Duchess Kate wore McQueen for Trooping the Colour: puffy-sleeved fuggery?

Trooping the Colour 2018

Here are photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, plus the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince George and Princess Charlotte, all attending the Trooping the Colour parade and balcony-wave. This was not George and Charlotte’s first time on the balcony for a wave, but for some reason, Charlotte just wasn’t feeling it today – at one point, she seemed to start crying and her mom had to comfort her for a bit. I don’t know what really happened – some say she lost her balance (there are clearly little stools where the kids can stand so they can see over the balcony) and maybe fell backwards.

As for Kate, she wore McQueen – a pale blue, puffy-shouldered, square-necked dress which I find to be rather disastrous. It’s only fair – I dislike Meghan’s look too. Both of the younger duchesses look like extras-dressed-as-bridesmaids from a John Hughes ‘80s film. Kate’s Juliette Botterill hat is at least somewhat interesting, and from the neck up, she looks very pretty. I particularly like her earrings here – they look like emerald-cut aquamarines with a diamond surround, maybe.

As for George… well, George is George. He will be king someday (or something) and he does whatever he wants, even if that means talking and singing through “God Save the Queen.” Thank goodness his second cousin Savannah Phillips (daughter of Peter Phillips, who is Princess Anne’s son) was there to shush him in the only way that works: by literally covering his mouth.

Trooping the Colour 2018

Trooping The Colour

Trooping the Colour 2018

Trooping the Colour 2018

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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248 Responses to “Duchess Kate wore McQueen for Trooping the Colour: puffy-sleeved fuggery?”

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  1. Lexter says:

    Savannah is such a firecracker!

    • spidee!!! says:

      Actually, she is old enough to have been told that you don’t stand there conducting when they play the National Anthem. I bet she knows now.

      • Lorelei says:

        Oh come on! She’s a little kid. It was cute. Give it a rest.

      • PrincessK says:

        I bet her parents will rein her in next year lol! Savannah stole the headlines away from the Queen and Meghan, Savannah was the front page news. The girl is definitely hyper. To call her boisterous is an understatement I saw clip of the jaw dropping way she rushed out on to the balcony, as though it was a race to get the best place. Just imagine if she had been a bridesmaid, she would have probably ripped Meghan’s veil off her head.

        William will makes sure his kids are not standing next to Savannah next year.

      • Lizabeth says:

        Good grief, Savannah is 7.

      • homeslice says:

        I always like Kate’s casual looks…another sundress by Zara, me likey!

      • Mego says:

        I agree and I too did not enjoy her antics at all and my daughter is her age. Her behaviour was not good at all period. My kid would be inclined to act this way as well and would need to be spoken to prior to the event.

      • Aurelia says:

        Gawd, did you see willies face when savannah put her hands over georgie mouth. I agree, she won’t be standing next to his kids next year. He really wanted to say, oye,keep your hands to yourself ok sweet pea. Ironic really as this is the kind of shiz willie did himself as a kid.

      • Lizabeth says:

        True @Aurelia. Will acted like a little monster and it continued well past age 7!

      • ORIGINAL T.C. says:

        @Aurelia

        I saw the video, Wills was directing that annoyed look at all 3 kids including George. Before the cousin covered George’s mouth. The pictures only show a split second with Savanna taking over to hush her cousin to mind his manners.

      • justwastingtime says:

        look it’ s so situational, my first, I would have a death grip on him at 7 as he would have run amuck. My second would have been well behaved at 5. The trick is to know which kid to have by the elbow at formal events. : )

  2. Jess... says:

    Two things that caught my eye yesterday:

    When the Queen and the heirs had not yet arrived , it was Kate the one that was standing front and center in the balcony, representing the Firm. She looked really composednand regal, I was surprised.

    Second, the Queen, Camila and Kate were colour coordinated, which was definitely not an accident. The Queen and the two future Queen Consorts in basically the same colour?

    About Kate’s dress, I don’t really like the puffy sleeves, but I thought the dress looked better when she was standing in the balcony, rather than when she was sitting in the carriage

    • liriel says:

      Nice catch! There must be something to it. To me Kate is becoming more and more regal

    • Ankhel says:

      What does that mean? Kate stood up straight, with a neutral face?

      • Arpeggi says:

        Actually, Kate doesn’t seem to be standing straight in any picture, she’s always bending forward. I sort of wanted to tell her to stand straight, but maybe it’s the post-partum recovery so I’ll give her a pass

      • Nic919 says:

        Kate has been standing hunched over for years now. It is not related to her pregnancy or post pregnancy at all. Besides she basically looks to be back to her pre pregnancy weight. It looks really bad in some of the photos here especially because she is only 36. It didn’t seem as bad at the wedding so maybe it’s her heels and that crazy hat.

      • minx says:

        She has never had really good posture that I can remember. It just becomes more noticeable the older you get, believe me.

      • Milla says:

        You raise a valid question, which goes down to why are there royal families and what makes them so special?

        Imo, Kate looked amazing, especially for a new mum, but that’s all i got. I am not impressed by any of this. Well the kids were adorable. Charlotte is born to be a leader.

      • magnoliarose says:

        It reminds me of all the praise 45 gets when he behaves presidential. The pundits act like it is some defining moment when all the other presidents managed it all the time every day. I think one should wonder why it stands out so starkly instead of it being the norm.

    • Cher says:

      So true. The Queen and the future Queen Consorts in similar colors, interesting.
      It was like Kate was taking center stage and even upstaging Camila.
      I assume Kate was using this opportunity to remind us all that she is ever present!!!

      • Jess... says:

        I am pretty sure those things are arranged before, so for some reason it was agreed that she would be in the middle.
        I’m not saying it’s good or bad, I’m just mentioning things I observed yesterday

    • jeanne says:

      yes, i was struck by how obvious it was having kate stand in the middle. she was tall and it sent a message. i’m not sure if it was a “remember meeeee!” message but it was something. i don’t know why charles allowed it. you’d have thought he would want camilla front and center. it was all very choreographed. it made it look like kate was the big boss among the senior royals and i don’t know if anyone believes that.

      • PrincessK says:

        That is exactly how I saw it, Kate placed her self firmly in the centre and her hat was so sky high. To me her behaviour showed a lot of insecurity, if you know that you are top dog you don’t behave like that.

    • minx says:

      My usual complaint about Kate: STAND UP STRAIGHT.

    • Clare says:

      Yes! It was a visual reminder (to me) that Meghan will always stand behind Kate. I mean we already knew this, of course, but this was the first time I saw the hierarchy in practice in a very clear visual. Made me kind of sad, to be honest, seeing Meghan in ‘her place’.

      I know she knew what she signed up for etc, but this felt like a very coordinated and purposeful reminder of Kate’s places alongside the Queen and Camilla – and a purposeful or accidental reminder of Meg’s place, behind them. Or at least a reminder from to the plebs from palace that the wedding hullabaloo was all well and good, but we’re now back to usual service and the hierarchy stands.

      • KeWest says:

        Thank goodness for Meghan!

        She’s reminding Kate that Kate should be further along in the Duchess department than she is and that again Kate maybe be Queen in the future.

      • Becks1 says:

        Yeah I was surprised to see Meghan and Harry in the back like that. But I cant remember where Harry usually stands on the balcony? If you look at the whole picture there are clearly other older teenagers/young adults in the front row, so I’m surprised Meghan and Harry weren’t in the front (next to William) but I am sure it was all very planned out.

      • Nic919 says:

        Before the Queen arrived, Kate was blocking Camilla half the time, which I doubt was supposed to happen. I doubt the message was that Kate should be ahead of Camilla. It didn’t look like Harry was standing anywhere different than in years past, but I don’t think he cares.

