Duchess Kate repeats a black lace Temperley gown: ‘thrifty’ or boring?

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You know how I approved of Duchess Kate’s repeat of that cream Roland Mouret gown last week? It’s true, I liked that repeat because Kate made the effort to switch up her styling and she repeated the gown for a different kind of event. The first time she wore the Mouret, she was going to a private dinner, and then she repeated it for a film premiere more than a year later. Plus. I just really liked the gown. It’s a great dress.

So how do I feel about these photos, showing Kate repeating yet another gown from 2012? Eh. She originally wore this lace Alice Temperley gown in January 2012 to the royal premiere of War Horse. And here she is last night at the royal premiere of David Attenborough’s Alive 3D. See, she repeated the dress at yet another film premiere. And she styled it nearly the same way too – hair down, one bracelet, sapphire ring, etc. The only difference is that last year she had sausage curls and nowadays, she’s in the process of weaning herself off of those bouncy curls. So, basically, it’s like we’re just looking at photos from last year. It’s boring. We all know she has new dresses and gowns in her closet too, the jig is up! She just wants the image of “thrift.” Plus, after such a high-profile repeat last week, why do it again this week?

Here’s the one theory I have – this was a way of giving Alice Temperley a “gift” after Alice kept on message during an interview this week. Temperley told The Telegraph: “The Duchess is an inspiration. She’s very graceful, gracious and she’s a brilliant ambassador for British fashion. She mixes up designer and high street; the perfect modern-day woman.” And so to pay Temperley back for those quotes, Kate pulled out this lace gown.

This was actually the second outing for Will and Kate yesterday – earlier in the day, they stopped by the South African embassy in London to sign the condolence book for Nelson Mandela. You can see the photos here – she wore something new for that outing, a polka-dotted suit. The skirt was an appropriate length too, amazingly enough.

PS… I’ve sort of given up on Wiglet Spotting for Kate because sometimes I really can’t tell if she’s wearing weaves or pieces or if she’s just gotten a really good blowout. But in these photos… I’d say she’s wearing a weave or something. Her “hair” looks crazy-thick.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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108 Responses to “Duchess Kate repeats a black lace Temperley gown: ‘thrifty’ or boring?”

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  1. Tessa says:

    I wish she would do more with her hair. It’s so boring.

    • Egg dart says:

      It is refreshing to see repeats on a wealthy famous women. I hope she keeps it up. And who cares if her hair is fake or real!? She looks happy. I love this site but it is a bit too much sometimes. Kate seems genuine. Leave her repeats alone!!!

      • aquarius64 says:

        I have no issues with her repeating outfits. She would have been torn apart if she have worn a different expensive outfit everyday, royal or not. Especially during tough economic times.

  2. Anna says:

    I think she has a hair piece in. Even though her hair is straight theres a huge lump at the lump at the back which is kind of the effect you get when you wear a weave that isn’t putt in well

    • Audrey says:

      I don’t know. She ended her part a bit short which could explain the bump. But I’m always biased cause I have super thick hair and hate being accused of having a weave.

      I don’t care about the repeat because it’s just so nice to see her hair without curls!!!!

  3. rianic says:

    I’m a Kate fan so I don’t say this to snark. However, maybe she’s wearing these bc she’s glad to be back in pre pregnancy clothes.

    • Gabrielle says:

      This^^ I had a baby 3 months ago and I love finally fitting into my clothes again. It almost feels better than wearing new clothes.
      She has to show us her bouceback this way, as the queen would probably not be happy if she tweeted a bikini selfie.

    • Prettytarheelfan says:

      Amen! It has taken me forever (2.5 yrs, Maria Kang would not approve), but I am finally back in my pre-baby suits. I love them soooo much!!! [side note: do not, I repeat, do not, take a promotion, sell a house, have a baby, move 5 hours from your entire support network, buy a house, have your hubby change jobs, and live in the food capital of the South. It is a poor recipe for weight loss and stress management.]

    • Skesis says:

      I had the same thought. I haven’t ever been pregnant, but my weight fluctuates, and I LOVE when I fit in my 0-2 items. I’ll wear them forever.

    • LadySlippers says:

      In all honesty, being excited to fit into ‘normal’ clothes is probably exactly what she’s feeling and why she’s repeating stuff. Once you can fit back into them — you kinda want to shout it to the whole world… Lol. Totally normal.

