Yay! New Duchess Kate photos. These are from Christmas morning at Sandringham, where the royal family has their annual Christmas holiday with military precision. Every site has a different color description for Kate’s coat and hat. I’m saying… purple? It’s not dark enough for “eggplant” and there isn’t enough red to be considered “berry” or “burgundy”. Let’s just say a shade of purple. I actually love the coat, and the hat is very cute – Kate has a face for hats. She’s very lucky that way. The hat is by Jane Corbett, the shoes are “£169 black suede heels by Spanish designer Mascaro.” And Kate seems to be wearing new earrings too – The Mail claims they are a gift from William, a pair of $3500 “gold drop” earrings by Kiki McDonough. William has nice taste in jewelry, if they were a gift from William.
Anyway, the royal family was one short this Christmas – Prince Phillip had to undergo emergency heart surgery after suffering from chest pains on Friday. His surgery was to treat a “blocked coronary artery” and a palace spokesman said, “The Duke is in genuinely good form. He’s in great spirits and had a good night’s sleep last night. The royal family will be continuing with their Christmas traditions as normal today. Sadly the Boxing Day shoot will have to go ahead without Phillip.” Here’s more about the royal Christmas:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Queen Elizabeth at church for two services on Christmas morning – and they drew quite the crowd eager to see them.
With many watching, the couple walked to and from church with much of their family. The Queen, however, took a car to the services – just a short drive from her home at Sandringham, Norfolk. Key in her family’s thoughts and prayers: Prince Philip, who is still in the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Friday.
William and Kate were joined on the walk to the 16th century St. Mary Magdalene Church by Prince Charles; William’s cousins Princess Beatrice and Eugenie; and newlyweds Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall. Kate, in an aubergine-colored coat by an unnamed British designer and hat by Jane Corbett, was flanked by husband William, 29, and her brother-in-law Prince Harry, 27.
This is the first time Kate, 29, has spent Christmas with the royal family – a fact that likely boosted the number of people who came out to watch from the sidelines.
The 11 a.m. service, which begun with a rendition of the national anthem, was the second visit to the church for senior members of the family, who privately attended the communion service at 9 a.m.
After nearly 40 minutes, the family emerged again to greet well-wishers. Kate chatted with some children, and Beatrice was seen with armfuls of flowers. The Queen was overwhelmed with bouquets from royals fans.
The royals are set to have a traditional turkey lunch – then watch the Queen’s speech.
And, in the mid-afternoon, members of the family, including Prince William, paid Prince Philip a 45-minute visit at the hospital. A spokesman for Buckingham Palace tells PEOPLE, “The Duke of Edinburgh was visited by some of his grandchildren at Papworth hospital this afternoon: The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.” The spokesman added that Duke is in “good spirits” and “will remain in hospital under observation for a short period.”
The grandchildren’s visit comes a day after the Queen went to his bedside Saturday.
[From People]
Elizabeth and Phillip have been married for FIFTY SIXTY-FOUR YEARS. Can you believe that? Phillip is the only man that the Queen has ever loved. I have a feeling – and I hate to even say this, but here goes – that if Phillip goes first, the Queen won’t outlive him by very long. They’ve just got their routine, and I suspect the Queen will fall apart without him. Their shared history is rather amazing, and they complete each other in some strange way. Sigh… do you think Kate and William will have that kind of partnership in fifty years’ time? I wonder…
Photos courtesy of Fame.
That coat is clearly plum-colored. And gorgeous.
yeah, i also thought plum when i saw it… gorgeous color
Plum. Absolutely Plum.
It looks like she borrowed it from her mother…decades too old for her.
She needs to hire Rachel Zoe. Horrible taste of clothes, not starting with the idiotic hats.
Have you seen how Princess Mary of Denmark dresses?! Not that is classy.
Zoe would make her look worse- like some Hollywood hag. Nothing wrong with this woman’s style. Appropriately conservative for her position in life.
can you please google Mary of Denmark and than we’ll speak, and maybe than you’ll get my point 🙂
Disagree. Look at what she did with Nicole Richie.
