Here are some photos from last night’s Winter Whites Gala held at Kensington Palace. The dinner, I believe, was held in Prince William and Duchess Kate’s newly refurbished “apartment” – which is just a mansion within a palace. The big controversy, which we discussed a few weeks ago, was that the invitations went out and everybody was making a big deal about William and Kate cohosting their first gala at KP and la de da, and then the charity had to apologize because, you see, Kate was not going to be in attendance. I believe Kate was originally going to do it but she decided not to for whatever reason, like she wanted to visit her mom or something. Maybe some more “secret” charity visits.
So William was flying solo at the Winter Whites Gala. But Taylor Swift was there! And so was the Black Widow Crawley (Michelle Dockery). Who will William choose? The haughty brunette or the scheming blonde? Hmmm… Swifty “won” William though – she got to sing “Living On a Prayer” with William & Jon Bon Jovi:
Taylor’s dress is Reem Acra, by the way. It’s pretty on her, and the neckline is different than her usual look. You can really see the bolt-ons, but at least they’re not, like, ridiculous on her frame. Tay-Tay didn’t just attend, she performed for the audience too. She told media outlets:
“It’s positively magical here,” Swift told reporters of the Winter Whites Gala. “There are fairy lights and there is fake snow falling from the sky and everything is just gorgeous. I am just very lucky to be here.”
As for performing for royalty, the pop star added, “I am so excited. I don’t think I have ever played in a palace before. So it will be really wonderful. This evening is so special … it is for a charity that as well as being very important to Prince William is also very important to me.”
Swift added that William, who had left wife Kate at home with little Prince George, “was really funny. So cool.”
Tay-Tay is such a princess. She’s so jazzed to be in a palace, surrounded by fairy lights and performing for a prince. Now if we could just throw her at Prince Harry. That would be interesting, wouldn’t it? Physically, Taylor is Harry’s type, easily. But personality-wise? I suspect Harry doesn’t go for “twee” women.
As for the gala, it benefited Centrepoint, the homeless charity that William has worked with since 2005. I believe Centrepoint was one of his first charity patronages. I believe that this is one the causes William truly cares about, probably because it reminds him so strongly of what his mother cared about. It’s a shame Kate wasn’t there to raise money as well. Maybe she had a hair appointment.
PS… Benedict Cumberbatch was there too, but I’m saving him for a separate Thanksgiving Eve post.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
She looks lovely, but really thin. She’s always been very thin but healthy looking, but now she’s starting to look a tad unhealthy imo. I hope it’s just weight loss from touring. While I think people at times can be too harsh on Kate Middleton at times, why on earth wasn’t she co-hosting this event with William? It seems ridiculous that she just “sat” this one out, especially such a big event. If she was sick and a last minute cancellation, I would get it but not going from the get go seems absurd. Both she and William just seem so lazy compared to the rest of the monarchy, and I don’t have a very high opinion of them in the first place.
Hasn’t she done a fair amount of touring & charity events? I think her only real job was to provide an heir, which she did. Plus, said heir is still a newborn, maybe she just wanted to spend some quality time with him in her Pjs.
@ Seapharris7 “Hasn’t she done a fair amount of touring & charity events?”
If they were doing their fair share vs. the majority of the working royals who are past retirement age and in declining health, people wouldn’t criticize so much.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3644494.ece
Pulling out of this weeks ago, after the leaks about how involved she was in the planning and doing so much work around it (yeah, sure, we believe that)? It doesn’t speak to last-minute tiredness from a potential pregnancy to me.
She was “at home” according to William; apparently the two nannies aren’t enough to enable her to work one night a month. Where exactly is home if it isn’t this giant new mansion contained in Kensington Palace where the party was held? Was she home with mummy in Berkshire again? So tired of these taxpayer-funded twits.
Wow, mytwopence, that table speaks volumes, doesn’t it? The Gloucesters and Kents both did many more engagements than William and Kate. That really does surprise me.
