Duchess Kate wears a £1,650 Eponine coatdress in London: stunning or blah?

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Here are some photos of the Duchess of Cambridge out and about in North London today. She was visiting the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. It’s nice that she’s starting off the year with some work right away. In years past, Kate has basically extended her Christmas and New Year’s holiday well into February and March, so it’s a pleasant surprise to see her doing back-to-back engagements in the second week of January.

For her work today, Kate chose a £1,650 coatdress by Eponine. This is new, in that she’s never worn this to a public engagement before. I really don’t hate it at all, although I would give my kingdom to see her move towards pencil skirts and separates, because at this point she probably rents an airport hangar to store all of her coats and coatdresses. I love the rich blue color of this Eponine coatdress, and the tailoring is surprisingly good for Kate (okay, the raised waist is annoying me, but what can you do?). I also think she looks a bit “fuller.” Which just makes me wonder if she’s already knocked up again. She has that look in her face too – somewhat barfy, a little bit fuller too. Her shoes are NOT nude LK Bennetts either – those are navy pumps by Rupert Sanderson.

Kate turned 35 years old a few days ago. She reportedly spent her birthday at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, with her family and with a family friend, Sophie Carter. Considering the Middletons went to church with the Queen on Sunday, I would assume that the Middletons were at Anmer Hall to help Kate celebrate her birthday too.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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181 Responses to “Duchess Kate wears a £1,650 Eponine coatdress in London: stunning or blah?”

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  1. K says:

    I love the blue color. But I wish she would stop with the boring belted coatdress!

    • lavins says:

      Kate said today at the center “Parenting is hard.”

      Yes it can be at times, Kate.

      How many nannies , maids, does she have? Her mom does a lot for her too?
      It’s been said George reaches for the nanny first, before either Kate or PW.

      • Kay says:

        Who says that about George? Do you know the cambridges personally, or any of their staff personally, or any of the Middletons personally? Comment all you want on her work ethic, or her role in the monarchy or the role of the monarchy in general, but speculating on her relationship with her child is gross and petty.

      • rory says:

        Good question. Does anyone here know how many nannies they really have?

      • notasugarhere says:

        When he appeared afraid at his sister’s christening, he looked for Nanny Maria. Not mom, not dad. Nanny Maria.

      • Pri says:

        If she said “Parenting is easy because I have a nanny…” then you’d say “How dare she..”

      • Timbuktu says:

        Why would we say “how dare she”?
        If she said “parenting is easy” – people would say “how dare she, she has nannies”.
        But if she actually said “parent is easy for me because I have a nanny, so I will never know quite how hard it can be on other mothers”, I would actually applaud her for being aware of that.

      • LAK says:

        I’ve worked with children on and off for a long time, and with rare exceptions they tend to be comfortable with people, strangers and family alike. For that reason, you can’t presume who they’ve truly bonded with based upon a relatively happy child. Happy children will look bonded with everyone in the room.

        When child is distressed, that’s when you discover their true bond because they seek out that person above all other people around them.

        At the christening, G was fine with Kate and William until he got distressed. The video shows he was searching for nanny maria who was walking behind them. William handled his threatening meltdown very well, but entire time G was looking behind him for nanny maria.

      • Megan says:

        I don’t have kids and I can see that parenting is hard. I honestly don’t know who people do it without dying of worry, frustration, and/or exhaustion. Add in parental mental health issues and it must be an overwhelming and terrifying experience.

        Kate underwhelms with her work, but I do think this is an important issue and I am glad she is bringing attention to it.

      • Nic919 says:

        If she would have said, parenting is hard, especially when you don’t have a nanny like I do, then it would have been the most self aware thing she would have said ever and would show she is aware of her extreme privilege. That will never happen though.

      • Kay says:

        Yea, I still think the speculation about her parental bond with her children, based on those few public examples you all have cited, is still pretty gross. I will admit to being sensitive about this line of criticism though- as i myself am a newish mom to a one year old, who sometimes gets frustrated and looks to his dad or grandparent or daycare teacher (I.e.: anyone in the vicinity who isn’t me) and reaches for them on occasion, and if a complete stranger were to witness that brief moment and judge my bond with my baby, well it would hurt my feelings a little. Parenting is hard enough without the parent-shaming. I’ll have to agree to disagree with you all on this point.

      • Deedee says:

        I don’t judge parenting based on appearances, photographs and short video. What you choose to show may tell a very different story than what goes on at home. Or an editor can easily choose a photo to fit the narrative du jour.
        My only advice to Kate would be to listen more with empathy and speak in fewer generalities. It’s more important for the people she’s visiting to be heard. Tell us about their experiences instead of waiting to jump in with your “I can relate!” comment.

      • lobbit says:

        For heavens sake, even with pro childcare, family, and nannies – parenting IS difficult. I have a very young child who spends 8+ hours a day with childcare professionals – that doesn’t mean that I (or anyone else that relies on professional child care) any less of a parent.

        I agree with Kay: the speculation about George’s bond with his mother is beyond gross. The fact that he and his nanny share a bond does not in any way negate his emotional connection to his parents – to suggest such a thing is ridiculous and cruel.

      • spidey says:

        Perhaps she was acknowledging that parenting was difficult for ordinary folk?