      • Clare says:

        Becks – totally choreographed to send a message and remind us of the hierarchy – I think Harry has usually stood behind W+K since their wedding, though I may be wrong. I think what happens is the kids stand at the front and their parents nearby to mind them, but other places are based on hierarchy – and H+M’s place is behind W+K and obvs Charles and Camilla.

        Anyway this is all planned and coordinated to give a message and the message here is the new gorgeous bride has her place and isn’t going to upstage Kate/Camilla at formal occasions.

      • Becks1 says:

        I did just notice in one picture that Camilla was next to Meghan (and behind Charles) so I wonder why that was. Just because there’s limited room at the front? So it wasn’t seen as such a slam to have Meghan in the back? I dunno. I doubt Harry cares so much though. He seems to enjoy being 6th in line.

      • homeslice says:

        I’m perplexed as to why it was “sad” that MM and Harry were standing in the appropriate places on the balcony. Some of you have gone over the MM edge…

      • Susannah says:

        I thought Kate was up in Mum mode to keep the kids from falling over the balcony. I think Meghan will be up front too in a few years when her kids are peering over that balcony too.

      • magnoliarose says:

        Kate does this a lot. She tries to stand out. It is a pattern seen from the tours and so on. She will wear the wrong colors and she will be dressed in a way to be noticed.
        The placement hierarchy is not true because it would mean Charles would be next to the queen and not “no where in the line of succession anymore really” Andrew.
        I think it is silly but then there are many things about the BRF that are silly nonsense in 2018.

      • Milla says:

        It was an official event. No one acted out, everyone was in their place. Charles knows better than to put Camilla in front of everyone. Harry was already in the second row last year, he is not near the crown as Charles and William. I only felt bad cos Meghan is petite, so she wasn’t able to see well cos wk are tall people.

      • CuriousCole says:

        I was annoyed Kate seemed to purposefully block Meghan from the general view, it seemed very rude to do so on Meghan’s first balcony appearance. My non-bitchy comment is to compliment Kate’s hat, which was lovely.

    • Rainbow says:

      I thought the same thing, too. Kate has acquired some sort of regalness and “stability” after becoming a mother. She seems more confident and at ease, more settled. Maybe she has found something she is good at and she loves to do: being a mother.

      There was a nice scene where Charlotte slipped off her step stool on the balcony and she started crying. Kate immediately comforted her, picked her up, and soothed her until Charlotte was okay. It looked very natural and loving on her part. Maybe her children has helped her establish an actually individual identity and it shows with her interactions at events as well. She’s looked quite engaged and happy at many events before her mat leave. That dancing with the Paddington Bear mascot? We’d have never seen her doing that in 2011-2012 when she was so stiff and awkward and just plain disinterested.

      • Monica says:

        You all seem a little too excited about MM “getting put in her place.”

      • Nic919 says:

        Kate wasn’t regal. She just acted like an adult instead of playing with her hair and wearing dresses that flash people. The standard is so low for her it’s pathetic. Sophie and Anne have been acting like adults for years now and no one comments on how regal they are because it’s normal behaviour for them.

      • ORIGINAL T.C. says:

        “Kate has acquired some sort of regalness and “stability” after becoming a mother. “

        Wait What? Hasn’t she been a mother all this time? The clear delineation between new Kate and old Kate is the introduction of Megan as Harry’s partner. It jolted both Kate and Wills out of their complacency and their reluctance to act like responsible Royals. They both started doing more charity events and Kate finally started acting more mature.

        IMO, I think Megan has been great for everyone in the family as least from a PR position. I think Kate was up front at Trooping the Colours to help manage Princess Charlotte who has quickly become the public’s favorite (mine too 🙂 ). And her older brother too who seems to be following his sister’s lead in be more comfortable before the cameras! Harry and Meg seemed comfortable and satisfied with their position away from central stage.

        Kate does very well taking center stage, she just doesn’t like giving speeches or doing small talk. Based on past history Meg is seems more comfortable with public speaking and small talk. They compliment each other and should team up for charity events IMO.

    • Lilly says:

      Since the wedding, I think she looks more royal and future queen-ish. The lines are more demarcated. I don’t see it as a bad thing, the dress was not my favorite, but in line with the role.

    • Aurelia says:

      Kate has compettiton now. Maybe she will finally grow up.

    • fishface says:

      Kate wearing another sisterwife outfit. All she needs is a nice apron to go with it.

  3. Jane says:

    The kids were sooooo cute, and yeah, Charlotte nearly fell off her stool and got temporarily spooked.
    I didn’t care for the puffy sleeves.

    • Alix says:

      The puffy sleeves messed up an otherwise nice dress.

      Anyone know who the young woman is standing next to WIlliam?

      • Susannej says:

        Daily Mail had a “who is who ” explanation and listed this young Lady “Estella Taylor”.
        I am sure there is a Royal connection … but don’ t know the Details…
        Account to the Internet:
        Daughter of Lady Helen Taylor ( born Helen Windsor)
        Grandchild of the 2nd Duke of Kent
        Grand-Grandchild of the 1st Duke of Kent
        Grand-Grand-Grandchild of King George V

        I mean ok. This is some familytree for sure

      • Alix says:

        @susannej: Thanks for the info!

      • LAK says:

        Eloise Taylor, Grand-daughter of the Duke of Kent, the Queen’s cousin.

  4. Cher says:

    Kate looks like she usually does. Her children are way more interesting.

  5. Aang says:

    I just don’t get the sideways hats. If I had to wear a hat I would at least want it to keep the sun off my face and not block my vision on an entire side. Can’t they look nice and be functional at the same time?

    • Susannah says:

      It looks like she moved her hat over and the flowers on the top is an ice pack. Maybe she had a fun night out and is nursing a hangover or something but it’s definitely not my favorite Kate hat.

    • Milla says:

      Those aren’t hats. They are fascinators. Basically, there for decoration.

  6. liriel says:

    Why no one applauds Kate for wearing her her up a lot lately? To me the colour was lovely as was the hat. Her overall look wasn’t the most impressive but she looked pretty and regal. As someone noticed before she really became regal-looking.

    • Natalie S says:

      We have to applaud Kate for wearing her hair up?

      • Nic919 says:

        Also standing. That’s regal guys.

      • Ankhel says:

        Lol! Also, for seeming more mature lately. (As a mother of three in her mid thirties.)

      • Monica says:

        Because white mediocrity gets pats on the back for the bare minimum

      • magnoliarose says:

        Monica, I notice this more and more and it is something to behold. Really.

      • Nic919 says:

        Kate is the epitome of white mediocrity. Never worked, rarely speaks, but gets new outfits every time she steps out. Lowest engagement numbers for a royal spouse ever considered a senior royal and can barely string a few pre written words during a speech. She would be considered a joke in any other area.

    • MostlyMegan says:

      I had to laugh at the severe height of Kate’s hat, knowing Meghan would be standing behind her.

  7. Lexter says:

    Not that it’s important or something to strive for but my goodness she snapped back after baby 3

    • Aurelia says:

      I never understand the whole snap back deal. Waity was on her ususal restrictive diet and high exercise thing prior to each pregnancy. Was careful not to stuff her face like I did throughout her pregnancies and then gets straight back into it after each birth. God knows she was the time. So there is nothing to ‘snap back’ from.

      • Ssh says:

        lol, jealous much? Maybe you shouldn’t be stuffing your face and gaining so much extra weight during pregnancies…. That’s how hundreds of women stay slim before and after giving birth. It’s quite simple really, if you’re already healthy and active before you get pregnant, the pregnancy weight wont take forever to lose.

      • StartupSpouse says:

        @SSH I never start internet fights but you need to back it up and sit down.