Seapharris7: The event was very close to their renovated apartments. She couldn’t spend 3-4 hours away from her baby just down the Palace? It’s not like George would have been all alone.
Sitting out on this event, a worthwhile cause and a very important charity in the UK, is very stupid especially when it’s been hyped up in the media as an event that she was very involved in organizing. You sit out a Phys Ed class, not a gala where your face can bring a lot of attention to the charity.
My2Pence: That table should destroy any other sycophantic myth and delusion that William and Kate are very hardworking and have done a lot of touring and charity work. No, they were not and they still aren’t. For all the stick he gets, Andrew’s schedule is right up there with Charles and Anne’s.
@bluhare @Sachi. Thank you. And those are the 2012 numbers. That means 1) 8-9 months post-wedding (plenty of time to learn the basic ropes after lying-in-wait for a decade) and 2) mostly before the pregnancy was announced (December 2012?).
So IMO no valid excuses whatsoever for the horrible engagement numbers in 2012. Her low numbers were the reason why the press found out that airport arrivals and departures are counted as separate engagements, so their numbers look even worse when you factor that in. Not showing up for this event – a 5 minute walk from where she “lives” – is yet another sign of how pathetic she is in this role.
Holy cow, twopence! Airport arrivals and departures are counted as engagements? Are you serious? Of course you are; it’s just hard to believe.
So if she’d have gone last night, that would have been three engagements, right? Walking over, being there, and leaving. No, they wouldn’t do that.
@bluhare. If I remember correctly, it was LAK who first shared that info here. Because Bill and Kate Middleton did so few engagements, the press was able to figure out that they were counting airport arrivals and departures as separate engagements. So because of the Lazy Duo, the court circular was outed as counting arrivals/departures for all BRF members.
Yes, bluhare, My2Pence is right. The Windsors’ events are counted not per day but per activity. So if Kate meets outside with some charity organizers, that is one event. If she sits down to lunch with the same people 30 minutes later, that’s a different event.
It’s even more pathetic, isn’t it? William and Kate’s tally for 2012 was less than 150. If you count in all the meet and greets and the dinners, it’s less than 50 days of work in the entire year. They’ve gone to holidays for longer than that and Kate has been caught shopping more times than she’s worked.
Some of these royals are just ridiculous. The Danish royal family even more so, because they actually count birthday celebrations, ie. waving from the balcony to the peasants below, as official events. They get to celebrate themselves, flatter their egos, spend the peoples’ money and still claim it’s “work” for them. The poor creatures, eh? They have to work on their birthdays?! So sad.
I can’t believe I missed this before. Seriously, I am shocked and amazed that leaving/arriving/change of scenery count as separate engagements.
I still like the pregnancy theory, and I think it would explain why she pulled out — if she went and didn’t drink, everyone would know immediately.
I called it awhile ago, I really think she is pregnant again. She just has that first trimester look of exhaustion.
If she didnt drink, most people would just assume its because shes breastfeeding (because apparently no one pumps in advance anymore!). Shes not pregnant and if anything, her marriage is slowly coming to an end, privately at least.
Esti
Kate rarely drinks at all during events. She was seen drinking water for almost every event and the pregnancy rumors were non-stop. She’s also pulled out last minute of events before. These just aren’t solid indicators.
I was thinking a second pregnancy might explain William’s nonsensical ‘gap year.’
Tay Tay is Harry’s physical type, but she is way too uptight and humourless.
The most ridiculous part about her sitting this one out is that it was held the Cambridge’s newly renovated apartment in KP… Maybe she thought it was in one of their other homes??? Multiple properties can get confusing.
Was it actually in their apartment or in the Kensington Palace complex? I’ve read conflicting stories.
@bluhare – That’s the only location I’ve heard about in the past few weeks. Perhaps someone will come along with a definitive answer.
Guess it doesn’t really matter, does it, HH? It would only be a short walk no matter where it was.