      • notasugarhere says:

        Where is anyone negating him having a bond with the parents? What is being pointed out, which was shown on video, is that in a time of distress he wanted his nanny. His father soothed him, but his instinct was to seek the nanny. Shows a strong bond with the nanny, doesn’t mean there is no bond with the parents. It does, however, negate the idea that the nanny is only around a little bit of the time.

      • lobbit says:

        “Where is anyone negating him having a bond with his parents?”

        I think the “negating” was apparent in the many comments in this thread that suggested and even stated outright that George relies on his nanny for emotional support before that of his parents – an assumption based on a single moment at George’s christening, apparently.

      • notasugarhere says:

        And you’re assuming as well. He sought her, as seen in videos. You can pretend otherwise and make your own assumptions. We all see the same photos and videos, not merely one example, and each draws their own conclusions.

        Like the time she sat there watching her child wander onto a path – where polo ponies came thundering along right after Autumn Philips picked up George and took him to safely while his mother sat there on a hill doing nothing. Or when, at both the hospital and christening, she repeatedly failed to support her daughter’s head properly. I draw conclusions from that too.

      • Lindsey says:

        At a Child Bereavement event? A bit tone deaf. I am sure some of those women desperately wish for those challenges. 🙁

      • A says:

        “George reaches for his nanny first”–That’s not surprising at all. I know lots of children who, having nannies and spending most of the day with them, will reach for them or ask for them first. It’s hurtful for the parents at times, but it’s completely normal actually, and I always chalked it up to a proximity thing. I think Diana complained about this with her nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke as well, that her children were responding to her and seemed to have a better bond with Tiggy than with Diana. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the children grow up with a poor relationship with their parents. There are lots of parents who didn’t have nannies whose children don’t speak to them as well. It’s all relative.

      • Llamas says:

        Wait, NOTA, autumn kelly had to save her kid?!?!

      • lily says:

        Fortunately George has nanny Maria.
        Unfortunately he has Will and Waity as parents

      • AmericanInOz says:

        Do any of you have toddlers? I do. Here’s how it’s going down here currently…My daughter clings to me when it comes to bedtime and screams at the top of her lungs if her father (who has been putting her to bed since she was born) tries to put her down. Although she absolutely loves him when it comes time to go swimming (every evening), play and run around outside.

        Toddlers are the most unpredictable, finicky and bizarre humans in the world. Who cares if he wants his nanny and doesn’t want his mom/dad at that exact moment. Maybe the nanny had been sneaking him lollies or had his snuggy and that’s what he truly wanted.

        Picking apart her parenting is disgusting, especially on the basis of her having nannies. I know plenty of parents who have nannies and parenting is still tough for them.

      • moki says:

        They have 1 nanny.

      • bitchy says:

        I too have a nanny on an occasional basis and my children love her. I basically buy her services for certain days (she works part-time for me and others). But nevertheless my children see me and their father (DH) as their primary attachment figure (= psychological parent).
        I doubt that that is the case with Prince George and Princess Charlotte and Kate. So despite Kate having all the help she could want her children prefer the nanny over their own mother.
        And think about it: Kate doesn’t have to clean nor cook nor wash nor shop. She has help for everything and anything. She does have lots of time
        Cook, Housekeeper, Personal Assistant, Cleaners, Drivers, Dieticians, Stylist and Wardrobe assistant, personal trainer …

        Honestly: in my humble opinion Kate is a bad mother. Children should be raised in a family by their parents (and perhaps other family members). How are George and Charlotte ever supposed to learn what it is like to have a family and have familiar relations when they do primarily rely on their nanny who is paid for her services and who will leave as soon as she is no longer needed?

      • LAK says:

        AmericaninOZ: Your words prove my point. When a child is in distress, they reach for their primary bond. In your case, the child reaches for you at bedtime when they are distressed and refuse , your child seeks for you rather than your husband even though they spend plenty of time together. At other times, when they are happy and life isn’t concerning, they are perfectly happy to be with your husband.

        It’s not a reflection on your husband and he shouldn’t feel slighted if he does. It also doesn’t mean that your husband isn’t bonded to the child. You just happen to be the primary bond.

        A happy child will always be comfortable with any number of people, but when distressed, they seek out their primary bond.

        It’s not as simple as bribing the child with sweets and is an instinctual response.

        I have no idea if Kate and William are good or bad parents, but that video was very revealing as far as primary bonding of the child.

        You may still disagree with my opinion, but it comes from over 20years of childcare at a creche looking after newborns – 3yr old toddlers.

        It’s a truth parents don’t like to acknowledge and yet they get extremely territorial if a child prefers someone other than themselves during moments of distress.

        The good news is that it’s not necessarily a permanent situation. Children are instinctually selfish and always transfer their connection to whomever they feel takes care of them best.

    • lobbit says:

      Yes, we all draw conclusions to support our biases. And I can admit that, I am a mom that is inclined to defend other mothers from criticism, but I’m not pretending at all; In fact, I think I’m being quite realistic when I say that observing one or even a handful of moments between a mother and child will never, ever tell you the true story of their dynamic.

      Parents are sometimes careless, clueless, and distracted, but most of us have good intentions – and I’ve seen that goodwill and care in the little that I’ve seen of Will and Kate’s interactions with their children. Perhaps you haven’t – but, with respect, it’s very easy to miss the good qualities in a parent when you focus so vigilantly on the bad.

