As I mentioned yesterday, Duchess Kate was scheduled to go solo at a “lavish” dinner party in London last night, and these are some of the photos from the event. The prime minister was there. Stella McCartney was there. Katy B was there. I actually went a little overboard with the photos just because I am beyond thrilled with Duchess Kate’s look here. First off, I totally recognized that this dress was a repeat from last year – because this Roksanda Illincic dress really stood out during Kate and William’s stop in LA during their North American tour, and I’ve been hoping she would repeat it. This dress is maybe one of my favorite pieces ever on Kate. It’s a lovely pale grey-lavender. I love the cut of the dress. I love “the wave” effect on the bodice. I just love this dress in total, and I love it on her. I’m so happy that she repeated it!
Kate really brought it with her other styling choices too – I don’t remember ever seeing these Kiki McDonough earrings before, but they’re a great pick. Her normally too-heavy makeup works here because it’s an evening event, and it’s pretty formal – for once, her heavy makeup looks occasion-appropriate. I like her choice of a sparkly little clutch, and I don’t hate her grey-beige heels – by LK Bennett, of course. Kate must have a half-dozen LK Bennett heels, and they’re her go-to choice for public events.
But really, we need to talk about her hair. We always need to lavish praise on her whenever she pulls her hair back and we’re not being assaulted by her giant sausage curls. We have to thank her whenever we get through an event without half of the photos being relegated to “Kate keeps fussing with her curls like they’re her security blanket.” I LOVE HER HAIR LIKE THIS – in an elegant chignon. Why doesn’t she pull it back more often? She always looks so pretty and sophisticated with her hair pulled back. And personally – as someone with long hair – I would love to try this style. I think my hair might be able to do this.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
nice dress, but the hairstyle is matronly.
Yeah, from her left side it looks great but from the front it looks too *puffy* (sorry can’t think of the right word for it). I think if it was flatter, it would look less matronly but to be honest at least it’s different from her usual get up!
Bouffant?
Lol, you know when something’s on the tip of your brain, but won’t shake loose? I’ve been trying to remember since I first read this, so I hope it’s what you meant, too.
I don’t think that she looks matronly at all, hair or clothing-wise. She is a married 30 yr old, not 20. She is a public figure to be scrutinized by the world and held up as a British role model.
It’s nice to see a young woman dressing appropriately. I think people think she looks matronly because we are used to women in the spotlight dressing like skanks constantly
Love the dress, really love the hair, hate — no, despise — the eyeliner. I’ll say it again…I think her liner is tattooed on.
I think it’s tattooed on too. I wonder if it will ever fade?
I really don’t understand the heavy eyeliner, she has very pretty eyes but seems determined to hide them under all that gunk. It just makes her look dated and about ten years older. I’m starting to think William has a thing for the matronly look, perhaps the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree?!
i’m curious – why do you think it’s tattooed on?
(and yikes, that would hurt to get done.)
Because I have never, ever seen her without it. Even in shots of her, pre-wedding, lounging on a boat after swimming. And it always looks pretty much exactly the same.
I have my eyeliner tatooed, they would never ink it that dark, however, you can enhance it if you want to. It doesn’t hurt, they numb you, but after a while it’s irritating, it takes about an hour
Princess Diana had tattooed eyeliner.
Yes I read she did
I’m too lazy to look for pictures, but I remember seeing a few instance where her eyeliner wasn’t quite that thick.
I think she’s just bad (read: REALLY REALLY BAD) at applying it herself. She should ask for tips from an expert.
I actually think she had her hair and makeup professionally done for this look. the eye makeup here is pretty sophisticated for amateur application.
Yep, you could tell when she does her own makeup (heavy-handed, thick eyeliner) and when she has someone else do it for her 😀
If she wore a gold or bronze liner (or even plum), her eyes would look terrific because it would bring the color out. Flat grey liner is alright if it’s smudged out so the line is softened, but it’s dull. I have nothing against Kate, but why must every royal have a dull look? Matronly makeup, hair (not Kate, but Anne and some of the others), hose all of the time, pastel suits, etc. There’s no excitement! Same for Charlene. I wish we could see just one rocking red lipstick and an edgy black suit or something.
Have you never noticed The Queen’s red lippy?
There is nothing conservative about the shade of red she uses.
Does anyone else think she needs an intervention on whatever tanner she’s using? I can’t remember a time where she looked like she had a natural skin tone. It’s always been this orangey hue recently.
She really really looks the epitome of ‘lovely’ 🙂
If lovely means she got a makeover at the WalMart cosmetic counter, yes, then just simply lovely.
Lol @ corny.
Finally something not granny looking
I love that look, too. She looks so pretty with her hair like that! More of that please!
