Duchess Kate wore Wickstead & Brora for the palace RAF Christmas party

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted a Christmas party for RAF families at Kensington Palace this year. The Christmas partying doesn’t stop at the palace – Will and Kate are due to travel to an RAF base in Cyprus to throw another holiday party for RAF personnel and their families. Today’s party included RAF personnel and their families from the RAF bases at Coningsby and Marham.

Kate seemingly wore a new outfit – or new-to-us – which had a holiday vibe. The Emilia Wickstead skirt is red plaid, and reminiscent of a comfy blanket. The black cardigan is Brora. I would wear that cardi, and I rarely say that about Kate’s clothes. But I love a good cardi. The black boots are a nice touch too – the outfit would have looked unbalanced if she just wore black flats or nude heels. The whole ensemble feels Christmas-y without bashing us over the head with cuteness.

Meanwhile, an “insider” told the Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey that it seems likely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will actually stay at Anmer Hall this Christmas, rather than stay at the main house in Sandringham. The insider said:

“Harry and Meghan really enjoyed staying at Anmer Hall last year, especially spending quality time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and there’s no reason why they won’t want to do the same this year, especially as Meghan is going to be heavily pregnant. It’s the best of both worlds in that they can take part in all the festivities at the big house, while retreating into their own space when needed. There would be total astonishment if Harry and Meghan don’t stay with William and Kate.”

[From The Daily Mail]

Considering all of the shady stories about how Mean Meg made Poor Kate cry LAST Christmas, I would be shocked if Meghan and Harry did stay at Anmer Hall. But maybe this is a Cambridge play too – wage a campaign against mean, horrible, diva Meghan and then (again) Will and Kate get to look conciliatory and peacemaking by inviting Harry and Meghan to Anmer. Then Harry and Meghan look petty if they refuse.

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103 Responses to “Duchess Kate wore Wickstead & Brora for the palace RAF Christmas party”

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  1. Erinn says:

    I’m actually surprised at how much I like both of their outfits. They look good. Not a huge fan of her boots though – but I’m picky about shoes. I’m a sucker for cardigans though, and I’ve tried to get my husband to wear a sweater like Will’s. He’s 29. He’s a plumber – so most of his clothes are actually work clothes and at home he’ll wear like lounge pants or PJs in the evenings. But he’s recently traded most of his jeans in for chinos because he suddenly is in love with them – so small wins.

    • Ellaus says:

      I toó am surprised to like what she is wearing, normally her theme dressing is too cutesy, but I love everything they both are wearing.
      Chinos and a jumper like this one are so easy to pull off and look pulled together, men truly look great with them.

    • Clare says:

      Yeah I’m into her outfit – it looks great!

    • Pandy says:

      Yes, both of their outfits are party-ready! Cute!

    • minx says:

      Really love her outfit.

    • JanetDR says:

      The proportions really suit her and the boots are a good touch!

    • Ashley Garcia says:

      Maybe it’s a British thing. My boyfriend is 24 and dresses like that in his casual life (when he comes to Paris to visit me on the weekends). He’s an Oxbridge toff snob and that’s how his set dresses. If he was American I think a guy in his 20’s dressing like that would be weird. But Europeans are usually more put together

  2. Chaine says:

    at this point there have been so many opposing stories about where any and all of them are going to spend Christmas, I’ve got whiplash.

    • Kittycat says:

      Too many people selling conflicting stories.

      Maybe the palace should pay better.

    • JC says:

      No kidding!

      Plus I thought Doria was invited? Where does she stay?

      • Yup, Me says:

        I wonder, too, because if Doria is anything like my mother, she’s going “Baby YOU married into the royal family. I didn’t. I want to see you but I’m not following protocals and rules with strangers and being cold for an entire holiday.”

      • Mac says:

        Of course Harry, Meghan, and Doria will be staying at Anmer. The accommodations at Sandringham are notoriously miserable. It would be a PR nightmare if they refused a pregnant woman a comfy stay at their house. And Doria isn’t a royal so why should she have to freeze her butt off in a drafty old castle when there is a fully renovated mansion down the road?

  3. Lexa says:

    I don’t love the top with this skirt and probably would have gone with a plain black sweater, but the long skirt and boots is very on trend. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark just wore a similar outfit, only with a long tweed skirt by Alexander McQueen that I was sure would show up on Kate.

    The party looks super fun, though! Glad they’re doing something with military families and children—hopefully this will inspire them to do more.

    • Enny says:

      Hmm… it is surprising Kate didn’t choose the McQueen, given it’s her favorite go-to fashion house. Why Emilia Wickstead, I wonder?

