Duchess Kate wears a short £38 Topshop dress: adorable or inappropriate?

Here are photos of Duchess Kate, Prince Harry and Prince William at the “inauguration” of the new Warner Brothers Studio in London. For whatever reason, this event brought out the worst in almost all of Duchess Kate’s bad habits. She wore a short dress that she was constantly adjusting and fooling with so it didn’t blow up and show her knickers, which is bad enough but especially peasant-y when you’re pregnant, right? When she wasn’t adjusting her dress, she was touching her hair. And in between hair-touching and skirt adjusting, she was looking adoringly at Harry (not William). It’s weird because she really has gotten better at doing solo appearances, right? But when she’s around the royal family, her little quirks/self-comforting mannerisms come out.

Anyway, Kate’s polka-dotted dress is by Topshop and it only costs £38. She paired it with a Ralph Lauren jacket which I’m sure is much more expensive. I don’t hate the mix of high-end and low-end at all. I don’t even mind the polka dots – this would have been really cute if only the dress were just a few inches longer. Just to her knees! Then it would have been appropriate and lovely. She wore her hair down, of course, which is okay for a day event. I think she’s weaning herself off of sausage curls too – she’s still curling her hair, but she’s brushing out the curls so that she achieves a more “wavy/bedhead” look. It’s pretty. My hair does that naturally when it’s humid.

While at the newly opened studio, Harry, William and Kate took a tour that included seeing Batman and Harry Potter paraphernalia and lots of other stuff. The Mail says that William and Harry were most interested in the “tumbler” from Batman – otherwise known as the Batmobile. You can read more about the event and see more photos here.

Photos courtesy of Lia Toby/WENN.com.

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321 Responses to “Duchess Kate wears a short £38 Topshop dress: adorable or inappropriate?”

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  1. I don’t think it’s too short at all… She looks great!

    • JenD says:

      I think she looks great, too. And re holding the dress down – I’ve worn a dress or skirt and then had to fight breezes, too, so I sympathize. She probably assumed she’d be inside and not have to deal with that.

      • Jenny says:

        Agree completely and was thinking the same about being inside. The dress is not short, but as it is flowy, any breeze could result in a Marilyn Monroe moment. I think she looks fantastic.

      • ANGELIC 20 says:

        what did she expect that she will just fly inside the studios and never have put foot outside the car and in the open? it’s england, she is very familiar with the windy weather and she is a royal not a normal university student. this length is completely inappropriate for her job and status . she has already shown us her underwear while doing public engagements by wearing dresses of same kind on a windy day and yet she never seems to learn .

      • moon says:

        Ditto. This is one of her best looks in a long time – fresh, age appropriate, classy and fun. It doesn’t look too short to me. And having lived in the UK with its awful windy weather, I don’t blame her for trying to hold her dress down. Would happen no matter the length of the dress. The wind is that shitty.

        Can’t blame her either for looking at Harry. He’s looking way better than William these days, who’s morphing into Charles. No harm in looking. Men in relationships do that all the time.

      • Meecey says:

        Agree. She looks lovely. +1 on the sausage curls. Lol

    • Gine says:

      Yeah, I actually think this is one of the cutest looks she’s done recently. And that skirt is one of those that looks shorter when you walk because it’s floaty, but you can see when she’s standing still that it’s not really that short–I think it would look frumpy if it was longer.

      • elkiddo says:

        I’m loving this look on her. She looks great!
        On the other hand, she should donate some of her hair to William.

      • Juli says:

        Kate’s frock is cute, but it also should be a little longer. The material is light and when the breezes blow, the short, light dress will give the world a look at her “undies.” Kate should have her dressmaker add small weights in the frock’s hem. No more fly aways!!! Unless. . . Kate wants everyone to see her “tidie whities.”!

    • Talie says:

      Cosign…. this is a great little ensemble for her. Surprisingly fashion forward.

    • Lizzie says:

      I think she looks great too! Why does it have to be longer? Just because she’s preggo?
      She looks fab. Way better than that blue dress earlier in the week.

      • Lucy says:

        I agree, she’s not 80 yet, she’s still in her thirties let her have a shorter hemline

      • FLORC says:

        Lizzie
        As It’s been explained here at length before. The hemline to the knees is a royal dress code. Just like at your job you may have a dress code that says no plunging necklines or no revealing bra straps. Also, when she wears these items of clothing in the past her dress often flew up to her waistline revealing her to be wearing either a barely there thong or no under garments at all.

        Diana and many other women in the RF or at RF engagements had tiny weights sewn into the hem line of their flowy skirts, but Kate just doesn’t.

        It’s also worth noting that Kate without fail wears high hemlines when William is there. So maybe that’s why she breaks “protocol”.

      • LAK says:

        FLORC – OMG, i had the same thought about William’s effect on Kate’s hemlines.

    • minime says:

      yes, I find it awkward that her dresses are always considered too short. I don’t agree at all. From what I’ve seen, it’s not really like her knickers were ever close to be exposed and most of the times she was even using dark tights. And she always follows the rule: short dress, no cleavage exposed. I have no special feeling about her, but in this I need to say that her maternity style is really nice and she mixes well a formal style with cute and young.

      • m says:

        The rules are different for royals. Her hemline should be two inches above the knee at the absolute shortest.

      • minime says:

        “The rules are different for royals”

        Ach..maybe that’s my problem with it..the all royal thing is pretty yesterday, and so are rules for the hemline. 😉

        Even the royalloonies should acknowledge that we’re not in 1800 anymore. Things have changed (well, she’s a commoner for a start).

      • GoodCapon says:

        Mother Nature has been naughty at least twice with Kate
        http://tinyurl.com/cbpzgfe
        http://tinyurl.com/3z2wy5k

        As m says, there is a royal protocol with hemlines which Kate seems all too happy to disobey.

      • minime says:

        @GoodCapon

        ahah now that’s funny 😀 I stand corrected.
        Oh well, then she should know better… but you know what, this kinda makes me like her better. She seems so obeying and boring that her “girl power rebellion” makes her a lot more likable in my eyes.

      • bluhare says:

        For someone who fought hard for ten years to get the role she has now, flouting the rules like she does WILL come back to haunt her. The Queen is famous for sitting back and waiting for the right moment. She did it with the curtsey rules a while back, intended to put Kate in her place, and she’ll do something else. I’d bet money on it.

        I know I would if I were the Queen. Except I’d just get on the phone to her and tell her to follow the rules; there’s plenty more where she came from. The Queen’s a bit more passive aggressive, though. She’ll have someone else do her dirty work. I smile thinking of the Queen meangirling Kate.

      • littlestar says:

        It’s 2013. Why on Earth should she have to follow “Royal protocol” when it comes to hemlines? Maybe it’s time the Royal Family loosens up a bit and realizes that some of their “rules” are outdated and silly, especially when it comes to fashion. It’s not like she’s wearing an actual mini skirt with her cooch showing. I am by no means a Kate fan (I think she’s a lazy do nothing), but people are just weirdly obsessed with how she dresses. If people think THAT dress is too short… Yikes, is all I’ll say.

      • bluhare says:

        lttlestar: SO if you had a job with a firm with a dress code and flaunted it every time you went to work, you wouldn’t expect that to cause you any issues and you should be able to wear whatever you want just because you feel like it? (I should get an award for best run on sentence for that one.)

        Anyhoo, the answer is you’d get warned until you either complied or or were fired. Simples.

      • littlestar says:

        If the Queen actually cared about what Kate was wearing, she would have said so a long time ago. She’s been with the Royal Family for two years and she’s been dressing this way the whole time. If it was so upsetting to “the Firm”, they would have done something about it a long time ago. I’m not sure how the dress she’s wearing is considered flaunting it…

        I work in a VERY conservative industry. If I wore the dress that Kate is wearing to work, no one would blink an eye. It’s an appropriate length and she’s wearing a cardigan and heels with it. Heaven forbid that she’s showing a bit of leg.

      • bluhare says:

        littlestar: I used an incorrect word. I should have said “flouting it”. And she does.

        My opinion is Kate and William think they know it all. It will interesting to see if that turns out to be true.

      • ya says:

        Completely agree – and I am not a fan of either Kate or the monarchy in general. I really cannot understand all of this sudden prudishness when it comes to her outfits – especially when this outfit is quite conservative.

      • Mia says:

        Fired from what? She’s married to Will and they’ve been together for 10 years! She already flouted the rules by not being a royal or part of the peerage and she’s having the next heir to the crown. They’re stuck with her and vice versa. Besides her skirt is not that short. It’s not like she’s dressed like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. It’s 2013 and some people need to get a grip.

    • Eleonor says:

      agree! I am totally in love with this outfit, I could wear nearly the same things, I don’t have the money for the Ralph Lauren, but it’s easy to replicate, very simple, feminine and elegant. Kate wins.

    • Zigggy says:

      I agree- so pretty!

    • BooBooLaRue says:

      Agreed! She looks amazing!

    • littlestar says:

      I was just coming down here to say the same thing. That dress is NOT too short! It’s completely appropriate, and really cute looking as well. I think it must have been really windy, that’s why she’s holding the dress down in the back. We can’t always predict what the weather is going to be like when we dress :).

      • bluhare says:

        I’ll give you the fact that it’s not too short compared to the rest of her hemlines. It’s about on par.

        Did you see her sister at an engagement this week? She’s younger than Kate and wore a suit with a hemline at the knee. Pippa gets it. Kate thinks she’s above it.

      • LAK says:

        The weather in Britain is pretty predictable. one can predict that it will be sunny, windy, cold, warm and rain all in the same day. Bar the odd missed hurricane, our weathermen have been pretty accurate. You make plans for all weather.

        Secondly, this is where her refusal to hire a dresser shows her up. Dressers have to know what the weather is going to be like everyday and advise clothing choices accordingly or adjust the clothing so that they can handle a windy day.

      • FLORC says:

        Littlestar
        I love the dress and blazer. She looks really nice here. I’m not slamming her for her outfit as a whole… Now that that’s out of the way I see the dress as showing poor judgement and not learning from her past mistakes. She’s working here. Representing. She knows with flowy material and high hemlines there only needs to be a light touch of wind to toss up her skirt. And the time she’s spending fiddling with it to keep it down is time she could have spent listening, learning, and contributing to the conversation.

        And as far as how one should dress conservatively that’s a relative term. We all view it very differently so you working in a conservative area might be super risque to what I consider inappropriate. It’s not that she’s pregnant. It’s that she risks exposing herself to photographers, children, spectators when a few inches added or a few hemline weights would fix everything.