        I am naturally slim and athletic and tried to be very healthy with both kids, but gained an enormous amount of weight with both kids. It is NOT simple for everyone no matter how hard you try. I work full time and I am primary parent with the kids because my hubby runs a company. It took me 2 years with each kid to lose the weight even with good diet and as much exercise as I could muster with my schedule.

        I think what Aurelia is saying is that Kate has the resources and time to be on a careful diet and exercise plan ALL THE TIME, unlike us mere mortals. She was trying to be humorous to compare it with her situation. It was self-deprecating and funny. Your comment is way out of line.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Having multiple cooks, housekeepers, and nannies to take care of the house, do the cooking, and mind the kids while she spends hours with her personal trainer helps.

  8. Seraphina says:

    I don’t see Kate becoming more regal. Maybe more comfortable next to MM.

    Didn’t like Kate’s hat. It really got in the way in many photo ops. Did not like MM’s outfit. Seemed out of place with the shouldering. Loved her purse.

    Ahhhhh, George. Love that kid and yes, my oldest has pulled the same move: cover their mouth, it’s the only way to guarantee a shhhhhing.

  9. Melania says:

    Kate looks so much older than Meghan. So , so matronly.

    • Aang says:

      I agree but I don’t see that as an insult. Kate will one day be the matriarch of the royal family. She is dressing like it.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Have you seen how HM dressed in her younger years, even after becoming queen? Matronly dress is not required. Adherence to basic rules (length of hem, etc.) but not matronly.

      • Aang says:

        I just feel like Kate doesn’t owe us a fashion show. She has three kids and was at work with two of them. She looked occasion appropriate and that’s enough to ask of new mom returning to work. If that’s how Kate feels comfortable then that’s how she should dress. Sincerely, a dowdy dresser that doesn’t care if anyone likes my clothes.

      • Becks1 says:

        Agreed Nota. I think many people assume that because the queen dresses conservatively NOW it is required for all royals, and the reality is that the queen is 93 (92?) and did not dress like a 92 year old when she was 36.

      • ccc888 says:

        Kate is not Elizabeth. Not equitable in any way, at any age.

      • Bea says:

        Dressing the part is fine and all but when will Kate’s work ethic match the work of a matriarch?

      • perplexed says:

        When I think of dowdy dressing I think of Mayim Bialik, not the royal women. Kate just looks conservative to me, but not necessarily dowdy. Now Mayim Bialik — well, yeah, her style just screams dowdy to me (and even that seems to be on purpose and her personal preference so I feel a little mean saying this about her. She seems to be more comfortable with that style so I don’t want to come across as I think she has to change if that’s what she likes).

        Anyone who puts as much effort into the trimness of their waistline and overall physique as Kate does doesn’t usually strike me as dowdy.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Aang, she has never been “at work” at any point, before or after kids. She is the one who thinks it is a fashion show, spending over 1 million on clothing in 7 years.

  10. TeamAwesome says:

    Anne Shirley would love those sleeves.

    • manda says:

      Hahahaha!!! Thank you so much for this

    • minx says:

      I hate, hate those sleeves. Just straight normal sleeves, with that square neck, would be so much better.

    • magnoliarose says:

      What they have done to Alexander McQueen makes me so angry I can’t breathe sometimes. No way on this freaking earth would he design some crap like this. I wish his label would have died with him and puffy royal design hacks could have come up with their own names. It is like slapping his memory over and over. Post 2010 is someone else not him. He was picky about who wore his clothes and I don’t think moments like these would be something he approved of at all.
      This dress terrible and the square neckline…FFS.

      • Digital Unicorn says:

        ITA – he would NEVER have designed Katie Keen’s wedding dress, never. He famously told his stores never to sell anything to Victoria Beckham, as he never wanted her to wear his designs – he was legendary for his b!tchiness.

        If he was still alive you can be guaranteed that the royal’s wouldn’t be wearing his clothes – he wasn’t a fan of them.

    • Little Red says:

      Lol! I thought much the same. 🙂

  11. P says:

    Kate looks like a giant next to the other people, boring dress, cute hat.

    • minx says:

      Well, she’s tall. As a tall woman myself we really don’t like to be called “giant.” It’s like, you are the height you are, not much you can do about it.

      • Red Snapper says:

        She’s 5’6″, same as me. Average. She wears sky high heels and, today, an enormous hat. Why does she feel the need to appear so tall? Who knows?

      • homeslice says:

        Well, maybe she really wanted to stand out yesterday…tee hee! I do think she looked marvelous. The wedding outfit and this one get a thumbs up from me. Let’s face it, this is her style, she will be Queen consort one day and she looks it. The picture she and Will paint is one of stability. May be boring as hell, but that’s more appealing to the BRF than the alternative.

      • ChiChi says:

        Red Snapper, she’s not 5’6. Come on!

      • Red Snapper says:

        ChiChi, her height is a settled matter. There are photos of her wearing flats standing beside her 6’2″ husband. She is between 5’6″ and 5’7″. Sorry if that bothers you.

      • Nancy Ann says:

        Kate is 5’10”

        Tallest of all the royal women!

      • minx says:

        She “feels the need to appear so tall?” Her height is what it is and if she likes to wear high heels that’s not unusual for any woman. As a tall woman I can sympathize, what can she do? Hunch over? Chop off her legs? Wear flats?
        There are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticize Kate, but her height??

      • magnoliarose says:

        She’s not 5’6. She’s around 5’8. She most certainly is shorter than I am 5’10-11 because when I wear heels I would be as tall if not taller than William.

      • LAK says:

        Charles is 5ft 10in. Kate is wearing *4in heels whilst standing next to him. If she was the same height as him, she would tower over him in her heels.

        *she always wears 4in heels.

      • Aurelia says:

        Lolz, not much she can do about it … her footwear staple is 4 inch heels. Insecure much kate!

      • Aurelia says:

        Back in the dating days kate almost exclusively wore flats when she was trying to blend in with the horsey set. Nobody ooohed and arrhed about how tall she was. I would put her at 5.7 and pippa at 5.5. Its only when waity permanently wears her staple 4 inch heels we think she is tall.

      • Ssh says:

        Kate is definitely taller than 5.6. Meghan is 5.5 or under so no way is Kate near her height. I’d put Kate at 5.7/5.8.

      • Ssh says:

        Btw, it really does say something when women are criticised for wearing high heels because they like to wear them. So all of us who like to wear heels are insecure? Lol *rolls eyes*

      • Lizabeth says:

        Perhaps@SSH. But it’s hard to see it as anything but some sort of insecurity when Kate wears sky-high heels even when attending an event with small children. She ends up towering over them and having to bend over…and we’ve all seen the “money shots” that result.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Her heels are often 4-5 inches plus platform. You can tell this when her shoes are identified by fan blogs. Ex her Jimmy Choo silver vamp sandals with 5.5″ heel and 1″ platform.

  12. Thunder says:

    Kate desperately needs to improve her posture. It’s really not a good look to have your shoulders hunched over all the time, not mention the effect on your spine. It’s even more noticeable next to Meghan who stands straight with shoulders back.

    • Nic919 says:

      There is a picture of her profile in the other blog post and her neck is so angled forward it’s actually concerning. She’s 36 and if she doesn’t fix this issue now, she is going to be hunched over at a very early age. It’s odd because she’s clearly into exercising so maybe she should wear lower heels or do more yoga or something.

    • Shirurusu says:

      I have the same problem as Kate with my posture, being much taller than most people definitely contributes to this. If I stand up straight when I’m out with my two best friends (who are below average height) I feel like a giant lol! It’s awkward. Trying to do something about it but just working out doesn’t actually help, you usually work out with the same bad posture that you walk around with unfortunately

    • Abby says:

      Maybe she’s leaning toward her kids? If my two little ones were standing on stepstools in front of a balcony I’d sure be leaning toward them every second too.