      But how else could Kate REALLY twist the knife into Meghan’s side than by conspicuously wearing EMILIA F-ING WICKSTEAD at the height of the (probably Cambridge-orchestrated campaign) to knock Meghan down a peg or twenty?

      I have a hard time believing that Kate didn’t realize exactly who she would be wearing at this event…and how it would look given the timing…

      • Elisabeth says:

        Didn’t Meghan herself wear Emilia Wickstead on the tour? And Sophie, beloved of TQ, has worn her many, many time since her comments.

      • whatever says:

        @Enny

        Oh please.. clutching at straws much?, Meghan has worn “EMILIA F-ING WICKSTEAD” (as you so eloquently put it) two or three times since her wedding. If she is fine wearing the designer after the comments she made why does everyone else have to stop wearing Wickstead’s designs?

        Kate has also worn a couple Wickstead dresses in the past three months. A purple one in October and a turquoise one just 3 weeks ago. Sophie Wessex has regularly been wearing Wickstead since Meghan’s wedding.

      • Natalie S says:

        My pet theory is that Meghan knew she would never get a proper public apology from Wickstead (I think the image is still up on the Wickstead Instagram page), knew how badly Wickstead was coming off by being so petty and also inaccurate, and wore some her dresses in public as a way showing that she couldn’t be bothered to care. What is the designer going to do? And she’d seem awful if she continued to criticize Meghan in public.

      • Enny says:

        Yes, Meghan certainly has. Which was a gracious gesture. But Kate, as any other member of the RF, is painfully aware, at all times, of OPTICS. The OPTICS of this would not be lost on Kate, not on anyone else. Meghan’s own graciousness toward Emilia Wickstead notwithstanding, her comments were still a black mark on what should have been Meghan’s special day – just as this smear campaign is now a black mark on what should be Meghan’s happy pregnancy.

        Kate has literally hundreds of designers/ brands to choose from. Like someone mentioned, McQueen did something very similar, and it’s rare for Kate to choose another designer over McQueen all other things being equal.

        Again, let’s say it together…OPTICS. A royal family wanting to show a united front would know that every gesture, every decision, every comment would be read as having a deeper meaning. That’s why pains are taken to avoid having ill intent read in, to be as supportive as possible of the alienated member as possible to show there is no rift, no controversy, no division.

        Wearing Emilia Wickstead does not accomplish that. Optically, anyway. And Kate – though I think she herself is a rather dim bulb – has people around her who get it. And this wasn’t nixed. And that’s telling.

        I have no need to grasp at straws, thank you. I just don’t believe there are many coincidences when it comes to the royal family, and certainly not surrounding the prime suspect in strategic leaking to bring down another member of the family.

  4. Darla says:

    LOVE the outfit.

  5. Snazzy says:

    I have to say I really like Kate’s outfit … I’d probably switch out the cardigan with a turtleneck, but that’s just because I’m not a huge fan of buttons. Otherwise, it’s a great look

    • MaryContrary says:

      Same. I’m not even anti-button but I think a turtleneck would look better.

      • Lexa says:

        I feel like she didn’t use a turtleneck to avoid comparisons with Meghan on her first engagement with Harry, but I agree 100% it would have looked better.

      • Charlie says:

        All those buttons? I worry that Kaiser’s gone to the dark side of button mania.

  6. Kittycat says:

    I actually love the outfit.

  7. Anna says:

    Love the skirt, but feel the whole outfit doesn’t quite work. It almost there, but it kind of clashing…

  8. Allison says:

    Love this outfit.

  9. Franny Days says:

    I like her outfit! I just don’t like how it clashes against William’s. I’m one of those weirdos who likes couples to coordinate.

    • Lara says:

      Same! One of the greatest things about being married is that I make my husband always match with me when we go to other weddings. He just smiles and nods

      • Sojaschnitzel says:

        That is so cute! Man, I can’t even get my boyfriend to show up on time for our dates, and yours enjoys dressing up in matching styles. Sigh. Very cute.

    • Anastasia says:

      Yeah, I don’t normally care if couples coordinate or not, but does he wear anything other than blue??? Could he have at least gone to black just for this one thing?

    • Ellaus says:

      XD the first thing I thought was that he should have gone with black or burgundy at least… She looks so festive but he seems to be ready to spend the afternoon at the movies.

    • Flowers says:

      If Kate always coordinated with William she would be limited to only ever wearing blue.

      • Franny Days says:

        Lol I should say that William should coordinate with HER not the other way around.