      • Anitas says:

        Well said, lobbit. Even if she makes mistakes sometimes – show me a parent who doesn’t? Except most parents don’t have their mishaps splashed all over tabloid covers. To draw conclusions about how much she cares or bonds with her kids is petty and mean. We really don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. But from what I’ve seen she and the kids seem comfortable with each other. Even with all the resources she has available parenting can still be hard. It’s not just about time and money available, but also finding your identity as a parent.

        And this is her quote from that DM article:
        ‘Parenting is tough,’ she said. ‘And with the history and all the things and the experiences you’ve all witnessed, to do that on top of your own anxieties, and the lack of support you also received as mothers…I find it extraordinary how you’ve managed actually. So really well done.’

        I didn’t see that as ‘woe is me’ but a clumsy attempt at acknowledging the women she was talking to.

        I really don’t like her and what she represents, and I do love criticizing her, but to drag her children into it when there are no signs of trouble whatsoever is too much.

      • bitchy says:

        Well, as Prince George doesn’t see his parents as his most important parental figures any more I would say that that is a f*ck ed up situation.

        Yep, parenting is tough. But it ain’t as tough for somebody who can buy and has as many helpers as the Cambridges as it is for Joe and Jane Average who probably work full-time for a mediocre-ly paid job.

        I think I miss that Kate would try to be a good mother at least.
        I like to quote notasugarhere (posting from above:)

        “Like the time she sat there watching her child wander onto a path – where polo ponies came thundering along right after Autumn Philips picked up George and took him to safely while his mother sat there on a hill doing nothing. Or when, at both the hospital and christening, she repeatedly failed to support her daughter’s head properly. I draw conclusions from that too. ”

        If that is true then Kate isn’t even trying. Honestly, how much brains nor parental bonds do you need in order to keep a watchful eye over a toddler during a polo event? Honestly, in all parental preparation classes (pregnancy gymnastics and such) they do always teach the parents how to HOLD THE BABY properly. So if Kate doesn’t even manage that then “disinterest” would be the most friendly judgement.

    • Sonishka says:

      Jesus christ on a bike. Can she stop being so wastefull? Just because her existence is funded by someone else, she doesnt need to buy a new item every.single.time she “does” a bit of work. Cant she have one new winter coat and one new spring coat a year?

      This just drives me mad. She should be an example for young people and inspire them. But She just inspires frivolous life and buys crap that she never wears again. Uuuurgh, at least if she offered these unused clothes in sale for some charities.

      Does Victoria or Mary or Letizia who actually are busy and do a lot for general public buy new clothes for every meaningles outing? By meaningless l mean Kate just appears. Thats all she has to do. No brain work demanded. And i dont buy that she is told not to work. She is just a completelly dull person with no interest to leave a positive mark on this world.

      End of rant.

      • moki says:

        Is this a joke? She’s well known for re-wearing things over and over again in public appearances. For her first 5 years or so of princess-ing she had 2 pairs of shoes. She’s not a spendthrift with clothes, but she does have to get a new coat or shoes eventually.

      • bitchy says:

        @ moki

        She does hardly ever repeat anything but she does always get something new for an event. In 99% of all royal duty events it is new clothes. And it is always expensive clothes and mostly styled rather boring bordering on tasteless.

        She has a lot of shoes. She has several pairs of LK Bennett nude high heels. A lot of boots, too. Wellies for several hundred pounds (what a waste of money, btw.).

      • MostlyMegan says:

        uh she spent over 174,000 GBP just last year on clothes. Not really a spend thrift.

    • vava says:

      I wish she’d stop raising the waistline on these designer coat dresses. The original looks better. Her’s is an empire waist. I think she’s pregnant.

      • bitchy says:

        She has bad proportions: rather long torso and rather short legs in proportion with her overall heigt. Empire waist is supposed to make her legs look longer. Unfortunately she lacks curves and has broad shoulders and empire waist with no hint of hips is unfeminine and the shoulders give it a boyish touch. and to make it worse she styles it that way, too.

        Yep, probably preggers. So she won’t have to do more Royal Duties in the summer and can refuse to move back to London.

  2. MostlyMegan says:

    We need to stop expecting high fashion from KM. She is never going to be that girl. It will be this coat, versions of this coat, jeggings, high waists, buttons and LK nudes forEVER. And yes, defo prego.

    • Hannah says:

      If you want royal high fashion, check Sheikha Mozah. She only wears couture, Chanel, Valentino, Gaultier, and she has an amazing taste.
      I really don’t know why people really care about what Kate wear, she is dull, she could wear the most beautiful haute couture item and would look cheap with the bad make up, the always the same hair and the nude pumps.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I find the way things are altered for Mozah very interesting. I wonder how much input she has in it, or if the designers know her modesty dressing requirements and offer her several altered versions to choose from.

      • Hannah says:

        @notasugarhere I think she ask for the alterations and they make in a way not to change the design too much. And I think she buys the clothes, I’ve read her husband owns a company that owns fashion brands like Valentino, so she can actually choose.

      • LAK says:

        Sheikha Mozah is amazing fashion pron. Considering she dressing for a conservative muslim public whereby everything is completely covered, limbs included, it’s amazing how fashionable and fabulous she is.

        If i have any criticism, it’s the overdone plastic surgery, but that’s a minor quibble given her general fabulousness.

      • Angel says:

        @Hannah no, completely wrong. Her husband nor his family own anything to do with any fashion house.

      • notasugarhere says:

        According to Reuters, the Qatar royal family bought Valentino in 2012. Have they sold it?

      • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

        Sheikha Mozah has amazing fashion, she has class and style something Waity will never ever have.

      • A says:

        Sheikha Mozah & her royal family fund her propensity for fashion by looting Qatar and the Qatari people, especially the minorities and bonded labourers who live in Qatar. If there is ever an example of excess, it’s her, and I personally loathe her tbh. I know lots of people who deserve far greater attention and praise for accommodating their fashion to suit their sensibilities without having millions of dollars and fashion designers and tailors at their disposal.

      • moki says:

        If she did wear absurdly expensive high-fashion she would be endlessly criticized for spending the money and for being vain. She really can’t win either way. Qatar is a totally different mentality. You can go to jail for criticizing the royal family.

      • Tan says:

        There are lots of people with impeccable fashion choice,I refuse to give credit to the heads of families who represent nothing but human rights violations, excessively difficult working conditions for poor migrant workers, restriction of freedom of speech and open recognition and enthusiastic support to islamic militants ( talibans have official centre in doha) who cause most miseries in most of the world.

        I would take someone else and their fashion over these dynastic oppressors.

    • HappyMom says:

      I think she’s waiting until after Pippa’s wedding to get pregnant.

      • LAK says:

        I don’t know. She’s gained weight and her face looks puffy like it was when first pregnancy was announced.

      • Maria says:

        I agree Happy Mom. She will wait until after the wedding, I think. She doesn’t want to be barfing all over the bridesmaids. And I think Pippa will get pregnant right away, and they will be preggies together.
        I see more crotch clutching in those pics.

      • Nic919 says:

        When does the “can’t work because of HG” kick in though? She is not going to suddenly pretend she doesn’t have it. Not when she did allegedly for the other two pregnancies.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Around the 5-6 week mark.

        PGTips? Km’s solo drive to hospital where Tanna was waiting Dec 2-3, birth July 22.

        CC? KM cancelled event for Sept 8th, birth May 2.

      • Beatrice says:

        I vote preggo!

      • Seraphina says:

        LAK, I agree. When I first saw the pictures I immediate thought she may be with child. Which means the poor thing will soon have to go into her confinement period for the awaiting of the next royal baby.

    • Mel M says:

      Agree with everything. Pregnancy announcement coming in 3. . . 2. . .

  3. Lulu says:

    My first thought when I saw these on Daily Fail was oh I wonder if she’s pregnant, I think it’s the bust and face .

    • kcat says:

      I thought the same thing. Just because she doesn’t look as diet coke/pack a day thin as usual.

    • Kay dee says:

      AGREED!
      It also seems like she didn’t over-tailor and rework the proportions of this dress, which is unusual for Kate. She does look…puffy. In all of those places one does when pregnant.

  4. Sarah says:

    That hair… looks like she stole Charlotte’s clips.

  5. Megan says:

    Buttons, belt, weird shoulders. This dress ticks all of Kate’s boxes.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Adding in it is another custom coat dress. 4 buttons not 5, different waist placement, and she managed to flash getting out of the car. Will this ever change?

      • Lorelai says:

        @NOTA I am no Kate apologist and I agree with everything you said in this comment (and usually most everything in general!) but I don’t think we can fairly say that she “flashed” getting out of the car today (unless there are photos I haven’t seen).

        Yes you can see a tiny bit of skin just above her knee, but I don’t know, I can’t see it as flashing.

        The black + white RL houndstooth dress? That was beyond egregious and that dress should be burned.

        But I can’t drag her for it today ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      • notasugarhere says:

        Check for other photos. Tiny bit of flesh above the knee isn’t the same as mid-inner thigh. Point is, a proper dresser (and royal who pays attention), would pay attention to those details and fix them.

  6. JustME says:

    Sorry but Kate looks really old. I know people age and so on but she’s only 35-years-old, if she would tell me she is over 40, I’d believe her.

    • HeidiM says:

      Yes but I think that’s more to do with her styling than anything else. Gawd knows there been plenty of work done on that face but then slaps harsh makeup on top of it.

    • Fallon says:

      She does, and the harsh makeup doesn’t help at all.

    • Maria says:

      I think four inches off her hair and bangs suits her better.

  7. CharlieWaffles says:

    Does Botox cause a puffy face?

  8. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    She’s either pregnant or is trying. Anything to get out of working. Am surprised Carole wasn’t there considering she needs her mother/family to help wipe her butt.

  9. IMO says:

    Horrible makeup, horrible hairstyle.

    The shoes and coat are nice.

  10. MunichGirl says:

    Her face is fuller..

  11. Shambles says:

    For Kate, this is a win.
    Flattering jewel tone, no flyaway skirt, no nude heels, hair halfway back.
    She looks good. And pregnant.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Flashed mid inner thigh getting out of the car and walking, just like in the houndstooth Ralph Lauren dress. The 20-something assistant of hers could have added internal snaps or buttons all the way to the hem to prevent this. Basic, just like hem weights, but that would require attention to detail. KM will waste time and energy getting a custom version with raised waist and fewer buttons, not bother with anti-flashing measures.

      • HK9 says:

        Those 20-something assistants are part of the problem. Having an experienced tailor/seamstress, knowing what ‘tests’ to do when a garment is in motion makes the client look good and gives them the confidence that there won’t be any wardrobe mishaps which I think would make Kate more confident. Kate clutches her bags so tightly it looks like that’s where all her anxiety goes.

      • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

        She’s not the only leg flasher – Pippa was flashing some thigh at the church pap walk, she was wearing quite the short dress under the long coat.

      • Joannie says:

        Ok we get it Nota. She flashed a bit of thigh. OMG!!

      • notasugarhere says:

        6 years in and she’s making the same basic clothing errors.

        “You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice.”

      • Lorelai says:

        @Joannie:

        Maybe take a look at my comment to NOTA above for an example of how to disagree without being so rude

      • Joannie says:

        @Lorelai are you kidding me? Phttt!

      • Kori says:

        I googled Diana+thigh+car and there were a good number of thigh flashing ( and one near biscuit shot) shots and that was in the 90s. And outer thighs, with the shorter dresses/skirts she liked later on in her royal life, even when seated at official engagements in the 90s. Unless we are really close to the full Monty (and I remember some like that with Fergie though she had on underwear) I’m not too upset with it. Cars are tricky with skirts of certain lengths. She is the modern total busted the most though. Diana pointed out as example of experience not necessarily being the reason. But it does still happen with some.

      • LAK says:

        Kori, Diana started dressing sexier, flashing, sky high heels AFTER her separation in 1992. She was a free agent from that moment on and could dress how she liked. You won’t find sexy, flashing tight clothing before 1992. Ditto Fergie before her separation.

  12. Citresse says:

    Clutch-crotch + leg stance open equals more Waity nonsense.

  13. Jane says:

    The long mop on her head looks terrible. It’s really time for a new hair cut.

  14. Rianic says:

    I’m saying pregnant and the barfy-ness was one reason she stayed home for a Christmas.

    • notasugarhere says:

      The staying with the Middletons plan was announced the second week of December. I’m guessing it was in place long before then.

    • Nic919 says:

      She didn’t stay home from Christmas because then she would have been at Anmer and next door to Sandringham. Going to her parents actually meant travelling a distance for the holidays. If she was that sick with HG, she wouldn’t have done it. But then again there were always questions about whether or not she really had HG the other times, because normally HG lasts until the delivery and not just the first trimester as for regular morning sickness.

      If she is pregnant we shall hear shortly so she can take a break from any engagements for the rest of the year.

  15. Anare says:

    She looks pale, puffy and barfy. Either pg or hungover from birthday partying. The coatdress is very nice. It’s not the height of haute couture but she looks appropriate and that’s what matters.

  16. Olga says:

    I hope they don’t expect that the UK citizens will be full of excitement if she’s pregnant again. Most people only cared for George’s birth, Charlotte’s not so much.

  17. seesittellsit says:

    Blah, definitely blah, although of course it’s nicely demure and doesn’t scream money. It looks like something she could have gotten in Talbots. Is Talbots still around?!

  18. trollontheloose says:

    some chipmunk fat around her lips and dimples and what… she lost of the oval face to an round face. the last pic reminds me of brunette Madonna. overall i love this coat.

    • Nic919 says:

      I also saw the Madonna resemblance too. Not a great sign to see that in a 35 year old.

      • trollontheloose says:

        i think it’s the double cheeks.. for her it might be natural but maybe Madonna’s were because of fillers. All this making her lips thinner plus her harsh eye
        liner doesn’t help.

  19. notasugarhere says:

    Well, she showed up for work. Had to have a brand new outfit to do it, because none of her $200,000 worth of clothing from last year would do, but she showed up. Any estimates on how long she was there?

    • LAK says:

      Twitter gives her about an hour and a half.

      As you know, i have a theory about why she stays long at particular engagements that don’t seem to be her particular interest, and i think that theory applies here.

      In this caee, she’s attending an emgagement that is dealing with mental wellbeing of children under 5yrs old. Since she became a mother, she’s been attending these types of engagements in step with the developmental ages of her children. And she always stays several hours for those that have a demonstrative element or talk about how to deal with children. It feels like she’s studying or taking a field trip for a latter personal test.

      I find it curious since she has uber mummy and a norland trained nanny at home to give her advice plus lots of women with similar age children in her circle eg Zara and Trini, but it always feels like she’s seeking knowledge for her own ends.

      And she keeps bringing up ‘support for the mother’ in a way that has echoes of her ‘being looked after’ mantra.

      • notasugarhere says:

        That is a sound theory. When it is personally interesting to her, she can find interest in it and is willing to spend time (child development, yachting). Just like her cousin said. Everyone else is out of luck.

      • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

        I agree that she seems to spend longer at engagements where there are children and/or activities. Its when its only adults that we get the drive by visits.

        We’ll be lucky to see some of her 200K outfits from last year, they were all themed for where ever they were. She has sooo many coatdresses – why does she keep buying them. Me thinks her mother and sister have free reign in her wardrobe and many of the coats/hat the Mids are seen wearing are Kates.

  20. Clare says:

    I think its a beautiful coat/dress in a beautiful colour – but utterly tone deaf for her to be wearing thousands of pounds worth of clothes a week, when the country’s welfare and NHS are in utter dissaray because of funding issues. In the 10 years I have lived in the UK, I have never seen so many homeless people as this winter – and its galling to see these people spending thousands of pounds of public funds (or funds acquired through ownership of land that technically belongs to the public) on designer outfits and new tennis courts.

    • Lady D says:

      She’s already working. Her clothing budget is going to be astronomical this year.