      • Lemony says:

        @Littlestar:
        I love the outfit too & think she looks very put-together. My lis sis has a similiar outfit that she wore to our cousin’s wedding recently.
        However, where I work that dress unfortunately would not be allowed. Skirts & dresses must be knee length. Shorts must be long enough that when you stand with your arms at your sides that your fingertips must reach the hem of your shorts, or longer. No tank tops or spaghetti straps. No cleavage showing. Sleeveless blouses or polo shirts are allowed.
        I’m a homecare nurse & I wear scrubs nearly every day I work, so the dress code doesn’t interfere with my clothing choices. It’s mainly the administrators who must put daily effort into the dress code. When I’m in for a meeting or inservice then I gotta watch what I wear 😉

      • littlestar says:

        @Lemony – is your gravatar picture a border collie? They are my favourite dogs ever, had 4 of them growing up (yep, 4 dogs, but I grew up on a farm). They were the sweetest most gentle dogs ever. I miss them all to this day still.

      • The Wizz says:

        oh bluhare the Queen’s nearly dead, Kate need not worry bout her

      • Lemony says:

        Hi Littlestar!
        I’m posting this so late I’m afraid you may not see my reply, but yes, my gravatar is a border collie. They’re my favorite dog breed too! I also grew up on a farm & we had 3 border collies (Molly, Maggie, Brady) & one smooth coat collie (Julian)as well as a Sheltie (Spike). We didn’t have all of those dogs at the same time, only Julian & Spike overlapped.Brady is the border at my parents’ farm now. Borders are just the best, aren’t they?!
        I have a boder collie who will turn 4 next month. Her name is Shelby (she’d likely prefer being called Queen of the Universe, lol) and she is an absolute blast. She does some fun tricks & she is a total fetch-a-holic. She also loves to swim & ride on the tube or raft behind the boat.
        That’s cool that we have some things in common 🙂
        Your gravatar: who does that handsome face belong to? I just put in allergy eve drops so my eyes are blurry.
        Have yourself a wonderful weekend…spring is FINALLY here! 😉

      • littlestar says:

        My gravatar is Duncan Macleod from the show Highlander lol. Have always loved that show – one of my cheesy guilty pleasures. I would love to get a border collie but my fiancé and I live in the city and there’s just not enough room in our yard for a dog to run around in. Border collies have so much energy and they are so fast! We’ll stick with our cats for now :).

        & yes spring is finally here!!! It finally started to warm up here yesterday and this weekend is supposed o be beautiful out. Enjoy your weekend too!

    • Audrey says:

      Same.

      She looks healthy. She has a pregnancy glow that I never got lol

      I think the length is fine for the event. It’s occasion appropriate since it’s a film studio rather than a formal event.

      I love it

    • LAK says:

      OMG that dress IS inappropriately short.

      Look at this photo:
      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/26/article-2315136-197F01BB000005DC-225_964x1334.jpg

      A gust of wind, and that lady looking upwards, and she’s looking into Kate’s business!!!!

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/26/article-2315136-197EF58C000005DC-73_470x667.jpg

      Further, the wind doesn’t have to do much for all of us to be in her business going by that photo.

      Look at these photos:

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/26/article-2315136-197F3FCE000005DC-209_964x514.jpg

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/26/article-2315136-197F62DB000005DC-685_964x624.jpg

      Everyone is appropriately dressed in a business suit type garment and or smart casual, and our Kate is dressed like a teenager on a fun day out who has been asked to smarten up. Her Husband and BIL show up in a suit and THIS is how she rocks up??

      There are better ways to appear youthful whilst working than a short flirty dress.

      • bluhare says:

        Thank you LAK. Those comparison photos say it all.

      • TheOriginalWaffle says:

        That’s a lot of time you just invested.

      • Suzy says:

        She’s obsessed with kate. that’s why. she’s attacks anyone on here who doesn’t agree wit her cuz she think she knows everything

      • bluhare says:

        Suzy, if you had bothered to read any other royal thread on Celebitchy, you’d see that not only does LAK know a lot about Kate, she knows a lot about the royals in general and royal history. You want a royal history lesson? Ask LAK.

      • FLORC says:

        Suzy You’re way off base. LAK is not only a great resource to us celebitches on Royal History, but the inner workings of public relations as well. There are some of us here that may lash out a bit more than most over topics, but LAK has never been one to approach without a logical statement. You clearly have not actually read LAK’s previous posts on many past tads. You should go back and educate yourself before you start making false claims.

      • Mia says:

        If I was Kate and looked as cute as she does pregnant, I’d probably wear dresses that length and shorter, lmao. She looks adorable and has already married the heir to the throne and is having the next heir. What can “The Firm” do to them? Really. Maybe she should wear weights in her shorter dresses that have more flowy fabrics, but other then that I think she looks fantastic.

      • bluhare says:

        That’s pretty much what most of us have been saying. She hasn’t learnt from the last two times her dress blew up over her bum, so you’d think she’d weight the hems so her skirts don’t blow up and she doesn’t have to hold them down. That would have made a big difference. Hard to look regal when your clutching your thighs to keep everything together.

    • Decloo says:

      I think her short hemlines would be better if she didn’t always wear them with high heeled pumps. A lower, more stacked heel would make the hemline seem less inappropriate.

    • ya says:

      Ya…. I don’t understand why people think it’s too short. Are we now back living in the ’50s or something? All of her skirt lengths have been completely appropriate.

    • Rae says:

      Agreed! What century are we living in?

  2. Anna says:

    I absolutely adore this look head to toe, plus I am dying of envy bc visiting the Harry Potter film sets is such a dream of mine!

  3. Lilo says:

    She looks adorable. I like how we actually get to see some belleh, and not only the tweed-bowlingball.

  4. Agnes says:

    The dress is cute but it could be a little bit longer…

    • Zoid says:

      As a tall girl myself, I actually feel a teensy bit bad for her in the hem line area. What would be a knee length dress on a short girl comes up to our thighs, and going up a dress size doesn’t help at all because you may get an inch or two at the hem, but then it’s shapeless everywhere else. I don’t really care that much about it unless she chose the short dress for an outdoor event. That’s just silly.

  5. LadyMTL says:

    Yeah, it’s a very cute look but I wish it was just a tad bit longer. She has great legs but she’s not 21 any more (and she’s “royal” AND pregnant) and I think the quasi-minis need to go.

    That said, I totally adore that jacket.

    • V4Real says:

      I think she looks lovely. It doesn’t matter that she’s not in her 20’s; she’s not in her 50’s either. I don’t see anything wrong with her wearing a short dress. Yes she’s royalty but maybe she’s the new royal and paving the way for the next generation (fashion wise, that is).

      • ANGELIC 20 says:

        what exactly is she paving for future royal women? flow y short dresses on windy day with no added weights and showing off ones underwear while meeting diplomats ? yeah she doesn’t not have a clue and continues to make the same stupid mistakes. also this was a formal event, everyone around her are wearing grown up professional clothes unlike kate who looks like she is going to university. she doesn’t have to be either old and boring or young and inappropriate , there is midway which she have no idea about.

      • V4Real says:

        Look I’m not a Kate apologist and I could really care less about the royal family. Me saying that Kate is the new royal is like when people say that 60 is the new 30; it wasn’t meant to be taken literally. I’m sure many of us have worn dresses not expecting it would be a breezy day. Don’t start a debate over something so trivial.

        As for her inappropriateness, people love to throw that word around a lot. She’s a young woman who happen to marry a Prince. You guys act like the royal family are Gods and how dare Kate defy the Gods.

        As for rules the Bible have rules but we break them everyday don’t we. I’m glad she’s not conforming to all of these so called rules. It’s Friday, relax people.

      • bluhare says:

        That’s funny. The Queen’s instituted Dress Down Fridays? Who knew?

      • V4Real says:

        Bluhare seriously i’m the one LOL. Relax it’s Friday was directed at the people on this thread as in don’t be so uptight because the weekend is here; not causual Friday for Kate. You didn’t get that huh?

      • bluhare says:

        Well, V4Real, I took what you said and ran with it. I had fun. Something I like to do here.

      • V4Real says:

        Bluehare thanks for not taking offense and not takingmcomments to heart. Sometimes we tend to get a little personal with our comments but you have the ability to keep it fun. We can disagree and move on to the next topic without personal attacks.

    • Cazzie says:

      I was under the impression that the royal household had rules about what can and cannot be worn at public events – no open-toed shoes, no bare legs…and no miniskirts.

      It’s not my job, but it is hers.

      • bluhare says:

        They do and she ignores them all the time. She’s worn no hose AND open toed shoes before.

        If you don’t want to live by a dress code, don’t marry into the RF!!

      • the original bellaluna says:

        Sounds like my mom’s rules for church dress when I was a child/teen. But she added “Bare arms are immodest in church” to her list of “don’ts.”

      • Georgina says:

        For the love of God! Kate’s worn open-toe shoes and no hose before?! Scandal! Come on, ladies. The world isn’t going to crumble to bits if Kate wears a hemline you deem an inch too short or if she doesn’t wear hose on occasion. I’m no fan of Kate, but this level of nit-picking is getting a bit ridiculous, don’t you think?

      • bluhare says:

        Georgina: No.

      • LAK says:

        Georgina – It’s not nitpicking. Those are the rules. Otherwise why should she bother to follow any of the rules at all?? This is her job. In a conservative environment. If regular people can follow the rules of dress code advised by their work places, why can’t she?

        It’s not as though she is being asked to follow the rules 24/7. Only when she is working. For the 1hr she worked today, is a knee length skirt too much to ask for??

      • The Original G says:

        That sounds like the dress code for flight attendants not Royals?

      • LAK says:

        The Original G – LOL. unfortunately true. That’s why being a royal is no fun.

      • FLORC says:

        I don’t understand how people are ignoring a very basic truth here. She has a dress code! She has such a fan base here and I’m not really sure why… but she does. And they will defend her while berating anyone else who does the same.

        Kate has access to top of the line tailors that would love to sew weights into her skirts for nothing. She just chooses to risk another chance to expose herself for the photogs again.

  6. Esti says:

    Adorable. I love this whole look, and it seemed like all of them were really having fun.

    She’s at a movie studio for a fun event, I have no problem at all with a dress that’s 2 inches above the knee, especially when paired with conservative shoes and a blazer. And yeah, she occasionally had to hold it down in the wind, but if you’re going to wear a dress from Top Shop it’s not going to be weighted down (and I think it would sort of defeat the point of occasionally choosing accessible brands if you then did expensive alterations to them). I also have dresses I have to smooth down if the wind comes up, I don’t really see a problem with that either.

    • LAK says:

      John Lewis sells very inexpensive hem weights. It would take 10mins or less to sew them into dress.

  7. gee says:

    She looks beautiful!

  8. marie says:

    step away from Harry, Kate (not that I blame her).. I agree though, the dress is fine but needs to be a little bit longer.

    when is she due again?

    • Apples says:

      Ha, there’s no gossip there. On Tumblr I saw GIFs of the 3 of them at this event. She has a completely different look in her eyes when she looks at William. Also, despite what people say, William is affectionate with her in public (esp. for a Royal).

  9. amanda says:

    She looks very pretty. Hem seems fine to me.

  10. rach says:

    Work, work, work, work, work!!! She’s going to drop from exhaustion. What a martyr.

