The bad news is that the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t change clothes for the outing in Berlin today, so we don’t have a new frock to discuss. The good news is that her cornflower blue Catherine Walker coat and dress was appropriate enough for the day’s activities. After arriving in Berlin, Prince William and Kate shuffled their children off somewhere, likely with Nanny Maria. Will and Kate started their day in Berlin with a “walkabout” around the Brandenburg Gate, then posed for photos in front of Brandenburg Gate. Apparently, Berliners were happy to see Kate and Will. I think their reception in Poland was probably more enthusiastic, but the Germans looked pretty happy to see Will and Kate.
The Cambridges also had a private lunch with Angela Merkel today, and they also visited the Holocaust Memorial. At no point did Kate or William change clothes, so Kate wore the same Catherine Walker coat everywhere.
The Director of the Holocaust Memorial, Uwe Neumärker, shows The Duke and Duchess around the the museum in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/vLr946ImeQ
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 19, 2017
I realize that I’m pretty conservative when it comes to dressing for certain occasions and dress codes for royal/public figures. I still believe that the hot pink coat at the 9/11 Memorial was inappropriate, just as I believe the floral Erdem look yesterday was a bad call. You shouldn’t compare Kate to what you would wear, or what a tourist would wear – you should compare her to what a first lady would wear. She’s representing her country in an official capacity, much like a first lady or head of state. So, with all that being said…I don’t have a huge (or small) problem with cornflower blue at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. It’s not garish, it’s not too “sunny,” and the cut of the coat is conservative enough. It’s fine. Still, if I was Kate’s stylist, I would try to convince her to invest in some simple black and grey suits and separates.
The couple walk through the Field of Stelae. The Memorial contains 2711concrete blocks and represents the enormity of the Holocaust. pic.twitter.com/m852xQDykF
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 19, 2017
Photos courtesy of WENN.
It’s completely fine. But I thought yesterday’s ugly Erdem was appropriate too.
Honestly, the lace material and semi-scalloped hem of the dress underneath makes it look like lingerie. I like the coat but not what’s under.
+100
And this is too bright for the occassion. When will she ever learn royal and government representative protovol. She is not a celebrity advertising on show in free designer excessive costing wear. Especially not with tax payers Duchy funding. Where is the respect from this lazy entitled selfish useless middleton waste after six years. The libgerie underneath is with open coat is screaming look at me. Boogles the mind.
I have to disagree on the Erdem being appropriate. To me, the litmus test for someone visiting a concentration camp in an official capacity should be, “Is this appropriate for a funeral?”, because essentially you’re walking around on a grave site.
I stand by my comment. The flowers were dark, it wasn’t too short. I’m Jewish and my MIL is a Holocaust survivor-it was completely fine.
One to Jew to another, maybe we’ll just count ourselves lucky that in the Steve Bannon era we’re free to debate a dress, am I right? Kol tuv to you and yyour family!
BTown you gave me the giggles. From another Jew to other Jews Bannon is a schlemiel. According to my Aunt who mixes Yiddish insults when she is annoyed.
It is ironic that he and Jared loathe each other.
She looks fine here. It is versatile and she can fit more events without changing clothes.
I am 10000% here for mixed Yiddish insults!! I really enjoy going all the way and just referring to him as The Putznasher haha! 😉
P.s. Have y’all seen what she has on at the garden party in Berlin? I don’t want to spoil anything…but….BUT…..GIRL. I can-NOT wait to discuss with y’all tomorrow 🙂
EXACTLY.
So what’s the point of this tour? Is it successful?
To lessen the virtually universal view that the UK has become the laughing stock of Europe with its fantastical approach to Brexit?! Presumably, it’s supposed to be a charm offensive to sweeten attitudes of important and/or perceived friendly members of the EU27 during negotiations.
So y’know. I was busy yesterday so didn’t comment – but opening yourself up to criticism by some for wearing a flowery dress to a Holocaust centre was an actual, proper diplomatic eff-up, not an excuse for mean girls on the interwebz to moan about Kate as some saw it.
It’s just so mickey Mouse, isn’t it, Sixer?
These are the morons we are entrusting with ‘soft diplomacy’?
Sixer, do they really think they can charm them? These tours don’t do anything. It did when they first got married and were popular. Remember the Canadian tour? It did nothing at all.
I was wondering where you where yesterday! 🙂
I’m also wondering if the Brits really think anyone over here is impressed with soft diplomacy at this point. We’re pretty pissed off. This Brexit sh*t is forced upon us when really, we don’t have enough stuff on our plate? Surrounded by assh*le dictators, trying to deal with climate change, upcoming elections, increasing violence on the left and right, refugees … and this is supposed to what, make us feel more warmly towards … well, who exactly? May? That woman has dug her own public opinion grave over here. Twit and Twat are not going to fix anything. Brexit will hurt and possibly the only ones who won’t feel it are these two. NOT the best ambassadors to be sending right now. Like we’re a kitten that’s easily distracted by a piece of string. Well yeah, for a minute.
