Well, yesterday Prince William and Kate Middleton did their first big public outing as an engaged couple (excluding their engagement announcement and all of that). Will and Kate went out for a holiday fundraiser outside of London… and I’m severely unimpressed with Kate’s choice in dress. It is…blah. White and black dress, black hose, black jacket, and all of it looks kind of… cheap? Like it’s from a mall. And she picked it out on a discount rack. I realize we all have a budget and everything, even princesses-to-be, but for their first post-engagement announcement as a couple, can we maybe get some Chanel? Burberry? Vivienne Westwood? Ugh.
Stepping out publicly for the first time since announcing their engagement November 16, Prince William and Kate Middleton were all smiles as they attended a holiday fundraiser in Fakenham, England Saturday.
Wearing a geometric black and white dress and a demure blazer, Middleton, 28, looked confident as she walked alongside the future King of England — and with good reason.
“Kate was given royal assistance like no other girl has ever been given before entering the family,” a palace insider recently told Us Weekly.
According to Katie Nicholl, author of William and Harry: Behind the Palace Walls, palace staff began showing Middleton footage of the late Princess Diana “getting out of a car and paparazzi going berserk, so that Kate would know how to deal with it. Now she already knows how this works.”
The future Princess will also receive tutorials on royal correspondence, public speaking, and “how to behave at banquets,” Nicholl added.
[From Us Weekly]
I just can’t believe Kate is so blah for this outing. You’d think she would want to knock it out of the park, right? You know what else surprises me? Kate has yet to announce who is designing her wedding gown. It’s been widely speculated that she has already made her choice, but she just hasn’t announced it yet. That’s one detail I’d really like to know! That being said, HuffPo has an excellent summary as to where the couple is in their wedding plans, and what has been decided thus far – go here to read HuffPo’s report.
Header courtesy of Bauer-Griffin.
I think she looks nice. Always does.
I like it! I find this whole royal wedding to be incredibly boring. But, I don’t see the problem with her outfit. Sure, it’s not jaw dropingly awesome or anything. But, I think it looks classy and simple. She could do much worse.
I like her outfit as well, I think she has classic taste that isn’t too high fashion.
I like the outfit but the legs are a miss. Maybe a longer skirt would have helped. In any case, ohhhh how I would hate to be in her position. I mean every time she steps out a hundred pics are taken and a thousand critiques are given around the world. No thanks.
I like how she’s walking and making sure her ring is on display.
I think the outfit is actually very nice – except for the black stockings. That is what cheapens it. I think that black stockings against a white skirt or dress never looks attractive. A natural skin tone would have looked so much better – in my opinion, anyway.
@eja102 – LOL! good catch – I was so busy checking out the outfit, I did not notice how she is, as you say, displaying her ring! I’ll let her off the hook, though, because she is so new at this and has to feel very self-conscious.
I think the look IS demure. I like it. Simple but chic. She is probably wearing lots of slips and undergarments so as not to repeat the Di “when seen through the skirt” episode.
hmm wills appear to have a big dong
You think her suit is cheap, take a look at that lady behind her! WTF is she wearing??
@bite me – Thanks! Another thing I did not notice while inspecting Kate’s outfit! 🙂
all i can see is the lady behind her in lingerie and a robe in boots!?
White skirt, black hose. No. Just. NO.
That is all.
right on eja102
i thk so too
i like it , she going to be herself .
Honestly she may be told by the palace to not look to flashy. I like her look. A beautiful girl in great shape can pull off anything. And she is wearing the best accessories — Diana’s former ring and a smile.
Uh-oh-it begins, and they’re not even married yet. Compared to anything here, the Brit tabs are savage.
It’s ok. I have never been a fan of black pantyhose with a white dress. And definately not white hose with a white dress. The girl should’ve gone with nude hose or no hose or a dark dress. And black suede shoes? How last century.
LOL@ the woman behind them. I didn’t even look at her! WTF is she wearing?!?
Duh. She’s a royal and not about to go down Diana’s route.