      • Ellaus says:

        Yeah, I was thinking more on the line with William coordinating with Kate…but yeah, that would never happen. Blues fest.

  10. Cerys says:

    Nice outfit. No criticism from me today about her choice of clothes.
    Re Christmas at Anmer – I was surprised to read that H&M have allegedly been invited to Anmer. I thought Doria was coming over to spend Christmas at Sandringham. Maybe she is going to Anmer too? I am getting dizzy trying to keep up with it all

  11. Becks1 says:

    I like this outfit a lot, but I love a good Christmas plaid. I think she looks really good when she wears separates like this. I don’t love the buttons (so close Kate!!) but overall I think she looks very nice here.

  12. Marco says:

    Carole is still talking eith the Telegraph? LOL

  13. Vava says:

    I like the outfit, not the boots. I’m over the skinny heels, I guess. That skirt and cardi though, I’d wear those! I like the midi length on her for a change, and the red plaid is great.

  14. Jessica says:

    I will say that for Kate, I admire that she hasn’t gone all hollywood-plastic surgery. Even the c-list Vanderpump Rules kids have let their “fame” get to them & are making some horrific plastic surgery choices. Kate has always been mostly natural & I do appreciate that.

    • OriginalLala says:

      I’m pretty sure she has has several nose jobs, but I know what you mean about the hollywood plastic surgery look, she def has had much more natural work done

    • Bluthfan says:

      Yeah, she’s botoxed her face and gotten some nose jobs. Nice try though

      • AMiller says:

        Clearly you know nothing about Botox.

      • Natalie S says:

        @AMiller. Look at the pictures of Kate from the 2012 Olympics. IDK if she’s still doing it. If she is, she’s going for a lighter touch now.

        Nothing wrong with using Botox. Nothing wrong with having wrinkles and lines. Women are allowed to age in the public eye. There is no correct way of looking 36 or whatever age a woman is, and it’s also not wrong if they chose to get any procedure done.

  15. jan90067 says:

    I like her outfit a lot! Very Christmasy without being over the top kitschy, and casual, fitting the occasion. I’d wear it (though maybe with a straighter skirt, as pleats starting at my hips … well, let’s just say, even though I’m a US size 10, just, NO! lol). Will looks good, too. While I know he wears a LOT of blue (almost always!) it is a good color for him. I really like the quarter zip sweaters on men.

    As for H&M staying at Amner, I *seriously* don’t think Harry would subject his pregnant wife to a loaded atmosphere where it would/could upset her in any way. And I think Meghan is too strong to allow it. They’d push to stay in the main house if that was the case.

    I’ll bet that W&K will do what they did last year: go to Christmas Eve dinner at the Big House, do breakfast and presents at home with the Kids, and probably Pip, James, and Little Pip (yes, I know his name is Arthur, but I like Little Pip lol), do the Church walk, go home for lunch and back for TQ’s speech and dinner. Then Boxing Day with Kate’s family (and I think Pip, J, and LP will go to his family for that day)

    • Carolind says:

      William and Kate will not be going “home” for lunch. The RF Christmas Day lunch is in between the Church Service (they also actually attend an earlier service where they take communion) and the Queen’s Speech. Apparently they do not get a lot of time to eat it. The Queen watches her speech alone in a separate room from the others and no-one is allowed to talk about the speech unless TQ raises it.
      Love Kate’s outfit and, as a cardigan fan, prefer that to any jumper!

  16. chlo says:

    They look like they are dressed for different events.

  17. TheOriginalMia says:

    Like others, I would have worn a turtle neck with that skirt. But that’s our Kate, lover of buttons, so it’s fine.

    Don’t buy Harry & Meghan staying at Amner. Doria is probably coming over and they’ll want to be with her. This is just PR to make the Cambridges look good when most are suspecting it’s their house that is bashing Meghan.

    • aquarius64 says:

      Bingo. The Fail is throwing shade at Carole’s recent interviews. They are definitely throwing this back at House Cambridge.

  18. Anastasia says:

    I’m not anti-buttons at all, but I feel the buttons are competing with the plaid and losing. A plain black sweater would have been perfect. Let the skirt shine, it’s gorgeous.

    Will would have looked better next to her in black or even gray.

  19. Rulla says:

    Love the skirt.

  20. MrsDemarcus says:

    Um, Or maybe all the gossip is just that, gossip, and the Cambridges genuinely enjoy hosting The Sussexes and the Sussexes genuinely enjoy staying with them. And they generally just like each other and will stay together at some point during the holiday like many siblings and in-laws do. Even this site has started trying to pit one against the other, it’s just that this one focuses on making the Cambridges sound bad instead of just MM.