      • Lady D says:

        No power on earth would get me out on that balcony. I’d have to refuse marriage into that family if balcony scenes were part of life with them.

      • Nic919 says:

        The pictures where she is hunched over can be seen in the Meghan post and her kids are not even there. It has nothing to do with her kids. She has really bad posture and at 36 it’s noticeable. For someone so fit otherwise it’s bizarre that she doesn’t fix this. It will only get worse as she ages.

  13. Natalie S says:

    Kate herself looks lovely especially considering how recently she gave birth.

    The details of the dress are so frumpy. It’s like bridesmaid from the 80s. When she’s standing on the balcony and you can see more of the dress rather than just the details, then it looks better. It’s a good color -a nice cool, refreshing blue.

    The puffed sleeves -please tell me those aren’t coming back. They’re so fussy and frumpy looking especially when paired with that neckline.

    • Nic919 says:

      I liked the colour, but the square neckline and puffy sleeves aren’t good on her. She has wide shoulders and the square neckline only makes her look wider. The hat was ok on its own, but clearly was too large for photos and she was almost blocking Harry with the hat.

      • Juna says:

        What’s wrong with looking “wider”? Seriously asking.

      • Ssh says:

        Juna, haha, I know right? God forbid if someone on here said that Meghan has no waist/is boxy, square shaped… there would be an uproar! There’s nothing wrong with having wide shoulders, and there’s nothing wrong with being boxy.

      • Ssh says:

        I thought you guys only criticised her “work ethic” or so you say………

  14. Esmerelda says:

    Kate looks cozy with Camilla… is the Cambridges’ move to counter the alleged closeness between Charles and Meghan? Smart, I have to say…

    • Red says:

      OR Kate likes Camilla because she is her Step mother in law and they’ve been family for years. Give me a break, I highly doubt that everything is a huge competition between Will vs Harry, or Meghan vs Kate. Perhaps, gasp, they all actually like each other.

      • Brittany says:

        Thank you Red. I hate this constant competition with Kate and Meghan. They looked friendly and were talking and laughing while on the balcony.

  15. Chaine says:

    Her sleeves remind me of a Disney princess dress. I don’t mind them, though, since she is married to a prince… Color is lovely on her and I like the hat, too.

    • Ssh says:

      I laugh when people say Kate dresses like a Princess! I mean, duh, she is an actual Princess. What do people expect her to dress like? This is just a general comment because I’ve seen people say this so many times.

      • Lizabeth says:

        But all of those women can give a speech without reading every single word (& many have given speeches on the world stage), can hold an intelligent conversation without stumbling, using “brilliant” frequently, & using lots of “um, ah” filler-type words, are hard workers in the eye of the general public, are visible & not hiding away, didn’t take years & years to “hit the ground running”, seem to exhibit passion for their “queenly” work …all things Kate has not done or can’t do. Regardless, everyone knows Kate will be Will’s Consort if/when he becomes King, just as Camilla will be Charles’s Consort when he becomes King. But often people speak as though Kate’s future position will be like QEII’s! That why the term “Consort” is emphasized so much.

  16. EEK says:

    Kate looked really great yesterday, not necessarily in the carriage but the dress looked good when she was stood on the balcony. As mentioned already, I also thought it stood out how she was in the centre before the queen etc arrived; I thought that sent a really powerful message and she did look regal. Really interesting how much confidence she seems to have gained lately (im also sure she shushed Savannah and George with the mock conducting etc!).

    • Nic919 says:

      Considering she was blocking Camilla from the centre spot it just showed that she doesn’t understand her rank. As much as some people don’t like Camilla, others still acknowledge that she is essentially the princess of Wales and will be queen consort in the next few years. It’s kind of the point of the entire archaic system.

      • EEK says:

        Yes but these things are planned out in advance- she will have stood where she was told to stand. Maybe there was another reason for the blocking out of Camilla I don’t know but I don’t think it’s a sign that Kate doesn’t understand her rank. If anything it really bolstered the image of the royal family.

      • aaa says:

        From what I saw, Kate was supposed to be in the center position, flanked by Camilla on one side and Harry and Meghan on the other. My guess is that TPTB wanted Kate in the most visible position which is why George and Charlotte did not come out until the second appearance, had George and Charlotte come out during the first appearance, there was a chance that Kate would have been distracted by the kids.

      • Aes says:

        Hmm. I don’t know if this is Kate pushing herself forward or a strategic family choice, but how comfortable would everyone be with Camilla front and center at this point?
        Would Camilla herself be comfortable there? Going forward, that strikes me as an important question.

    • LAK says:

      Kate is constantly being told to stand back. She simply stands where she wants to stand and sod the ranking. The only person whose ranking she pays attention to is the Queen.

      • EEK says:

        @LAK may I ask how you know for sure this is the case? The queen will dictate where she stands and if, as you said, that’s he only person whose rank Kate responds to them surely this would be an occasion where she does as she’s told?

      • homeslice says:

        I have no idea about Kate pushing herself forward, but for this event I would think things are clearly marked as the stools for Charlotte and George would have been right in front of where their mother was supposed to stand.

      • LAK says:

        EEK: She’s been doing this since she married in. She was reminded on the Jubilee boat, every Trooping except 2011, she’s stakes out a position front and centre whether it’s appropriate or not, and is told by someone, usually William to make room for the more important ranking, usually Charles or Camilla.

        Homeslice: there are no markers / chart on the floor for everyone to follow, but there is an understanding of positions according to rank. Kate pushing herself forward isn’t as obvious when William stands to the left as he should, but glaring when he stood to the right next to Charles. She squeezed Charles out of the way instead of standing behind William both times.

      • magnoliarose says:

        Thanks once again for pointing this out. She has always done this. She barely curtsies to the Queen. The gymnastics to excuse her is mindboggling. People actually make up stuff to make her behavior seem acceptable. They just pluck it out of thin air and go with it. There is no way she should be front and center and pulling an Amal Clooney.
        Like her or don’t but these excuses are absurd.

      • EEK says:

        @LAK: you clearly dislike Kate which is fine but are you seriously saying she’s been pulling focus for years and hasn’t been spoken to about it by the queen? Unlikely. Positioning is clearly chosen in advance and this line up makes sense.

      • LAK says:

        EEK: The same Queen who let the very scandalous war of the Wales go on for years is going to be irked by the tiny detail of Kate pulling focus enough to tell her off?

      • Nic919 says:

        During her first engagement with Liz and Phil she had to be pulled back because she was walking ahead of them. This was in 2012 and a year and a half following her marriage. If she can’t figure out the Queen goes first without being told, do we think she cares about the rest?

      • Ssh says:

        Camilla being front and centre is not a good look at all with the public. The family obviously knows this so Kate & William are the focus. They’re the “young” stable family.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Charles and Camilla are the next sovereign and consort and should be front and centre next to HM. They’ve been married for 13 years now; time to put aside the idea that they’re not considered “stable”. While a handful of obsessed Diana fans don’t like Camilla, she isn’t considered the devil incarnate by the majority.

  17. Miss M says:

    I think I am in the minority here, but I think she looks beautiful. I liked the dress and the color.

    • minx says:

      I think her whole look is pretty, the color is so soft and flattering.
      Just hate those sleeves.

      • Miss M says:

        I don’t mind the sleeves. To me, they gave the impression she has good posture.
        But what do I know?! 😅

    • Elisa says:

      Let me sit with you. 🙂 I saw the pictures yesterday on the Daily Mail and I love the whole look, even down to the sleeves. Also, they clearly coordinated the colors, even down to Charlotte.

