Day 3 - The Couple Pay Their Respects, Visit The Door, GREAT Receptions & St Andrew's Gala

This morning the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the 9/11 Memorial to pay their respects. The couple laid flowers on the memorial.

photo via The Daily Mail

They wrote a heartfelt message on the flower which read:

"In sorrowful memory of those who died on 11th September and in admiration of the courage shown to rebuild."

Today New York has faced the worst rain storm they've had in a while - not the best weather for a royal visit. Prince William carried an umbrella from The Carlyle Hotel to keep both him and his wife dry in the miserable weather.

photo via UK in New York Twitter

The couple then toured the 9/11 Museum.

They also signed their names in the electronic book of condolences.

The couple then visited The Door, a youth organisation, where they viewed art performances.

photo via The Daily Mail

They spoke to children that the organisation helps.

photo via The Daily Mail

The couple seemed to have a lovely time at The Door.

photo via The Daily Mail

I love seeing the Duchess inject some bright colour into her wardrobe - she always looks so lovely in it and today was no exception.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess looked lovely in a bright pink Mulberry double breasted coat. A lovely bold statement - especially in the dreadful weather.

The Duchess chose a Mulberry coat last year during her first pregnancy with Prince George for the Scouts Parade at Windsor Castle.

The Duchess stuck to black tights and her Episode Angel Suede Pumps, just like yesterday.

The Duchess also chose to wear her hair up in a ponytail which looked lovely, and was a good choice considering the weather in wet and windy!

It also gave us chance to see her beautiful Kiki McDonough Classic Green Amethyst & Diamond Drop Earrings which retail for £1,300.

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Later the Duke and Duchess attended a reception on behalf of GREAT. The Duchess also changed showed off her black dress she had been hiding beneath her bright coat.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess was all smiles as she chatted to guests at the reception.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess chatted to other guests while playing with her statement necklace.

photo via The Daily Mail

She chose the Seraphine Vanessa Dress. This is not a surprise as the Duchess favours Seraphine during her pregnancy. 

The Duchess kept her Episode Angel Suede Pumps and carried her Mulberry black suede clutch. She also kept her Kiki McDonough earrings in too. However, she did add her Cartier Trinity Necklace that she first wore back in 2012 during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery. It retailed for £49,000 and was reportedly a gift.

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The Duke then went solo to attend a second GREAT reception at that Empire State Building.

photo via The Daily Mail

Prince William was even able to take the lift to very top and look out over the views of New York City - a beautiful view I have to say, despite the not so pleasant weather.

photo via The Daily Mail

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The Duchess repeated an old favourite for tonights gala dinner. The couple finished off their hectic, but amazing, trip with the University of St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner. It was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and if any of you have been before you will know what an amazing venue it is for such an occasion. The Met Ball, which is hosted by Anna Wintour every year, is also held here. It has long been a venue known for its opulence.

The couple arrived looking happy as ever, no doubt excited to be attended the event. It was a very special event for the couple because the Duke and Duchess first met at St Andrew's University.

photo via Clarence House

The couple then attended the launch of the 600th Anniversary Campaign as one of their pre-wedding engagements back in 2011.

Then in 2012 they attended a gala in honour of the university's 600th Anniversary Campaign.

Tonight was the culmination of a project close to their hearts that was finally coming together. It has been reported that the guests had paid between $2,500 and $10,000 to attend tonight events.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess chatted with guests. This picture shows Kate's 5-month bump off beautifully.

photo via The Daily Mail

One guest in particular got a special greeting. Prince Eugenie, who is currently living in New York and working at an auction house, attended the event.

photo via the Daily Mail

The Duchess, who studied History of Art at St Andrew's University, enjoyed looking at some of the sculptures and art work that the museum had to offer.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess wore a dress that no doubt everyone recognised. I loved this dress the first time, second time and again this time.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess first wore the Jenny Packham gown for the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala at Kensington Palace in 2013 and then again earlier this year for the National Portrait Gala.

The Jenny Packham silk gown in 'petrol blue' is simply stunning. The dress is still available in some sizes at Shopbop. 

