Sunday 14 July 2019

Kate in Powder Blue Emilia Wickstead For Epic Federer v Djokovic Wimbledon Final

The Duchess of Cambridge made a stylish return to Centre Court today with Prince William for the Wimbledon men's final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.


The outing marks Kate's third appearance at the championships this year. In her role as patron, the Duchess enjoyed a day of tennis during the first round of the tournament and yesterday it was a girls' day out as Kate, Meghan and Pippa watched Simona Halep defeat Serena Williams to claim her first Wimbledon title.


As a lifelong tennis fan, it's incredibly fun to mix my love of the sport with following the royals. A match made in heaven (no pun intended) for this blogger.


An arrival video. Gill Brook compliments William and Kate on their very well coordinated looks.


Speaking in a 2017 documentary about Wimbledon, Kate recalled her own memories growing up. "I have watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up. I was really taken by Agassi and Sampras, Ivanisevic and Steffi Graf. Those are my first memories." She said she queued for hours to get into the tournament before joining the Royal Family, adding: "Being able to go into Wimbledon and be part of an amazing atmosphere is special. It inspires young people including myself. Every time Wimbledon is on I am thinking ‘Yes, I could do the same’ and get out the racket. Sadly, not the same results." Kate also revealed she asked her doctor if she could attend the 2013 Wimbledon final when she was eight months pregnant but he told her 'definitely not'. "I was very heavily pregnant. I wrote to him [Murray] afterwards saying sorry for not being there."


The Duke and Duchess met ballboys and ballgirls.


William and Kate arrive in The Royal Box.


Wimbledon is a staple on the Middleton family calendar. Mike, Carole, Pippa and James have already made several appearances this year.


Whilst Kate attended yesterday, George and Charlotte were spotted enjoying a family day out with their grandparents at Englefield Summer Fete. People reports: “They were having such fun going from stall to stall, playing on all the games,” an onlooker tells PEOPLE, adding: “George did pretty well at the ‘crockery smash’ stall. He looked very pleased with himself.” The royal siblings enjoyed several turns on the inflatable bouncy slides, exploring the small gathering as they held hands with Kate’s parents. “They were so cute, and Charlotte particularly was very friendly, politely saying hello to other children. George was running around, exactly like all the other children,“ says the onlooker.


Today, Carole, Pippa, James and his girlfriend Alizee Thevenet were cheering on Roger Federer. I do wonder if Mike Middleton might be on babysitting duty with Nanny Maria today :)


Carole selected a blue print Jaeger dress this afternoon (another great ID from whiz Laura from UFO No More). It's reduced to £85 at John Lewis and Pippa was in a pink print dress.


The Cambridges and the Middleton family are very close with Roger Federer and his wife Mirka. The tennis superstar and his family have visited Kensington Palace and Bucklebury on a number of occasions. Roger and Mirka attended Pippa's wedding in 2017. Indeed, Roger revealed he's been teaching Prince George a few tricks of the trade during a game in Bucklebury. He said George is "already good" adding, "At this age it's all about just touching the ball...same with my boys".


Guests in the royal box included Benedict Cumberbatch, Katherine Jenkins, the Kents and tennis royalty.


William and Kate chatting before the action got underway.


Ready for the final.


Following an epic semi final win against Rafa Nadal, Federer said he never thought he would be in this position at this stage of his career. "Not possible. It's not something you can ever really aim for, I don't think Rafa aimed for 12 French Opens. You aim for one, then two. Ahead of today's match he said. "I never expected to be playing in a Wimbledon final at almost 38. I feel really good. I remind myself I have one match left to go." He also discussed his first Wimbledon win sixteen years ago. "At that moment my career could have ended and I would have retired very happily." Little did the future Prince of tennis know he would continue to become one of the (if not the) greatest players of all time. Today he is fighting for his ninth singles Wimbledon title.


Reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic returned to the iconic tournament this year in the hopes of securing his fifth win. Ahead of the match, he spoke about feeling as prepared as possible at the beginning. "If you're not feeling so well at the beginning, you don't start a match well, you're on the back foot because your opponent is feeling that he has a chance to dominate the play from the baseline." His appearance in the final follows his record 7th Australian Open win earlier this year.


An action packed first set filled with tense moments.


Yes, it was that kind of match..


Former tennis star Stan Smith gave Kate a signed sneaker for Prince Louis.

Embed from Getty Images

Following an epic five hours of tennis, Djokovic was victorious taking three sets.


For the first time, patron Kate presented the winners trophy.


Kate told Roger he was amazing...


...And congratulated Novak on a stunning victory.


Kate with Wimbledon President the Duke of Kent who passed the trophy presenting tradition to Kate today.


Speaking with officials before departing. What a day for the sport!


Wimbledon offers a spectacular array of fashion. Have you even seen more appropriate hats? Outstanding millinery and perfect for the final.


Afternoon tea is served.


Wimbledon shared a look at the All England Lawn Tennis Club under the slumber of darkness.


A quick refresher of Kate's Wimbledon looks this year; for her first appearance the Duchess chose the 1940s inspired Suzannah Wiggle dress. Styled with Gianvito Rossi Piper block heels, Catherine Zoraida earrings and a McQueen belt and bag.


Yesterday, Kate brought back her bottle green Dolce & Gabbana dress styled with her Sicily bag by the brand, Asprey London Oak Leaf earrings and Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps in nude.


Today, the Duchess chose a very pretty powder blue Emilia Wickstead Jordin dress. The £605 piece is described as: "A dress with a straight neckline, twisted strap detail and beautifully pleated skirt."


Laura identified Kate's gorgeous new shoes as the $80 Aldo Nicholes Bone Block Heel shoes.
Described as: "A 40's inspired stacked heel ankle strap pump, swathed in luxurious faux suede, brings a vintage touch to an indisputably must have for the modern girl." They are available in multiple colours on the Aldo website.


The Duchess wore her In2Design pearl earrings.

Her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.


Kate completed the look with her Ray Ban Wayfarers.


And her UFO vintage clutch bag.


It was an epic day of tennis. Did you watch?

Saturday 13 July 2019

It's a Girls' Day Out for the Wimbledon Women's Final!

It was a very royal girls' day out as the Duchess of Cambridge was joined by the Duchess of Sussex and her sister Pippa Matthews for the Wimbledon women's final between Serena Williams and Simona Halep.


Kate was greeted by AELTC Chairman Philip Brook and his wife Gill.


The Brooks have been familiar faces at the tournament for years, but that is set to change soon as Mr Brook is to step down and hand over the reigns to Ian Hewitt in the coming months.


The Duchess arrived with Pippa over an hour before the match got underway to meet players, volunteers and former champions in her role as patron.


An arrival video.


It marks Kate's second visit to the tournament this year. Last week, the Duchess enjoyed a day of courtside action for the second day of the championships. During the visit, she met Andy Murray, who made a valiant return to Wimbledon to play mixed doubles with Serena Williams (I would have loved to see the dynamic duo make it to the final). Kate watched British wildcard Harriet Dart, before Angelique Kerber took on Tatjana Maria, and Roger Federer won his first-round match. Tomorrow, Kate will be joined by William to watch Federer take on Novak Djokovic in the final.


Kate, Meghan and Pippa take their seats in the Royal Box on Centre Court.


Serena Williams entered today's match knowing it could be a history-making day for her career. A win would have seen the American tennis star secure her 24th Grand Slam singles title, tying with Margaret Court, the only other player to have reached that number. Williams was also competing for her eighth Wimbledon singles title. On the other side of the court, Romanian player Simona Halep was ready to fight for her first singles title at the iconic tournament. After her French Open win in 2017, Halep has been striving for her next major victory. Ahead of the match she said: "I feel mentally strong. We will see what happens."


