The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Belfast midday Wednesday for a handful of activities, like playing football with little girls and some sort of walkabout, etc. Then they had a few hours off to get ready for their rare evening event: they went to the Belfast Empire Hall “to celebrate inspirational young people.” Weirdly, it just looked like they went there so William could make a speech (as Kate looked on pensively), and then there was a photo-op of Kate attempting to “pull a pint.” While Kate tilted the glass, and seemed to try to do it right, her pint had a really big foam head. Whoever paid for that pint isn’t getting their money’s worth.
Now, Kate did look really cute as she pulled a pint. I actually like everything about her styling here – the dress is Missoni, and it retails for £1,590. It’s sort of glittery and vaguely ‘70s, which is Missoni’s whole vibe anyway. That style looks good on Kate – the skirt length is particularly good on her, and I don’t mind the puffy sheer sleeves. I think I mostly like this because she didn’t “customize” it by adding 20 buttons. She also got her hair freshly curled for this event and she left it down. Very pretty. She paired the Missoni with beige Gianvito stilettos and a Mulberry clutch.
Here’s the footage of Kate pulling a pint. There are also lots of photos of William standing behind her, quietly getting hammered.
🍺 Getting the party started at @BelfastEmpire, where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating young people who are making a real difference in Northern Ireland #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/JFnIPdy9do
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
Photos courtesy of WENN.
LOVE that dress. So, so pretty.
I love it too!
I adore Missoni. While I am not big on the sleeves, the rest of this dress is right up my alley!
@BearCatLawyer: Ditto. Missoni or “M”, their sister brand. Although I’ll admit that I wish they did more vertical stripes than horizontal because they are easier to wear. This one is one of their rare ones that fits that bill.
Definitely! It’s very attractive.
Me too! I think she looks absolutely gorgeous, just beautiful from head to toe.
The dress grew on me once I saw it on IG– really like it now. Apparently it’s like mint colored but comes off as silver in photos (per WKW).
I like this dress except I would have less puffy sleeves. She looks goofy cute pulling it hahah.
Yes, she makes an adorable barmaid. Wills looks like he’s had a few!
I would wear this dress.
I really liked the dress too. She looks really good in that length; I almost always like her outfits when she wears dresses in that midi length (or almost midi?) I also liked the styling. This is an example of a dress that has the potential to go so wrong on Kate because she really leans into some aspects of a dress – I could see her really going all out with the sparkly jewelry or accessories and she held back.
This reminds me a lot of the dress she wore exactly 2 years ago, to the BP reception, that silver one? I did not like that one near as well as I liked this.
I don’t mind this dress on her.
More sports. More pints. They look fun and engaging these events.
But then they’re get a lot of negative press, a la Prince Carl Philip, for only doing fun events – sports, food and design.
I guess mental health grounds them. Even if they’re not (yet, hopefully they will) digging into more issues.
William & Kate visited the shooting stars programme which encourages young girls to play football & supports them with their mental health. They also visited an activity center that supports young people through outdoor activities & teaching them life skills.
I happen to think that its nice that they take part rather than just stand on the sidelines observing.
I think this is a good one. They seem relaxed and engaged, happy to be there and enjoying themselves. It might not be everyone’s idea of “a gritty enough cause” but I think their interest in the children’s organizations is honest and truly what they care about.. or st least what she cares about!
that is literally what they did yesterday- talked about Sports and mental health. That was the point of where they were yesterday.
Nice dress, but why didn’t Kate make a statement too?
The dress is pretty and her hair looks beautiful
Awful dress. She looks like a maniac in those pics LOL
you seem nice. LOL.
I think the pics are funny/cute they caught her pulling some interesting faces. I’d rather see engaged faces than stone cold boredom.
Agree, we hardly ever get to see her personality. Its refreshing
Absolutely. I’ve never been a fan, but Kate seems finally to be coming into her own. I also hate that so many people criticize her for what she is likely not able to change – her smile, her teeth, her mimic.
She tried not to look at the cameras, that’s why we see goofy faces from Kate. She looks like she is having fun.
That dress is lovely. I love mint and silver. She wore my fave colours in two days plus black of course.