I’m sorry, I could just vomit every time I think about this Brexit sh*t. I know I’m not alone.
ETA: Kitty, no. You’re right. We’re not that easily charmed.
How’s tourism in the UK? I’ll be backpacking through Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland this August and with everrything Brexit I don’t want to be hassled or bothered due to my nationality. I’ll visit big and small cities. (Decided to avoid London due to the recent attacks… don’t want to push my luck).
Kitty – I think it’s emblematic of the national delusion we seem to have found ourselves in. I mean, perhaps Her Maj could have done some ACTUAL worthwhile smoothing-over diplomatic work but she’s too old to go. These two are woeful.
Clare – I honestly don’t know which is worse at the moment: waking up as an American to see what the Orange One is doing, or waking up as a Brit to see what our lot are cocking up now. It’s not even about Brexit itself for me any more. It’s about the national reputation-shredding way they’re going about it.
Littlemiss – I have more work than usual and it’s allotment triffid season so I’m constantly trying to preserve surpluses in some way! We also have other things to worry about – failed austerity has led to system failure all over the place and it’s all being ignored for this. I just wish we could call the whole thing off, say sorry it was all a bad dream, and go back to normal.
Cee – tourism fine. London also fine! Just come and realise that most people living here are perfectly lovely. It’s just the ones in charge who suck!
The dress could be worse. At least she wasn’t wearing stripes.
Oh, graymatters. You just made me laugh out loud. Funny-not-funny!
Hardly anyone cares.
The People would be way more entusiastic if the Olders would be there.
My Cousin lives in Berlin and likes to watch everything modern Royals but even she said ‘ Nah, Not them.’
AVAMAE, interesting. I do fear for the monarchy once The Queen passes though.
If HM or Charles were doing the tour, I could see the soft diplomacy aspect, but W+K have not distinguished themselves in any capacity so I don’t get why Poland or Germany would be interested in having them visit.
Now that I know the host country has to foot the bill for everything, including clothes, I am even more perplexed by this tour.
Kitty
This Version of a Monarchy is already defanged, maybe it is time to put it to final Rest when the old Lioness is gone.
AVAMAE, that is what’s upsetting that the monarchy won’t last after The Queen passes.
+1
Gish fir such brexut saviours all we get is the inappropriate dress. This is all the world is looking at – how messy and un- royal flashing this person will enbarass TQ POW GB at the world expense – THE red gown she is wearing later is awful BONEY SKELETON LOOKING RED MESS. The smirk seem to suggest SHE SEEM TO THINK SHE LOOKS great.
The bottom lid eye liner is back in all its gloriousness.
@ TANGUERITA back when Kate and Will got married my son said that in his high school they were live streaming the wedding. He was put off by Kate because he thought she looked evil and that her plan was to marry Will, knock him off and take over the monarchy!! I figured it was the heavy eyeliner and make-up that lead his flight of fancy!! LOL!!
She’s starting to get Essex Botox face; where here forehead is basically immobile and the rest of her face is aging badly.
I like the coat – its appropriate for the occasion.
She looks good. Pretty color blue. Does she always wear the same shoes or does she just have hundreds of pairs of nude pumps?
Dark blue shoes would look much better. These shoes have to be her most comfortable she probably has a dozen pairs. If the feet hurt doesn’t matter how great the rest looks right? She is tall and could wear flats her sister has much more style but doesn’t represent anything officially so that’s an advantage. Overall see improvement she looks good.
I think this is a huge inprovement from the floral. But still agree that some grey in her wardrobe would be an improvement.
Her nude pumps remind me of figure skaters every time now. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDP0rCm6BGw/UwLgRnKd6PI/AAAAAAAAAT4/dqHAopXj8zY/s1600/figure+skating.jpg
Of course! Figure skaters! I couldn’t put my finger on it. Thanks, Christine. ⛸
Do you suppose Kate is always concerned about appearing attractive, rather than choosing professional work wear? She never had a job, so she probably doesn’t have a clue what “professional” means…
I think you’re on to something, Zondie. Surely someone has advised her about what appropriate, professional attire is, though? Perhaps they have and do, but she just goes ahead and does her own thing.
I think this is a HUGE part of her problem. Momma Carole did her girl no favors keeping her idle and supported by mommy and daddy in her 20s, the years people learn about themselves, being professional if in that type of career track, how to dress, walk, speak publicly. Kate learned none of those things and if you compare her to Letizia or Maxima, you can see how much it hurt her.
She can still catch up, but she would need to give a care, and I don’t think she really does. The job doesn’t suit her, and she is doing the minimal, with the minimal effort.
Having said all that, this is a huge improvement over yesterday’s somewhat informal floral dress. A huge improvement. And I like that her hair is back a lot more.
@ANNAKIST @SARAH You are correct that she seems to disregard advice and seems to lack incentive to prepare for her “job.” I agree that the hair is an improvement.