    • MsK says:

      That’s what I’ve been wrestling with re: the Cambridge/Sussex issue. Kate and Wills have been so much happier and affectionate in public of late or so it seems. Is this because 1) they are actively competing with Harry and Meghan (and are somehow involved in the Meghan bashing) or 2) they (at least, Kate) feel somewhat liberated from the glare of the media which is now focused more on H&M?

      • Ellaus says:

        I think the second. I know it is not a popular opinión, but i think that a parte of Kate’s cheerfulness this last year is because of the focus con Meghan, and having a third baby.
        They are not best friends for sure, but I think this week’s leaks are in a great part half líes to amp out the drama and continue with the true and tested formula of heir vs spare.
        That said, if Doria cames this christmas she , Harry abd Meghan may stay at the big house. And the Middletons will stay at Anmer Hall (pippa, James, their baby and Kates parents). All together but not at the same time.

      • Mellie says:

        Ellaus, I agree with you totally…girlfriend has three little kids, I had had three kids less than 3 years apart and I had no time for a shower, let alone a bunch of drama. I know she has a Nanny, but she’s a pretty hands on mom, but plus she has a lot of other things going on. I really don’t think she’s stirring the pot here. I think these two have bigger fish to fry than being mean to Meghan (who I adore!). Kate and Meghan are different, period. Everyone needs to get over the fact that they are going to be BFF’s, they are at different stages in their lives right now. It’s fine!

      • MsK says:

        I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this is a non-issue between the duchesses. I really can’t see either of them being mean girls. I’ve also wondered about the timing of Carole’s interviews and I think (and I know I’m in the minority here) that they may have been intended to draw attention away from the duchess v. duchess story line. Carole has very little to gain from these interviews; she is fully aware of how she’s perceived. FWIW, I read one of them and came away impressed by her hard work and ambition (maybe ambition is less of a dirty word in the US) and completely baffled by how such a woman could raise three incredibly lazy children.

      • minx says:

        Agree.

  21. Surely Wolfbeak says:

    Emilia Wickstead. Okay.

  22. Karen says:

    I wore that outfit to a party when I was 13. 46 years ago. Frumpy!

  23. Gigi La Moore says:

    She can afford to smile these days.

  24. Loretta says:

    They stayed at the event less than an hour, it’s already over LMAO

    • Big Eyes says:

      Perhaps because they have a white tie (tiara evening) Diplomatic reception @Buckingham Palace. I think it starts at 7 p.m. and its 3 p.m. now. Then they will be taking a RAF military flight tomorrow very early to Cyprus RAF Christmas service, bringing with them packages for those stationed there. I think Charles will be also very busy after tonight’s event, taking a flight to the USA/George Bush.

      • Big Eyes says:

        ^ This is from Hello Mag UK
        Quote It’s a busy day for the royals – later on this evening, they will attend the Queen’s annual Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace. It’s one of Her Majesty’s most formal annual occasions, with a strict dress code – white tie and decorations. This means that tailcoats must be worn by the gentlemen and full-length gowns by the ladies. We can’t wait to see what Duchess Kate will be wearing – last year she stepped out in a white silk, gently embellished gown and the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, so we just know it will be super sparkly! Unquote

      • W1hatever says:

        There is also the Christmas Carol service for the Henry van Strauzenbee Memorial Fund today. Maybe the Cambridges will make a brief appearance if they can’t stay for the full thing because of the Diplomatic Corps Reception?. There have been reports in the past (before marriage) of Kate helping out and setting up stuff for this event.

      • Big Eyes says:

        W1hatever I read at the DM today that Harry and Meghan will be attending the Christmas Carol.

    • Lexa says:

      I can only go by the time stamps of when the reporters posted stuff but it looks like they were there for at least an hour. I wish they had stayed longer, though I guess this means they are definitely going to the Diplomatic Reception tonight.

    • Josie says:

      45 minutes is about average for all the family. The Sussexes kept to that schedule on tour but Meghan’s events at the Hubb have gone long. Kate notoriously spent only 20-30 minutes on visits during the early years. She took way too long to pull it together.

  25. Piper says:

    Have to say I’ve lost respect for Kate. I was always impartial to she’s fine for years, this unnecessary “look at me” train at all costs shown her ugly side. Same for Wills.

  26. Nichole says:

    Am I the only person who holds a grudge against Emilia Wickstead for her wedding dress debacle on Harry & Meg’s big day?