I may hate Zoe’s personal boho style but she can pull off other styles as well. She has an eye for classic glamor (as evidenced by the beautiful Oscar De La Renta’s she’s always lusting over).
Youre kidding right? All she wears is nipped in waists and over sized earrings. That does not equal classy.
I had to google images since I am not up to speed on my royalty.Mary Of Denmark does dress very well. However, she dresses for her age. Kate is barely 30, if even. I think she looks pretty in this outfit and she is age appropriate. I would hate for Kate to start dressing like a middle aged mother before she is one.
Yes, I love how Princess Mary dresses. Kate should take note. Her coat looks like she borrowed it from her mother’s closet.
Hate the hat. Reminds me of Peter Pan.
Huzzah! She looks absolutely fabulous, dahling!!
I think she looks smashing.
she looks nice and boring as always
I have to disagree that her maj would fall apart without Phil the Greek – quite the opposite in fact
Um, not just married for 50 years – they were married in 1947. Charles was born in November 1948. According to my calculations, that makes them married for 64 years.
The Queen is a tough old thing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she makes it past 100, as did her mother.
Love the Duchess’s hat.
“Phil the Greek” so disrespectful yet so funny (and true). QEII will hang on for as long as she can because she’s made of strong stuff and she doesn’t want Charles to take the throne – no one likes him in the Commonwealth. She’ll find a way to get William on the throne first. She’s put up with Phil’s nonsense for years.
If Queen Mother survived the loss of George VI, the Queen could survive the loss of Prince Philip.
William will never get to the throne before his father, unless Charles is convicted of a heinous crime and is forcibly removed from his line in the succession.
He will be King after his mother, and no amount of wishful thinking from some misguided people who “like” William, and fantasize him to be a better King, will change this.
Charles has been prepared for this role for more than 40 years now.
The Queen will stay on the throne until she dies because that is what is required of her. She doesn’t control who gets the throne after her. It’s Parliament which has command of these things, that’s why every royal from every royal family must ask permission and get it from Parliament before getting married, because not doing so will result in their removal from the succession and giving up their titles and the titles of their future children.
British monarchs also don’t have a tradition of abdicating, except for a few, and even then it was Parliament which made the decision and forced the monarch to leave the throne.
I agree. I think the Queen has always been driven by duty first, and her major to Prince Phillip has never struck me as a love match (especially since there are always rumors of his infidelity). I think she’s as tough as my grandma (they’re both german) and my grandma went on for years just fine after my grandpa died.
the queen has put up with alot of bad behavior from her husband over the years (cheating, gaffs). she is tough and will live to be over 100 like her mother.
Totally co-sign,the Queen Mother died at the age of nearly 102 years old!
I like the coat, and the hat is growing on me, but she has the most boring taste. I dont see how people consider her to be “stylish”, as she always wears the same thing in different colors. The Queen has more exciting style than Kate.
Kate always seems like she has her nose up in the air. I dont get a welcoming feeling from her, and she clearly loves the press too much. She always looks like she doesnt give a shit about what other people are saying, and thats the last thing that people want in their future queen. I hope she learns to handle the press better, because they are going to start turning against her soon if she doesnt get her act together.
What difference does it make whether she looks like she gives a shit or not? (Which I humbly disagree with, but to each their own. Anyway.)
William is the one who is going to be calling the shots, not Kate.
Seriously. What no one takes into consideration is that she’s standing there in the middle of a crowd filled with noise and flash bulbs going off. How easy would it be to have an intimate conversation with someone? I wouldn’t be able to pay attention at all.
I think she handles herself well. I’ll never understand why she wanted to sign up for a life in the spotlight, but you can’t help who you fall in love with.
@ Kaiser: QE II and Prince Philipp have been married for 64 years. 😉
There are photos on Daily Mail’s various articles about this Xmas event that shows Kate is wearing a black mini-skirt under that coat. Not appropriate for her first Xmas with the royal in-laws, imo.
She looks wonderful, as always!
I think it’s closer to.64 years for the queen and Prince Philip.
The duchess looks good again…another example of the variety of colors she can wear. And I am very fond of her hair that way. Best it’s ever looked imo.