I read not too long ago that their apartment is so big they have three staircases and an elevator. So they could have had it there too. But if they did, one would think it would be tough for Kate to bail and if George is as loud as they say everyone would be saying “Shhhhhh . . . . don’t wake the baby”!
It was held in the state rooms which are next to their apartment. As easy as walking across the hall.
@LAK – Thanks for the clarification!
@bluhare – This gala seemed like any parents dream. When you can’t go out, simply bring the event to you! I’m not even a parent and that’s my dream. Ha!
I don’t know if anything can excuse the lack of work ethic for either William or Kate. Their appearances are a few hours at most. How much preparation could one possibly need? While there are little details and nuances to be learned, I find it hard that either of them need years to transition.
@HH “How much preparation could one possibly need? ” That question got me thinking about wages for the staff that prepared them for these events. Even more taxpayer money.
That’s what I was just thinking about Taylor; she was always pretty and slender, but in these photos she’s looking bony and unhealthy.
Is it just a case of less flattering lighting? Most red carpet events want the stars to look amazing. This is one event where that wouldn’t be the focus.
Did I hear correctly that she was at least a part of a private reception for the big donors? But did not host the whole event.
Taylor looks beautiful. That dress is gorgeous. She def has implants but at least she didn’t hike them up or flash perfectly rounded side boob, so it’s all good.
If those are implants, they look really good. I think they’re size appropriate for her thin frame and naturally low instead of under her collar bones.
+1. She looks really gorgeous here.
+ 2, she looks beautiful
+3 ..I don’t think she had implants but, if she did it’s was like the Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Kate Hudson implants. A cup girls that went to small B cup that fit their frame.
Taylor looked Gorgeous as always.
I love this dress. The neckline is so graceful and swooping. I really, really like this dress.
Yes Michelle!!!!!!
I’m not feelin’ that dress. It’s too much on the bottom and not enough on top, or vice versa. Either way, the combo doesn’t work. Besides, it makes her bolt-ons look extremely obvious.
Same here. Also, it’s simply too low-cut to be appropriate for the occasion.
The occasion was a charity gala, and I don’t think it’s at all inappropriate for that. If the Queen had been there, then sure, but it was just Will and celebrities.
I think what spoils it is how bony Taylor looks. Someone (me) could sit and point out all kinds of anatomical points of interest on the upper half of her body. Especially the clavicle. *sigh*
And it does need a bit more on top as it doesn’t look balanced.
Are you a doctor, LadySlippers?
Her skinny frame and showing an exposed sternum makes her implants draw yours eyes right to it because it looks off.
And the dress looks completely appropriate for this event. She was not just there to enjoy it. She performed. And kudos to her for being entering this location being ready for anything.
Agreed, something about the proportions of it look very odd on her. Love Michelle’s look though!
Looking at the dress it looks like she was wearing a leotard or something, and threw a chiffon skirt on the top. There’s no connection between top/bottom, and you’ve got sleek and body conscious on top then fluffy on the bottom. Don’t quite know what it is, as the dress isn’t ugly by any means.
Agree 100%
I love her, she looks gorgeous. Man, when she started singing the chorus, I was like NO MORE!! And that’s coming from someone who likes her songs. Livia Firth also looked stunning.
And c’mon. She’s so obviously Harry’s type. Harry would have been less awkward with her methinks.
I used to like Taylor Swift. I thought she was cheesy, but cute and harmless. My opinion of her changed when she stalked, dated and dumped that Kennedy boy in 11th grade who was still recovering from his mother’s suicide. Connor? Then she said that spoiled brat stuff about there being a special place in hell for women who made fun of her or something like that. But I have to say, she has reined it in, as far as I know, and this is the first time in a while I have thought she was cute again. Not sure what my point is. Don’t blow it, Swifty?
yeah, + 1. I was thinking yesterday when I saw a snippet of this story that she’s been less annoying lately. Can you imagine her trying to stalk Harry? She’d eventually give up and instead write “Ginger Spare”
Ha! Love it
Oh, jeez, he’s a Kennedy. Connor was probably teaching Taylor a few things. They grow up fast in that family.
