It's shaping up to be a busier than anticipated March for the Duchess of Cambridge, with four engagements announced already. On Monday, 9 March William and Kate will join Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for Commonwealth Observance in Westminster Abbey.
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| Wikipedia |
More from the official press release:
'Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Observance is the biggest multi-faith celebration in the United Kingdom and takes the form of an hour-long service in Westminster Abbey. Featuring a mixture of testimonies, readings, hymns and musical performances, it is attended by politicians, high commissioners, Commonwealth dignitaries and also by over 1,000 schoolchildren, with 2,000 people present in total.'
On departure from the observance, Her Majesty, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge will be presented with posies of flowers before members of the Royal family walk by the Commonwealth flags held by invited children. The event would be an excellent opportunity for Kate to wear the bespoke pale-pink Jenny Packham coat and dress she wore to The Queen's Coronation Service during her first pregnancy.
On Wednesday, 11 March, Kate will spend the day in Margate.
The Duchess, as patron of the National Portrait Gallery, will visit the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery to view the 'Self: Image and Identity' exhibit which includes a self-portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck. Her Royal Highness will tour the gallery, meet artists and see how Turner Contemporary engages with the local community. Kate will then meet a group of school children involved in art project before attending a reception.
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| Turner Contemporary |
Kate's second engagement in Margate is a visit to Resort Studios - a vibrant organisation which offers a high-quality programme of events and workshops alongside art studios and exhibition space. The Duchess will view an exhibition featuring photo-montages of local personalities.
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| Resort Studios |
We know Kate has a keen interest in art and will no doubt have a fascinating time.
On Friday, 13 March, Kate will join members of the royal family at a service to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.
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| Victoria Arbiter Twitter Feed |
We expect Kate may also attend the annual St. Patrick's Day parade at Aldersht.
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We're hearing more and more in recent months about private events attended by the royals. Earlier this week the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the Chairman's Dinner for their Royal Foundation at the Kensington Palace State Apartments.
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| Court Circular |
We mentioned the National Portrait Gallery earlier in our post. Yesterday, Kate received the gallery's retiring director Mr Sandy Nairne. It was an opportunity for the Duchess to congratulate him on his enormous contribution to the gallery over the years. Below we see Kate with Mr Nairne at the NPG in February 2014. Interestingly, they are viewing the van Dyck self-portrait she will have the opportunity to see again in Margate next month.
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| Kensington Palace Twitter Feed |
I feel Kate has significantly stepped up her efforts in terms of royal appearances both public and private this year. It's a telling sign of increasing comfort in her role and a wish to expand it in areas of particular interest such as supporting young people and the arts. It's so important for members of the Royal family to forge a role in areas they want to make a difference in and I predict over the next couple of years we'll see her doing just that.
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Meanwhile, Prince William today began his visit to Japan, arriving at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport to a warm welcome. The visit has been described as "key preparation" for his future as King.
The Prince was in high spirits as he was greeted by officials. Before departing for Japan, it was announced William had passed all 14 exams and qualified as an air ambulance pilot. He is expected to begin his new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer.
The official website reports:
'The Duke, who is making his first trip to Japan, was served tea by a grand master who has performed the ritual for his parents The Prince and Princess of Wales, and his grandmother The Queen.
His Royal Highness was taken to a centuries-old Tokyo teahouse and seated at a small table where he received the green tea, said to have life-prolonging properties.
The ceremony was performed in private with The Duke joined by a few dignitaries including the Governor of Tokyo, Yoichi Masnzoe. The teahouse was built more than 350 years ago in Japan's Edo period and is a traditional single-storey wooden building of white paper walls and mat flooring which was restored in 1978.'
Prince William enjoyed a stroll in the beautiful Hama Rikyu Gardens.
William followed in his mother's footsteps as he paid his respects at the Yokohama war cemetery outside Tokyo. The late Princess Diana laid a wreath in the same spot twenty years ago.
William looks at the photo of his mother.
The message on Prince William's wreath.
There's an interesting itinerary lined up for the next few days. We do hope to hear some quotes on Prince George too :)
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| BBC Peter Hunt Twitter Feed |
William looks at the photo of his mother.
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| Sky Rhiannon |
The message on Prince William's wreath.
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| BBC Peter Hunt Twitter Feed |
There's an interesting itinerary lined up for the next few days. We do hope to hear some quotes on Prince George too :)
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In our last post we look at the Autumn/Winter 2015 Collections from several of Kate's go-to designers. Whilst browsing through other designers I was really very impressed by Lela Rose's offering. It's a collection where a number of pieces could be taken from the runway and worn, with a host of designs ideal for Kate.
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| Lela Rose |
The Duchess chose the US-based designer for a government reception in Canberra last year - wearing the brand's Circle Lace Trim Dress.
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| The British Monarchy Flickr |
The designer dedicated her Fall Collection to a beloved vacation spot: Wyoming.
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| Lela Rose |
A parade of sheaths, fit-and-flares and A-line skirts graced the runway. It was very much in keeping with previous collections; Lela Rose knows her customer and unapologetically caters to effortless ladylike elegance.
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| Lela Rose |
Evening gowns were sleek and effortlessly chic.
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| Lela Rose |
Three more looks with beautiful splashes of colourful prints.
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| Lela Rose |
The current collection encompasses many pieces one would describe as "very Kate". Beautiful prints and feminine florals are evident in an abundance of gorgeous designs. Below we look at the black and blue Fit and Flare Dress, the Floral Print Elbow Sleeve Sheath Dress, Rose-Print Spiral Dress and the Flared Shirt Dress.
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| Lela Rose |
We hope you all have a fabulous weekend :)
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