Love the coat and the hair out of her face. She is always elegant and classy but boring. Perfect.
Love me some Kate! She always looks classy and comfortable, which is quite a thing to pull off, imo.
The Queen will live as long as the Queen Mother – her first love has always been her country.
Long may she rain! Magnificent woman!
Forgive the correction, but unless she’s watering plants, I think you mean “reign”.
correct 🙂
Just love her Majesty. Wish we had some staying power in the States, some discipline and loyalty. She puts her country and her obligations first. Bless her.
The color is very pretty. I’m iffy on the hat. Don’t really like the shoes. All in all, she looks good. Excited to be a royal.
It’s interesting to see that the Duchess is wearing a hat that tilts on the side of her head where her alleged scar lies. I wonder how long she will continue to “cover up ” that side of her head.. I guess until she cuts her hair to hide the “scar”; amazing how the “scar” was never noticed in all the years she dated the Prince, but suddenly makes an appearance months after she marries and displays long thick luscious locks!
Totally agree. It’s definitely a weave. You can see something very clearly sewn into her part in this picture: http://royaldish.com/index.php?topic=9578.60 (should first post be at the top of 5).
Her hair was fine before – why all the fakery?
The only thing Waity has to offer at this point is her appearance. She knows she can’t offer anything of substance so she works tirelessly at beauty and fashion in the hopes of detracting attention from her deficiencies.
The real star of the day for me was Zara Phillips and her rugged fella – two thumbs up in my opinion. There is something wicked glinting in Zara’s eyes! Her husband’s shoes seem to be a talking point at the moment!
I would have sat on the pew next to the Tindalls. Much more fun than Wills and Waity.
Given the fact Tindall was caught cheating I’m sure it would be fun for the fights alone.
Hate that hat. But am putting aside the hat-hate for someting much worse: check out Autumn Phillips’ PLAID HOODED PONCHO!! Yes, that’s right, she was apparently under the mistaken impression that the church services were being held in a football stadium with a tailgate picnic to follow.
Oh, it is wrong, so wrong!
Prince Phillip has had many allegations of infidelity.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080218161656AAKrfKx
She is really looking way older than 29. Royal life must be ageing because she is looking close to 40. Pr.William is losing his looks too. Those two will look positively middleaged soon. Once again the press praises very plain looking woman Kate Middleton as stunning, she’s just so average, the press can hype her forever, she’s still very average looking. Also the Royal Family is just s common now, common Kate Middleton, common Mike Tindell, what the heck is the point of having a Royal family if any common people are let in. I hope they get rid of the Monarchy dismantling it before Pr.William ever takes the Throne. He’s weak anyway and who wants the Middleton’s running the Throne, because Pr. William has no balls.
“what the heck is the point of having a Royal family if any common people are let in.”
One word. Inbreeding. They’ve all have been marrying “commoners” lately. All the royal families in Europe are related. Even QEII & Prince Philip are cousins. (saw that on a site the other day and shot diet coke back thru my nose!)
For further, “EWWWWWWWs”, google Hapsburgs/Habsburgs. I remember learning about them in history class way back in the day.
Google the duchess of ALba, last living hapsberg!!!
I believe her coat is aubergine and her hat is cranberry.
I don’t know if Philip was the only man in her life as there’s been a rumor that Prince Andrew is really the son of a Lord P. IIRC, it was in Kitty Kelly’s book about Diana & the royals.
Philip is rumored to have a daughter outside of this marriage. He’s said to have had many affairs. He was very pissed that the Queen refused to make their last name Mountbatten (& it’s not even his real surname either), especially since he was afforded only the title Prince Consort, not king. The name Windsor was, again iirc, Winston Churchill’s idea.
Philip has got a very wicked and mean mouth on him. There’s a reason why Charles & he aren’t close. I read the only child of his he gets along with is Princess Anne, maybe because she too has the same mean mouth on her.