    • lobbit says:

      She should commit to not wearing a single new piece this year – not in public, at least. It would be SUCH good PR for her. Ugh, so many missed opportunities…

  21. Mrs.Curious says:

    Poor Kate had to “work” for 1-2 hours. She’ll need another holiday soon.

    • notasugarhere says:

      The Mustique trip is usually at the end of January. We’ll see if they go this year, or if TR James Matthews family resort will be their new beach destination.

  22. Tanguerita says:

    I find it utterly irritating that she always keeps her coat on while inside. it’s like she is trying to signal – don’t expect me to stay, i am outta here before you can say Wait-y.

    • Lorelai says:

      @Tanguerina I agree – but I was thrown off by this one! Supposedly this one is just a dress, not a “coatdress” like many of her others. But the fabric looks quite heavy to me, and in January, wouldn’t she need a coat over a dress anyway?

      I don’t know why this is always so confounding but it is!

      ETA: I stand corrected, I see that is *is* actually a coatdress. No idea where I read that it was a regular dress. But your point still stands- it does make it look like she is always ready to leave immediately 😒

    • hogtowngooner says:

      Exactly! It’s tone deaf. Seriously, she either gets the worst advice on wardrobe, or is incredibly stubborn. How much better would it have looked if she had walked in, shed her coat, rolled up her sleeves and sat down with the kids. Instead, it looks like she popped in because she forgot her umbrella last time she was there.

  23. Deedee says:

    The hair, with all the wiglets and ringlets is channeling Belle from Beauty & the Beast. Someone who hunches as much as Kate shouldn’t draw more attention to her shoulders. She needs better styling, stat. Maybe a scarf or a brooch (except she’d cover it with her hair). The whole look is meh.

    • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

      Kate has a personal stylist and hairdresser and she still looks like she dresses and does her hair herself. But then again her stylist is her former PA and the hairdresser charges something like £300 per day (i recall it was mentioned in a Fail article) – you get what you pay for. Her hair was soo much better when James Pryce did it but she sacked him after he publicly commented on her hair to promote is salon and basically outed her as using wiglets. The woman who does it now isn’t very good.

    • lobbit says:

      I don’t understand all the shame and loathing of hair extensions and wiglets. Is it British thing to hate them and/or be ashamed of them?

      • notasugarhere says:

        It raises questions like – why does she focus so much on her hair and fail to focus on improving either her work ethic or work performance?

        Same with every ugly coat dress, where she takes time and money to have an already expensive designer item reworked to make a false raised waist for vanity purposes, and still fails to have the front secured to the hem to prevent flashing.

        She’s focusing on the wrong things.

      • lobbit says:

        Right, but I’ve seen folks comment in pretty disparaging terms about Kate and her mother wearing “wiglets” – even here the term “outing” is used, as if hair extensions are gauche or offensive. I’m just wondering if this is a cultural thing. Are they not the done thing in Britain?

      • PHAKSI says:

        The wiglets are always pointed out cos she had KP release a statement denying that she wears any hair pieces

      • LAK says:

        For years as a GF and afterwards as a wife, she was derided for all manner of things and she ignored/continues to ignore it, but one article about her extensions and the Palace is issuing a denial within hours of the article being posted online.

        So we play a game of ‘spot the wiglet’. Very amusing.

        ETA: just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with her wearing wiglets, extensions or whatever she wants to do with her hair. Many women and a few men, famous or not, wear extensions and wiglets.

      • lobbit says:

        OMG I had no idea she issued a statement. That’s just ridiculous. Thanks to both of you for the explanation!

      • carolind says:

        Lots of people in Britain have hair extensions; many girls, just about everybody on TV.

        Ordinary people have work done on their faces now and previous generations of the BRF have done so; definitely Princess Michael of Kent, possibly Princess Alexandra and Princess Margaret. Also Duchess of Kent.
        Letizia of Spain has had extensive plastic surgery.

        I don’t like Kate but neither do I like all the comments about her appearance which are plain nasty.

        As for her being pregnant, just as she was not pregnant immediately before India, she is not pregnant now. Possible for very end of year.

  24. Mikasa says:

    Sometimes I ask myself why I keep clicking on articles about the Dolittles. They bore me so much, no other royal has managed that.

  25. Balea says:

    Kate’s raccoon makeup makes her look old.

  26. Sharon Lea says:

    Maybe Poor Jason is finally allowed to respond to common comments on stories. We wondered if she ‘had friends’ so we learned that Sophie went to her birthday party. We wondered about the clutch purse, there was an article explaining she used it to signal if she would shake hands. We wondered when William worked, we were treated with a photo of him in the New Year near the helicopter.

  27. Jan says:

    What is it now, 35 blues coats? Enough already. Oh, and her hair is laughable. A duchess using a child’s hair clips and sausage curls (again!) for a work engagement? How modern! For the amount of money this person spends, she should at least look elegant some of the time. Instead, she’s a big fail, as usual.

  28. rory says:

    Do you guys think she’s on meds?

  29. NOLA says:

    I actually like the coat. I love those jewel tones on her. I agree that her face looks fuller. Does she have roots? Am I recalling correctly that Kate stopped coloring her hair / grays when she was pregnant with Charlotte???

  30. Angel says:

    Absolutely awful hair, so bad, so cutesy, so cheese.
    I don’t usually comment on her face but something is up there. Some say she pregnant, or work done . I don’t know, but something is so off and puffy.