  11. dorothy says:

    After being subjected to Kim Kardashian’s thong in that sheer, degrading dress it’s nice to see a “lady” dressed appropriately. Kim has always misunderstood the difference between trashy and sexy. Less is more sweetie.

    • littlestar says:

      I agree. The showing of the thong was bad, but I think Kim really did do that for attention. A supposedly short hemline is not the end of the world.

  12. yeahright says:

    Gawd… she is beautiful. She’s just really tasteful and classy. Love her.

  13. JL says:

    I’d totally wear that in non maternity style. She looks cute and I don’t think it’s too short.

  14. Harpreet says:

    I completely disagree, this is her best look yet.

    It is so fresh, perfect for spring, and that length is not that short, it works.

  15. lucy2 says:

    I think it’s cute, but I can imagine not the best thing to wear on a breezy day.

  16. The Original Mia says:

    It’s a cute look, but a longer skirt with a weighted hem would have been better. All this work…girlfriend must be exhausted.

  17. A says:

    She looks amazing!!

  18. Dingo says:

    I like it – its it little more youthful. She often wear much to 45+ clothing.

  19. GoodCapon says:

    Too short, too much thigh, too tarty. In some photos she’s holding the back of her dress with her hand. A gust of wind and we would have seen the royal vagina again. A general rule I go by is if one regularly adjusts one’s skirt/dress then it’s obviously too short.

    I’m too tired to see her damn legs at every outing. Yes, I know they’re thin but she should dress more appropriately as a royal. Being appropriate doesn’t have to be boring.

    • Meerkat says:

      Agree! Does she never learn? How many times have her short, floaty dresses blown up on windy days? We don’t want to see your knickers, love!

  20. Karen says:

    For an average girl out its an appropriate length. For a woman representing the royal family of great Britain its too casual and too short. The men are in suits, she should also be dressed more business like. They don’t call it the firm for nothing.

    • Belle says:

      ^^This. I’m really surprised at all of the ‘who cares about the royal rules’ type comments. She married into the RF, and there are protocols to follow.

      Pregnancy suits her though… she looks great!

      • Mich says:

        I don’t recognize at least half of the names (probably more) on today’s thread but they all seem to be saying the same gushing things…

      • My2Pence says:

        @ Mich. Ding ding ding! I award you the House Cup for being the first to point out royal PR socpuppets and astroturfers. They’ve figured out the Kate critics have moved off the royal PR-controlled DM boards to places that welcome differing opinions.

      • bluhare says:

        I don’t post very often on the DM (but am the proud owner of two emails saying my posts were so offensive to the delicate minds of DM readers they were pulled), but I can’t log on any more. It says I’m entering the wrong password, and I know I’m not because it’s on one of those account sign in thingys. They weren’t on Kate posts either. One was reinstated after they realized it was actually praising the Queen.

      • FLORC says:

        Mich! Good catch! I was thinking There are many very short names here that only pop up on Kate threads to praise her. They never post back and the time tamps are all kind of clustered within a 30 time frame… hmmm.

      • JulieM says:

        Ha, bluhare. Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago at DM. I posted on a non royal story and got my prized emails from the thought police about how offensive my comments were and how the sensibilities of the other posters were so wounded. They pulled the comment only to reinstate it a few hours later. When I think of the garbage they let stand, but pulled my comment, it really pisses me off. I will not post there any more.

      • mrsjennyk says:

        @Mich

        I don’t recognize at least half of the names (probably more) on today’s thread but they all seem to be saying the same
        gushing things…

        You’ve got to be kidding me! Get over yourself already. Are only the “elite” allowed to comment on Kate? Perhaps they’re sick and tired of others berating her almost every chance they get. Please note that I said almost.

      • bluhare says:

        JennyK: No, the elite are not the only ones allowed to comment here. However, this is the first time a whole bunch of people descended on a Kate thread and proceeded to insult the regular posters.

        Looking back, it’s pretty funny. Accusing everyone of being too invested, yet taking the time to make comments about people they think are idiots. Personally, I like to spend my time on things I enjoy, not badmouthing others, but to each his own I guess.

      • Mich says:

        Nonsense. I’ve been enjoying escapism on CB for years and sudden spates of new names commenting on one story and one story only and all saying roughly the same thing is not the normal course of things. Different threads have different core followers and you get to know who is who. I’ve noticed, for example, that people who love Aniston and Glanville (and hate Rimes) generally really like the Duchess.

        Attempts control the press, including blogs, has gotten a lot of attention since the marriage. There was a time when the comment threads on the DM would swing wildly from pro to con one day to the next. It became so noticeable that the artificiality of it became a main topic of discussion.

        I followed the DM drama because, from a professional standpoint, I found it mildly interesting. If CB has become a place where it is happening, it is a huge compliment to the site.

    • Glaughy says:

      I agree.

      This outfit is so pedestrian and common …. just like her

  21. Lex says:

    I think I have that same dress…

  22. GoodCapon says:

    Does anyone have any conspiracy theories on the sudden onslaught of Waity engagements?

    -The inquest for Jacintha Saldanha’s death will happen in early May
    -She won’t be able to work weeks leading up and after her pregnancy
    -Something else that we don’t have any idea about and could shock the hell out of everyone
    -???

    • Badirene says:

      I think the magazine involved in the “biscuit flashing incident” in France were formally put under investigation this week, the next step is being formally charged, so this sudden burst of work ethic seems like a distraction tactic.

    • Zoid says:

      Wasn’t the photographer from the top less photo pictures also arrested?

      • Badirene says:

        Yeah I think that the photographer was arrested too, it doesn’t look good though for w&k to react like that in light of the way Harry handled his nude scandal by just laughing it off and getting on with things.

        These people sure love to get nekkid!

    • bluhare says:

      I’m thinking it’s because her maternity leave will be long. Hence the flurry o activity prior.

  23. Kcarp says:

    I think everyone should be applauding Kate’s pregnancy style. Look at what it could be (yes, Kim talking to you.) A short little dress is nothing compared to the disasters others are wearing. I know she is Royal but she isn’t 100 years old and this isn’t 1901. If she does a nude shoot with one arm covering the boobs then that is a problem. She is fine.

    • ANGELIC 20 says:

      well maybe you are american but here in england we don’t really consider comparing a future queen to a porn star appropriate or an achievement. wining from kim is not an achievement or a compliment. the fact the future queen consort is now being compared to bottom of the barrel is very sad indeed for brf and how far low they have come with kate.

      • Kcarp says:

        I am an American…I see your point. This family does love its naked pic scandals so….

      • HH says:

        THIS! I’m not sure why people are continually stating she’s better than Kim Kardashian. Have we set our bar that low?! Also, there is no point in arguing that her hemline is appropriate. Kate herself verified the inappropriateness by continually fiddling with her dress to make sure it wasn’t blowing in the wind. As I pointed out in a previous comment, you’d think she’d be wary of such issues because it’s happened on both of her foreign tours.

      • LAK says:

        @HH – i was scouring the position of JLP as i looked at the video. The last couple of times she had accidents due to windy days, he jumped very quickly behind her to try to minimise pap access to her behind although in both cases he was too late. Imagine that as part of your job description….Make sure to stand firmly behind inappropriately dressed boss so pap shots aren’t taken.

      • HH says:

        @LAK – LOL! It’s a tough economy, but I don’t even know if I would be willing to do that job. BTW, have you looked at DM article? There is a pic of a woman curtseying to Kate and her face is PRICELESS! Harry and William both get slightly awkward when people curtsey to them, but Kate was all too pleased.

      • LAK says:

        HH – I saw the pic. The depth of the curtsey really shows her respect for Kate who looks terribly young in comparison and i don’t mean in terms of her age.

        Their clothing choices really stand out. Can you imagine Kate curtseying that low in that dress?? we would all be in her business, irrespective of wind conditions.

        BTW, i am not saying that’s JLP’s job description. I think in both cases he was more aware of consequences of her clothing choices and was trying to protect her. She was unconcerned or unaware as was William.

      • Rae says:

        Don’t speak for all British/English people; we don’t all agree with you.

  24. karmasabiatch! says:

    Well, I know that my British gf’s here will disagree with me about the length, but I think the outfit is adorable from tip to toe.

    However, I will concede that it certainly is not a dress to wear outside on a windy Spring day, lol.

  25. Georgina says:

    For once I don’t think her hemline is too short. This dress works for the event, and Kate looks fantastic.

  26. DeltaJuliet says:

    The whole Kate and Harry thing. You know, I think I get it. I have a brother in law who is very similar to Harry–fun and funny, athletic, personable and handsome, and everyone just feels comfortable around him. I’m pretty sure that’s all it is. PRETTY sure. Although I’d take Harry over William any day of the week.

  27. Suze says:

    She looks cute. I like the combo of high-end and low-end. And I like her hair very much here – brushed out works for her. I actually like when she’s more casual, I think she does cute and casual much better than formal.

    I also think she can get away with something shorter during a less formal appearance, when she’s not the center of attention. Although I do understand where the too-short comments come from. I think what normal 31 year old women wear and what she wears really can’t be compared.

    But what I want to talk about is that adoring look at Harry. I’ve never given much credence to the Kate seems more affectionate with Harry than William comments, but some of the photos from this event seem to bear that out.

    • Esti says:

      If you look at the DM’s photos there are a bunch of her looking adoringly at Will, him putting his hand on her back,etc. I think she and Harry get along well, but I think the idea she had a thing for him is whole invented by gossip blogs.

      • Julaine says:

        Yes, and William joked about wanted to get a Batmobile for himself, if it came equipped with baby seats. There were a ton of pictures of William and Kate laughing, joking and smiling at each other as well as with Harry. Conspiracy theories are fun but today the three of them just seemed to be having a fun day out together enjoying the studio tour.

      • Suze says:

        My main takeaway from the DM photos was that those Windsor boys just love the Batmobile.

        I don’t think she’s in love or lust with Harry at all. I don’t see her kicking off her shoes whenever he enters the picture frame.

        She just seems more comfortable with him than William at public events.

        Maybe Harry’s just easier with people and it transmits to her.

    • GoodCapon says:

      BIG SUZE!!! (I’m a fan of Peep Show, sorry!)

      Are you excited for Willem-Alexander’s inauguration? 😀

      • Suze says:

        Yes I am! Although, sadly, I will not see it live.

        I am hoping Max wears her hair up and that we see some major bling – you know she’s dying to bust it out.

      • GoodCapon says:

        I’m hoping for some major bling for the other royals attending too!

        It’s nice to hear Charles and Cam are attending. I do not want to be in his shoes however. I wonder what he’s feeling right now 😀

      • Suze says:

        Really! Wasn’t Charles a crown prince at Beatrix’s inauguration?

        But he can hardly be hoping for his mother’s death, either.

        What a weird role he has had.

        I want to see Cam sport some major jewels – another one who you know can pile it on when she has the opportunity.

      • LAK says:

        Did you know that BIG SUZE is part of our royal family? She’s married to Fred Windsor, son of Prince Michael of Kent.