I don’t think QE2 will die soon after he does. I think they have an understanding, & so they aren’t as lovey-dovey as some think. They have somewhat of a friendship, but I don’t think she’ll let that get in the way of her hold on her reign. She’s even ruined her own sister’s happiness over how tight she clings onto the ways of her position. The only thing she’s ever really cared about is her crown. And him dying isn’t going to change her at all. I think she’ll go on trying to live as many years as her mother before she’ll give up crown to Charles. Sometimes I think she’s trying to outlive Charles just so he won’t ever get to be king. I don’t think she’s ever really liked him. He’s often said that she was never motherly towards him.
Sorry, Philip would have never been given the title of king. He cannot outrank his wife, who is the sovereign head of state. His only title would have been Prince Consort.
@ JulieM – Philip has a massive ego. Since he couldn’t outrank his wife, he told her to make their surname Mountbatten, even though his wasn’t either, but Uncle Mountbatten was a great influence on him.
He was really pissed at her when she refused. He didn’t want his lineage from then on to be called Windsor. He wanted control over what the future royal children would be named. He lost.
I think that hurt his ego quite a bit. I don’t think it was the cause of his alleged womanizing, bec. I think he was going to do that anyways. But I think that putting him in his place put a mark on their marriage. So it could never be a lovey-dovey relationship as he would only allow that if he were in full control, imo. That’s why I don’t think she’s going to wilt away anytime soon after he dies. She’s going to go on, imo.
Philip would still be peeved that he had to renounce his titles (Prince of Greece and Denmark) when he married Elizabeth. He also took the surname Mountbatten.
As king consort, he would not have outranked his wife, technically, as she is the anointed sovereign — it just would have sounded as if he did, hence the unpopularity of king consorts.
Also, Philip was a fool to bitch about given the children his name — he knew the deal when he married the heiress to the throne.
Anne-I completely agree that Philip has always possessed the Ego That Ate London. And an obnoxious man, to boot. But he never would have been given the title of king. It just never would have happened. I think for a time, Elizabeth and Philip’s children had the title of Mountbatten-Windsor. I think for all except Charles (the heir).
But you are correct, I think, about their relationship. Many rumors about him cheating with women, and even a man. I think (going on my memory alone) that they actually spent about 6 month’s apart in the late 50’s due to marital strain. She went around the world and he did not accompany her. After he returned, Andrew, and 4 years later Edward were born.
Alix- There’s never been a king consort. Sovereign Queen’s husbands are prince consorts. Not very modern, I’m afraid. King outranks Queen when they are spouses. But I understand your point about anointed or consecrated. The legal aspect.
@ JulieM – I don’t think he would have ever become a king either. But I think he wanted the same power & influence as one. He’s a control freak on top of his huge ego & his acidic wit.
Windsor is the official & legal name of the British Royal Family or Royal House. Mountbatten-Windsor has been used but unofficially.
William & Harry have used the surname “Wales” during their school years.
Edward uses “Wessex.”
During their Royal Navy service, both Charles & Andrew were referred to as “Lieutenant Windsor.”
Prince Andrew used “Mountbatten-Windsor” on his marriage registry though.
Mountbatten used to be Battenberg but was changed by the order of King George V to Prince Louis of Battenburg. This was the same time when “Windsor” became the official name, because of the anti-German sentiments during that time.
Prince Phillip is a Mountbatten through his mother’s family, not his father’s. He changed his surname to this when he took British citizenry.
From Wikipedia:
“When Princess Elizabeth (as she then was) married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, the standard practice would be to adopt the name of his royal house….
….On 9 April 1952, Queen Elizabeth II officially declared her “Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that my descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor.” On 8 February 1960, the Queen confirmed that she and her children would continue to be known as the House and Family of Windsor, as would any agnatic descendants who enjoy the style of Royal Highness, and the title of Prince or Princess. Still, Elizabeth also decreed that her agnatic descendants who do not have that style and title would bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.”
I feel sorry for the hospital staff having to look after Phillip. I’m sure he’s an insufferable pain in the ass. He can’t even put his own toothpaste on his toothbrush. A valet has to do it for him.