Agreed! I think this is the one of her best looks. She looks so elegant
She looks fab I love her hair and the dress. The color and cut are great. She has worn these earrings before…. to the opening ceremony but her huge curls hid them. You have to look really closely lol. Yet another reason to put her hair up! Show off some of those royal earrings!
Love the look, though the shoes are boring. If she would do something sexier with the shoes, she would look really hot and maybe William would be less willing to let her go out without him.
Sometimes, I wish she wouldn’t repeat her outfits though and would auction them off for charity or to reimburse the British tax payers for the ridiculous cost of her wardrobe. Somehow it seems kind of cheap to repeat outfits for a person in her position. Actually, I’m a bit wishy washy on that issue.
The boring shoes are bringing down the outfit. They are more suited to daytime than evening event. Great dress, ugh eyeliner, good hair.
And yet last time she wore ‘sexy’ shoes (the strappy jimmy choos) everyone yelled about them.
Poor girl can’t win.
Quite right! The strappy sandals were referred to as stripper heels and much was the moaning about how inappropriate they were!
She looks fine. I like her hair like this. She is the representative of a monarchy and therefore she should look conservative. Monarchies are inherently traditional and conservative. She looks like an adult – which she is by the way. At 30 you are no longer a “girl”.
She looks SO great. She should do the hair more.
No, the color is way too cold for her. It looks terrible on her skin tone.
Love the dress, hate the shoes with the dress
I like the whole look.
She sure is skinny. Dress looks good, for once, I like something she is wearing
I think she looks older than she really is.
While I don’t like the dress and the heels (they look cheap, as do 99.9% of her clothes) but I give her props for her makeup and her hairdo (which looks terrific) .
I wonder why she can’t pull her up more often? It seems like she’s overselling her trademark sausage curls to the public. She’s 30 for crying out loud – it’s sad when the only two things she’s known for are her hair and for being Waity Katie.
I give her -1 for not forgetting to flaunt Diana’s ring to the public;
-2 for her fake, forced smiles
As a royal, is it protocol to always wear your engagement ring? Or is this a British thing? On some occasions I’ve found it odd that she felt the need to wear it (ex: her camping trip with kids). Why just not wear her wedding band?
I always wear mine unless it’s at actual risk of being damaged. I think everyone does, yep. It’s taken off as often as the wedding band – is it not the same in the States?
If she doesn’t wear the ring all time, how are people supposed to remember that she has Diana’s ring?
For the first time, she really looks like a European Royal.
She looked really good here.
Comparing these photos with the last time she wore this dress, you can see how much weight she’s gained.
It looks good on her.
Yep. Pretty, dignified-and-appropriate, and best of all, no longer skeletal. That painted dress she wore to a polo match in the USA was frightening, because it showed her shape so clearly and she was emaciated. I wouldn’t wish the stress necessary to be that thin on my worst enemy, let alone an illness as serious as anorexia. No idea which it was, but something was badly wrong.
I don’t like how severely people attack her – she’s not done much, agreed, but she’s not done anything wrong either – but some of her outfits have been awful and it mystified me that people went gaga over her style choices. They were just blah to me. In these shots she looks better in both contexts – health and style – and hopefully she’ll keep it up. The fact is, she’s got the job and will be representing us in future. The better she does it, the better for the country.
I think that she looks very thin. Remember that the camera adds ten pounds. I wonder what she eats at those “lavish dinners” — parsley and a glass of water?
Oh yeah, she’s still very, very thin. But she doesn’t look like she is unquestionably ill anymore, just actress/model thin.
I winced when I saw photos of her in the US last year because there’s no way someone can look that way and be healthy, just none. Now she’s back to how she looked when they got engaged, IMO.
totally agree with everything you said kate. i tend to have the same opinion as you a lot of the time lol like your name too 🙂
p.s. when i find heals that are actually comfortable to stand in all night, i buy more than one in different colours. I’m not surprised that she sticks to what works for her feet.
I think she looks great too, LAK. Very Duchess-ey.
I like the whole look. The shoes may be boring, but they go with the dress. She looks really nice.
Her makeup is getting better… is someone else doing it or has she got lessons?
Apparently she has lessons from Bobbi Brown!
She looks like she is in her late 30s
Her outfit is beautiful, I’ll give her that. She kind of toned down the eyeliner on the lower lashline and the eyeshadow doesn’t look like she rubbed it on with a towel. I just can’t get over her skin tone though, it looks so bad and damaged. Love her hair. Probably my favorite outfit of Waity. Maybe because the dress doesn’t look cheap.
I think she looks beautiful. Classy, elegant, young, lovely.
