With Prince George and Princess Charlotte on half-term from Thomas's Battersea and Willcocks Nursery, the Cambridges are not expected to undertake engagements this week. It is thought they are either spending the week at their Norfolk retreat Anmer Hall or planning several days away on a family holiday. We know William and Kate love to ski and in 2016 they took George and Charlotte to the French Alps, marking the first time the children had played in the snow. Perhaps they'll opt for a similar break this week?
Speaking of the Cambridge children, Kate was spotted enjoying a walk in Kensington Gardens with Prince Louis late last week, following the 100 Women in Finance gala. Kate was casually dressed in a quilted jacket, skinny jeans and her New Balance x Sweaty Betty trainers.
Vote for Kate's Best 2018 Gown
With a quiet week upon us, it's a great opportunity to finally get through our 2018 polls. In our first end of year poll, we asked you to vote for Kate's Best Day Dress of 2018; today it's Best Evening Dress and Best Gown. Kate's first gown appearance last year came during the Scandinavia tour. The Cambridges concluded day one in Sweden with a black-tie dinner. The Duchess opted for the opulent gold print Erdem Stephanie Gown. The dress featured jewel-tone florals, an Edwardian high collar, button-down bodice, bell sleeves, a trimmed skirt with a gathered hem, and a detachable belt. The polarizing piece proved an unpopular choice. I felt it simply didn't photograph well with the shade looking more mustard than gold in photos. The lower portion of the skirt combined with several busy design elements left many feeling this one was a sartorial miss for the Duchess.
Just days later in Norway, Kate arrived at the Royal Palace in Oslo wearing a flowing blush Alexander McQueen gown with cape detailing and crystal flower embellishment around the neckline. The regal gown was a beautiful maternity piece and a very regal choice for the most formal occasion of the tour.
Back in London, it was a dark green Jenny Packham gown and dazzling emeralds for the BAFTA Awards. The flowing design featured a v neckline, an empire waist and a black ribbon.
With Kate on maternity leave, we didn't see another gown event until the Dutch State Banquet in October. The Duchess chose a kingfisher blue mermaid style gown by Alexander McQueen. The white-tie event saw Kate wear the Royal Family Order publicly for the first time.
Kate brought back her show-stopping teal Jenny Packham Aspen gown in November for the Tusk Conservation Awards. This one has been a reader favourite for years, it was a delightful surprise to see it again.
In a welcome change, the Palace decided to release images from inside the white-tie Diplomatic Reception last year. The event is one of the most glamorous on the royal calendar and Kate looked every inch a princess in a gorgeous bespoke Jenny Packham gown. The shimmering piece featured delicate beading and sheer overlay, cap sleeves and a sweeping full skirt.
Vote For Kate's Best 2018 Evening Dress
Now to our second poll! The first option on the Best Evening Dress poll is a rather divisive one (Yes, it's begins with an E....). For a glamorous evening at the Fotografiska Gallery in Sweden, Kate wore the blue velvet Erdem Christina Devore dress. The piece features a mock neckline, long sleeves with flared cuffs, banded waist, A-line silhouette, flounced hem and nude silk crepe de chine lining. The dress was another unpopular piece from the designer and led to many a suggestion Kate retire his pieces from her closet.
Less than a month later, Erdem was redeemed when the Duchess wore the very pretty floral lace Suzi dress for the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. The Suzi is finished with scallop edging around the ¾ length sleeves, neck and hem and soft gently frilled detailing at the waist. I thought it a very stylish choice and an excellent maternity wear option.
Duchess Kate selected the Orla Kiely Margaret Viscose Print Smock Bib Dress for the Victorian Giants exhibition. The £490 dress is described as a "slim fit, long sleeved dress with smocked front panel feature, velvet ribbon collar, invisible zip back opening, suits all shapes". Very sadly the Orla Kiely fashion empire collapsed just six months later. I've been a great fan of her designs for years and hope to see her launching new projects in the future.
Kate made a splash in Erdem for her first visit to new patronage the Victoria & Albert Museum. The designer won over many a critic that night when Kate arrived wearing the Iman off-the-shoulder boucle tweed dress. I loved the added pop of burgundy in the belt and shoes.
The Duchess was elegant in an asymmetric black dress by Roland Mouret for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The black wool and stretch silk dress features a distinctive asymmetric neckline, 3/4 length sleeves and the designer's signature gold zipper.
For the Royal Foundation dinner, Kate brought back her popular Preen Finella Dress.
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Before I sign off for today, a couple of brief fashion updates. With a huge thank you to Lady Coventry, a major fashion mystery has been solved. The black spot print skirt suit Kate has worn on several occasions including a visit to Dublin in 2007, Order of the Garter 2008 and signing the book of condolences following the Paris attacks in 2015 has been identified as a Moschino Cheap & Chic design. To view the ebay listing (the piece is now sold) please click here.
Kate's J Crew Mockneck Sweater is discounted by 40% to $47 with code YESPLEASE for US shoppers.
Looking forward to seeing your choices in the polls!