    • Kloops says:

      Me too. Beautiful, elegant and confident. She seems to be coming into her own. I hope it also translates into an increased work load in the future, but she’s currently doing a great job presenting herself as mother of the future (maybe) monarch.

  18. bonobochick says:

    I like the color & it looks good on her but not a fan of the style of the dress nor the hat.

  19. Nellyy says:

    I loove Kate’s hat and was she wearing a ladder cos she dwarfed poor Meghan and almost everyone besides Harry and Will.

  20. lightpurple says:

    Can we talk about Savannah? Girl is in charge and she looks just like her grandmother.

  21. AnotherDirtyMartini says:

    The pics of William are to die for! He looks like he’s about to strangle a couple of the kids, including George.

    Hey! Harry is actually smiling here! At his father.

  22. MrsBump says:

    Both meghan and kate looked lovely and occasion appropriate if a little dated.
    For all her laziness, i’m regularly struck by how regal Kate looks at those events, she really does give off that stability vibe. I tend to think that Meghan is far more beautiful (being an actress and all) but seeing them side by side, Kate holds her own especially having had 3 kids.

    • Jayna says:

      @MrsBump, I agree with everything you said. And they all looked lovely. The Queen, Camilla, Kate, and Meghan. This isn’t a fashion show. It doesn’t have to be my style. It’s theirs. And both Kate and Meghan looked great. And Kate did look very regal, every inch the future Queen consort. With her height and William’s, their kids are all going to be tall. I can’t believe how amazing her figure is after just having her third baby.

      There was nothing wrong with Meghan’s dress. It looked really nice on her.

      The kids were the stars, though.

  23. Becks1 says:

    I think Kate looked fine. The sleeves were NMS, but overall it was a fine look. I don’t usually like her Trooping outfits for some reason so this one was just another meh Trooping look. I did like her hat, earrings and necklace.

    Her posture drives me crazy though. Sit up straight. Stand up straight.

  24. LW says:

    When I saw it in the carriage I thought it was horrible, but it looked so much better on the balcony. Still not a giant fan of the puffy sleeves, but I thought the cut and color were very nice. I think her being “front and center” had more to do with the kids. They obviously needed some supervision (as any small kids would) and needed to be up front to be able to see. So mom was right behind them for obvious reasons. And she was needed more than once while they were up there. To comfort Charlotte and to oversee George 😉

  25. tw says:

    She is so thin already. Do we know if she exercises? She’s sporty and has always been thin but this is just two months after giving birth.

    • Becks1 says:

      Reportedly she works out every day.

      • tw says:

        She must. She bounces back so quickly. I just never hear it reported. I guess that’s a very American thing to discuss.

    • Rainbow says:

      She’s also breastfeeding. That could be a factor in the weight loss.

      • Nic919 says:

        That’s an old wives tale. Only diligent exercise will get you that thin that quickly after a pregnancy.

      • Becks1 says:

        breastfeeding never helped me LOL.

      • Yup, Me says:

        I didn’t exercise after my baby was born; I only breastfed, and within 2 months I was back to my former size, possibly a little smaller. It’s not “only diligent exercise.” Some women just snap back.

      • Nic919 says:

        And some women don’t. That’s why it’s an old wives tale.

    • notasugarhere says:

      She also spends hours a day with her personal trainer while cook, housekeepers, nannies watch the kids. I’m sure that helps in any “snapping back”.

  26. bread says:

    The dress wasn’t the greatest but the whole looks works for me. The icy blue with the diamond jewelry looked gorgeous against her tanned skin. Even her hair and makeup was on point.

  27. Rainbow says:

    She looked great. This is one of her best looks. The ice blue colour really works for her. Hair and makeup also nicely done.

    But the best are her earrings. Wow. Those are some major bling.

    And her interaction with Charlotte on the balcony was lovely. The kids may have nannies but it’s obvious they know who their Mum is and Kate is very involved in their lives.

    • Ssh says:

      Yup. George and Charlotte are very comfortable around W&K. It shows they aren’t palmed off with the nannies all the time. Very natural, loving interactions. Something which this family hasn’t had for years with the main line… so it is nice to see a happy, involved family.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Again with bashing working parents to try to justify W&K’s laziness. Working a handful of hours a week away from their kids isn’t going to destroy their relationship, just as it hasn’t destroyed the relationships for all the other working royals who also worked while having young kids.

  28. Lexa says:

    Disastrous?? I actually really love this look, puffy sleeves and all. I don’t see them as being 80s, but in line with the almost Tudor-esque style that’s been showing up in some designer collections over the last few seasons and has been trickling down (I saw a shirt with this same cut at Express the other day). If nothing else, it was different for her without being lace or buttoned up her neck. I agree with everyone saying it looks better when she’s standing up, but “disastrous” was Sophie’s repeat Wickstead.

    I knew people here would call out her standing right at the front but if you watch the videos, she’s gripping Charlotte at several points when Charlotte is leaning over the balcony. And yes, Charlotte slipped off her stool and it either scared her or she bumped her shin. Kate picked her up and she was fine 30 seconds later. I’m guessing once Meghan and Harry have kids, they’ll move up closer to the front to mind them, too, but in terms of Kate “knowing her place” Camilla always led on the way in and out of the balcony and it seemed like Charles was fine showing he was literally and figuratively right behind the Queen.

    One more thing—I loved seeing George and Charlotte interacting with their little cousins. And George was definitely more at ease, maybe because the cameras weren’t right there and he was excited to see the airplanes?

    • homeslice says:

      Kate is always going to be “in front”…she is married to the heir and mother to an heir. It seems like this raises a lot of people’s blood pressure…lol.

      • PrincessK says:

        No, you are missing the point….being “in front” does not mean being pushy or having to remind people of your position because you feel threatened. Also let us not get carried away Kate will not be a real Queen but just a consort, I don’t see what change in status that will bring. Its not like she will be having weekly meetings with the PM or have any real power beyond sorting out her kids and the household.

      • Mego says:

        She appeared to be hogging space partly because of her height and hat. It seems to me that it wouldn’t kill them to put the taller people back a bit so that others are not completely hidden like Camilla was. I was interested in seeing other people in addition to Kate. Also would have been nice to see pics and videos of people standing on the far edges. I couldn’t tell if Princess Margarets children were there or not.

      • perplexed says:

        To be honest, I think she might be standing out simply because of her height. No, I don’t think she’s remotely 5’10” but Meghan Markle does appear to be a much smaller-made woman and it’s a given in any situation that the taller person will stand out. I say this as a short person (who probably is Markle’s height). A slim tall woman will stand out next to me, regardless of what my face or her face looks like. It is what it is.

        Also, neither Kate nor Meghan are unattractive, and I think the eye just naturally moves towards the sight of the more attractive people. Even though Meghan is shorter, my eye is more inclined to move towards the sight of her because she’s prettier than Camilla. If Diana were standing there in Camilla’s position, we’d all definitely notice Diana no matter where she’s placed. I think we’re just more inclined to look towards the more attractive people. Again, it is what it is. If Camilla doesn’t stand out, I think that it’s because she’s, well, Camilla. And I don’t really see anything wrong with saying this since I don’t think Camilla gets particularly upset when people say other women are prettier than her. She didn’t seem to care much when people said Diana was the prettier one (and she told Diana to pretty much suck it up because she was beautiful), so there you go.

      • LAK says:

        Mego, all the Kents and Gloucesters were present except for Zara and Mike (i can’t recall if they do Trooping) and the Lewis family.

      • Ssh says:

        Queen Rania, Queen Letizia, Queen Maxima…are Queen Consorts and they are all referred to as Queens! Kate is going to be Queen Kate, get used to it.