Also, I know I am DEFINITELY the minority, but I don’t think she wears too much eyeliner. I think the eyeliner’s perfect, and that she wears too much mascara.
I love that dress.
MrsM: Oi, Cath, you look right regal in that frock! It’s just super with my shoes! But, darling, that hair! What does Mumsy always tell you?
DKat: …”you can’t catch or keep a man with a bun”….I know, Mummy, but you don’t understand, they say everyone hates my Curls’o’Love!
MrsM: Nonsense! Who shagged a top Prince, and who didn’t, eh? Tell them Mr. Laughly is never wrong – he did everyone’s hair in the village for the fete! Pips refuses to go to him and look what’s happened to her, that flat ironing board working girl mess, she’ll be lucky to catch an Arsenal player. Well, never mind, I’ll see you tomorrow.
DKat: Tomorrow, Mummy? I don’t have a string on my finger for that?
MrsM: Oh, my darling empty walnut! Remember, tomorrow we’re having our lips tattooed! You’ll adore it! They look really lifelike and you’ll be able to snog as many of those dignitaries as you need to without a muss!
DKat: Tee hee, even HarryBear!? Oh I say! I have the tingles!
MrsM: Oh, that’s my funny clever girl! Yes, even him, and even film stars! I say, can you see about that Twilight boy for your sister, she’s hopeless.
DKat; Okay, Mummy, whatever you say. Ouch! I must have 100 pins in my hair. But you can’t see my scar, I think. Mummy, what was my scar for again?
MrsM: Never you mind, pet, it all worked out fine. Remember, sweet, you’re a party piece! Head up!
DKat: Yes, Mummy! I really must go now, there’s a nice old gent in a necklace here for me! Ta!
MrsM: Ta! Don’t forget, try not to smirk, people are watching, there’s a good girl! You’re a stunner, even with that extra pesky pound!
DKat: oh, Mummy! I’m sorry!
MrsM: Never mind, there you go! Be grand for England!
“Who shagged a top prince” I think she really does say that to herself 🙂
LOL ~ thanks for that!
Hilarious, Liberty! “My darling empty walnut”! Please keep these up. I really laughed out loud a couple of times. 😀
I think she looks lovely, very elegant like a princess!
The hair, the dress, the shoes – 100% yes! She looks fabulous. Now, teach her to do her make up.
She looks beautiful here. I know I am in the minority, but I wish she had worn her hair down. Long hair is beautiful and should be shown off!
She is a better looking copy of Wallis Simpson until today hated in Great Britain:)
her skin looks really old. i mean, she is 30 years old and look at her arms and her neck when she is speaking and laughing….horrible abd so many dark spots. she must be using the solarium regularly. otherwise she wouldn’t have such an old-looking and nearly ruined skin type.
Could we please talk about the anorexia issue? Like Beyonce baby bump says, she sure looks skinny, particularly in the frontal shot.
She looks the best I’ve ever seen her other then at her wedding. She needs to cut her hair into layers and style it. She looks great here.
I think she looks great here. I don’t love the dress, but I think she looks fabulous in it. I do love the hair and the earings. She looks quite elegant.
I believe we are all just going to have to come to terms with the eyeliner. It is not going anywhere. Let’s just suck it up and look past it already.
I love her style. I think she’s a bit too thin but eh with her schedule and pressure i understand it
Schedule??? we are talking about waity here, aren’t we?
LOL LAK, it looks like Waity and her PR has fooled some people 😉
Her waist is amazing to me.
Would have much preferred some bright (hot pink, blue or yellow) pointed stillies rather than those beige nightmares. And I’m actually not sure about the hair – I preferred the updo she wore with that jade monstrosity. But overall, MUCH better. I’m not sure exactly what she DID at the event, but I guess that’s asking for too much.
And yet i see more pics of her at the Olympics today with her hair perfectly blown out again. Does this woman ever do ANYTHING other than go to the salon & practice her fake laughs in the mirror?
I saw the photos from today as well, and Kate can’t seem to step out of the house without spending 3 hours on her hair and makeup. I doubt she simply brushed her hair and the curls appeared on their own:
http://imgbox.com/abpSidLl
http://imgbox.com/acqiW7ZT
Her makeup today is too thick for a daytime event, and she was only there as a spectator. She looks too made-up, even when the situation doesn’t call for it.
The York girls were also there, and they looked natural with minimal makeup and Beatrice even had messy hair. They were there to cheer on their cousin, and they looked like they couldn’t care less whether they looked perfect or not.
The only times I’ve seen Kate look natural were when she thought there were no cameras around and she had her hair in a ponytail and had little makeup on. Once she knows the cameras will be rolling, she puts on 3 layers of makeup and have her hair blown-out.
