self: Image and Identity" then she will go on to visit the Resort Studios.

On Friday 13th March the Duchess of Cambridge will join members of the Royal Family at a service to mark the end of Combat Operations in Afghanistan.

It is thought that the Duchess's last engagement before maternity leave will be the St Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday 17th March, however it has not been confirmed yet. The Duchess has attended every year since she married Prince William.

Until next Monday!!