      • Lila says:

        I thought she already took care of showing us she was back in shape- she played volleyball in jeans, wedges and a hip length top that flew up, as shirts like that do, when she raised her arms up and jumped up and down. Any girl who has ever worn jeans and a shirt like that knows it will flash your stomach so I assumed she intended for it to when she chose that outfit to play volleyball for the cameras. Her body looked awesome and that was at least a month ago.

        I think she repeats things because it’s safe. If it went over well the first time, why not wear it again? Plus there is the added bonus of a media friendly appearance as thrifty. I think Kate pushes boundaries when she can be as innocuous as possible, like refusing to weight her skirts so that wind always results in ‘sexy’ look how great Kate’s body is articles, but most of the time, she tries so hard to be the perfect pretty princess who never puts a foot wrong that she becomes dull.

      • Florc says:

        I don’t know… She wore a lot of normal clothes during her pregnancy. Magazines had to expand her bump size because it was so small and until the very end she put on very little weight. It’s normal, but he didn’t look to have put on more than 10lbs tops!

      • LadySlippers says:

        Florc, I think they photoshopped her bump for drama and sales.

        Lila, you hoot-n-holler about your new reduced size for a few weeks if not longer. Especially when getting all gussied up. I’m just guessing here so just throwing out ideas.

  4. Dani2 says:

    I like her but I feel like the majority of her fashion choices are really boring. I know she’s royalty and not some attention-thirsty celeb but I feel like she could definitely look more her age and look classic without being so boring. That white gown she wore recently is a good example of how she can keep things fresh and still be classy.

    • LadySlippers says:

      Dani2, this is prob one of my least favourite gowns too. I really dislike it (not sure why).

      I agree that she needs to do something to keep her look fresh.

  5. Esti says:

    This is one of my favorites among her dresses, so I have no problem with her repeating it. And while you’re right that she could have changed up the styling, I think it’s hilarious that you threw “sapphire ring” in there as something she repeated–you mean her engagement ring, which, like most women, she wears with everything?

    Apparently the polka dot suit was also a repeat, it just hasn’t been seen for several years. I had never seen it before, but I think it’s fabulous and would very much like to steal it for my work wardrobe.

    • LadySlippers says:

      Yay, this dress is so not a favourite! Lol But different strokes for different folks. 🙂

  6. Anna says:

    Boring bc it wasnt all that fun the first two times either. And bc she just did a repeat of that white dress. AND ESPECIALLY bc we werent allowed a look of the only new glam outfit lately – the light blue gala gown and tiara.

    • KromBoom says:

      Yes, boring. And no, she isn’t thrifty.

      Thrifty is cutting back on expensive holidays and giving more of her time to charity.

      • Virgilia Coriolanus says:

        Yeah, she still goes shopping all the time, doesn’t she? She’s just trying to look like she’s thrifty, when she’s not. What does she do with all the clothes that she doesn’t wear to her charity galas and events? Look at them?

      • Green Girl says:

        I’ve been wondering the same thing!

      • Snarkweek says:

        Although I do get your drift I do not see how shopping and charity work equal thriftiness. I believe she shops because it is fun and therapeutic. That doesn’t necessarily mean she is blowing lots and lots of cash on big ticket items. My best friend can spend all day shopping and spend less than $200. She is just buying things like jeans, sweaters, household goods etc. It is blowing off steam shopping not necessarily luxury shopping. Kate and her mother and sister used to actually swap outfits so they could get the most bang for their buck. I think that is pretty cool although I do not kid myself that Kate does not buy nice things. I think like with most things in life the truth is always somewhere in the middle. If she repeats outfits people will say that she’s trying to fool the public into thinking that she is thrifty. If she does not people will say this is extravagant and wasting money on to me glamorous clothes. What are you going to do?

  7. BeckyR says:

    She always looks appropriate. So what if she wears clothes multiple times? Most of us do. Would you have her coming across as a preening fashionista who never wears the same thing twice? My guess is that she is a jeans and sweater girl at heart. I find her attitude charming!

    • Green Girl says:

      Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t care if she wore (and rewore) a flattering outfit every day of the week. But I haaate this Temperley dress, as it looks like an old-fashioned dress for mourning. Of all the outfits in her closet, why this one?