She looks good… but she looks like a 45 year old who looks great. Doesn’t she look a good 10-15 years old than she is?
I really agree with you, AmandaPanda.
I think this updo ages her, she looks about 45 in these photos. Also, what’s with the exposed bobby pins in the back?
With that neutral dress, some shoes with pizazz would have been nice. Instead we see these plain old boring LK Bennetts. Hopefully while she’s in the salon getting her sausage curls reinstated, she also got a much needed pedicure!
Look at this photo and were Kate has her hand! 😀
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/prinz-william-prinz-harry-und-kate-middleton-treten-als-trio-auf-fotostrecke-85528-3.html
Kind of a Grecian thing going-nice change for her!
I would kill for her calves. They’re so frickin’ shapely…she won the genetic lottery with those things. No matter how many calf raises I did (when I actually used to work out), I could never get any shape or curve to mine. I’m very, very jealous. 🙁
Hate the dress; hate the earrings; her face looks orange. Her hair is OK but not great. The eyeliner is fine.
she looks gorgeous! Look at those legs!
I LOVE this dress soooo much!!! I’ve been waiting for this repeat. So nice to see her hair pulled back too. Whoever managed to talk her into pulling the hair back AND to not wear her nude L K Bennett sledge pumps should get a special gold star.
I’m not in love with the earrings but they are okay. But I bet the main reason she is wearing them is because they are RINGS and its the Olympics. Get it?! Olympic rings!!!!
She looks lovely.
What a difference an updo makes.
The dress is beautiful, and it looks more elegant and sophisticated this time around.
With her hair in those big curls, the outfit looked cheap the first time she wore it.
The hairstyle is a bit matronly, but somehow the whole outfit is cohesive and everything works for her.
Her makeup still needs improvement, but it’s obvious someone did it for her for this event. It looks much better than her makeup in previous outings.
Except for the orange skin, she looks very pretty.
they are reeeeelly determined to turn her into a ‘good-lookin’ 50 yr old,
aren’t they? 🙄
I really love her like this.
Sidenote: her face is too orange for me, but she is supercute.
As usual, absolutely gorgeous.
Wow, for once I actually like her outfit and hair. I wish she would wear it up more often. Old fashioned, maybe. But it looks great.
Her dresses are to die for.
I love her style, jewelry and hair (so classic), but she needs to stop tanning.
Seriously, this is aging her and a bit cheapening of her look.
Love her hair — except please lose the Bump-It next time. It cheapens the look. Love the dress, except it’s a bit too narrow in the thighs. Waity has such bulging thighs! Dislike the fake tan — it’s overdone. Overall, though, she gets good marks for this more demure look. She’s so hit-and-miss with her fashion efforts, though. I’m just waiting for the next major faux pas.
Damn! Now she looks like a future Queen!
Her hairstylist should be fired for allowing her to leave the palace with visible pins. It looks more like Kate did it herself than paid hundreds of pounds for someone else to do it for her. Her makeup is fug but I too loved this dress last year, so whatever.
I will say that I think this is the least bad she has looked since marrying into the royal family. I dig her hair styled that way, and I like the earrings very much. But there’s something about her that cheapens everything she puts on, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
Despite what appear to be her best efforts, she always looks like a dude in drag to me. Three cheers for Duchess Dude! *hoists glass*
I apologize for sounding mean,but she is a princess (actually a duchness, no?) – “stillies” and ultra-high, strappy heels would be inappropriate for an event such as this one. And again, proper hosiery is part of the package. She is a lady and is setting an example of royalty, not a Kartrashian. And yes, the eyeliner has to lightened up a bit. She’ll catch on I think!
I think she looks beautiful and elegant and yes, royal. I love everything she is wearing.
But in that fifth picture she looks like a wax figure.
As usual, she looks “nice”. No wow factor whatsoever.
Lovely. The shoes are a little “meh” but the rest is gorgeous.
She looks very classy, very Princess Grace.
She’s so… her style… is so…… boring. I would always and still get exited when I see Diana’s fashion and her radiance.
Kate? … just 😐
I’m not expecting there to be a comparison but for all the coverage she gets, I certainly dont see the reason! Diana got coverage becausae she earned it, kate is just getting coverage because she was the next to fill that role….
Ok, now that hair is getting better, can we talk about her insane use of blusher?
Duchess Duck-Face is too damned skinny … and those are ugly shoes … I’m sick of her …
Just perfect!
You’re totally right, her hair looks WAY better put up. This style is especially flattering. It’s probably the prettiest and most sophisticated I’ve ever seen Kate. She should go for this style more often.
Those sausage curls are horrible.
The dress is just MEH.
The upper part has potential, but the lower part is totally wrong.
I do like how SHE looks, though.