Right, I meant more emotionally taking advantage than sexually, I guess. It just creeped me out.
I think she might have taken Tina and Amy’s joking but practical advice to heart, despite her dismissal of them as being anti-feminist for daring to make fun of her.
She took it to heart cuz women are labeled as whores for dating. I thought either I grew up in different era but when is that women are called out for dating 6 guys in 6 years. Damn I went out on dates with at least 10 guys by the time I reached my early 20’s and met my husband. Doesn’t mean you’re having sex with all of them. It’s dating, it could be a movie/dinner and realize he’s not the one or he realizes you’re not the one. But for some reason Taylor is some female anomaly dating six guys from 16-23 years old. I keep wondering why no one called out John and Jake in their 30’s dating a teenage Taylor.
cs
Jake was called out for it.
Taylor dates. I don’t think it’s as simple as that for people who take issue. It’s not shame on her dating a few guys within a few years time like a common slut. Or shame on her for dating and not putting ut like a prude. It’s how she dates and then profits heavily by airing her and her ex’s dirty laundry. Tina and Amy were warning young men at her expense because nothing is secret after a break up.
A guy who kisses and tells in such a public way would be equally attacked and called a womanizer. No?
@florc
I know you may not read this on thanksgiving. But if you happen to read the NY magazine cover story on Taylor the author actually names male musicians who’ve capitalize/ written songs about the women they dated and are applauded. She actually calls out critics of Taylor as sexists because she dare do the same. She also states Taylor is probably the most feminist woman this generation. Again, she manages to avoid the ” female bugbear, male glaze” yet sells the most albums of all pop divas without stripping to appease the male glaze. I couldn’t agree more.
Couldn’t agree more about Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy. If she had been a man and he a girl, people would have been outraged. But Taylor Swift? Squeeee . . . . how cute!
But people were outraged that Taylor was dating a teenager in her 20’s . but there wasn’t that same outrage with John and Jake dating a 18-19 year old Taylor in their 30’s.
or Jerry Seinfeld at 39 years old dating a 17 year old Shoshanna.
Conor Kennedy was in high school. Sorry, I think it’s skeevy.
Well I don’t think she is as sweet as she appears.
Taylor, curses, she probably has her bad days like every other human. She’s never stated she is sweet as apple pie. But, for some reason people think clubbing, smoking a joint, stripping to g string is edgy or the norm for females to sell albums. Some artists didn’t grow up with that lifestyle. I remember Will Smith talking about how critics or his peers though his rap was vanilla. Although he grew up in Philly, he explains he didn’t grow up in drug ridden- shoot them up Philly so he wrote raps based on his middle-class upbringing.
Taylor is so awkward, that video is cringe. I actually like her dress though.
I thought she was cute up there. William on the other hand…he is so uncomfortable and awkward. I actually had to quit watching it I was getting embarrassed for him!
I noticed that too. He was clutching his hands. I thought, if he doesn’t know what to do with them…I don’t know either.
I know she’s a naturally thin girl but my god it seems to be very emphasised lately especially in her décolletage , or maybe its just me.
I also didn’t realise she had “bolt-ons”, it is obvious in the dress though
I think she has lost weight. My daughter is a Swiftie and so I’m used to looking at pics of TS. I hope Taylor gains it back. And soon.
Taylor… he’s not doing the stadium version.
I didn’t watch the video, not a fan of her singing, but the dress is pretty. It’s sexy without veering into inappropriate, for the occasion. She’s a performer, not a royal, so she needn’t be as buttoned up.
Genuine question. Why do so many celebrities end up with such terrible, obvious, hard looking implants? I know 5 women with implants of varying sizes, and they all look great. Two of the women went from a completely, totally flat chest to a large C-cup, but they still look nowhere near as obvious as Taylors implants above. Perky and large, but still a very natural shape.