      • GoodCapon says:

        Of course I know that LAK! And she’s preggers too, yay! Finally, a royal pregnancy I could get behind on.

        Now the question is whether the baby would grow up and take after Freddie’s frankly weird complexion and face or Sophie’s beauty. The Windsor genes aren’t very strong as one goes further down the throne so I’m hoping the Winkleman genes will do their thang, one way or the other.

  28. TheyPromisedMeBeer says:

    I should be annoyed at how cute a dress it would be if it were just a few inches longer … but all I really can see is the body language in these pics.

    I covet that blazer though. *covet* it.

  29. janie says:

    She looks terrific! That’s how pregnant ladies dress! She is so pretty… Can’t wait to see that little angel she is carrying. She’s glowing!

  30. HH says:

    This high-low pairing was done well except for the hemline. The hemline doesn’t look awful because the dress is loose, which keeps it from looking like some club outfit. However, the fact that she had two hemline + wind issues on both of her foreign tours would lead to believe she would be over questionable hemlines and play it safe.

  31. DianeP says:

    Kate looks fantastic, as usual…young, appropriate and stylish. As for the errant breezes, Princess Diana had weights put in her hems…maybe Kate should, too!

  32. EmmaStoneWannabe says:

    She looks really pretty here. Love her hair like this.

  33. Lady Satan says:

    Poor girl can’t catch a break, can she?

    One day people are moaning that she’s dressing too old & boring, the next everyone is clutching their pearls saying her dress is too short.

    I think she looks great. The dress is totally cute & she pairs it perfectly with the blazer.

    • Eden says:

      ^^This.

      Make up your mind people. She looks fantastic! This is how modern business women dress too. I am apparently missing the whole too short thing because I think the skirt is a nice length. The windy bit sucks, but we all deal with that at some point. Hell, even those long bohemian things we wore ages ago use to blow up if the wind was right and even a knee length skirt can give a biscuit flash if you move wrong.

      I like her sense of style. She dresses like a young woman not a club dancer. She’s young, beautiful, pregnant and (hopefully) happy. Get off her case about what she’s wearing when she looks it.

    • bluhare says:

      Lady Satan/Eden: As people here have been saying FOR MONTHS, there are royal dress protocols and she does not follow them. That’s a lot of why she gets shade thrown at her re the short (and unweighted) hemlines. Apparently, she thinks she doesn’t have to follow the rules everyone else does.

    • LAK says:

      @Lady Satan/Eden – There are rules. That said, unfortunately, boringly Matronly or too short hemlines IS what Kate is giving us. Look at CP Victoria, who is of a similar age. She’s neither boring nor wearing short dresses. Even the runaway bride, who is only 3yrs older than Kate isn’t matronly dressed or in short dresses.

      Older Princesses like CP Mary, Letizia, Marie and Mette-Marit do a better job of appearing youthful than Kate does.

    • Rae says:

      I am getting whiplash from the constant back and forth.

      • Eden says:

        Yeah, we know there are rules and some of us who live in Commonwealth countries get it. That doesn’t mean that we don’t think that they should take their royal rules and stuff them.

        If a CEO of a Fortune 500 company can wear a skirt a couple of inches above her knee so can a figurehead royal.

  34. Janet says:

    Cute dress. Reminds me of a maternity dress I wore when I was pregnant.

  35. Toot says:

    I’m a tall girl (mostly legs) like Kate and any dress I get that’s supposedly knee length is slight below mid thigh on me. So I won’t knock her for that.

    • LAK says:

      Kate is only 5ft 8in which is taller than average, but not too tall.

      She has long torso and short legs, not the other way round. Therefore this dress hem is closer to her business it appears.

  36. The Original G says:

    Someone should send directions to Topshop to KK.

  37. Kris says:

    I think she looks great. She’s a young girl, duchess or not, and can pull off a shorter dress. Which I don’t even think is that short. And omg, holding her dress down in the wind? It’s spring, sometimes wind comes out of nowhere. And seriously, let the Harry thing go. It seems like they have a really fun relationship. It’s a good thing that she loves her brother-in-law.

    • Suze says:

      She’s 31!

      That’s far out of “young girl” territory.

      But I agree that her dress length is fine. And wind is wind, TopShop dresses aren’t the kind that come weighted. Nothing was exposed and it’s no biggie.

      • bluhare says:

        Me too, Suze. She’s a 31 year old mature woman, not a young girl. Young girl would be late teens to mid twenties in my mind.

      • Suze says:

        Yes, I’m not picking on Kris who has some good points and is certainly entitled to her opinion.

        It’s just that it amazes me how some commenters seem to think of Kate as a very young girl, who is very tall and leggy, and who should be able to dress like an ordinary twenty year old.

        She isn’t that young, she isn’t that tall, and she is actually quite long-torsoed, shorter legged. And she is part of the royal family, with different standards of dress.

        In this case, though, I actually like what she’s wearing, a lot, and the length doesn’t ping as inappropriate for the occasion, so maybe I’m arguing on the wrong post.

      • Kris says:

        I know she’s 31 (and as a 31-year old woman myself) shouldn’t have said “young girl” but she isn’t an old woman either. She can still pull off a shorter hem line. And as for the rules everyone is pointing out, good for her for not following them. They are stuffy rules and it isn’t like Kate is running around in micro minnies (sp?) or hot pants.

      • LAK says:

        @Suze/@Kris – As i commented to @littlestar further upthread, a dresser would have had some input into the dress as far as windy issues are concerned.

        What never ceases to amaze me is that despite shopping being her favourite past time, she never things about additional clothing finishes eg when she [i am assuming it was her] moved the buttons of her coat, she didn’t finish the garment properly so we could see where the original button point was.

        For these types of flimsy dresses, She shops regularly at John Lewis, a store known for it’s haberdashery. hem weights are easy and cheap to pick up. Takes a few minutes to sew them into her dresses.

        given the oops moments from her previous outings in similar flimsy dresses, http://tinyurl.com/cbpzgfe,http://tinyurl.com/3z2wy5k hem weights [and putting them in every flimsy dress she has] should have been a no brainer. JLP can’t be expected to stand behind her every time just in case it happens again.

        For the rules, She isn’t going to be Queen Consort of just Britain and so can move with our admittedly more progressive thoughts on such matters. She is going to be Queen Consort of 16 Realms, most of which are very conservative in thought and action. That’s why she was wearing longer skirts whilst she was in the Asian realms otherwise why bother as you say?

      • FLORC says:

        Kris Yes. As an American the rules do seem stuffy and the whole Royal system going there seems outdated in these times and worse being financially hard times for many. Making a statement by dressing in short hemlines in flowy material while not weighing it down is not making a statement. It’s being careless.

        There are a million ways she could make a positive statement and I’m still hoping she does. Dressing like a school girl is only helping her keep William’s attention.

  38. Reece says:

    Harry at The Burrow!!! My nerd fantasies just mind melded with my Harry fantasies. He needs a Weasley sweater with an H on it! STAT. A blue one to match his eyes. And a Weasley sweater would fit unlike his suit!
    Yep I’ve lost it…may not make it to the end of the day.

  39. GoodCapon says:

    FFS, come on you guys!!! She’s NOT a regular woman on the street who can wear whatever she likes; she’s a member of the BRF who have STRICT rules when it comes to clothing! That includes the length of the hemlines and how short it could only go up the knees.

    It doesn’t matter if she’s young or not, protocols are there to be followed!
    That she continually disregards the protocols says more about her than us criticizing her for her clothing.

    I sound patronizing but I’ve gone so far beyond trying to be polite. Some people here are just so f*cking clueless when it comes to royalty. A little more research would be very handy.

    • bluhare says:

      Totally agree, GoodCapon. The only thing that surprises me is that the hammer hasn’t come down on her yet.

    • sal says:

      Whoa. I think people are entitled to their opinions.

    • Maggie says:

      Are you kidding me? She’s not in the RAF! I think the protocols have loosened up in the last decade. She’s dresses rather conservative in my opinion. She’s got fabulous legs, she’s young and beautiful. Lighten up!

      • GoodCapon says:

        Did you even read my post?

      • FLORC says:

        Maggie would you feel the same if you had a coworker with a great behind. She would wear a thong, but insist on wearing flowy mini dresses to work and inside the building she would constantly be bending over or outside her dress would fly up and reveal her bottom. You and all your coworkers follow a dress code of skirts to your finger tips, but she doesn’t want to obey. Would you seriously maintain the argument of she has great legs she should show them off?

      • Maggie says:

        Florc, I’d definately be telling her to keep showing off her legs! In fact I’d start doing the same.

      • My2Pence says:

        @Maggie. And that pretty much tells us all we need to know about you.

      • bluhare says:

        wrong spot

    • The Original G says:

      Protocols do evolve over time. Being overly officious and stuffy is not really in the interests of a popular and healthy monarchy.

      Will and Kate are obviously intent on projecting a less uptight image and the monarchy and thier protocol officers seems to be surviving just fine. What makes you so certain, her outfit hasn’t been approved?

    • littlestar says:

      She’s been in the Royal Family for almost 2 years now, and she’s been dressing this way the whole time. I think that if the Queen really cared about how “short” Kate’s dresses are, she would have said something a long time ago and we wouldn’t continually be seeing Kate in her “inappropriate” outfits. She is the Queen, I’m pretty sure she could put enough fear into Kate to make her wear a longer dress if she actually WANTED TO. Maybe the RF is realizing how outdated and out of touch their “rules” are and they are loosening up. I’m sure the RF realizes that if they want to stay around, they are going to have to start being a little more relatable to people. And don’t give me the “they are the Royal Family, they are above us and have their own protocol/ rules” crap. They are humans just like us, no better than anyone else. I’m all for criticizing Kate for her poor work ethic, but the way some people continually freak out on others here because they like how Kate dresses is just ridiculous already.

      • andy says:

        +100

      • Suze says:

        Kate wears a variety of hemlines, some longer, some shorter. I think there’s a method to it, too. Whether it’s palace-approved, I do not know.

        I do think she tries to match the look with the occasion – this is a more “fun” outing, she’s with the Windsor men, she isn’t giving a speech and isn’t the center of attention – hence the shorter hem on the high street fashion.

        LOL I had the morning off so I’ve been all over this thread. Actually, I’m more interested in her speeches than her clothes, HONEST.

        And I’m still rooting for her! She’s been far more out and about lately and I think that’s great.

      • GoodCapon says:

        They think they are better than us so I’m going to hold them up on their OWN standards.

        I don’t think the Queen has power over William or she’s probably too old to care. Charles may be the father but Diana will forever haunt him and William will always use her against him.

        He’s spoiled and was always treated as the golden child which is why I think the Queen, Charles et al lets him, and to an extent his wife, get away with everything.

      • minime says:

        You said it all! I’m amazed at the amount of people all upset that she doesn’t follow the royal protocol by some inches..but what do I know? I don’t live in a country with royals (fortunately!) and I find the concept pretty updated. Still, getting all upset because of a hemline is fascinating 🙂

      • The Original G says:

        The Queen is most certainly not too old to care and appears to have all her “power” intact.