    • harla says:

      No Nicole, I’m holding a grudge too. Maybe we should have a secret handshake?

    • okay then says:

      Meghan doesn’t.

    • Becks1 says:

      Supposedly – I don’t know where I read this ha so maybe I’m completely making it up – but I read that EW called Kate (or one of her staff) and apologized profusely for the comments and asked Kate to pass on the apology to Meghan and make sure there were no ill feelings, etc. I guess it worked bc we have seen Sophie, Kate and Meghan all wear EW since then.

  27. Mary says:

    I thought no she looks nice, but the skirt makes me think of something my music teacher would have worn to our Christmas program in 1987 🤪

  28. Serphina says:

    I don’t like this look. Not sure why. Maybe ot’s because my mom would make me wear the pattern during the holidays when i was a little girl. And it’s very eye opening to see the press not photo shopping Kate’s face. I now understand why people would write in saying she has lots of damage from sun bathing and smoking. Wish they would stop forcing us to look at “fake” images of what people look like.

    • Anitas says:

      She’s also 36 and has three young children. I don’t smoke or tan, I only have one small kid, I’m a year younger than her and certainly not too skinny, yet my face looks the same or worse than hers. Sometimes it’s just how people age. She looks perfectly OK for her age and yes I agree, doesn’t need photoshop.

    • Karen says:

      She has unfortunate skin or sun damage. She does look 10 years older. She does:not have that much stress. She has 3 kids, 2 are in school and lots of help. She is also incredibly thin so that ages you even more.

  29. harla says:

    While this outfit is perfectly appropriate for the event and as Kaiser said, it’s Christmas-y with going overboard, I do wish Kate would go a bit lighter on her eye makeup and maybe change to a soft rose eye shadow as the dark brown isn’t doing her any favors.

  30. sage says:

    The war paint Kate and Meghan like to wear is excessive. Why so much stage makeup?

  31. Redgrl says:

    I can’t tell if William has his fleece collar up or if it’s just the way it sits because of the shirt. If it is up – massive fail. That’s a look that needs to go far away and never return. There was a great meme along the lines of “Remember Billy, only idiots wear their collars up” . Every time the hubby and I see some dude in the pub with his collar up we look at each other and one of us says “remember, Billy…”

  32. Mego says:

    This doesn’t work for me – the top and bottom seem mismatched.

  33. violet says:

    Love the outfit, so cheery for a children’s party. I think they look adorable together.

  34. Tiffany says:

    Okay, the long torso, I see it now. Boy, that skirt really makes you notice. Pleats should not be her jam.

  35. Amelie says:

    Nice outfit! It’s not too cutesy or over the top but great for hosting a Christmas party. I honestly don’t know where else she could wear this skirt though but I’m glad she found an occasion for it!

  36. emi says:

    Love this outfit. Not loving all the negative Kate coverage with the over the top adjectives. It’s getting tedious. I miss the old fashioned gossip.

  37. MeghanNotMarkle says:

    Lose a few inches on the skirt and I think I would love Kate’s outfit. Could Will wear at least charcoal with a dark sweater for this one occasion? He and Harry always look weird in their navy blue against all these outfits.

  38. Digital Unicorn says:

    Her outfit is fine but the only issue is that she’s not wearing Strathearn tartan (she is the Countess after all). / sarcasm

  39. Kristy says:

    Those sagging cheeks, wow.

  40. SpillDatT says:

    Colour me shocked, she looks really good as does Wills. And she seems very lively & open in photos other sites have posted. She does work better with kids than adults, usually more engaging I find.

    If I had the $$$$$ & the figure I’d actually wear this outfit, NGL, it’s very winter/christmas but not over the top. *le sigh*

  41. Anitas says:

    I like it. I wish I had the figure to pull off that silhouette.

  42. Purrrr says:

    …..has William been working out? He’s looking a little broader…and I’m here for it.

  43. hieronymus says:

    I love Kate’s outfit, and I don’t know how cold it is over there, but being early December, it just *looks* odd seeing them outside without coats.

  44. Flying fish says:

    It seems like Kate is finally doing what she should have been doing years ago!!!

  45. Flying fish says:

    Catherine Quinn has a appeared a few times recently with Kate!!

  46. Meg says:

    Her caridgan is too small IMO, too short

    • grumpypants says:

      Her cardigan is a standard one. Her torso is longer than standard. That’s why she can wear the pleats so well and why that burgundy suit she wore to the neuro-thingy last week looked so odd. IMO.

    • Flying fish says:

      My sentiment exactly, MEG.