The second time the Duchess wore the dress with the beautiful Nizam of Hyderabad  necklace, which she borrowed from the Queen.

photo via the Royal Collection

The Duchess's jewellery did not disappoint again tonight. She chose another new pair of statement earrings and matching bracelet - I have to admit I have been very jealous of the Duchess's earring collection this trip! It has been revealed that the jewellery was a 'private gift'.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess also wore her Jimmy Choo Cosmic Pumps which are still available for £450. The Duchess did not carry a clutch tonight.

The Duke and Duchess flew home straight after the gala, possibly a slight wardrobe changed first - not the most practical thing to fly home in. This is my favourite picture of the trip so far, when Prince William gallantly holds his wife hand as they leave the event and walk down the stairs to the car.

photo via The Daily Mail

I have very much enjoyed the couple's trip and I hope you have too!

Day 2 - Kate Visits Northside Centre for Child Development, Prince William Visits Washington & NBA Basketball Game

The Duchess arrived at the Northside Centre for Child Development at around 11:15am, New York time.

photo via The Mirror

The Duchess met staff and joined the young children in wrapping Christmas presents. The visit was hosted by the first lady of New York Chirlane McCray.

photo via The Mirror

The Duchess met lots of children who are helped by the charity and spent the morning wrapping presents and chatting with them.

photo via The Daily Mail

The Duchess had a lovely time wrapping presents with Chirlane McCray.

photo via The Daily Mail

Before that the Duchess also attended a meeting with representatives of Northside.

photo via The Daily Mail

There was an ambulance on stand by, just outside, incase the Duchess fell ill with morning sickness.

photo via Rebecca English Twitter

The Duchess chose another British label today - Goat. The Duchess wore Goat during her first pregnancy last year and back in June this year.

This time the Duchess chose the Wahsington Coat which retails for £680. Anyone love the fact that Prince William visited Washington DC today and the Duchess is wearing the 'Washington' coat? The coat has several military details in the cuffs with contrasting trims.

The Duchess also wore black tights again and her Episode Angel Pumps which are now sold out. The Duchess kept her hands warm by wearing her Cornelia James Imogen Pure Wool Gloves in Black, just like yesterday. They retail for £70.

The Duchess wore her hair in a lovely half-up style today.


She accessorised with her Annoushka Pearl Drop Earrings which are available for £1,090.

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Meanwhile, Prince William flew on a scheduled flight to Washington DC where he met President Obama in the Oval Office of The White House. It is not the first time the Duke has met the President, last time was May 2011, shortly after the Royal Wedding, at Buckingham Palace.

photo via The Daily Mail

Prince William then attended a lunch with experts on illegal wildlife trafficking at the World Bank headquarters.

photo via The Daily Mail

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The couple then met up again, on the Prince's return to New York. The couple first went to the British Consulate and met Hillary Clinton during a reception to promote Tusk Trust.

photo via The Daily Mail

They then went to watch Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA basketball game. The couple attended a private dinner before watching the game court side. 

photo via The Daily Mail

The couple also bet Beyonce and Jay Z during the interval.

photo via The Daily Mail

Before the game the couple met LeBron James who presented the couple with an adults and childs basketball vest. LeBron has since being scalded for breaking royal protocol and putting his arm around Kate....

photo via The Daily Mail

For both afternoon and evening the Duchess elected to wear Tory Burch - an American designer I had said she might choose. She chose the Tory Burch Bettina Coat which is still available in some sizes on the UK website for £515.

The coat was very appropriate and had a lovely sparkly thread running through it which added a festive feel to the coat for this time of year.

The Duchess wore a roll-neck black top and black jeans underneath - which are likely to be J Brand, however, some people have asked whether they are soft jeans or trousers because of the soft fabric look of them. The Duchess also wore her Stuart Weitzman Power Pumps in black suede and carried her Mulberry clutch.

The Duchess wore a new pair of sparkly earrings which are still to be identified.

I loved Kate's outfit tonight and thought it was her best one so far. Many people have commented on how Prince William changed outfits but Kate did not - very unusual!