        She is in fact a very detail oriented and engaged monarch. She has a full appearance schedule, is personally involved in State dinners and meets with the PM regularly. She’s a unique and extrodinary figure in the 20/21st century.

        I know it may be disapointing to some, but she clearly has no problem with Kate’s dresses. Anyone else who has their bustle in knot about Kate’s hemline or Diana’s ghost should maybe do a little research themselves and save their outrage for something even slightly more significant.

      • Mich says:

        @ littlestar

        I hear you but the second the Royal Family ‘is just like us’ is the second they will cease to exist. Wars might not be fought to keep certain families on the throne anymore but Commonwealth subjects still bow and scrape and tithe to these people.

        The caste-like class system is very real in the UK and while I have never met them, I can almost guarantee that William and Kate feel inherently superior to the likes of you and me.

      • GoodCapon says:

        The Original G

        I’m sorry to disappoint you but we are in a gossip site, not in an academic forum. We’re allowed to talk about anything here– significant things or not, royal stuff or not–and yes that includes Kate’s hemlines.

      • GoodCapon says:

        “Maybe the RF is realizing how outdated and out of touch their “rules” are and they are loosening up.”

        But does it really have to translate to a loosening of the dress code where even the slightest gust of wind could spell a fashion faux pas for the female royals?

        There is still a fine line between looking decent and royal but not boring and outdated.

      • Suze says:

        MIch has a good point, and one that is very interesting. If the royals are just like us, no better, no worse, why are they there?

        They have to cultivate a little mystique, maintain a semblence of difference to even exist. Sometimes clothing telegraphs that. God knows I spend enough time discussing it.

        It’s going to get harder and harder for royalty going forward.

        I think after the Queen dies, things will be very different. Whether it’s different good or different bad for the younger royals remains to be seen.

      • The Original G says:

        The monarchy already IS over. It’s done.

        Respect will be shown to Elizabeth as long as she’s alive.

        All the Royals beside Charles, Will and Kate lead normal upper class civilian lives. The big three are an indentured ceremonial dog and pony show.

        The pagentry and mystique are major generators of tourism dollars for Britain. That’s it. The RF know this and so do we, so maybe save the outrage for real injustices.

      • Suze says:

        Well, outrage has its place here. It certainly brings plenty of comments and views to the Kate threads. I like CB and enjoy keeping her in business.

        I am interested to see if the monarchy is done and gone once Elizabeth is gone, if its reduced to almost nothing, or if there is some great resurgence from the seeds Charles has plotted.

        I will say they put on a good show! I enjoy watching it and commenting, royaloonie that I am.

        Maybe Kate’s hemlines are all part of the great plan….

      • littlestar says:

        Original G, I couldn’t agree with you more!

        I really like the points Mich and Suze make. While I do think the RF thinks they are “better” than us, I think all of us here probably think that the RF isn’t better than us (I hope that makes sense). I actually think that after the Queen is gone (which is sad to think of, she truly is one very hard working woman), the RF won’t be anything really anymore, besides a way to make tourism dollars. Most people I talk to in every day life don’t care about the RF. I think that if the RF does want to stick around, they are going to have to appeal to us “commoners” (by being more relatable etc). I don’t see how just because they are the RF, they have to seem “untouchable”. When I talk about the RF to friends/family, the reason why they don’t like the RF and why they want them gone is because of that outdated attitude.

        I’m really surprised at how upset some people are on here because other people don’t agree with them.

      • LAK says:

        Just because The Queen hasn’t said/done anything about Kate’s hemlines doesn’t mean that she approves of them.

        The Queen takes awhile to act. She leads by example and hopes that the others understand what needs to be done.

        However, when she does finally act, look out. She’s swift and decisive.

        And as Harry said in a recent documentary on The Queen, watch out! when she decides to intervene.

      • The Original G says:

        Oh lord, really? You’re speaking for the Queen?

        @goodcapon

        You invoke some inviolable rules of Royal protocol to back up your catty carping against Kate and other posters here.

        When it’s suggested, that you might well be mistaken about the Queen’s opinion, you fall back on your right to gossip? Of course you can say what you like. Why the need to dress it up with some faux authority?

      • LAK says:

        @Suzy/The Original G – i don’t speak for the Queen. My opinion is based upon HER actions in the past, and what is known about her either via authorised documentaries in which her own children/grandchildren have spoken about her or biographies from authors who are known to be very balanced in their views without resorting to pro/con arguments or sentiment.

        All are available either on youtube or in book stores. You don’t have to take my word for it.

      • littlestar says:

        Two years is a pretty long time for the Queen to not react to Kate’s hemlines.

      • LAK says:

        littlestar – it took her about 5yrs to react to the war of the Wales and that was MORE damaging.

      • The Original G says:

        I rather doubt that the Queen would cut off her nose to spite her face. What would be the point of waiting for years to strike at Kate for her hemlines? It’s nonsensical.

        You think she lies in wait to bring down the hammer on the legacy of her ancestors and herself? What would be the value of that to her, the monarchy, her family and their future? She clearly dosen’t think that her DIL is her enemy.

      • bluhare says:

        Original G: You are forgetting (or don’t know) about CurtseyGate. Where the queen put out a memo telling the family that no one had to curtsey to Kate unless Wlliam was there.

        THAT’S how the Queen rolls.

      • Mich says:

        Given his regular interference in Parliament, it is pretty clear that Charles (the “Meddling Prince”) considers himself to be of much more importance than just the star player in a dog and pony show.

        The Queen has reigned for 60 years and her thoughts and opinions have been covered in hundreds of thousands of articles, books, interviews, etc. She herself set the dress protocol. Everyone else in the Royal Court abides. I think it is common sense to assume she isn’t thrilled.

        Is it the biggest deal in the world? No. But this is a gossip site so we’re chatting about.

      • FLORC says:

        Littlestar
        I’m really surprised at how upset some people are on here because other people don’t agree with them.
        You’ve never been a fan of a sports team with a rivarly then? It’s how I relate this.

        If I may add my 2 cents in… The RF may grow less profitable/useful in coming years, but all they need are the know the right people and put them in the right seats and the RF will stay just as it is. People don’t rise up like they use to. Something may stir in time, but the RF has money and as long as they have that there will be no threat for them to change.

      • LAK says:

        The Original G – I don’t think she would allow a situation that cuts off her own nose or legacy. If you pay attention, a pattern emerges about the Queen. She’s all about self preservation. She tends to react when the Monarchy is threatened.

        Behind the scenes, we are told by all the children/grandchildren that she’s pretty hands off, expecting them to get on with it unless someone asks for her specific help, but also how she’s pretty tough when they get it wrong.

        From that perspective, Kate learns from William. If she gets it wrong, we should blame William.

        BTW: You rather doubt that she would wait years????!!!! Did you not live through the years of Charles and Diana [and their friends] bitching and airing their dirty Laundry in the media at every opportunity?? That went on for YEARS. And really damaged the Monarchy during it’s duration. They’ve taken years to re-build the brand and even now people are only willing to respect EIIR.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        The queen called Kate’s wedding dress “hideous.” So I think we can assume the Queen doesn’t share Kate’s taste in clothes. Is clothing important enough for the Queen to make multiple public comments about it? No. Because, unlike lazy Kate, the Queen is a busy woman with more important duties that take up much of her time.

        As for Kate fans who think the Queen meant the display was hideous, not the dress itself, the Queen didn’t actually say “display” did she? And the Queen knew full well her comments were being taped. And she knew full well people will think she meant the dress. The Queen has been in this business for many decades, and knows the impact that EVERY single word she says will have. If people thought the Queen called the dress itself hideous, then that’s exactly what the Queen intended.

        P.S. I don’t think the Queen is very “nice” (and not just to Kate). But she’s a hard worker who takes her duties seriously, and is absolutely dedicated to her duties. So I respect her.

      • FLORC says:

        Mrs. Krabapple
        I really think the Queen did mean the display. I’ve seen the video and the reference and comments in the context of the time seem more likely directed at the way the whole display was set up. The floating headless illusion was weird for me too to see. Also, Kate’s dress was a fairly good copy of another royal wedding dress. Both were modest and beautiful and if the queen had an issue with those i’m not sure she’d wait to comment until they were only talking about the display. That’s how I read it anyways.

      • Janet says:

        LOL the Queen called Kate’s wedding dress “hideous”? That’s hilarious, considering the Queen isn’t exactly a fashion icon herself. I like and respect her, but she has about as much fashion sense as Mamie Eisenhower.

        BTW, if she hated Kate’s wedding dress, what did she think of that poufy whipped-cream mess Diana wore at her wedding to Charles?

      • bluhare says:

        Janet: Diana’s wedding dress and the way the Queen chooses to dress are two totally different topics. This thread is about Kate.

      • Janet says:

        Bluhare, right now on this sub-thread I think we’re talking about the Queen’s credentials as a fashion arbiter. From observing what she’s been wearing herself over the past 40 years, I don’t think her credentials are all that great. I like her very much as a symbol of the British royal family, she does them much credit; but as to the way she has always dressed, the word “dowdy” comes to mind.

      • bluhare says:

        Janet, when it comes to the BRF, the Queen *is* the fashion arbiter, whether you are for her style or not, and Kate should (although doesn’t) follow her guidelines.

    • Linda says:

      To grandcapon or just maybe people here have a lot more going on their lives to be that invested in the monarchy or what Kate wears.

      • bluhare says:

        I agree Linda. Just like some people have too much going on in their lives to give a rats butt about Robsten, Leann Rimes, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie . . .

  40. Lulu.T.O. says:

    I think she looks great. And she is even standing up straight!

  41. Apsutter says:

    Cutest outfit she’s worn in a long time.

  42. Bucky says:

    Fer super serial, y’all, it’s not particularly short. I’m a 29-year-old professional woman and that would totes fly in my workplace. I want that dress, like, yesterday.

  43. Mar says:

    I love the fact that she is wearing affordable clothing. She is such a good example of class and style for young girls.
    My daughter is 5- and in all honestly- it bothers me that the girls looked up to today are not half or even a quarter as classy at Kate

    • My2Pence says:

      @ Mar. You might want to look into Kate Middleton’s behavior during the 10 years of being the royal girlfriend before you decide she is a positive role model for your girls. “Classy” didn’t exactly define her behavior for those 10 years. And her dressing style for the past two years doesn’t scream “classy” to me with the plunging necklines, thigh-high slits, repeated flashing because of unweighted hems, and miniskirts.

      And before all of you start jumping on the “she was a private citizen, she could do what she wanted.” She was aiming at marrying a future king. All she did for 10 years was audition for that job, and yes, it is a job. A little decorum (like NOT falling drunk out of clubs four nights a week flashing her naked lady bits because she wasn’t wearing knickers) might have been nice.

      • The Original G says:

        What’s the statute of limitations for prosecuting night-clubbing in Britain?