  8. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I love this dress and am glad she wore it again. Agree that she could have worn her hair up or otherwise changed the styling. I don’t think she can win on this issue. She’ll be criticized for buying too many clothes if she doesn’t repeat, and for being boring if she does.

    • Decloo says:

      I don’t usually like lace but this dress looks so beautiful on her. I agree that she should freshen up the styling and maybe make the whole look less old-fashioned by adding some cool enormous necklace or earrings or her hair up in some unusual way. I wonder how conservative she is told to appear?

    • LadySlippers says:

      I do agree she’s in a tough spot. Unlike you, I really dislike the dress. But she really should try and style it differently.

      Unless she’s doing what other celebs do which is repeat outfits with very little variation in order to decrease interest (supposedly).

      As for being told, they have guidelines but no one is told beyond guidelines (not sure how strict protocol is now — it looks as if it’s the same as dress etiquette others follow).

      I’ve also seen quotes attributed to Kate where she has said she’s just not that into fashion. That might be true since she really prefers more plain stuff.

  9. Jules says:

    Everything about these 2 are boring. She is not Diana and she will never be.

    • taxi says:

      Thank goodness! Who’d want to be the neurotic mess that Diana was?

      • Anon says:

        How much did Diana spend on clothes? (in today’s economy dollars)

      • Florc says:

        Diana could spend with the best of them. Her clothes ran from simple and practical to $$$$! Her clothes were never really a topic of discussion because she worked for charities and causes that were groundbreaking for the times. She gave the people serious topics to focus on. Landmines and holding HIV+ children for a few. Kate gives us clothes, hair, her shopping habits. I bet Diana could shop Kate under the table.

      • Maggie says:

        Florc at the beginning it was all about Diana’s clothes.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Diana was both blasted AND praised for her clothes. During an opening of parliament she changed her hairstyle (typical for women) and caused an uproar because it looked like she tried to upstage the Queen. She wasn’t but that didn’t matter as people were way more interested in Diana’s clothes than what she did. Diana couldn’t win for nothin’.

      • Florc says:

        Talk about a merry rewriting of history! It’s possible I wasn’t even alive for that. I’m between William and Harry for age. Thanks for the info.
        I knew Diana was not deprived as a youth so spending up a storm wasn’t out of the norm for her. And looking back now the 80’s wasn’t that fashionable imo.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Florc: Revisionist history is always at work. Diana and Sarah felt the sting of bad press long before this group of Royals.

        ETA: I don’t think Diana’s background played into it. In the 80’s she was expected to look a certain way — that was the expectation.

        And FYI Diana also reused dresses and often had them styled/tailored differently with each go around to make the most use out of each dress.

    • Deedee says:

      Diana also did tons more engagements and made speeches and worked much harder in general, so she needed a bigger working wardrobe. She was also married to the heir to the throne (and not the heir to the heir), so expectations were higher. She rose to those expectations and wore appropriate attire. After this tiny flurry of activity, it’s my guess that Willnot and Kannot are busy packing for holiday travel (Mustique, perhaps?) as we speak.

      • LadySlippers says:

        I think it also reflects the times. The 80’s were all about glitz and glam and with the world’s economy being down — it isn’t quite as fashionable to have a closet bursting with new (expensive) clothes. I think that plays into everyone’s perceptions.

      • Florc says:

        Mustique is January I think. Right?

      • LadySlippers says:

        Florc: Yes, I do believe that is been the trend.

  10. Barrett says:

    This gets ridiculous. Yes she has access to tons of clothes, but even if I was rich I would be sad not to repeat a favorite dress hanging in my closet. I actually think its cool.

  11. L says:

    It wasn’t just ‘last year’. It’s been nearly 2 years (jan 12 to dec 13) and it’s still to soon? The complaints about that picnic dress see wore a month apart makes sense, but this just seems silly. 2 years is a plenty big gap for evening wear.

    • Jessica says:

      This is the THIRD repeat for the dress, she wore it in Jan 2012, Oct 2012, and now Dec 2013. So yeah, it hasn’t been almost two years, it’s been a year since the last time we saw this dress.

  12. Jacqueline says:

    Is someone actually standing there, smoking?? Does she always walk like a nutcracker?? Is she being sworn in? Lol So many questions…

    • vava says:

      LOL. she does look like a nutcracker.