Demur, classy, downbeat. That’s success in The Firm.
Bite me that is so funny, the dong was the second thing I noticed, and Kate’s outfit is very eighties.
You Dong watchers must have a better zoom than I have because all I see is wrinkled pants.
The woman behind her appears to be wearing her Hogwarts uniform.
I like her outfit….the lady behind her is a Glamour “don’t”.
Love the dress & blazer, hate the tights. And that woman in the weird peignoir is somehow making it work!
yes, the outfit is boring. the question is does she have bad fashion sense and is just not yet equipped with a stylist like everyone else or does she have orders to stay boring?
she’s got a banging bod and she is not working it at all.
I don’t understand why Kaiser is bashing Kate either. It’s a nice outfit and this is her style. She always wear outfits similar to this. She’s not going to change her style just because she’s engaged.
I agree that the rage should be at the woman behind Kate. I noticed her outfit before Kate’s. Talk about wtf.
Kate’s outfits are sure to be scrutinized in minute detail for years to come. It makes sense to err on the side of caution (i.e.,dress conservatively) at the outset.
If she had “knock(ed) it out of the park,” Kate would have been criticized for upstaging William as Diana was viz a viz Charles.
i concur with #11 – black stockings ruined the outfit – her future hubby needs to open his fat trap and tell her
A boring outfit worn by a boring, lazy, smug girl. Whatever. But don’t forget to flash that ring. Look what Katie got after 9 years.
Realist is right. Check out the negativity in the British tabloids. Savage is a mild description. Turns out the Royal family won’t be picking up as much of the wedding tab as the British public were first led to believe. Those in charge of running Westminster Abbey are complaining about the meager contribution from the Palace. The fun has only just begun.
I took a second (and third) look at the woman behind Kate. As with Johnny Depp’s outfit of the other day, this getup reminds me of the Friends episode where Joey wears every item of clothing that Chandler owns–lots and lots of layers.
I think it’s PERFECT! This isn’t Hollywood. She’ll always want to look more political business and less SHOW business than we’re used to. That’s the deal with things over there.
The outfit is simple and nice.
She looks the part so I think the outfit is a hit.
I don’t think her role is to flaunt her body considering that she is soon to bcome a royal. Kate always looks classy. So at least that.
I actually like the outfit. Although I think she tends to play it safe when making fashion choices. She knows she’ll be scrutinized. Black and white classic clothes are a safe choice, but I think they work well here.
OMG – yes, you can totally see his thing in the last pic.
Kate Middleton is DULL. Which is fine, but the media is pushing her on us as if she’s interesting.
@ Kaiser, et al – Can’t have anyone in the pic looking better than the future princess, now can we? 😉
I think that it’s possibly a very badly styled Temperly
It’s not a dress I’d pick, and I’d like it better if the colors were reversed with a black skirt and white top if she’s going to wear black and white. I also think a red clutch would have been snappier for a bit of color at Christmas.
I too don’t like black hose with a white dress, and nude would have been better. But what I really don’t like is they’re sheer and look sort of blue.
bite me: You must have x-ray vision. I can’t see it!
I like her outfit and I have to say that William looks really good in that suit.
How do you people dress? Disappoint….please she looks great and they are an adorable young couple. Congrats to them both.
She resembles Camilla in her face. They both have the thin lipped squinty eyes thing going on.
i’d like the dress more if it was a white design on a black background – then the black tights would look better, too.
I don’t mind the outfit, but think the black hose with the white looks sort of off.
He is gay, he was out with his boyfriend and gay posse until 5 in the morning yesterday. He has mental problems and not one important British family want their daughter associated with him or the Windsors. She is a nobody.
I’m not crazy about the white skirt, but overall I like it and think she looks fine.
Diana spent (from what I’ve read, anyway), a lot of time & money working out, dressing/grooming, and perusing pics of herself in the press. And she was great to look at and I loved her for it. But how empty. I’d much prefer it if Kate stayed as she is.
I think Kate looks great here. Pretty and classy outfit. The only thing I would change is to lose those black stockings. Other than that, she still looks good.