      • LAK says:

        The Original G – What she did before becoming a royal would HAVE been irrelevant IF she changed her activities as promised after the wedding. Heck, the Palace went to great lengths to construct a new persona for her and to sell her as a hardworking girl who ‘would hit the ground running with royal duties’ quote. Instead, she is behaving exactly as she did BEFORE the wedding, minus the clubbing, and people are holding her up as a role model and Ambassador.

        The royals don’t belong to Britain alone. Something that many forget. As an example, the recent change in law to allow her child to inherit irrespective of gender had to be approved by 16 countries. Britons, Canadians and Australians might be fed up of the royals and see no value to them, but the other countries do. Ditto the countries that make up the commonwealth. It’s a very insular attitude to think that what they do doesn’t matter and people else where don’t care. They do.

      • Nancy Blue says:

        Kate’s undecorus behaviour on many occasions over the last 12 years cannot have gone unnoticed by the Queen. The nudigate saga for example and forthcoming court case.

        Sarah Whalen has written another interesting article on this

        http://www.bayoubuzz.com/top-stories/item/426481-free-valerie-from-topless-kate-middleton-naked-photos-trial

    • Mrs.Krabapple says:

      Kate is too stupid to be a good role model for young girls. “Can you . . . um . . . test the . . . um . . . smell . . . of the tea . . . by smelling it?” That was planned visit to a tea shop, and she had all the time in the world to think up something half-intelligent to say, and that’s the best her feeble brain could come up with.

      She’s lazy and never worked a real job in her life.

      She’s never displayed compassion for anyone less fortunate.

      She doesn’t even seem to have any friends. Does anybody outside of her own family even like her?

      She smokes and boozed it up pretty good when she could get away with it.

      She has an eating disorder.

      She came running back to the man who dumped her (and then crowed about dumping her) as soon as he beckoned. She has no self-esteem. She is nervous around her own husband. Most of the family she married into don’t like her.

      The positive side: some people like her appearance. And she married a rich man. I suppose she’s a good role model for the belief that a girl should be decorative and marry a man who can buy her whatever she wants.

      Seriously, she’s a terrible role model.

      • caitlin says:

        Mrs. K — That sums it up beautifully! I’d like to copy and paste your post into all the subsequent Kate articles on this site for the benefit of those who are a) in denial b) blind, deaf and dumb or c)simply forgetful

  44. Alycia says:

    The dress is from the Topshop maternity section so she is dressing in maternity wear & I think she looks cute & stylish

  45. Mich says:

    The DM pic of them with the wands is absolutely adorable! I want a wand!

    Re the hem length, I’d have no comments if she had paired with shorter heels or flats. With four inch heels, however, I find it too undignified. When she’s on the Crown’s time, I want her to look more sophisticated. She’s supposed to be an aspirational figure people can look up to.

    Her hair is bugging the crap out of me lately. The majority of it is always in front of her shoulders. It reminds me of how we used to primp and preen when I was a teenager in the ’80s – pictures prove that nothing in the ’80s looked as good as we thought it did at the time.

  46. TG says:

    I love this outfit. This might be my favorite thing the Duchess has worn yet.

  47. oce says:

    Isn’t she also taller than the average female? My Mom once told me Duchess was my height or taller (I’m 5’9 + 3/4 inch or 5’10”). Unless I am wearing designer clothes (found at the outlets!), everything is super short on us giants, which really stinks when I am wearing blazers/jackets/certain tops/dresses. Obviously she could just always wear designer stuff and keep her king-maker out of sight… Just sayin’!

    • The Original Mia says:

      She’s average height (5’7) and wears 5″ heels to match William’s height.

  48. HoustonGrl says:

    I love this dress, but I agree it’s a tad short. I don’t even mean that in a “royal stodgy standards” kind of way. This standard is quite common – I work at a school and we are told to wear skirts at the knees or longer. And it’s just a matter of comfort. Kate is clearly uncomfortable trying to get the skirt to stay down in the wind etc. And if she sits down…well.

  49. Loralei says:

    She looks great! She has gorgeous legs. I’m so sick of her looking so sterile and proper. This is a nice change.

  50. Isa says:

    She looks beautiful! I love the dress. But I think I wouldn’t have wore that material on a windy day. I don’t think it’s too short at all.

  51. Rachey says:

    I am in awe that the length of this poor woman’s dress is such a heated topic. IMHO she looks amazing and completely appropriate. It’s not as if she was attending a black tie dinner or other formal function. She has an amazing figure, and beautiful legs that a lot of women would kill for.

    It’s so sad that women are so judgemental and catty towards others.

    • LAK says:

      What is so catty about pointing out that the dress is short per her own family rules???!!!!

      No one is saying she looks bad. only that dress is short. see the difference??

      • Linda says:

        Yes it is catty becos every single post about Kate, you and florc always always always have to go on a bitter rant about either her dress, hair, make up,work ethic, etc. It’s crazy. I am by no means a fan of Kate but you guys are making me defend her.

      • LAK says:

        Linda – You defend Kate because we bitterly comment on her dress, hair, make up,work ethic???

        Dress: I very rarely comment on her dress choices for public engagements in as far as whether i think they are good or bad except for whether they are within protocol rules.

        That said, there have been occasions where she has looked fabulous AND followed protocol AND i have said as much.

        I understand perfectly why she needs to dress conservatively, so i am not going to rag on her for making safe choices although i am going to rage at the media telling me that her safe choices are fashionable. For those times she is off duty, she can dress any way she likes. None of my business.

        Hair: Since entire world is of the opinion that she needs to vary her hairstyle, i don’t understand why you would single either FLORC or me out. That said, I find it endlessly amusing that she pretends that is all her own hair. I love her new hairdresser’s efforts with her hair and the fact that she’s been weaned off the extensions as you can see she has very good hair.

        Make-up: i don’t think i have ever commented on her make-up nor has FLORC.

        Work ethic: This is the only thing i feel that matters. All the other stuff is superficial. This job doesn’t come with a detailed job description or how to manual. The public’s opinion matters in shaping how she creates her job.

        And since she represents me, whether she wants to or not, whether i want her to or not, i would prefer that she was better at her job.

      • Rachey says:

        @LAK if you would read my comments again, you will notice that it contained two paragraphs. The first was explaining my opinion, which is that her dress was appropriate. That is my opinion, which I am certainly entitled to. The last time I checked, this was a gossip blog, not the debate club.

        Second, I stated that I find it sad when women are catty and judgement towards one another. If you care to glance over the hundreds of comments on ANY of the stories, you will see women being down right mean to each other, which In my opinion is sad and pathetic.

        So, your reply to me that noone said she looked bad and that all the comments on the page were only about her dress being short is laughable considering that you’ve obsessively posted numerous snide comments about her hair, lack of working, etc. I’d highly encourage you to lighten up and accept that we can all have a different opinion without it turning into a blood bath.

      • Rachey says:

        @LAK if you would read my comments again, you will notice that it contained two paragraphs. The first was explaining my opinion, which is that her dress was appropriate. That is my opinion, which I am certainly entitled to. The last time I checked, this was a gossip blog, not the debate club.

        Second, I stated that I find it sad when women are catty and judgement towards one another. If you care to glance over the hundreds of comments on ANY of the stories, you will see women being down right mean to each other, which In my opinion is sad and pathetic. I couldn’t care less if you don’t like her hair, hem length, etc. and we all have the same options to post our opinions and comments.

        Your reply to me that noone said she looked bad and that all the comments on the page were only about her dress being short is laughable considering that you’ve obsessively posted numerous snide comments about her hair, lack of working, etc. I’d highly encourage you to lighten up and accept that we can all have a different opinion without it turning into a blood bath.

      • LAK says:

        Rachey – I rarely go into depth of the other threads. I am not interested in the subjects and so i will take your word that ALL the other threads are catty and judgmental ALL of the time.

        My comments were in the context of this thread at the time we both posted.

        Finally, what else is there about talk about Kate but her work ethic or lack there of. Would you prefer i talked about her face, her body, her legs or any of the superficial things that are irrelevant to her ability to do the job?

        Her hair is funny. end of.

        Snide??? What about my comments is snide?? I can assure that i would never write something down that i couldn’t say to a person’s face.

        And when i have misjudged or misinterpreted a person’s comments in person or here on CB, i have apologised to them unreservedly.

        For the record, the people who post regularly on the Royals’ threads [whichever royal including Kate] are pretty polite even when they disagree with each others’ opinions.

        I can’t say the same for you since you resort to name calling which says more about you than it does us.

      • bluhare says:

        To be technically correct, Rachey, your post was one paragraph and a sentence not two paragraphs.

        And calling people judgmental and catty on one thread when you haven’t been on any others is a bit much. I usually wait a while before I venture forth on a new blog/topic.

      • Jake says:

        Looks like a few of these posters are the same lame person using different names to try and look less pathetic. Not naming any names, oh heck why not. LAK, Mich, Bluhare and Flo.

        Please back away from the computer screen and get a life.

      • littlestar says:

        Jake, I was thinking the exact same thing.

      • bluhare says:

        You guys are now getting ridiculous, but I thank you for the compliment in thinking I am LAK. I wish I was that smart.

        Do you have anything else to add other than what you think is insulting the regular posters here?

      • FLORC says:

        LAK Thank you. I will go off on Kate here and there when I get frustrated my point isn’t coming across as easily as I mean for it.
        Just to clarify for future posts.. I have only commented on Kate’s hair and make up to say it’s improved, nice, or how crazy it is that people can’t see the wiglet.

        I comment often here, but I am not one to full on attack on a very superficial level. Don’t assume all posts that don’t praise Kate are negative.

        My biggest issue and pretty much the only issue Is her work ethic. She’s lived for William it seems and nothing else. In my opinion she is a terrible role model with a fashion sense that is cute at times, but often inappropriate given her position. She can’t just dress as she pleases while meeting diplomats and she shouldn’t be spending money she didn’t earn every other day while her country struggles financially. The fact that she is praised for working 1 hour a day or just for dressing herself in the morning is astonishing to me.

        I think many of the ladies here are thoughtful in their comments and do not hate on Kate. We all just expect more and refuse to lower the bar for a grown adult.

        I hope next time I see a post of someone calling out a regular poster here they have actually read the posts and aren’t just assuming.

        Last 2 bits.. 1 It’s always ircked me with women who live for their spouses. No outside interests, friends, jobs. Just the spouse and living for him. If they pass or there’s a divorce the woman is lost. It’s sad and all women should be self sufficient imo.
        2. it’s not a matter of how cute the dress is or that the length doesn’t bother them. It’s her job. There is a dress code. All others attending are dressed appropriately. She is not. It’s just that simple.

      • mrsjennyk says:

        @Jake

        +1000

        It’s absurd the amount of time these people put into “educating” us on royal protocol, Kate’s height, style of clothing, height of her heels, work ethic. The list is endless really.
        I couldn’t imagine devoting so much time to proving you’re right about everything royal.