  31. Tala D says:

    OMG she always looks like a KLM flight attendent when she wears blue lol

  32. Cerys says:

    It’s a typically bland Kate-style outfit. Nothing much to say about it except her waist bands keep get higher and higher and now just look ridiculous. Hair and make-up awful as usual.
    Her comments about parenting being hard come across as patronising. Parenting is very hard especially when you are poor, do not have a nanny, a palace, or household staff. Also wearing such an expensive dress/coat (?) to a centre where people have social and emotional issues is quite insensitive. She has plenty of outfits she could have “recycled” and put the focus on the charity she was visiting rather than her wardrobe.
    She did look less emaciated than normal which, pregnant or not, can only be beneficial for her health.

  33. Anastasia says:

    It’s sad when pretty much the only thing to report on her is “wore a blue coatdress.”

    • Lady D says:

      Pretty much her whole Canadian tour was about what she wore.

      • Joannie says:

        I call BS! Canadian here! It was more about the indigenous people and the little known charities they visited. They spent a lot of their time with the First Nations and learning about the protection of the fragile waterways, the environment that the govt wants to pollute. By the way the red and white dress she wore was covered in First Nations designs and was a thoughtful gesture whether you like the dress or not. Im sure the FN ppl appreciated it.
        So here she is out working and all most and most comments are about her wardrobe. What about the charity?

      • Lady D says:

        William didn’t even know his mother was responsible for one of the charities they visited. They also spent a lot of time with FN people because they were late everywhere they went. What exactly did K&W do to help protect those fragile waterways? You would also be hard pressed to find anyone Canadian or British, native people aside, who could name one place they visited. Was there followup work from them when they got home? Did they spread the message about the at-risk environment and the fragile water systems on the island? What exactly did their trip accomplish for the people of Canada? I don’t know about you Joannie, but half of my family is native and live on reservations from Van island to the Fraser Canyon and none of them were impressed with W&K.

      • Joannie says:

        http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/duke-duchess-cambridge-royal-visit-british-columbia-yukon-1.3773869

        Half your family is native? I know many FN people and they never refer to themselves as “natives”. Interesting. By the way the weather was horrible…reason for their being late and the cancellation of one event. Did you also note where they stayed while in Whitehorse?

      • notasugarhere says:

        Did you note that the hotel went all out redoing the rooms where they would stay? In return, W&K marched past the waiting staff and refused to speak to anyone.

      • Llamas says:

        Joannie,

        If she says her family is native then her family is native. I understand you adore WK but you don’t need to be snotty about someone else’s lineage because it doesn’t fit your “WK are perfect” narrative.

        Also, the article you linked was a pre tour one. It didn’t go over how well they did.

      • Joannie says:

        They dont refer to themselves as natives, its First Nations. They find the term “native” to be offensive.
        Why are you commenting to me other than to be snarky? When did I ever say I adore W&K? When I ever say they were they perfect?

      • Lady D says:

        Sorry Joannie, but I don’t have a single family member or native friend that objects to being called native. Yes, they call themselves First Nations people and they call themselves native, too. As for not believing me, that is your prerogative. Have a nice day.

      • Maria says:

        I’m with you Lady D. I know a number of native people and they refer to themselves as natives. As for the Canadian tour, security alone is costing us $2million. For an eleven-day tour. Did the Cambridges really make a two million dollar difference?

      • Megan says:

        We have been researching a trip to Canada this summer to see some of the 150th anniversary celebrations. I had been focused on the east coast, but after seeing footage from that tour, we are now looking at west coast towns.

        I am still puzzled by the purpose of the tour, but I do appreciate the travel ideas.

      • Joannie says:

        I have two ppl on my payroll that are FN. One of my closest friends is FN another married to a FN. I went to school with many FN. I could go on and on with the number of FN ppl I know and not one ever referred to themselves as native ever! If you dont agree with me re Kate and William that’s fine. I get it! But if youre going to challenge me or respond do it with honesty.
        @Megan, click on my link as it says why W&K visited Canada.
        @Maria, think beyond the money spent for security etc. There’s the spinoffs such as ppl spending money in restaurants, hotels, charitable donations for charities ppl didnt know existed, the exposure of BC and the goodwill. After the Olympics Whistler has become a world renowned playground because of the exposure and has done nothing but make money.

      • Lady D says:

        Well that’s the second time you called me a liar. Believe or don’t, I’m done conversing with you.

      • Kloops says:

        This is really irrelevant, i know, but ime when it’s political, professional or used by “white” Canadians it’s usually FN. That’s the term I always use; however, I know lots of FN people and grew up in a small town and they all refer to themselves as natives. This might be an in group – out group thing and certainly for professional/political situations FN is the term most commonly used but it’s not uncommon for FN to use native within their communities. Some elders still even use Indian.

      • Nic919 says:

        No one in Canada is talking about the Will and Kate visit. Once they left the country that was it. There is no evidence of any positive effects and instead the BC government has a $2million security bill.

        Outside of the money donated by the Canadian government, Will and Kate personally did nothing to help the First Nations places they visited. Meanwhile Kate spent $200k in clothes last year. Talk about white colonialist privilege.

        It also doesn’t help your point in supporting Will and Kate when you act like an expert on native Canadians simply because you work with them. that’s basically the same as “I’m friends with black people”.

      • Citresse says:

        At least she changed her shoes in Canada but it still wasn’t worth it especially to taxpayers.

    • Heartfelt says:

      Joanie’s comments often give me a sick feeling in my heart and gut.