Then I see people like Taylor and Victoria Beckham, who’s implants basically look like someone just shoved halved grapefruits into their chest. And all the celebs with weirdly spaced implants, wonky implants…how does that happen? If my friends and acquaintances can buy nice looking implants on average incomes, how do millionaires like Taylor Swift end up with with such tacky looking bolt-ons?
Same with other plastic surgeries such as face lifts. You’d think they could get the best work done.
Your friends probably have some fat on their bodies to soften things up. Taylor and Victoria are rails with no fat on their bodies. The bolt ons have nowhere to hide.
Two are actually very thin, and as I said had totally flat chests, so almost no breast tissue to soften the look of the implants. You wouldn’t know they had implants if you hadn’t known them before. I mean maybe you’d wonder if you saw them bouncing around in a bikini, but they certainly don’t jump out at you like Taylor’s or Victoria’s.
I thought if there wasn’t a lot of breast tissue the implant went under the muscle, and that softened the look? I guess that’s what throws me off, a lot of celebs implants look like they’re sitting literally 1mm under the skin, you can see the outline, and I’ve never seen that on anyone in real life. To me it’s not a good look, so I just can’t understand why the people with money and options so often end up with it.
There are SO many factors that affect the outcome of plastic surgery, which is why even the best surgeons can’t guarantee perfect results.
With breast implants, it depends on where the patient’s breasts sit on her chest ie low or high, how far apart they are, how much skin/fat there is to work with, and the technique used to place the implants, not to mention the size and material used for the implant itself.
People seem to think that plastic surgery is an exact science, but I honestly think it’s more of an art. You can only change someone’s physical appearance so much, you still have to take into consideration that every body is different-different shapes, proportions, not to mention that every body reacts differently to the various cosmetic surgeries/treatments that are done on them.
SOURCE: I’ve had friends that have gotten shit done and got a bit of an education from them as they did their research.
There is thin and then there is 0% body fat, though. Even thin, fit women in real life aren’t usually as thin as celebrity women, at least IMO. I’ve seen Victoria Beckham in person and her waist is about the size of my head. I can’t imagine any way to make implants work on her without being super obvious, not unless she gained at least ten or fifteen pounds.
My favourite is when they try to convince us while wearing no visible bra under a thin strapped camisole, that it’s just a clever bra.
*VB I’m looking in your direction*
It’s on the same bullshit scale as saying having kids to run around after keeps them thin, or the baby weight just fell off and they eat normally and never work out, therefore putting such unreal pressure on the average woman who wonders “why don’t I look like that then…?”
Sorry for the tangent 🙂
Probably because the majority of celebrities are under-weight and the implants don’t settle well.
Prince Harry was lucky enough to not attend, he would have a brand-new-stalker now!
The dress is pure Swifty style, she looks good.
In that dress, Taylor probably thought “her” Prince (Harry) would be there. Is there ever a time that Taylor doesn’t pose like a fashion model or beauty contestant? Just be.
I’m not a Swift fan, but I do LOVE the dress. I realise that I am a fan of very feminine dresses. Not that I wear them in real life.
It’s a gorgeous dress and I really do want to like it on her, but I think she’s just too thin to carry it. I like it, though–it’s less dreamily princessy than most dresses she wears. I think she’s on the right track, just find something with a bit of a different neckline.
Her implants look really obvious here.
Love royal stuff; TS looks great… but please don’t delay with the Cumberbatch post!!! 😉
Sounding like an old lady but here goes: it’s too low cut for both the event and the season.
She was beautiful in my opinion, but inappropriate. I think that William was kind of embarrassed.
I guess I don’t think it was inappropriate, but the first thing I thought of (and having to attend winter galas in the past) is those women must be freezing. I always made sure whatever I had on was long sleeved, or I had some sort of jackety thing over the top. I hated freezing my ass off while all the men in shirts and jackets were just fine.