      • Lizabeth says:

        But @SSH the women you mention (Max, Leti, Rania) can give a short speech without reading every single word & some have given speeches on the “world stage”, can hold an intelligent conversation without stumbling, mumbling, saying “brilliant” frequently, & using lots of “um, ah” filler-type words, are visible not hiding away, didn’t take years & years to “hit the ground running”, seem to exhibit passion for their royal work …all things Kate has not done or can not do. Regardless, everyone knows Kate will be Will’s Consort if/when he becomes King, just as Camilla will be Charles’s Consort when he becomes King. But often people speak as though Kate’s future position will be like QEII’s! I think that’s why the term “Consort” is emphasized so much in her case.

    • LAK says:

      Those sleeves are mutton Edwardian sleeves. Not Tudor.

      • Lexa says:

        Ah, true! I think the volume at the shoulder is late Victorian/Edwardian but combined with the square neckline it feels vaguely Tudor to me, too. I don’t see it as an 80s throwback like some people are describing because I associate that shape as being more of an inverted triangle, with a straight line across the shoulders. I dunno, just how my brain interprets it. I suppose I just like the unexpected structure on an otherwise plain dress.

      • Lizabeth says:

        The dress and hat reminds me of drawings of Little Bo Peep. If she had been wearing sausage curls it would have been a match for sure.

        I think the puffy sleeves and square neck were chosen to make her shoulders look wider. Yes, her shoulders are already wide but more width up top means her middle looks smaller. And she may have been worried about that not knowing if her “baby weight” would be gone.

      • LAK says:

        Lexa: That shape is stuck in my brain because when the Edwardian British colonialists showed up in my part of Africa, they were so shocked at the sight of bare shoulders that they persuaded the Queen / princesses to add sleeves to the traditional wrap style.

        The end result is a wrap with those Edwardian mutton sleeves and a square neckline. And that has become the accepted dress.

        Only the truly traditional, old school people wear the wrap dress without the mutton sleeves.

  29. homeslice says:

    I don’t mind the sleeves, I thought she looked great. The hat was to die for and my snarky side laughs at the extra bigness because MM was going to be behind her…I kid!

  30. Ladykeller says:

    I love the hat. I wouldn’t wear it but I thought it was a great choice for her. I love the effect of the colour coordination. It was a powerful statement.

  31. ChillyWilly says:

    Kate and Meghan look gorgeous but also like they are playing dress up in Mommy’s closet. They both need better stylists. The kids are adorable. Love Savannah shushing the heir to the throne!

  32. TheOriginalMia says:

    Didn’t like the puff sleeves, but the dress was alright. Nothing spectacular. It’s her usual dowdy outfit for these events. I’m surprised she hasn’t corrected her posture, which seems to be getting worse as she ages. You’d think someone who is so aware of her looks wouldn’t want pics of herself out there like that. But she accomplished what she set out to do yesterday. She was front and center before the Queen’s arrival and manage to maintain that position until the Queen motioned for her children to move forward. Then and only then did Kate position herself behind Charlotte.

  33. Citresse says:

    I really didn’t mind the outfit but the hat?…oh no, it looked so bad, like it was ready to slide off Kate’s head at any moment. MM looked great!

  34. Sage says:

    They all looks so dated and comical. 😃
    Why were two boys dressed in sailor suits?! When and why did Anne receive all those medals?

  35. YantkLynn says:

    I’m sorry for George that Kate is still dressing him in those baby-ish short sets. And I don’t mean the fact of shorts per se but the infantile style like the round, piped collar and sleeve trim, which no doubt match the shorts and mary jane shoes we cant see on the balcony. Another Will hand me down ? On the other hand a couple of older male cousins were in sailor suits so maybe maternal resentments are more justified from those two when they look back at the family album 🙂

    • Nancy Ann says:

      He cannot appear in public with pants until he is 8…with the exception of H and M wedding!

      FACT!

      • Lizabeth says:

        But he doesn’t have to be dressed in such babyish shirts. He’ll be 5 soon.

      • LAK says:

        Goodness are we in 1418?

        The etiquette about children, especially boys, in baby clothing went out centuries ago.

    • MeghanNotMarkle says:

      I think Kate has this same outfit in every size for George. It’s not the first time we’ve seen him in this same white shirt with the blue piping. Poor kid and his mom constantly SWF-ing Diana with not only her own wardrobe but George’s as well.

    • MrsK says:

      It’s “tradition.” Harry and William were dressed the same way at that age. And, I suspect some of it is the nanny’s influence. She is from Spain, where they dress aristocratic children very conservatively. I’ve even seen it mentioned that she sometimes gets them clothes from there.

  36. Sojaschnitzel says:

    I dislike Kate as a person (or my perception thereof) but I love this dress. The colour itself is amazing and looks great on her and I have no problem with the cut. It fits the occasion.

  37. Janie says:

    Kate really stood out and looked absolutely beautiful. She could easily be a runway model. Meghans outfit is fine but the off the shoulder look was inappropriate for that occasion imo. I think her makeup was caked on because she had a big zit on her cheek. It happens!
    I find the English/Europeans dress more feminine than they do in North America.

    • magnoliarose says:

      No, she could not be a runway model. Not even close at any time in her life. She doesn’t have the body type or the height. She has her own sporty attractiveness that is just as relevant as anyone else’s but there is nothing modelish about her and the same goes for Meghan. In fact, none of the royal women fit that type. They have their own charms and positives.

      • liriel says:

        Sporty attractiveness – sometimes I see her as skinny so I know she’s sporty though I couldn’t tell.. I love her being tall and slim but you’re right, not exactly the runway look. At her skinniest she probably could be weight wise but the proportions are off.

      • Lizabeth says:

        True @MagnoliaRose. Since her marriage Kate usually has been quite slim but her waist is far too low for her overall build to be considered model-like. Dresses would never fit her in any size without moving the waist down (or risk the design looking like it had an empire waist as has been the case with many of Kate’s dresses) Carole and Pippa also have longer waists.

      • Nic919 says:

        Kate’s facial features are also very asymmetrical and models tend to have more symmetrical faces, hence why they are considered more attractive.

  38. Josie says:

    I’ve believed for a long time that the Royal reporting is more poorly sourced now that at any time in the last fifty years. (I always thought James Whittaker was so cranky about Kate because William’s household didn’t continue the pattern of strategic leaks of the War of the Wales years. His petty meanness was his revenge.)

    So these events are useful checks on the rumors floating around.

    (1) Savannah Phillips knows George well enough to do those shushing moves — more evidence that the rumors of Cambridge estrangement from the wider family could be false. (Mike Tindall has alluded to Mia seeing the kids semi-regularly, and I have wondered whether having Freddie Windsor’s daughter at the Battersea school was one more reason to choose the more remote location.)

    (2) Someone put the extended Gloucester and Kent families front and center, three weeks after they were excluded from the wedding. Meanwhile Earl Snowden and Sarah Chatto’s families were either absent or way back. The debate of who’s “in” and who’s “out” is still being fought.

    • LAK says:

      James Whitaker died in 2012 after a cancer battle that saw him resign from his paper months before WK’s wedding. Did you mean another reporter?

      • Josie says:

        Not at all. Whittaker was cutting about the Middletons thoughout the noughts. I’m sure you remember his comment about William loving Kate but not being in love. When I refer to household, I’m using shorthand for William’s anti-press tactics dating back to his graduation from St Andrews (at least).

        William’s cardinal rule for remaining in his circle has been “no leaks.” It’s why I doubt absolutely everything written about the Cambridges. That recent story about William having a fit because Charles displayed a public photo of himself with George? Something about that pinged my radar: I think it was a planted story designed to sniff out a leaker, actually.

        In any case, I am confident that you don’t need me to remind you that Whittaker was once one of the best-sourced Royal reporters in the fold. His contacts in the 80s and 90s were unimpeachable.