    • CatJ says:

      I Just got back from a visit to London, and I was shocked at how many people
      smoke in the street. Crowds of them outside hotel ballrooms, in their blacktie finery, puffing away as we tried to walk by, and not inhale. At the pubs, half of the patrons, at any one time are outside smoking. I live in a cold Canadian city, so, don’t see people congregating outside
      establishments to smoke, but, I swear the percentage of smokers in London is at very high levels.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Japan is the same way. Smoke and smokers everywhere. It’s weird after getting used to the luxury of smoke-free places.

      • bluhare says:

        Better in the street instead of next to me while I’m eating.

      • Lizzie says:

        People are not allowed to smoke inside (restaurants, cinemas etc etc) so when they want to smoke (filthy habit IMO) they have to go outside.

  13. Jen says:

    It’s weird that people care so much about her repeating outfits. Damned it she does, damned if she doesn’t.

    Not only does she have to repeat outfits, but she has to do it on some sort of schedule?

  14. Grace Under Pressure says:

    I think she wore the same gown to the same type of event (movie premier) to make the pictures less valuable and less circulated. Think about it. She’s practically devoid of personality, all the press can comment on is her clothes and hair. So if she doesn’t wear a new dress, there is no story except that of the thrifty duchess. If she wears a new dress, then the cost of each item is broken down for public consumption. Kate especially got quite a bit of grief last year after she spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on her expensive wardrobe and in return performed very little royal work.

    Its very clever PR to use her only form of speech (her clothes) to highlight certain events and appearances and downplay others. She’s downplaying the movie premiers and playing up the charitable appearances where she’s wearing new pieces.

    The fact that Kate & William consider it part of their job to attend glamourous movie premiers is absurd. Yet, they will both include this event in their “royal calendars” as a royal appearance for the benefit of Crown & Country.

    • Snarkweek says:

      I can certainly see how you would form this opinion, but iamb of the firm feeling that the queen completely condones the way William and Kate are living their lives. Not to mention Charles. This couple is doing what is expected of them by the Royal family. It will be so many years before William is king that no one in the royal family really see the point of a flurry of official looking activity at this point. The queen want William and Kate to be happy and raise a family. The official duties will always be there. This is just my opinion but if you read anything about the queens on personal history, especially the early years of her marriage to Philip you will understand what I am saying. sorry for all the typos but I use Siri for dictation and sometimes she just doesn’t know what in the hell she is doing.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Really? HM keeps her opinions firmly in check and even when she disagrees often allows people (including her family) to live their own life. It’s only on the really big stuff does she offer an opinion or encourage people to do something. Now the courtiers and Philip are known for making their feelings known but not HM.

      • Snarkweek says:

        Yes I really believe this. And like I said it’s only a feeling or a personal belief. However, if you look at the things that the queen has done for William and Kate you do get a sense that she likes them as a couple. She’s been very generous with them. Not to mention the fact that Charles has a good relationship with his mother and he also has been supportive and generous with William and Kate. I also see a lot of similarities between William and Kate and the queen and Philip in the early years. I can’t help but think that the similarities are not lost on the queen. She’s very astute and a keen observer. I have also read that she actually follows the press and media about the royal family, and not just official outlets but the daily mail and the tabloids as well. But again, just my opinion.

      • LadySlippers says:

        But how can you say she likes them? Based on what? What she’s done for them is not any different than what she’s done for her other children. So I’m stumped on how you see this.

        Plus, HM and Charles are not that close. HM is much closer to Andrew and Edward than Charles. OTOH, Anne seems closer to her father.

        Although I do agree that she’s a keen and astute observer but that doesn’t mean anything other than that. She really tries to give her family as much freedom as she can since it already comes with so many limitations.

      • Snarkweek says:

        I stated that I feel Charles has a good relationship with his mother, not a close one. The queen is quite find of Andrew to be honest. Charles and Andrew do not really get along for that reason. I think they have a good relationship because they both understand the importance of providing a solid foundation for the monarchy. They both believe Hardwork, duty and responsibility. Are the keys to keeping the monarchy intact for the future.
        Again, these are just my opinions. The queen gave Kate permission to use furniture antiques to decorate their residence with and supposedly like the ideas that Kate came up with. She also seems to give them more opportunities to pick the best residences I suppose because William is in line for the throne. I have always read that Harry and Zara were her favorite grand children and maybe she does as much for them but it is not really presented to the public.
        And again there are a lot of similarities between William and Kate and Elizabeth and Philip when they first got married. It is not impossible to think that the queen thanks back on those days and realizes that William and Kate will be happier then she found herself to be at times if they have more room to grow and improve as a couple and as a new family.
        Who can possibly know what she thinks? Opinions, people, just opinions.