  34. Adele Dazeem says:

    I wonder if she’s aware of all the criticism she gets? Serious question. Does she read her own press like Diana or bury her head in the sand (or adult coloring books?)?

    I feel like if it were me the internet would be that hot stove you know you shouldn’t touch but feel compelled to. Or your ex’s facebook profile. Lol. That being said I could not handle the pressure, scrutiny and criticism. All the horrible things you have rattling around in your brain being repeated time and time again in the news. Ugh.

    • Deedee says:

      She has PR people who should be handling that for her.

    • lobbit says:

      And Diana didn’t have to contend with semi-anonymous comment sections – where criticism tends to be more malicious than constructive. I don’t know how I would stop myself from reading it, but I would have to find a way – for the sake of my mental health.

    • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

      She will be but she has already proven that she doesn’t care about it – that entire family has thick skin. The Cambridges and Middletons bring it all onto themselves.

    • TheOtherOne says:

      But you need a receptive client. If I bring my client criticisms (summarized or maybe the top 5 for mental health reasons) then client must be receptive and proactive in correcting them. Her continuous fashion blunders and work shy tendencies makes me believe she is not listening and does not want to change.

      • lobbit says:

        Well, I guess you can’t force someone to work if they’re determined not to – so I doubt anyone could do much about the work-shyness. But the fashion stuff? If I were her PR person, I’d take that bit right out of her hands. Appeal to her vanity, get her measurements, and send her clothes to the tailor. Rinse and repeat.

  35. Tila says:

    Ahh so she’s a Capricorn. Every Capricorn girl I’ve met have been quite funny.

  36. TyrantDestroyed says:

    I don’t think she’s pregnant yet. Some cosmetic work and maybe holiday eating shows a slightly fuller figure. I believe she will definitely try to get pregnant right after Pippa’s wedding and just in time to steal the attention in case Harry and Meghan decided to get engage.

  37. Azie says:

    Several weeks ago there was a Daily article about how often Kate is seen with bandaids on her hands. In these photos a rather open lesion on her left thumb is apparent. Did she forego the bandaid because that has become an issue, and it is more likely to attract attention? Why so many injuries in the first place?

  38. Kitty says:

    Does anyone know why the crowds are small for her anytime she has an engagement?

  39. A says:

    She looks nice. I think this is about as much as we can expect from Kate, fashion wise, and frankly, aside from the periodic flashing she engages in, it’s fine with me that her style is always so consistent. It’s helpful as a PR exercise when people have a specific “thing” they can associate with your public persona, y’know? Like the Queen has had a few years with Angela Kelly to come up with a ‘uniform’ of sorts almost that people can recognize her by. Maybe this is hers. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it screams Kate so w/e. Keep it trucking, Stepford mama.

    It’s surprising to me that she’s already out and working, and it’s so early on in January. It’s not really possible to stuff your schedule with “last minute engagements” since things require so much planning on the part of charities. Usually things are planned and agreed on months ahead at a time, so that the people who are organizing the event can have the time to do it right, and it’s advertised closer to the date. So it’s likely that this was something planned a few months ago for this year. I’m gonna wait it out and see what else they do for January, and if they head out on their vacation or what. Or maybe they’re trying to hold off the bad press by doing a bunch of stuff early in the year, so that when she gets pregnant, they don’t complain as much? Who knows.

  40. Rocio says:

    I think she looks really beautiful in those pictures. It’s true that she doesn’t upgrade the fashion game like other royals but she’s decided to stick to what she feels that looks good on her which might not be what some of us like. I think Audrey Hepburn once said: “Why change? Everyone has his own style.”

    • CarolineH says:

      This exactly!

      People need to keep in mind that she is a Princess and royalty. Not some flavor of the month starlet. She cannot wear the latest trends and must dress conservative. I rather like her wardrobe. It’s filled with classic tailored pieces.

      • HappyMom says:

        You can wear tailored pieces and look elegant. She’s boring. And her bag and shoes clash with that coat dress. And her hair is not remotely elegant-those clips are stupid.

      • LAK says:

        Have you seen the wardrobes of Victoria of Sweden, Charlene of Monaco, Rania of Jordan, Mary of Denmark to name a few very elegant royal women who dress conservatively yet stylishly?

      • notasugarhere says:

        She wears trends, like the silly up-down, hidden mini-skirt evening gown. She does not need to spend $200,000 a year to do this job. Get a simple, working wardrobe of separates and stop wasting money.

        Instead, she keeps spending ridiculous amounts of money on additional clothing, when she already has an over-flowing set of wardrobes. She is the one who keeps making it about her clothes and her appearance, and not about work.

  41. Starlight says:

    She has either just had Botox and can’t smile or she has been told this year is full on work wise and she has been told smiling gives you unwanted facial lines

  42. khaveman says:

    Same look over and over, different color. Gorgeously tailored, but lost in repetition. Is she pregnant? Face looks fuller.

  43. Starlight says:

    No – change of mind here, she is smiling a lot in the DM photos I am going with pregnant she looks confident. As for the plasters on her hands, I am wondering whether she suffers from a skin condition like psoriasis or maybe very dry skin on her hands

  44. Debutante says:

    Wow. I hardly pay attention to Kate, but first thouggt when I saw these photos was, she looks really hungover !!
    And she needs another eyejob. Those bags under her eyes are back already !

    Second thought, she’s pregnant.