      • LAK says:

        You are right about royal sources. But i also think that after the fallout of the war of the roses, the royals have thrown their weight behind efforts to contain any leaks and pressuring UK media not to print even if they have receipts.

        Depending on the kind of relationship individual royals forge with the press, that pressure works or doesn’t work. There is a combination of pressure not to publish, threats to IPSO and litigation. It doesn’t always work because as you saw with Megan’s father, one threat too far and the media published receipts to make a point.

        Re: James Whitaker, i think he never took to Kate, was quite scathing and snobby about her, and seriously disrespected her for being so openly covetous of the royal titles and status without any attempts to forge her own life or identity. He once gave an interview in which he said she would put up with anything thrown at her for the chance to be POW and QC.

        I wonder what he would have made of Meghan.

    • homeslice says:

      Yep, the Phillips’ kids and Cambridge’s were out frolicking together today at a polo match. Looks likes they all get along well!

      • Aurelia says:

        I would doubt they have scheduled play dates at all. But they obviously spend time with each other as they move in the same horse circles.

      • Nic919 says:

        Kids under the age of five can get along instantly at drop in centres so that is no evidence of them associating often. Extensive introductions aren’t required when it comes to running outside and playing with toy guns.

      • Arulesha says:

        @nic919 I find it a bit sad how you’re so bitterly anti-Kate that you can’t even countenance the idea that her kids might have friendly relations with the cousins’ kids? Am I reading this right? I mean sure we can’t tell what kind of relationships they actually have with each other, but speculating is what we do after all. Anyway as usual you are all over the thread criticising Kate, who I assure you I am not a fan of. But like, if people want to say good things about her, like she looks regal, why do you just have to be like no she doesn’t! I am not talking about one or two comments, it is just relentless with you.

      • Nic919 says:

        And when people like you make further comments I have more fun making even more of them. Anyone who has seen kids of a certain age interact can comment on how they can get along fairly easily without meeting up that often. It’s what kids do and no sign that they meet often or don’t. I didn’t say Kate was a bad mother, that’s what you read into it.

      • Ssh says:

        “There’s no evidence”. hahaa I didn’t realise the public were entitled to “evidence” of the Cambridge’s and the extended family spending time together. They seem to get along fine.

      • Ssh says:

        Arulesa, It’s called jealousy. The can deny it all they want and say it’s about her non existent work ethic but it’s not.

      • Arulesha says:

        Nic919, no. I did not not say anything about Kate being a bad mother, if you read my comment again. I’m talking about your unrelenting criticism. You dislike her so much that you won’t even let a fairly mild comment like “they look like they get along with the cousins’ kids cos they are used to hanging out” stand. You pounce on it. No they must not have good relations, kids that age get along with anyone! And I’m talking about your general profusion of critical comments about Kate. I’m not stalking you or anything, but your name is just very prominent and noticeable on these threads. It is striking.

      • notasugarhere says:

        If they constantly moved in the same “horse circles” there would be far more pictures of them together. As it stands, there are only 3-4 sets that I know of. One of which involved Autumn Phillips getting PGTips out of the way of the polo ponies because KM just sat there doing nothing.

        As Nic919 writes, kids are kids. Get a group together, this is how they act.

        Funny, it is a group of brand new posters on there attacking someone who has been posting on here for years. Try to be a little less obvious kids.

  39. HeyThere! says:

    A few things: I have anxiety since having babies. I know everything is relative, but If my small children we up on a balcony at the very front, perhaps on a chair or something so they could see, you bet your butt I would be up front in my heels and hat half bent over the entire time. WHAT IF ONE OF THEM FELL?? would be the only thought in my brain.
    It’s manageable without medication for me. I workout, practice meditation and breathing techniques to manage myself when I get too anxious. I am not saying that is what she is doing but I would look exactly the same on that balcony. Actually nope, no I would not look the same….I would be making weird faces along with long periods of RBF, because that’s what I do apparently. HAHA!

    • Abby says:

      Exactly. I would not give a care where I was supposed to be standing. I have two kids that age and if they were on the balcony on step stools (!!) I would be RIGHTTHERE making sure they didn’t fall and I’d be leaning over to monitor them.

      That’s me though. Thank goodness I’m not royalty.

  40. Starlight says:

    First time I have seen Kate sticking to Camilla like glue and before the balcony when the troopng was in full swing both sitting watching from the window Kate chattering away comfortably to Camilla. It is amazing how Meghan finds the camera so easily even though she is standing behind Kate her energy is unbelievably strong, this one is no shrinking violet very very ambitious. Flirty with Charles she knows how to win men’s attention. No wonder Kate and Camilla chose the similar colour and were shoulder to shoulder standing at the front of the balcony.

    • perplexed says:

      What flirting is she doing with Charles? I can’t find any video.

    • Aurelia says:

      I imagine we will see load more of waity sucking up to cam and chuckles in the future. She is so transparent. Depending how tight H and M get with Chuck and Cam we may also even see willie trying to claim them back, like there was never any disfunction.

      As for Meghan being a flirt, I looked at the video of Meghan sitting across from the officer in the carriage. She was looking straight at him for ages, shocked he would not look at her.

      • TheOtherSam says:

        The ‘officer’ in the carriage with Harry and Meghan I believe is the Duke of Kent, who ironically is their next door neighbor at KP.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Charles, Harry, and Meghan sharing a laugh on the balcony is Meghan flirting with Charles? From the video you can see she spends much of that interlude staring adoringly at her new husband.

  41. Brittany says:

    I think Kate looked beautiful.

  42. toni says:

    They need Hyacinth Buckett, sorry I mean Bouquet, to advise them on the hats and dresses. Those peasants.

  43. liriel says:

    Kate definitely could be a runway model, I’m surprisingly enjoying her looks more and more.

  44. perplexed says:

    Has Charles shrunk? Kate is tall, but I’ve never thought of her as extremely tall like Diana or Nicole Kidman. But in this shot, she towers over him?! (I realize the hat helps).

    • TheOriginalMia says:

      The hat and 4 inch heels.

      • perplexed says:

        I still think Charles is shrinking. For sure, I thought he used to look taller.

        Diana was like a statue who towered over everyone else, and he still managed to look quite tall when next to her.

      • lsb says:

        Perplexed, I think you’re right in that he may well be [shrinking, that is]. I, too, thought he was taller. He and Diana was similar in height (the rest seemed to have been managed with optimal shot arrangements), but Kate is similarly tall to Diana at about 5’10” and he often seems much smaller. He also looks quite a bit smaller beside his sons now. William and Harry have got the Spencer altitude genes, it would seem, will William at 6’2″ or 6’3″ and Harry at 6’1″ but they positively tower over their father now.

    • LAK says:

      She stood in *5in heels next to Kidman who in turn was wearing kitten heels. The resulting photo shows Kidman is still an inch taller than Kate.

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/12/article-2013700-0CF22E5300000578-595_634x1068.jpg

      *the heels she’s wearing were the sellout item of that period. Listed on website as 5in high.

    • lsb says:

      Kate is 5’10” – same as Diana. Both have towered over Charles. Folks seem not to like her and want to minimise her stats, but some are inarguable.

      • LAK says:

        Seriously, Kate is not as tall as Diana. If she was 5ft 10in and wore her habitual 4in heels, she would be as tall as William or tower over Nicole Kidman in the photo above or Michelle Obama in the photo call at KP.

        The idea that she’s as tall as Diana was put about back when everyone was trying to make her Diana2.0.

      • Elaine says:

        Being 5’6 doesn’t make Kate a lesser person. Nuthin’ wrong with being a shorty ;-P

      • perplexed says:

        She doesn’t strike me as being 5’10” because of how she looks in heels next to William and she doesn’t seem to have the statuesque appearance of Diana who seemed to tower over the Australian swim team (whoa), but since I’m a midget I’d still classify her as tall. I’d love to be 5’6″. Kudos to everyone over 5’4″ (I am jealous of ALL OF YOU!!!!!).