Diana showed cleavage, but Taylor’s breasts are showing. Everyone has been talking about their particular shape and size, and whatever. She’s even showing side-boob. I wonder if the Prince thought about that… (just kidding!). Is there a girl-code that should be operational? I wonder how Kate could have matched Taylor’s sexy dress from fairy tale wonderland.
There was something most refreshing when Kate wore her Steve McQueen gown, while meeting California celebrities. The actresses were all posing for the camera in their skin-exposing outfits, and the Duchess walked in with reams of fabric flowing. Everyone seemed a little embarrassed, (or something), because she was so different, and confident in herself at that moment. I don’t think just because you are a celebrity that immodesty is always acceptable, especially when there are children and old ladies, or a very conservative and respected Royal. Did you notice how the Prince was very careful when he looked toward Taylor? Funny, funny men. Maybe Taylor doesn’t understand that yet… Don’t most celebrities present themselves before the Queen in proper attire? Or is being seductive in public under the guise of celebrity acceptable?
I love the gown on her. Stunning.
Over all it’s a pretty look but I don’t like the line of the bodice. I understand what the designer was going for, but it looks a little too wide open to me. I agree with those that think it’s a bit too much (or too little) for the event. I’m no prude when it comes to fashion, but this just looks like a little too much skin.
I like her dress.
In the video she was over-acting, William was a dud, and Bon Jovi should retire. It was completely cringe-worthy.
I cringed heavily! Hope a lot of money way raised, but I feel this was probably just an expensive party for the rich.
Honestly, I still don’t see implants
I really don’t either. Perhaps someone would be so kind as to provide some pictorial evidence?
There isn’t any. Seriously people, there are no visible scar lines. When would she have had time to get the surgery and completely heal without anyone noticing? She’s had pictures of her taken constantly and consistently for the last 5 years, and her breasts constantly look like they’re different sizes at different events. This is honestly one of the dumbest rumours I’ve ever heard.
There was talk of Taylor Swift’s boob job right here on this site a year or maybe a couple of years ago. There were before and after shots and it looked fairly clear she’d bumped the girls up a bit.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQHiQaFQe2E/T5swedvGLlI/AAAAAAAAFHg/Xim_qSRaamo/s1600/taylor-swift-breast-implants-before-after-plastic.png
It’s noticable. She was an A cup before. The was seen buying new bras and VS not long after people noticed her fuller chest.. And I know. Buying new bras is nothing special for girls, but some weird Swifty fans knew she bought A cups and she was packing in C cup bras. Also, that striped dress has major swelling.
She’s just got a good push up bra. With the right amount of padding, a normally flat girl can look quite buxom. Ask Kate…
Lovely dress that was appropriate for the occasion by Taylor. Her styling has definitely improved this year. I also love her hair.
Taylor Swift looked very pretty but William….wow! I think he’s a very handsome guy and a good sport.
That’s a joke, right?? No, seriously, this dude is very ordinary and nothing to write home about. He may have been a reasonably cute baby & child, but I think it’s the royal pedigree that has you all starry eyed. No one would look twice at him if his name didn’t start with “Prince” – including Kate.
Looks are subjective and in my opinion he’s handsome. Nothing starry eyed here. I could give a care about him being Royalty. Looks only go so far. I go a little deeper than the superficial myself.
Lady Mary! That’s all I care about here, honestly.
It’s a nice dress for Taylor. Not my taste.
I love Taylor’s dress. Hair and makeup were wonderful and combined with the dress, she looks like a superstar.
Michelle Dockery is very pretty and I like the cut of the dress, but it still looks so boring.
I’m not a fan but I do think she looks really pretty here. She’s quite thin but I don’t think it detracts from her looks. I also don’t see anything to make me believe that she has implants. My only quibble with the dress, as a few others have pointed out, is that the top and the bottom don’t go together well. I like them both separately but they don’t quite work together as a dress.
Are you kidding? Miles apart and placed too low on the chest? Bolted-on orange halves? That’s some bad plastic surgery 🙁