  15. Darlene says:

    I believe all her hair is her own.

    All the hair I have on my head will fit into a ponytail about the size of my thumb – very thin, very fine; however, I went to college with a girl who would lift the top half of her hair into a ponytail and then shave to the skin all the hair beneath from the pony to the neck/behind the ears, etc and she still had enough hair to make a tail thicker than my wrist. It’s unfair. !! Some people just have “crazy thick” hair.

    • Deedee says:

      Definitely extensions. If you look at photo closeups of her part, you can see where the hair is stitched in. And that weird “bump” at the back of her head suddenly appeared between two of her engagements.

    • Florc says:

      If you look at pictures of her throughout the years in order her hair was quite thin and frizzy early on. During the engagement her hair tripled in size. Pregnancy it decreased. Not to mention a few pictures where her wig slipped into a crooked position.
      You may have naturally thick hair, but she did not. It’s not a bad thing to have weaves, wiglets, extensions. The discussion is not meant to shame her. It’s just not her hair.

    • LadySlippers says:

      I used to have the super duper thick hair and no one ever thought it was fake. And the amount in your pony tail wouldn’t change day-to-day. My hair has thinned some due to stress and age — but that makes sense. When her hair changed it went from fairly thin to super thick and it’s much harder to do that without a lot of help from ‘friends’. (Hey I love my hair stylist! No quotes needed)

  16. Mom says:

    The future Queen of England’s dress is perfect! She is a young wife and a new mother. Whatever she does with herself, is fine with me. Grey hair included. Why is her hand resting on her tummy?

    • Jessica says:

      “Why is her hand resting on her tummy?”

      Because her hands ALWAYS rest on her tummy. Seriously, check the archives, Kate always puts her hands next to her stomach.

    • Florc says:

      Queen Consort. Big difference.

      She is figity and needs to keep her hands in check. It’s a public speaking trick. If she’s not holding a clutch or her stomach she’s tugging at her hair or making ott hand gestures.
      I have my own theory she has trichotillomania which is why she’s always tugging at her hair.

      • LadySlippers says:

        FYI the titles really aren’t that different.

        ETA: to the general public. She’ll still be Queen Catherine of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

        (Assuming the title stays the same, William ascends, and/or they have a monarchy at all).

      • bluhare says:

        The titles aren’t that different but the power certainly is.

      • Florc says:

        Power. Thank you. That’s pretty much the point I was trying to get across with a title correction. That and should they divorce William will still be King and Kate will not be Queen of any sort. Or existence of monarchy I guess. Wasn’t thinking that grand, but yea.
        At the rate these royal genes keep you alive we’ll see.

    • LadySlippers says:

      Pet Peeve Alert: There is NO Queen of England currently.

      The last Queen of England and Scotland (people always forget Scotland) was a Queen Regnant named Anne. Anne became the first Queen of Great Britian when they created the United Kingdoms (from Scotland and England).

      The current title of HM is: Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. See it combined all the geographical markers (UK & GB) and provides the template for the name of United States of America.

      *step off soapbox*

      Feel free to return to your regularly scheduled programming.

      😉

  17. Jessica says:

    The polka dot suit is not new, it’s a repeat from before she was married.

    I honestly couldn’t tell these pictures a part from the last two times she wore this dress. Repeats are fine, but at least change up the styling. And this is the third time she’s worn it: Jan 2012, Oct 2012, Dec 2013.

    • MavenTheFirst says:

      Who cares how many times or how she wore what she wore. How sad is it that that’s all we will ever discuss about her.

    • CuriousCole says:

      +1 !
      I don’t care about “recycling” gowns, as long as they’re spaced apart properly, but for the love of everything holy, do something with your hair Kate! We’ve seen pictures of her with up-dos, we know it’s possible, and throw us a jeweled bone every now and then.