        If any of the above people have a link to what the dress requirements for Kate will you please post it?

      • bluhare says:

        JennyK: If we are so absurd, why are you spending so much time reading and commenting? There’s lots of other things to do, you know.

        For example, I don’t give a rats ass about Twilight/Pattinson/Stewart or any of that crap, so you know what? I don’t read it!!

      • mrsjennyk says:

        @bluhare,

        I’ve made 2 comments how is that spending so much time reading and commenting?

        Do you or LAK have a link or not about the dresscode Kate is supposed to adhere to?
        I’m actually curious and would like to read it.

      • bluhare says:

        I apologise for my lack of response JennyK. The rest of m posts have not gone through.

  52. Patrice says:

    I think she looks absolutely stunning here from
    top to bottom 🙂 Well, actually, it would have been nice to see her do a 1/2 up, 1/2 down hairstyle with this more casual/dressy look but other than that, I’m loving the entire outfit (it also showcases her changing figure aka “bump” really nicely).

    Also, even though it IS entirely inappropriate, and I’m sure Kate would be perfectly open to something happening between herself and Harry behind closed doors (honestly), I can’t really fault a b*tch for staring at him “adoringly.” I mean, the guy is so sweet, handsome, friendly, openly funny and charming, who WOULDN’T? 😀

  53. Kristen says:

    Please. That dress is not that short. She looks great.

  54. l says:

    Well I don’t think its to short, I love it. Not near as short as what she wore to the races. Wish she had worn her hair up.

    So do we want her to obey the ‘rules’ or be fresh and fun? Wear the same thing or change it up? I feel like some posters change their minds from outfit to outfit.

    • Rachey says:

      I couldn’t have said it better myself. Some people aren’t happy unless they are putting others down.

      • bluhare says:

        Nice put down, Rachey.

      • Rachey says:

        @bluhare, I don’t know what happened to you when you were a child that would make you pick on random people on a gossip blog, but I generally try to avoid putting people that I don’t know down….that is until they anonymously single me out for no reason.

      • Mich says:

        @ Rachey

        That’s rich. Bluhare called you out fair and square. Your own comments on this thread could easily be interpreted as insulting. It is a story on a gossip site specifically asking if people think the outfit is adorable or inappropriate. Sure, you didn’t single one person out, you just called every person who finds it inappropriate ‘catty and judgmental’ and then wrapped the lot in smugness. So what happened in your childhood?

      • Rachey says:

        @mich

        Can you please show me where I called everyone who found her dress inappropriate judgemental and catty?? It seems to me that you and a few other people on this thread are seeking out a debate or argument and are twisting others comments around. And it’s a little creepy how you and a few others take this stuff so seriously.

      • GoodCapon says:

        “It’s so sad that women are so judgemental and catty towards others. ”

        LOL!!! Hypocrite much? 😀

      • bluhare says:

        Rachey, I just pointed out that someone who has never been here before (you) finding us judgmental and catty seems a bit . . . well . . . judgmental and catty.

        I especially think it’s tacky to come over to a blog with a regular group of people just to trash everyone.

  55. hannah says:

    I hate the dress and I usually like pretty much everything she’s wearing

  56. Katie says:

    I don’t dislike her, but think about this…the hemline is at least three to four inches above her knees. Think about that ladies. Could you wear to work a hemline that was four inches above your knees? Yes, it is a cute dress. However, let’s just say that we all know that she has the financial resources to hire a tailor. I am not trying to be mean, I am just saying that it is kind of odd to me. I think it is a cute dress and look, however, the actual hemline is a bit bizarre for a pregnant woman or any woman for that matter, who is going to a professional outing.

  57. Suzy says:

    people are ridic on here.

  58. Mich says:

    #Pippatip: If you don’t like gossip, don’t visit a gossip site.

    The fact is, if people are talking about how short her hemline is then it is too short.

    #Pippatip: If you don’t want people talking about how short your skirt is, don’t wear short skirts.

    • Katie says:

      I agree with you! I love when people complain on here, yet, somehow they found themselves on a gossip web site. While I am on the subject, I love all the people who complain that women are mean or critical. No, we just know what it is like to have to go to a real job and wear real clothes that are appropriate in a professional setting.

  59. Mrs.Krabapple says:

    I think it’s great that she spent so little money on the dress (although probably dropped a lot on the RL jacket). Because she makes everything she wears look cheap. So way waste money on the more expensive stuff, when it will all look cheap in the end anyway?

    The few hundred pounds she saved on the dress can be put to better use to help humanity. You know, like more styling for her hair.

    Edited to add: And yes, the dress is too short. I suspect that she is aware of the weight gain the pregnancy caused (and isn’t happy about it). But her spindly legs from her starvation diet are still thin, so she’s showing off that part of her body as much as she can.

  60. TXCinderella says:

    I think she looks adorable, and I like the fact that she mixes it up. She understands that you don’t have to spend alot of money to look good.

  61. DAFFY says:

    she looks great. i got scared thot she’d be wearing old lady maternity stuff. u rock kate

  62. Lulu.T.O. says:

    Well, I guess I learned one useful thing from this thread. There is apparently such a thing as a ‘skirt weight’. LOL

    • Linda says:

      What I learnt from this post- LAK and FLORC are delusional

      • candice says:

        Really?? Please explain/elaborate. Personally, I find these 2 posters to be among the best on this site — they speak the truth and substantiate their claims. Particularly where Kate is concerned, it’s refreshing to read truth and reality instead of all the fawning cr*p from the head in the clouds, admirers and “sheeple”. Baaaah.

      • Mich says:

        I wasn’t aware that calling other members of this community derogatory names was now fair game. Good to know! I sure do have a couple of names in mind for you.

      • andy says:

        I’ve read several rude posts today.

        Calling posters that a have a differing opinion-
        1) f*ucking clueless
        2)sheep
        3)blind, *deaf and dumb, or simply forgetful
        4)trolls or PR plants

        *The deaf and dumb comment is very inappropriate. I haven’t heard anyone use that phrase in years.

        We should be able to communicate without putting each other down.

      • bluhare says:

        Linda, I get it! You’re a comedian in your spare time!

      • bluhare says:

        Andy: You missed one. Calling people delusional. (See Linda’s post above.)

    • Lulu.T.O. says:

      Ugh! Don’t feed the nasty troll ladies.

      I may think the idea of royalty is silly, but I’m an American. If I were British and paying for her lifestyle, her inability to follow protocol would probably irk me too. But her skirt didn’t fly up, so maybe she’s at least onto the cool concept of hem weights at last!lly,

  63. Thinker says:

    Are we counting this as royal “work” because really it’s more like royal perk.

    Can this really be considered as a royal duty and responsibility?

    Common folks would give up a whole lot to enjoy a behind the scenes VIP experience like that. It would’ve been quite charitable of the Royals to have included some kids from their respective charities in the fun.

    • mslewis says:

      According to the Daily Mail, there were 500 children from various charities there.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        Hopefully they kept those brats away from the royals, so they wouldn’t ruin the royals’ fun while touring the studio. Judging from the photos, the people who planned this were waaaaay ahead of me on that.

      • Thinker says:

        DailyFail has often reported misinformation regarding WK charitable activities and intentions. The fact is: Pics or it didn’t happen.

        The kids who got the experience as part of charity were likely selected by Warner Bros PR agency. The Royals are only peripherally connected to that gift too, because if meeting the Royals was part of the excitement there would be pictures on twitter and instagram of kids posing with them. Just like all those “secret meetings” with all those mysterious charity representatives, it’s misinformation being sycophantically re-reported by a royalist paper with a press ban on nasty stories.

  64. It'sJustBlanche says:

    Adorable.

  65. DGO says:

    If that’s a maternity dress, it’s made poorly, because it hangs shorter in the front than the back which means there’s not enough room for the bump. This woman cares more about looking stylish and, in her mind, sexy, than she does about being appropriate. She looks stupid.

    • Mika says:

      DGO – I agree with you. It is a badly made maternity dress – if it is indeed a maternity dress. A lot of speculation that it is not TopShop – people have pointed out the differences with the hem, the seams and lots of other dissimilarities.

  66. Maggie says:

    LMAO! Some of you come off as such jealous prigs! I’m sorry but it’s ridiculous. It isn’t the dark ages anymore. She has a fabulous figure. Show it off while you can.

    • christinne says:

      OMG! Kate is not your mom nor your sister! why do you have to be this insulting?

      • Maggie says:

        I’m not insulting anyone. Just stating my opinion. Seriously if this dress length were such a problem do you not think the Queen would have said somethng about her clothing choice by now?

      • christinne says:

        You called people “jealous prigs”. That IS insulting. And you are being rude. That is not up to debate. It is the truth.

        Your second comment is just as poorly formulated as the previous one. I didn’t discuss the length of the dress…..

      • bluhare says:

        You know, Maggie, people tend to get upset when referred to as “jealous prigs”. I might think you’re judgmental and catty, but I’m too polite to say so.

      • Maggie says:

        It’s the truth. Some are jealous prigs. Truth hurts sometimes!

      • christinne says:

        LOL. I was actually wondered if your answer would be again a very rude one.

        You can’t argument anything therefore the trailer trash talk has to happen….right;) That’s your come back! Lol.

        Actually you can’t formulate an idea or sustain a dialogue. Just like Kate. There is just no substance. You missed the point…and you will again.

        I guess my comment did bother you. Good. But I am also sure you won’t learn from our lil internet chat.

        PS I like Kate’s outfit. A lot actually!

      • bluhare says:

        Maggie, could you define “jealous prig” for me? Seriously. I don’t want to be one and get old before my time.

  67. Kath says:

    I find it hilarious that people (especially Americans) keep obsessing about Kate’s ‘appropriateness’ for the royal family.

    FFS – these are the Windsors we’re talking about!

    Charles is an adulterer who said he wanted to be a tampon. Harry got caught (literally) with his pants down in Las Vegas. Prince Phillip has made it his lifetime mission to say as many racist and appropriate things in public as possible. Prince Andrew is a freeloader who hobnobs with Middle Eastern despots and paedophiles. And Fergie….!

    If anyone fails the ‘appropriateness’ test, it’s them!

    The tut-tutting over Kate (a fairly boring middle-of-the-road, middle-class girl with parents who are STILL MARRIED) is hilarious.

    I think she looks fine. I hate the way both the media and other women seem determined to rip Kate to shreds. I think it was this more than anything which made William delay getting married. Who would want to inflict that kind of negative attention on someone they care about?

    Plus, she’s fairly tall which makes it almost impossible to buy dresses off the rack. A dress that looks perfectly respectable on a shorter person makes a tall person like me look like a hooker.

    • Janet says:

      I doubt she buys much off the rack; she’s rich enough to have everything made to order. But I think she looks great in that dress. She has beautiful legs and she’s showing just enough, not too much. When I was 31 I wore skirts that length. It’s not like she’s prancing around in a crotch-length micro-mini.