Ahead of the final, Halep said she would love it if patron Kate attended the final.


Last year, Kate and Meghan attended the women's final together for the first time. Kate had given birth to Louis less than three months previously, and it was just weeks after Harry and Meghan's wedding.


This year, Louis is over a year old and Meghan is mom to two-month-old Archie. It's amazing how much can change in a year.


The trio watch a tense first set.


Meghan and Pippa were photographed laughing and exchanging smiles on several occasions. Meghan attended the evening reception of Pippa's wedding when she was dating Harry, and last year Pippa and the Middleton family attended the Sussexes' Windsor wedding.


The two sisters-in-law were together earlier this week for a polo match with their children. Given their shared love of tennis, it was great to see them team up again today.


An overview of Centre Court.


From the off, Halep took command of the game and displayed incredible tennis skill. She won in straight sets - her first Wimbledon title.


More from Wimbledon:

'History wastes no time listening to those who speak of what is likely to happen. History heeds only those who make it happen – and in the women’s final at Wimbledon 2019, Simona Halep wrote her own name large. The No.7 seed, whose name appeared on no one’s list of likely winners before The Championships began, became the first Romanian ever to win a Wimbledon title.
She stunned Serena Williams, the Centre Court crowd and almost everyone on Planet Tennis to triumph 6-2, 6-2 in just 55 minutes, with a display so resourceful, so near-flawless that there could be no answer.
Two-and-a-half long years after Williams secured her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, this toweringly remarkable woman found she must wait still longer for the elusive 24th crown to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.
Twelve months ago Angelique Kerber defied her here; few could envisage Halep stonewalling Williams again on the same court – yet she did. In this battle of the former world No.1s, history was written, and history was denied; and the whole was utterly thrilling.'

Applause after the match.


Kate and Meghan talking after the match ended.


Kate placed her hand on Meghan's back, I imagine commiserating with her over Serena's loss. It was a very sweet moment between the pair.


Following her win Simona Halep said: "Thank you for coming everyone from the Royal family." She added she didn't know she would be meeting Kate but added it was "amazing".


Cheers from Pippa!


An overview before Serena and Simona left the court.


It looks like all three ladies had a wonderful afternoon. They all adore tennis, and with Kate's role as patron, Meghan's friendship with Serena, and Pippa's love of the sport, it was an ace day out all round!


From the Kensington Palace Instagram account "The Duchess of Cambridge, Wimbledon Patron, and The Duchess of Sussex attended the Wimbledon 🎾 Ladies’ Singles Final today. Well done to Serena Williams and Simona Halep on a fantastic match, and congratulations Simona on your first Wimbledon title!"


In the video below shared by Gert's Royals, Kate congratulates the champion.



Kate brought back her her bottle green Dolce & Gabbana Crépe Embellished Dress. Kate first wore the piece during the 2016 Canada tour. The vivid green hue is gorgeous.


The bottle-green dress features gold-toned buttons down the front, a bow-tie collar, and a ruffled trim along the sleeve seals. The decorative pocket watch detailing is an eye-catching addition to the dress; it's crafted of sequin, crystal, and gold-beaded pocket-watch appliqué.


Kate accessorised with her $1,695 Dolce & Gabbana Pink Medium Miss Sicily Bag, described as: "Structured grained 'dauphine' calfskin top handle bag in 'rose' pink. Carry handle at top. Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap with lobster clasp fastening." She carried the piece for Wimbledon last year. It's available at Harrods.


The Duchess accessorised with her Asprey Oak Leaf earrings.



It appears Kate wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps in nude.


And her Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. They are available at Nordstrom.

Pippa was stylish in the Anna Mason London Ruflette Sleeveless Midi Dress. The liberty blue flower print dress is available for pre-order for £735.


For details on what Meghan wore, pop over to Mad About Meghan.

We'll see William and Kate for the men's final tomorrow at 2 pm.