  18. GrahamFan says:

    With the styling, she manages to make the dress a bit plain and boring. It’s a sad thought considering the dress is actually glamorous and would look fabulous if someone with more character wore it – like Helen Mirren, or heck, even Hillary Clinton.

    On another thought, I wish she would do more than just show up to an event and look pretty. I don’t really seek out news about her but all I hear about is what she wore. Giving a speech or writing about the charity she’s supporting would help bring the focus back to these institutions and what they do.

    • Florc says:

      Even when she does do a charity event and does give a speech she wears something inappropriate and the article is all about her hair or makeup.
      Of course, to be fair she has done some charity visits where she’s been dressed very well, but it wasn’t covered well in the press.
      I almost want to argue in favor of Kate. That she dresses poorly so the press does cover her visit, but it’s just not the case.
      The press should be more blame than they do.

    • wolfpup says:

      As long as the charities are pulling in money…who can complain?

  19. Anna says:

    Boring as FACK

  20. The Original Mia says:

    Dull dolly dress.

  21. Xantha says:

    “Thrifty Kate strikes again!” Yeah I’m with you Kaiser it’s just PR at this point. She shops a lot and leads a typical luxurious rich person lifestyle. Is it really thrifty to repeat a dress but go on vacations that cost what many people make in a year?

    • Snarkweek says:

      But being thrifty is relative. I’m sure that what we, the commenters on the site, spend on beauty products, Starbucks coffee, magazines, perfume etc. would not be considered thrifty compared to what a lower class or working-class family would spend. Maybe they are thrifty compared to other multimillionaires. I am just saying that it is ridiculous to think that a prints and the grandson of a queen and his wife who is the daughter of millionaires should have to pretend to be thrifty in order to make the public happy. Maybe they are thrifty in some ways but they also have a life to lead. And the life they lead is far more luxurious than our own. People should just deal with it.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Not true.

        The Royal Family depend in the goodwill of the UK and the entire Commonwealth. During this tough economy, all the Royals were told not to look extravagant in order for the Family to appear as if they could understand their subjects’ plights.

        Now they have to be able to withstand some criticism but looking uber wealthy while people starve is not good PR.

      • Snarkweek says:

        But the queen and Prince Charles condoned the expensive renovations after George was born. It seemed as if no expense was spared and I truly don’t think they care how it looks that they spend so much money. I think they should, of course, but I’m not sure that they do.

      • bluhare says:

        I agree and disagree, Snarkweek. On the one hand, yes they’re fabulously wealthy, they’re senior royals and they’ve got a lot of money to throw around. On the other hand, do you remember the flak Kate got when she wore an expensive Alexander McQueen dress to visit riot victims? She got a LOT. Things have really changed since the Queen Mother went to the east end of London in WWII.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Those renovations were planned long before George and were going to cost and arm and a leg no matter what. Plus. It had to get approval from more than just Charles and HM.

        No, they’ve been told to not be extravagant and needed renovations aren’t in that equation. They retired the Royal yacht and lessened the use of private transportation to tighten the belt, among other things. They absolutely need to be in tune with the British people and the people of the Commonwealth in order to keep the monarchy in place.

      • Snarkweek says:

        Well ladies I suppose I see your point but I still firmly believe that a lot of these concessions are cosmetic. The Royals are fabulously wealthy and they have no interest in downsizing their lifestyle. When they do it is only for public consumption, I believe. I know that there were planned renovations to Kensington Palace but a lot of money was spent renovating the home of Kates parents, ostensibly to provide more comfort and security for the couple and the new baby. They were only there for about two months yet Kates parents get to enjoy the renovations indefinitely. A lot of money was also spent to renovate other homes for William and Kate. Charles is footing the bill for a lot of this but a lot of it also comes from the tax payers. And I also believe that we are told that the royal family is paying for a lot of this but once public attention is elsewhere I think that some of the cost is redirected and re-channeled as official expenditures.
        And as far as the royal family wanting to appear to be sensitive to the economic times in which they live, this has always been a partial truth. It is documented that King George spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate Clarence house for Elizabeth and Philip after their marriage. Many workers were rightfully angered because England was still reeling after the war. There were shortages of almost every commodity you can think of including food, petroleum, building materials etc. But even though people complained the times were a lot different and no one dared to question the monarchy. The royal family advertised itself as living on rations just like the average citizen during the war but stories from palace servants, visitors and other Royal insiders told a far different story, albeit many years later when they could no longer be sanctioned. The royal family dined well and lived extravagantly while many people stood in breadlines and long for the day when they could have sugar, coffee, nylon stockings and other luxuries.
        I could give many other examples of how the Royals say one thing and do another to bolster their public image but there really is no point. I myself do not agree that they should pretend to be like the common man because that is one thing they will never be. I rather believe that a certain level of prestige and glamour is necessary to captivate the public and maintain interest in the monarchy. I think trying to appear to be too common or to sympathize with the common man is a mistake. Why should text dollars be used to support a common family? A little moderation never hurt anyone but I just don’t like the fantasy building. It is a little condescending and altogether hard to swallow. So I say just go for it. Live extravagantly.