Yup. He is an ass, and I’ve read that when he was in the Royal Navy during WWII, he still had a batman who did everything for him. Prince Harry has his faults, but he definitely is a REAL soldier.
i’m sorry, but she is just weird looking
i can’t put my finger on it
Waity looks appropriate, if boring. Nice color on her, though. And her hair is pulled back. A plus.
She has waited 10 years for this. Maybe there will come a time we can comment on some actual accomplishment rather than only her appearance. Nine months in and there is still no there there.
Yes, ten years and still nothing. If only she had worked as feverishly for a charity (or career) as she did for Diana’s ring.
Charlene is better than her at this point. She has already made several solo engagements, compared to Kate’s glittering ONE.
I can feel the excuses coming: “B-b-but Charlene is married to the Head of State, Catherine is only married to the second in line to the throne.” Correct, but if Waity really wanted to work, the courtiers will let her do it. The lengths people will go to to defend this woman is pathetic.
Spot on!
Shes a rich girl and worked at the family firm. What is the big deal.
I don’t think the queen would fall apart if Philip went first. She is tougher than her mother was and her mother lived decades beyond her husband’s death. Over the years the queen has endured a lot from members of her own family and come through everything fine. The only time she screwed up was when she did not show herself or say anything formally about Diana’s death. She eventually changed her mind because the people of England were turning on her. She is tough and adaptable, more than Philip.
She looks absolutely lovely. Gorgeous girl!
Again with the black hose.
…and closed toe shoes…*sigh*
Her face looks like bloody hell. Maybe she is relying on Xanax to get her thru Christmas with the in-laws who could blame her.
I absolutely adore her and her simple chic style. I am a picky biatch let me tell you but this chic is doing it all right in my book
She looks fabulous! The color is great on her, and let’s face it: Christmas morning church with the royal family is not a time to be rocking “interesting” style. The occasion, her company, and her position require decorum, and she managed to pull it off with great if simple style.
The hat and coat are GORGEOUS and look spectacular on her. Those colors! The hat a deep burgundy wine and the coat dark egyptian purple.
Kate seems great. Hope all is well behind the velvet curtain.
She honestly dresses like someone at least 10 years older. Combined with the heavy make-up, she’ll be looking middle aged in a few years.
Agree with other commenters that the Queen may outlive her husband by many years, for she has a powerful sense of purpose and duty in her role as head of state and head of the Church of England. Philip may not have loved her at the time of their marriage but she was definitely smitten with him, and they seem to have settled into a comfortable relationship. In photographs, they look each other in the eye with ease. Her annual Christmas message is always thoughtful and heartfelt, unlike the trite holiday wishes and phony smiles of our recent presidents and first ladies.
How disrespectful to focus on Waity when a more senior royal is in hospital, albeit in good condition. But it’s the typical media, what’s new.
I hope he recovers.
I like the coat, I like the hat. What I don’t like are the black gloves, black suede pumps and black tights. Can’t the woman put on a stylish pair of slacks in winter white with a pair of smashing high heel boots and gloves in a complimentary nude color?
That purple coat would look so much better paired with something in the ivory family.
Jesus they take the worst photos of her. she constantly looks stupid! And yes, Kate does wear the same thing time and time again. Just different colors.
She does look stupid. Its that idiotic smile of hers. Makes me feel like she treats every event like a night out with girls. Or like she just smoked a joint.
Waity looks like she borrowed this from her mother’s closet.
And yes, everyone still comments on what she wears because she still hasn’t done anything worth commenting on.
Ooops..she frosted a cookie last week.
I never thought I’d say I am more impressed by Charlene as a new working royal bride than Kate , but I am. At least Charlene goes and does Royal duties for the Palace on her own and interacts with people at the events. I was originally fan of Kate Middleton, but all she seems to do is hang on to Prince William at these events and wear cheap looking clothes. I hate the way Kate dresses, everything she wears somehow looks utterly cheap. Kate just comes off as posing always.
So agree. I’m not sure what the real story is with Albert and Charlene, but whatever her real feelings, she puts them aside and does her Royal duties.
Not to mention she’s a much better dresser than Kate.
Agree! Charlene is much more regal looking than this goon. Oh why didn’t William marry Isabella Calthorpe instead?