I don’t know, I sort of liked the outfit. (And as someone pointed out, TOTALLY modelling that ring in every shot.)
And yes, WTF is that woman behind her wearing? xDDDD
I know she is going to be queen and all but she dresses way to old for her age, she is only 30 or whatever but she dresses like shes 50
I like it. She looks pretty, like always.
OMG at the lady behind Kate – Black (velvet?) boots, stockings, lacy lingerie and a sheer brothel-madame cover up!
I think she looks conservative and “safe”. Not really a bad thing I guess. I just wish she wouldn’t put eyeliner under her eyes. She would look so much better with just the top lid lined.
Maybe she decided to go low key to keep the focus on the charity and to not outshine Wills. Like you said before, she will become the royal star and maybe she’s just trying to keep balance between the two of them for as long as possible. I think in pretty much every country, the public go nutso for a first lady or royal lady or female leader who they can like and feel pride in and adore. Lol and I too love how she is so mindful about displaying the ring as she walks. You go lady!
I pay taxes to these royals from across the pond, so I at least expect some entertainment to get my tax money’s worth. Kate Middleton just doesn’t cut it. Another outfit that’s just plain BOOOORING. I think it’s the cheapo faux velvet blazer that killed it. The greatest thing in this post was the woman behind her LOL.
What on earth were people expecting?! She’s marrying into a deeply dull deeply conservative family where toeing the line is the order of the day. Low key and fitting in is all that’s required. And since these pics were taken in quick succession, she’s hardly flaunting her ring.
@Yasmine, yes, you’re right, entertaiment will have to come from elsewhere. These two will certainly not be providing it.
Really hating the black hose. Other than that it’s fine but not exciting.
This is her new life. Being criticized every time she steps out the door. I hope she doesn’t give a rat’s a$$ what anyone thinks about her outfit.
I don’t like it. In general, I find her style very dated. From the large loose curls, heavy black eye liner, black hose, flouncy skirts…. It’s all a NO for me. She’s very pretty and thin. Stylish clothes would look amazing on her. She could do
so much better and still be coversative and suitably royal.
the dress is fine. the blazer i can give a pass to tho i don’t love it- little blazers seem to be her “thing.” but oh, god, the black hose. just. no. it’s like she’s channeling Di from the 80s… fine, channel Di, the world wants you to, but OH GOD THE BLACK HOSE ARGHH just ruins it ouch somebody send her a hollywood stylist or something
It is a slightly dated look, but she still looks nice. I’m sure her style will evolve as she becomes accustomed to becoming a member of the Firm.
As for showing off her ring…I can’t blame her for that one little bit. Many years ago, I was newly engaged, I did the same thing. I think that’s part of the excitement of being newly engaged, so I cannot knock her for that.
The black hose with the white skirt is all wrong! Other than that the outfit is very nice.
She’s adorable, leave the girl alone.
It’s fine but the hose ruin it.
I love dark sheer hose but not with a white outfit. So many of the outfits she wears look the same – slinky jersey material with a jacket over top.
I always compare duchesses and princesses with Diana. Kate’s outfits are always very formulaic – they lack the grand style that Diana possessed.
She wears dreadfully boring shoes too.
What are you talking about – she looks GREAT!! I love the fact that she’s NOT shoving Chanel and Burberry in our faces.
The hose is definitely the big problem there.
I’m always struck by how obvious she is with the ring flashing. I understand why, but she’s just not very smooth about it.
Hey, that lady in the back looks cheap! Agree white & black is safe, but this is not an interview, should have picked a winter white, not summer white. I like the style, choose a different color. He always wears boring blue – hard to work with. They’ll figure it out – or maybe not so important to them!
Disappointed.Get used to it.Her headlines will always read ‘Kate disappoints in…’ They are probably keeping the designer a secret for now for privacy and security.
I’m with everybody else who said that the black stockings/white skirt combo was a big NO.
