I missed two engagements for the Duchess of Cambridge over the past ten days, but before we turn to that I want to note that a name was finally released for Pippa Matthews’ son: Arthur Michael William. Funnily enough, Arthur and Michael were favored names by the public for Prince Louis. Anyway, Pippa and her husband have been seen around London with a pram/stroller in tow, so it’s safe to say they’re settling into their new normal.
Back to Kate – first up came a surprise appearance at the Imperial War Museum on October 31, just as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were wrapping up their final engagements in New Zealand.
The Museum pulled out letters regarding the Middleton family from World War I – Kate’s great-grandmother had three brothers who fought and were killed during the war. One such letter was from one those great-uncles to his father, Kate’s great-great-grandfather. Another letter was from the Keeper of the Privy Purse on behalf of King George V re: the death of one of her relatives.
I don’t know if “cool” is the word to describe this, but I would imagine it was a moving, if surreal, experience for Kate.
She recycled a blue Jenny Packham dress first debuted for her arrival in Canada in September 2016. To be honest, I didn’t recognize this when I first saw the photos – without the hat and with her hair down, it completely changed the overall look. It also seems looser, if that’s even possible?? This is definitely still a winner, though, and the juxtaposition of the blue against the red poppies is perfect.
On that note: the poppies. Kate also took in a poppy display called “Weeping Window.” These installations are always so beautiful – the Tower of London exhibition still stands out in my mind as overwhelming and so poignant.
Moving on – this past Thursday, Kate joined the Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards at Banqueting House in Whitehall. (Side note: I love Banqueting House and if you’re ever in London, I highly recommend going to take in the Rubens ceiling.)
Anyway, this charity and its conservation goals are close to William’s heart, so it’s no surprise that Kate joined him this year, as she has done in the past. You can watch William’s speech here:
Kate generated her own news by wearing a teal Jenny Packham gown. As Kate fans will no doubt remember, this is a recycle. A six-year-old recycle, in fact. First worn during the Olympics in the summer of 2012, this is one of the Duchess’s most famous sartorial moments, so even if you dislike this look it’s still cool to see her wear it again so many years later. Impressive, even, if you consider she’s had three children in the interim(!)
I’ll admit I am one of those who doesn’t actually love this dress. It’s beautiful, but the color has always hit me as slightly Disney princess-ish, but I know I’m in the minority here.
Anywho, that catches us up on Kate. More to come!