      • LadySlippers says:

        Oh I 100% agree that most of their belt tightening is cosmetic and meant only to pacify. Which really cheapens the gesture a lot.

        I do think they should have a budget though and am okay with a more austere RF — just not too austere. Lol. There just needs to be a nice happy medium.

    • Snarkweek says:

      Yes, a happy medium would solve the problem, I think. For example pull back a little when it comes to vacations, shopping, a private lifestyle etc. etc. But when it comes to state functions and charity functions then I think it is okay to ramp up the glamor and bring out those lovely Jules LOL. The public feels invested in this monarchy and they should technically get their moneys worth. That is why the Royal weddings are so popular with the beautiful clothes and jewels etc.

  22. LAK says:

    That hair is definitely not all her own. She has a better stylist who blends it better than the person she had for 2yrs post wedding.

    This addition is like Elle McPherson’s enhanced hair.

  23. Sachi says:

    Boring. Never liked this dress. The stitching is odd with the seams in the front and the side cut off by the belt, and the lace looks cheap.

    That hair will always prevent her from looking polished and pulled together. She doesn’t have to put it up in a chignon or whatever, just push it back behind the ears and straighten it to look sleek and edgy.

    • bluhare says:

      I don’t like it either Sachi. It would have been better with a black lining, not nude. It looks like someone took some lace tablecloths and sewed them together.

      • Sachi says:

        LOL bluhare. The tablecloth part reminds me of the white and peach ones at home and are only used on Easter. 😀

  24. Bianca says:

    Her fashion choices have been seriously boring as of late. I dislike this dress in particular, the pink-ish lining makes it look musty and meh. It probably looks a bit better in person, with all that black lace and everything, but still…no.

  25. nadia says:

    I don’t mind her wearing a repeat if it’s actually a good repeat. This should never be worn again, by anyone.

  26. Louise says:

    Looks like she got botox on her face but she looks good, the hair looks great. It appears to me that the majority of her engagements are gala dinners parties and movie premières, no other royal attends as many as her and they have state dinners.

    • Snarkweek says:

      Until Kate becomes a better public speaker I think it is better that she attends dinners, movie premieres etc. Steak dinners should be left to other members of the royal family with more experience. I think she and William will get there.

  27. Melissa says:

    The dress is cute – KM herself is dull.

  28. Amy says:

    The suit at the Mandela condolence signing is not new, she has worn it and owned it for years. And this is actually the 3rd time she has worn it in public. She also wore it to some dinner thing while visiting her alma mater St. Andrews. I liked it the first time around but now I’m getting Addams family vibe from it.

  29. MavenTheFirst says:

    Intelligence does not shine from the Katester. This is readily apparent at the Mandela condolence signing.

    She is rewearing outfits, I suspect, for 3 possible reasons:

    1. Charles has restricted her spending.
    2. Her PR is trying to project her as a thrifty middle class type, like you and me.
    3. Oh, look! I can fit into the same dresses that I wore pre pregnancy! I am the all powerful Waity.

    To me she just comes across as image centric. Period.

    And the thought that people show deference and respect to this useless piece of work elevated through marriage in these pix makes me gag.

  30. Suze says:

    She has the slimmest hips ever. It’s really amazing. Her figure and hair are so different from when she was the royal girlfriend.

    I’m not crazy about this dress. It seems a bit mature for her – but I always find black lace to be the opposite of youthful.

    As far as “repeats” go, the royal household is trying to be relatable, so I’m sure this plays into that. But even way back in the day Diana repeated clothes. Even the wealthy have to repeat things some times.