  68. Kipper says:

    I just found this site and LOVE it! The dress is totally inappropriate for “Royal” duty. I love how she is compared to our Kim K. I bet that really annoys Duchess DoLittle. 🙂

  69. Joanna says:

    i think this is the first outfit of hers that i’ve ever liked. she usually looks dated/dowdy in her style of dressing.

  70. lisa says:

    BUT IT”S IN THE PROTOCOLS!

    i have images of someone nailing them to the buck house door. i cant even remember what the dress looked like anymore.

  71. ashley says:

    She is young, did you want her to dress like her great grandmother.??

  72. Mel says:

    Not that it matters, but yes, I agree: the hemline is too short (hers often are), and the high heels are a major miss.

    And YES, being a pregnant “Royal”, especially, does make a difference – whether people like or or not.

    But if people cannot see why the hemline is too short, there’s no point in trying to make them see.

    One final remark: short skirts do not necessarily equal “young”.
    Not at all.

  73. SydneySpy says:

    I just saw this event on our news (Australia). I’m no fan of anything or anyone royal, but I think she looked lovely. It’s Spring in England, yeah? The event was at a “fun” venue, daytime…. Her outfit was appropriate for the occasion, and suited her well. Seeing her moving around and taking part in several activities, she appeared to be a lot more comfortable than the still photos suggest. Even moving around, the dress did not appear too short. She looked relaxed and I think, today, it’s a smilie stamp for Kate.

  74. MyLittlePony says:

    For once Kate looks truly happy. There is a video on Telegraph’s site in which she looks really happy and excited, and not fake at all. Vgood to see her like this. It seems that whenever Harry is around, Kate is more relaxed.
    As to the hemline: Yes, it is too short “for work”, but obviously she does not have a problem with short hemlines. I would not wear anything like that to office, but I know women who do without thinking twice about it. She certainly knows she is not within the boundaries of the royal protocol, but just does not care. Simple as that.
    Also, in this context I find the BoobGate interesting too because it made blatantly clear to everyone that Kate sunbathes topless (!) if possible. Frankly, I do not know anyone who does this no matter how private the surroundings are primarily due to sun damage, but also because it is just considered inappropriate and kind of a thing which was done in the 80s and the 90s but not anymore. FYI: I am Scandinavian, and the Scandinavian countries are known to be quite relaxed in their attitude towards all things nude, so no prudish issues here.

  75. ??? says:

    She looks cute and fine in general, yes. I do like this look on her.

    But, as some here have commented, there is a protocol for how royals should dress, and Kate consistently breaks it, which speaks to her character. I’m American, but even I can understand how and why this would rub some people the wrong way. Tra-di-tion. It’s ages old. And even if one doesn’t agree with it — hey, I don’t agree with a whole lot of the customs that come with my particular cultural background — when it’s part of a firmly rooted institution, as the British monarchy is, it should be respected, at least somewhat.

    I’m not saying Kate needs to constantly dress like an old schoolmarm — she’s only 31 — but she could most certainly make some “bolder” dress choices, I’m sure, without so blatantly breaking protocol … like, all the time.

    On another note, in my opinion, it doesn’t matter how well she dresses, grooms, or carries herself, I find that she lacks true elegance and poise (which are unrelated to social status or class). It doesn’t matter how much one is taught to play the part, if that innate grace doesn’t occur naturally, the “training” is always going to be apparent.

  76. Renee says:

    Love the dress. Love the look on her.

  77. Martyn says:

    I think she looks adorable. As a similarly tall woman who is also due in July, I very much admire her style choices. Obviously she has resources I don’t, but between my long legs and my bump, I feel like sometimes things are an inch or two shorter than would have chosen. However, I think she looks adorable and appropriate. I am very jealous of this outing… It looks like they had a lot of fun! (I am a total HP geek)

  78. Amy says:

    I find that people on this site either think her outfit is too matronly or too youthful. I guess I’m in the minority in that I like most of what she wears. This woman’s style is never going to please everyone. I think this outfit is cute and fun and appropriate for the occasion–they are visiting the set of a movie, it’s not an official appearance in which she is meeting foreign dignitaries so the dress’s shorter length doesn’t bother me. There have been a few times in which I think she could have opted for a longer dress but this isn’t one of them (such as her first official appearance with the Queen–loved the dark green outfit but I think her skirt could have been a little longer). The people with them were small children–I highly doubt they were affected by the length of Kate’s hem!

    • My2Pence says:

      @ Amy. Any appearance that she makes on behalf of Her Majesty is an official appearance. Why should foreign dignitaries be treated to a more appropriately-dressed version of Kate Middleton, but the people who pay for her daily life should get this slapdash inappropriate effort? This was an engagement on behalf of HM, so dress protocol applies here as much as it would at any other time.

      • Amy says:

        I suppose you have a point in which she does represent the Queen or at least the royal family. Maybe because Kate was born a commoner, I don’t know but I just never think in my head, “She represents the Queen! She must wear a longer dress.” As an American who doesn’t really get the obsession with following royal protocol, I view royal families as an amusing tradition–they stand there and look pretty, nothing more.

      • Janet says:

        What Amy said. I think she looks great. And if I had her legs, I’d show them off, too.

    • bluhare says:

      Amy, if you read through the posts, most of the ones critical of her don’t say they don’t like the outfit, they just think the skirt length is too short.

      Personally, I think it’s great, I’d wear it in a heartbeat, but I think she should drop that hemline. Yes, she’s got great legs, but she’s also 7 months pregnant. I don’t want a gust of wind showing us the royal heir. But then I’m a pearl clutching catty and judgmental jealous prig, so what do I know.

  79. My2Pence says:

    It seems that so many people who defend Kate Middleton’s “style” choices are stating that they would dress the same way. Even be willing to flash their co-workers and encourage others to do so as well, and seeing nothing wrong in that behavior. She isn’t dressing for your local workplace, she is there representing Her Majesty. HM has a dress code and all the other royal ladies follow it when representing HM. There are simple rules that everyone else in her work place follows. Kate Middleton chooses not to follow them, so she will be criticized. It is so simple yet she keeps making the same mistakes.

    It is interesting that her hemline was significantly longer when with Charles at an event, but she basically wore a mini-skirt last year and nearly flashed HM when climbing out of the car (outfit: the teal, peplum-ed disaster that Kate had shortened from the original length).

    I’ve always been taught that in the professional realm, you dress one level higher than the people you are meeting as a sign of respect TO YOUR HOSTS. William and Harry are wearing suits, not khakis and white shirts, and Kate Middleton is dressed too casually to match that. There were 500 kids there, as well the fun-and-games that they were (probably) briefed to expect. There would be action, bending, perhaps crouching down to accept flowers, etc. A dress with an appropriate length and weighted hem, or even a great pantsuit, would have protected her against her usual flashing problems.

    What is telling is that her looks and clothes seem to be all people have about her to try to defend. “Oh she looks pretty, oh I like her hair, oh her dress is cute I’d totally wear it.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if suddenly she did a 180, starting dressing appropriately, starting acting like she gave a rat’s, and WORKED a minimum of 40 hours a week? So you could defend her choosing this charity over that one, or working hard on this issue instead of that one, or even (GASP) working so much more than the other royals who are 30+ years older than she is!

    Since I’m guessing none of those things will happen in the next 10 years, if ever, all you will continue to have to defend about her is that you like how the barbie doll looks and dresses.

    • bluhare says:

      Oh, TwoPence, there you go being logical and factual again. I hope all our new readers will at least try to understand what you’re saying.

    • The Original Mia says:

      Great post! Totally going to be lost on the Kate sycophants, though.

  80. Another K says:

    Wow. This place got crazy today.

  81. angela says:

    i think iit looks great its about time she doesnt look like a 60’s housewife

  82. The Original Blondie says:

    I’m over everyone comparing her MARRIAGE to a job. Yes, it came with a title and responsibility. But so does every other marriage. If her husband felt embarrassed and/or disrespected by the way she dressed I’m sure she’d alter it. Clearly that’s not the case.

  83. Bil-Inga says:

    She is absolutely adorable. I couldn’t imagine a better wife for William, not to mention the mother of future queen or king of England. I also had a girl crush on Diana, never thought I’d see a woman with such charm, grace and style in the Royal Palace again. William, you picked a winner. Kudos to you both, and congratulations.

  84. Lynn says:

    LAK says:
    April 26, 2013 at 2:06 pm
    Just because The Queen hasn’t said/done anything about Kate’s hemlines doesn’t mean that she approves of them. The Queen takes awhile to act. She leads by example and hopes that the others understand what needs to be done. However, when she does finally act, look out. She’s swift and decisive. And as Harry said in a recent documentary on The Queen, watch out! when she decides to intervene”

    END QUOTE

    I totally agree with LAK on this statement! Remember the Burrell situation? Queen sat back and let that mess drag out from investigation, to arrest, to prosecution and when it was Burrell turn to take the stand, Queen picked up the phone and said, “Enough!” That case just collapsed and was swept under the carpet never to be mentioned or reported on again. The Queen is swift and decisive when she chooses to act! Make no mistake about that!

  85. Shelly says:

    I think this is the best she’s ever looked. Her hair looks great, and the pregnancy weight gain has given her face a beautiful fullness and softness. She looks gorgeous!

  86. India says:

    This woman is not adorable. She dresses totally inappropriately with skirts way too short. She is the future queen of England. She is 31yrs old not a 13 yr old. Her wardrobe needs to be determined by someone with some sense.

  87. charlie says:

    Dress too short again with no weights, otherwise a nice look. I can’t believe she can still fit into that jacket she wore the day after the wedding!

    Did anyone see the hospice video that was released a day or two ago? Her appearance is a disaster. Raggedy Ann cheek patches, uneven, too heavy eye makeup, spaniel-ear limp hair, and the Peter Pan collar — agghh! I can’t speak about the accent because I don’t get British accents — they all sound the same to me, but I didn’t follow the message at all because I was too distracted by the appearance. I hope Kaiser writes about this video disaster.

    • christinne says:

      I just saw it. I agree the overall look is bad, but the speech its self wasn’t that bad. Compared with her previous ones, this one is actually good.

      What’s the deal w her eyebrows. Sir Kate…:(

    • bluhare says:

      I watched it yesterday. WAY too much blush, and I didn’t think you were supposed to wear black on television. But she gave her speech nicely.

      • charlie says:

        Yes, Bluhare, the speech was given very nicely, for a change. She should use a teleprompter all the time!

    • Kipper says:

      What was up with the eyebrows? One was way up and the other down? Does she wear fake eyebrows? Her makeup in the video is way off.

  88. chalkdustgirl says:

    IMO, she looks great…appropriate. And she’s got amazing legs!

  89. Nancy Blue says:

    What is it with the sudden flurry of Peter Pan collars – two in just a few days? Rumour has it that the powers that be (and Carole?) are trying to make Kate look ‘sweet and innocent’ before the nudigate court case. They may of course be a prelude to a vacation along with the recent charity appearances!