I usually love her coats, but I don’t like this one at all.
Is that Tyrrhian purple?
I think she looks fantastic and appropriate. I find her to be unfailingly dressed “correctly”. For those of you looking for a bold trendsetter, I think that you’re looking in the wrong place. Royalty should leave that to celebrities. Also, as someone pointed out up thread the commute to church with the entire royal family wouldn’t be the place to do an attention getting look anyway as she would be accused of trying to upstage her new family. Diana was accused of that for simply trying new hairstyles.
Oh and Autumn Kelly’s coat isn’t working for me. Something about the length along with the belly, maybe? IDK, maybe it would have worked in a solid.
Love the colour of Kate’s outfit. Not so sure about the style of the hat, but those earrings are gorgeous. I think the Queen could get through the loss of Philip. She’s a tough old bird, and I can see her living much longer. My father-in-law had the same procedure as Philip 3 weeks ago. It’s not really surgery. It’s a procedure designed to reopen a blocked blood vessel and keep it open.
So I googled Mary of Denmark and I found this interesting picture
http://www3.images.coolspotters.com/photos/332223/crown-princess-mary-of-denmark-and-boss-black-belted-flannel-dress-gallery.jpg
Didn’t Kate wear almost exactly the same outfit last week???
No one has mentioned Prince Harry! He looks devilishly and sweetly handsome, imo.
For the Brits, looking boring is already an accomplishment over looking ghastly (Bonham-Carter or Swinton though I love both), slutty (Katie Price) or frumpy (Emma Thompson).. You kind of have to make do. They wear everything with black tights, though I don’t consider Rachel Zoe original whatsoever. Kate dresses as a second banana to the tepidly handsome William.
She’s mediocre and over rated.
I recall Diana dressing quite “old” for her age when she first married Charles. It took some time to develop her own style and her own persona. It would be intimidating as hell to be introduced into that family. I look forward to seeing how Kate develops in her marriage with Wills. They do seem well matched for one another.
I don’t think there will be much developing beyond what you see now. Waity Katy has spent her adult life partying, shopping, getting her hair done and vacationing. At 30 years of age, she hasn’t shown any kind of productivity, other than bagging her prince. Heavens, she has never worked for a charity in her life?
Hello… This woman is 30 years old, if she hasn’t well developed by now, I don’t know when will… Diana was 19 when she married Charles! It was understandable and it was in the 80’s… We all know how 80’s fashion was like!
Prince Philip has been a notorious serial cheater during their whole marriage, and it was NOT a love match. It was for her, she was madly in love with him, but it was very much arranged on his end by his uncle, who wanted his nephew on the throne (which didn’t happen). He’s also extremely racist and xenophobic, and has embarrassed both the British government and HM over the decades.
I have no idea how HM feels about him now, but I think she is made of very stern stuff (in a good way), and will live as long as possible.
The very toothsome Kate is dressed in Willy Wonka Plum, and looks marvelous. Her face is, indeed, perfect for hats.
Wow purple mustve been the color this year, cos I wore it too (without seeing anyone else in it) and my half sister showed up in nearly the same purple dress as me LOL
I don’t even like hats and I adore that one – to me it’s enchanting and Christmassy and sets off her beautiful skin. The hair and earrings are just gorgeous too. She looks like a princess.
The colour is aubergine. It’s a perfect outfit for a royal princess at christmas.
Yikes, in that first picture William has seriously lost more hair!
While the colour is nice, the total outfit was so-so. I like Zara and Autumn better.
Kate is indeed beautiful, but what’s with those eyebrows? They look like giant black smudges on her forehead. Look at earlier photos and they don’t look anything that dark.
I can’t help but giggle when I think of Kate sharing FOUR meals with the RF on Christmas and Christmas eve. She would have been forced to place food in her mouth in front of the entire Royal Family! Imagine all Royal eyes upon her to see if she would actually put solids in her mouth! How did she pull this off? Maybe purging after every meal — and surely the other royals would be suspicious about that too! Or maybe she decided that one day of the year she would eat, for appearances’ sake. It must surely have been a very uncomfortable day for her, food-wise.