The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent the day in Cyprus yesterday on behalf of the Royal Air Force. The couple met with service members deployed there, following up on the holiday party they hosted at Kensington Palace for their family members on Tuesday.
In addition to meeting personnel and members of the local community, William delivered a short speech thanking the men and women for their service, and the couple opened the Oasis Centre, a new space that can be used during down time.
Kensington Palace shared brief video of Kate during the last walkabout:
👋 Saying hello to serving personnel and families on the base at @RAFAkrotiri pic.twitter.com/lUSB5BGVyS
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 5, 2018
As discussed on Tuesday, supporting the RAF and its extended community and network hits close to home for the Cambridges given William’s former career. I thought this was a lovely series of engagements for the two to take on before the holidays, very in-keeping with their interests and it was fun to see them out of the country together for the first time since their Scandinavian tour earlier this year and the birth of Prince Louis.
On the fashion front I’ve been biting my tongue since it’s always a bit of a surprise when Kate wears trousers and when she does, they’re usually skinny. This is definitely a more professional take on a silhouette that the Duchess prefers, and I think she looks great. The trousers have been identified as Jigsaw, a brand for which Kate once worked as an accessories buyer prior to her marriage.
The blazer, which is gorgeous, is Smythe, and I’m fairly certain is the same once debuted during the Canadian tour in 2016. No idea on the white top underneath, but the heels are Gianvito Rossi and the clutch is L.K. Bennett.
No word on when we’ll see Kate next, but I would imagine there will be one or two more engagements before the Royal Family officially takes off for Christmas. Two anchors on the calendar are the Queen’s Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace during which we’ll see the traditional photos of everyone driving through the gates, and then of course the walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas day.
There have been a few informal sightings of Kate and Princess Charlotte in London recently. The Duchess apparently took her daughter to see The Nutcracker, while it’s being reported that the three-year-old was escorted into a local pub to use the restroom one afternoon when the two were out and about. Royal toddlers…just like our toddlers(!)
Finally, on the Sussex front: the Duchess of Sussex attended an engagement on behalf of the Association of Commonwealth Universities yesterday. It was a surprise appearance to the public, and one which was only marked by one or two photos.
Today we brought together university leaders, academics & #students to discuss how we can build a better world through #highered. We were honoured to be joined by HRH The Duchess of Sussex. Thanks to @KingsCollegeLon for hosting! https://t.co/SoowV30PFS pic.twitter.com/ugFQP46Gbg
— The Association of Commonwealth Universities (@The_ACU) December 5, 2018
KP is definitely having Meghan lay low post-tour, which I think is partly a function of her pregnancy and partly out of a desire not to hit the point of overexposure. More on this idea later this month, but she and Kate have organically done a pretty good job of tag teaming the public eye this year. Kate had a super busy first quarter with new patronages and an overseas tour, and when she retreated to go on maternity leave, Meghan stepped in with all the wedding and newlywed excitement. Now that Kate is back from maternity leave and Meghan is managing her own pregnancy, you’ve seen yet another hand off of the baton. I would imagine this will shift yet again in 2019, but I also think the need to do so delicately will lessen as everyone gets used to the new dynamics. We’ll see!
Hey Rebecca,
Great reading, as always. This is by far my favorite royal blog. I noticed this has been your last post for a while. I hope everything is ok.
Best wishes and happy new year!
Thank you – that’s so nice to hear! I have definitely had a busy autumn that finally got the best of me the last couple weeks, but I’m pleased to say I am back and am catching up on news as we speak. Happy new year to you as well!