      • lsb says:

        Well, a person’s height is a person’s height. It can’t be accurately derived from comparing pictures here and there without a lot of other information – perspective changes things massively. She is pretty widely reported as being about 5’10” tall. Comparing to swim teams or a 6’3″ bloke isn’t a metric – there are too many vagaries.

        LAK, the link you included says nothing – move the camera forward, back or sideways and you can get a different scale. Nicole Kidman is said to be anything from 5’11” to 6’0″ tall – so similar but taller. Between shoes and perspective, you can get anything emerging from Kate a lot shorter to a lot taller based on camera angle and position i.e. perspective. This business about estimating height, weight and month-of (or legitimacy-of) pregnancy from random, candid photographs is just amusing, coffee-table speculation and not at all factual.
        The lady is tall – if she isn’t 5’10” then she is 5’9″ or 5’11” but not much different to that. If pictures are what you wish to go by, and 5’6″ is your preferred measure then random gents hanging around her are about 5’0″ or so … 😉
        https://static.ok.co.uk/media/images/625x938_ct/1101133_Duchess_of_Cambridge_Kate_Middleton_height_tall_pregnant_9b0102a040fe81c5c3037cb73569978b.jpg

      • Nic919 says:

        It’s amazing how LAK can post a photo that actually shows Kate isn’t as tall as Nicole Kidman and yet people are still debating her height.

      • LAK says:

        Isb: Firstly, Kate was wearing 5in heels in that photo. The Jimmy Choo Vamps. Nicole is wearing kitten heels not more than an inch.

        Moving camera angles about doesn’t compensate for Kate standing in 5in heels next to a woman who is reputed to be 5ft 10/11in who is wearing 1in heels and Kate still being shorter than said woman.

        Finally, i do not dispute that Kate is tall, she’s simply not as tall as you say. The average woman in Britain is 5ft 3/4in whilst men are 5ft 10in. Kate is taller than average, but she is not 5ft 10in. Especially when you can deduct her favoured 4in heels that she wears with most things.

      • perplexed says:

        Kate definitely doesn’t look as statuesque as Diana or Michelle Obama. The photo with MO definitely made me question the 5’10” stat. I definitely don’t the she’s 5’11”. She seems too fine-boned to be that height.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She is no where near 5’10”, but I notice a rash of brand new names on this thread insisting Kate is wonderful and statuesque. Hmm.

        perplexed, she isn’t fine boned which is part of why she looks so haggard when thin thin thin. She is large boned but diets down to an unnaturally small size for her frame, vs. Meghan or Letizia who are naturally small boned.

  45. bettyrose says:

    LOL @ John Hughes. I actually think Kate’s dress was featured in the school dance scene of 16 Candles. I loved 80s fashion sooo much in the 80s, but I was a kid/pre-teen/young teen. Brights colors and floof? Yes, please.

    • perplexed says:

      I don’t know why, but I thought of 16 Candles in relation to Meghan’s dress. For some reason, I thought that’s how everybody dressed to the wedding of the sister in the movie.

  46. Vava says:

    Kate hasn’t starved herself and as a result she looks really good in the face.

    What is up with these flying saucer hats? Not a fan.

    The ice blue is pretty on Kate, I like it except for the puffy sleeves.

  47. Busyann says:

    Kate is not thin. Sure she’s lost a lot of baby weight, but I’ve noticed the bump in her tummy is still there and it is taking longer to go away than in her previous pregnancies. The tailoring and structure of her dress makes her appear smaller. Look closely at the place of the empire waist. It’s higher than normal so the line of the dress flows out and covers her bump.

    Other thoughts, I hated the hat and puffy sleeves but loved the color and jewelry on Kate. Everything looked lovely but….well I don’t know how it’s possible and I’m sure this isn’t going to sound nice, but, she looked like an old Cinderella. The puffy sleeves give the dress a youthful look, and the color of the dress is Cinderella like, but the overall style of the dress skews old and matronly. And yes, having spent time watching Kate on the balcony she stood up there like a boss. At first I thought it was normal, but she didn’t move from that spot. It seemed slightly informal up there, before the Queen arrived, but Kate held on to that stance like she was glued there. Just my observations.

    • Bettyrose says:

      It’s funny. Anyone looking at Kate for the first time would consider her slender, but yeah if you compare to earlier photos she’s filled out a bit – which looks great.

      • Busyann says:

        I agree. She always looks beautiful when she has a little baby weight on her. I wasn’t trying to say that she looks horrible. I was just being honest with her weight. A lot of comments upthread mentioned how thin she looks but I simply think it’s the dress, she’s still got a healthy baby weight on her that looks great, and it’s taking longer this time. I hope she loses more if that is what she desires, but keeps a little more on this time.

  48. Katebush says:

    She looks great. I feel like she is more relaxed and self assured in her role now.
    The colour of the dress and the gorgeous jewellery are a win.

    It also helps that she is so tall.she looks good in most clothes, this dress is pretty unfortunate though with its puffy sleeves.

  49. Cerys says:

    I thought Kate looked well yesterday. The dress was a bit bland and the puff sleeves were not good. But she looked happy, healthy and her outfit was appropriate for the occasion. She and Camilla both looked nice when they were riding along in the carriage.

  50. perplexed says:

    I think Kate’s face looks good. For her looks, I think pregnancy and immediate post-pregnancy helps her out.

  51. Carolind says:

    When the royals were on the balcony the first time to welcome the Queen back, I noticed it was Camilla who led them all off.

    When the royals came back out with the Queen, it was Kate and William who were behind her and then Charles and Camilla. Bad, bad, bad. Although Charles did not seem to mind. Chatting the whole time.

    I do not think that Kate interacted much with Meghan and I do think that Kate seemed friendlier with Charles and Camilla than she usually does. She usually ignores them.

    I do think that Kate is treating Meghan as competition.

  52. Racer1 says:

    Kate looks stunning. She should keep the weight.

  53. PoliteTeaSipper says:

    For me, Kate’s dress should have either the square neckline or the leg o mutton sleeves, but not both at the same time.

  54. Evie says:

    For me the kids stole the show, LOL! William looks very displeased with his little second cousin Savannah; little Charlotte looks gleeful and in that first picture it almost looks like she’s scratching or picking her nose while George is completely absorbed by the planes.

    I thought Kate looked nice. Her style seems to be classic but minimalist. Let’s face it, Kate is never going to be a cutting edge fashion plate like Diana and frankly, I don’t think she wants to be. Heck, when you get down to it, even Camilla wears more cutting edge clothes than Kate. Meghan looked fine — she appears to have gotten a nice tan during the honeymoon — although how that happened if they honeymooned in Ireland is anyone’s guess, LOL!

  55. CamoTime says:

    The puffy shoulders are not bad at all. Her style is girly and feminine and it is her choice to dress that way. Not everyone likes modern sleek fashion.

    • Moonpie says:

      It is sad because Kate could rock sleek elegant fashion with elegant lines. She has the height and the slender body for that. See Princess Charlene of Monaco. Kate could rock such a style as well. Diana did it, too.

  56. Mego says:

    Looking at the pictures I am feeling more charitable and think she looks so much better with weight on, like she did at the wedding. So hope she doesn’t get so crazy thin again.

  57. veroS says:

    I think she looks lovely and the color suits her well… But those sleeves sort of ruin it

  58. Anare says:

    I realize that Kate is still carrying a little pregnancy weight so her face might be fuller, but maybe she should stop with the fillers and Botox. She looks squinty and chipmunky.