Yup, no career turned her into this. She has no concept of form, place and attire.
@Zondie Yes, she doesn’t comprehend anything beyond making an effort to appear like the most attractive girl in the room. She will never grow beyond this very limited POV.
Both her mother and sister have that sensibility even though they always come up lacking and inelegant.
Letizia was a master at the subtle gesture during her recent London visit. She was engaged, had a sense of humor, and was confident. It also helps that she seemed in sync with her husband. It’s so apparent that Wills is just going through the motions. He really hates his job.
Weathy – titled ariato. Who never had a career job – are worlds apart better at carriage, preaence style than this…
@CEE you phrased it perfectly! @ INDIANA JOANNA Queen Letizia knows how the game is played and she is accomplished and professional. You bring up a good point about Will just “going through the motions.” Even if he was just an ordinary person you would feel like saying “Pick yourself up and show thankfulness for what you have!”
The color combination of her shoes and hose in the header photo make her look like she’s got Barbie feet.
Pretty color, not appropriate for the occasion. Holocaust memorial is not the time to show your fashion chops. Black/grey/ navy suit/separates appropriate for somber ocassions and memorials, showcasing fashion chops with british/ visiting country designers as appropriate for non somber occasions. If your role is to showcase “soft” power (thanks to sixer a while back for an on point explanation of this and British royals), then dressing the part is essential. Why oh why doesn’t she have a great stylist who can coordinate these things???? I’m sure there are so many stylists in London or elsewhere in the U.K who could do an excellent job with this!!! If I were the queen I would insist that she hire a good stylist. And i say this as a complete non fashion person who would absolutely require the help of a stylist for even the very basics of this kind of thing.
I think she looks fine, very respectful. It’s not floral, she’s wearing closed toed shoes, her hair is up.
As a fashion person I think she does rather well. Always a class act!
Whiny secretve billnot seems to realizing and be embarassed by waity lack of – in some occassions- some places, waity is speaking over or above i am a prince – billnot will make her self destruct towards divorce.
If she wore black or grey, everyone would be writing about how old and dowdy she looked.
No, they would be cheering her for finally! getting it right. Ten years and we are still waiting for her to act professional just once.
Outside of evening dresses, British royal women are still discouraged from wearing black. It’s very much still reserved for actual funerals. Navy blue or grey is fair game though!
Well, I must admit I didn’t see the lace under-sheath when she got off the plane, it looks much less dowdy here.
She looks OK. At least a big improvement from yesterday’s poor choice of outfit.
For those who felt the floral outfit was inappropriate why is cornflower blue any better for the Holocaust Museum? It is so bright.
Anyway, at the end of the day it does not matter what she is wearing. I just hope she has now educated herself on the atrocities of the Holocaust. She and Will seem very lightweight in the awareness of everything. She especially-it is all about the clothing and jewelry. Maybe I just don’t get the RF significance. I have been to London several times and love it there-but the RF seems to have so many issues. Maybe it needs to be toned down the clothing and jewels so don’t emphasize their negatives. They need to be more real. But I guess that is their mystique. It does not seem appropriate during times of tragedy that has recently occurred in London.
A woman at my gym was a hidden child during the Holocaust. Her daughter is doing a documentary and they just spent 2 weeks filming all,the places she was hidden. It sounds like an amazing story and I am anxious to see the film.
I love this outfit and the color is great on her. Her makeup is nice and her hair looks great, I think. My quibble is with the constant nude heels. Some blue heels would actually have looked great with this.
In Germany no one really cares about these two “Brexit embassadors” smiling and sightseeing. It will give a few stories to BUNTE and other celebs mags. End.
German politicians and business chefs want the UK to accept the divorce bill + the four freedoms. It’s long overdue that they secure the rights of the EU citizens in the UK and all the brit expats in the EU.
OLlie, well then why were there huge crowds turning up to see them?
Can we talk about the “hands” when they are walking through the Fields of Stelae. What bad Photoshop is this?
Creepy, isn’t it Emiller!
That was an awful execution of Photoshop :O It seems like mutants’ hands
Kate needs the Middletons off of her coattails and stunting her growth. I am sure they tell her she is fine and help pick her clothes. Some outfits are for a much older woman. They don’t have a clue themselves and they don’t help her image at all. Her mother put her in a position she wasn’t prepared for in order to rise socially. Kate is the one who is on the world stage and surely she knew that. I don’t think she is as clever as she thinks she is. If she were my daughter I would do everything I could to help her succeed including constructive criticism. It would pain me to see her stumble around as often as she does and not working enough. It doesn’t get easier from here.
Well even my niece refuses to wear stupid clothes at school and she is almost 10. You can’t make her wear what she thinks is inapropiate. This girl has no clue, no guidance, no taste and is full of herself. She wants to show her body?? Fine. There are a 1000 more ways to do that while wearing appropiate clothes. GET a f…g stylist. I bet they would be thrilled to work with her.