Wills has static cling! LOL
What I like about Kate is that she appears to be very practical and doesn’t get all wrapped up in the craziness of it all. She wears the same black pumps and the same black boots, pretty much all the time. She wears tasteful outfits without over doing it. Personally, I find it very refreshing a probably a good indicator of the type of person she is.
@ JulieM agree 100%
I’m sick of people fawning over this sad little bint. She is so lazy and entitled, I can’t wait untill the fail wedding is over.
Hate black stockings with white skirt.
Who cares about her, what in lavender babydoll hell is that lady behind her wearing? Literal lingerie? To a charity FUNDRAISER???? Who IS that? I demand a name. I want to see more of this woman and her insane fashion sense.
The poor girl is going to be damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t. It’s either going to be: “She looks so bland and discount rack,” or “How could she wear such an expensive outfit in these hard-luck times?”
So, dear Kaiser, get off her ass. She looks lovely.
I actually am the only one to say I like the black stocking look.
BUT I can not forgive that she did not consult Wills in his suit color! Why are they not matching! She should not be in a black and white outfit with him in a blue suit!!! Huge mistake!!
Kaiser, black and white are Kate’s best (and her favorite) colors! I think at least half of her wardrobe is either black or white.
However, I wonder how going royal is going to affect her color choices in the future, as royals are usually told to wear bright colors in public so they can be easily seen. So maybe she’ll be wearing more bright colors in the future.
My understanding is that Kate is deliberately patronizing British designers. She’s been avoiding the really high-end couture designers in favor of brands like Issa, Topshop and Whistles, who make really nice clothes that are more expensive than average yet still affordable for the middle class.
Whenever she wears a design, it’s instant celebrity for the designer, so she’s smart to be promoting British products. Of course the British people will only moan and groan about how much they pay for the royals and conveniently forget that she’s single-handedly keeping the British fashion industry alive. I do not understand the Brits’ attitude at all, or are these just a few isolated grumblers?
I think she looks great and stylish – not high fashion stylish, but more like “classic” and stylish. The only thing I would change is the stockings, but that’s a minor thing.
ugh her outfit is pretty blah and ugly.
She could have done better. William looks much more put together than she does.
She’s quite average and dresses very average, but the press has tried to convince us for almost eight years that she is to be fawned over.
She wore the same cheap looking dresses when she was falling in and out of nightclubs for years.
Kate looks very common.
While I do think Kate looks nice, the white dress looks more summery, not a good choice while there’s snow on the ground. Instead of the black pantyhose, she should have worn black tights instead, she does have nice legs.
Kaiser, I disagree with what you said about her wearing designer clothes. Kate’s known to wear dresses off the rack at “Topshop” and look great. I’d rather see Kate being more approachable and down to earth with her clothes, than running up a huge clothing bill like Sarah Ferguson has done.
The woman behind her, looks like she’s wearing a fou fou nightgown, very bizarre, especially the bust.
I think they look great!!! She looks great!! Really classy. I love how she’s carrying her clutch. Very classy girl!
She doesn’t look bad, if you take the stockings off of her.
It’s HIM–a semi-electric blue suit, pink tie doesn’t blend anywhere near her clothes. He looks like he should be hunting for Easter eggs. And the contrast between the two outfits is harsh.
She has shampoo commercial hair.
Its very simple – she’s still toeing the line. She has the ring but it can still be taken away from her since the wedding hasn’t actually happened yet. At least until the ink is dry and perhaps an heir is born, I expect to see her looking very ladylike, graceful, and not calling attention to herself through fashion as Diana did. I highly doubt the royal family wants to have another married-in princess overshadow the rest of the family.
to the entire thing, except for His Royal Dongness. Holy crap Batman!!
Dovesgate i agree with you. I think that she will keep her style understated until after the wedding. I expect within a few months that she will start wearing designer clothes at her public appearances.
I like the dress and i think that this is one of the best outfits i’ve seen her in.
People need to remember that when Diana married Charles her style was conservative. She only became Dynasty Di later on.
Kate will glamour up soon enough i think.