I really do get the feeling William would prefer to be a successful banker. Kate would make a really good successful banker’s wife.
I agree in that I think William would like to be very rich, but to the extent banking requires any work (I mean, it’s not digging ditches but you do have to go to an office on a regular basis) I’m not sure he’s up for that.
I will say they look very happy and relaxed here.
Any work, or any brains. William would have been fine in the City before the Big Bang in 1986/87. After that, no, there would have been clever people of all classes and (!!!) Europeans to contend with.
I think he’d rather be a “simple” aristocrat: all the privileges to enjoy and no obligations.
Back in olden times, he’d go into the city, have lunch at his club, return to his bank, and then head home to say hello to the children before an evening dinner/show with Kate. I can totally see him completely satisfied!
Yeah they are the least dynamic couple ever! I t must suck to be them. Even though their kids are cute. They can’t hold a candle to Harry & Meg, who are much more authentic.
Is this a repeat? Because I recall her wearing this before – or a very similar one. I hope it is a repeat because it is just silly and wasteful to buy items that are almost identical, especially in this price range.
Thats what I thought when I saw it – its a repeat or its very similar to something she already has in a similar colour.
But this is what she does – she buys designer clothes that all look the same in similar colours. No imagination.
How is that no imagination? Meghan and Kate’s roles are not to be models, they don’t need to be fashionistas. Sure, it’s fun to discuss it here, but it’s work for them. I also have the same trype of clothing in different colors for work, because I like the way the style works for me. If others were judging me, they may not like the way that it looks, like some of you are with Kate, but if she likes it that’s all that matters. Same with Meghan. She clearly has a style, and as long as she feels good about herself, I don’t honestly care what she wears.
I think when she hits on something that works she sticks with it. I mean, they all spend too much on clothes.
Lolly-
That’s a really good point for why Kate seems to gravitate to the same silhouettes in a variety of colors. While I think clothes make a statement, a consistent “uniform” thought process for work events makes some sense, and I do the same thing.
It’s an expensive work uniform, but if she wore nothing but lower cost brands, she’d get eaten alive for “faking” frugality. *shrug*
No, its a new one. I bet you are thinking of this one:
https://whatkatewore.com/2017/02/27/the-duchess-shines-in-shimmering-erdem-dress-at-palace-reception/
That’s a beautiful dress and very similar to this one lol
@Cee – I think I said at the time that I liked the Erdem dress itself, but not how she had it styled with the sparkly shoes etc. So glad she went for more neutral shoes this time around.
I hate it. Looks like a grandmother-of-the-bride dress to me. Very aging on her.
The neckline would be pretty low for a grandma.
Yup. And the material looks itchy.
its missoni- that is the only fabric they use it does look itchy but its not its just the way they do the knit
Missoni has never been itchy for me. In fact, I find their knits quite comfortable.
Just said this in the other Kate’s-clothes-post, she always looks dated, even when doing the 70’s hot mamma look. That’s just the way she is – totally uniterested in contemporary edgy or more structured fashion. It’s borefest to me.
However, the photos as SUPER endearing, even my cold self couldn’t help a little smile.
Woman who’s never worked a day in her life can’t pull a decent pint.
I laughed because I was like, come on Kate, you went to college. think of your keg days!
The pint looks OK. There has to be a decent amount of foam on a lager.
I like her dress.
Here’s an idea for them for free: why don’t they discuss the mental health benefits of sport and exercise?? That way they can combine something she is actually interested in and is good at with their main initiative.
I actually think that’s what their events yesterday were about.
And that’s been a running theme in many of their previous events and patronages.
They did, the reason why they were playing football in Windsor Park was to promote a charity for improving young girls mental health through sport. The point of the event at the empire was to meet inspirational young people involved with sport. I know a girl who was at it (the empire event), she said they were both lovely, she got a selfie with Kate so was delighted.
Side note; it was funny seeing William up on the stage in the empire because its usually where aspiring comedians go to die on their arse and practise material lol!
I thought that’s what they actually did
Does anyone know who made the v neck sweater she wore while playing ball with children?
Per WKW, it’s the Ralph Lauren cable-knit cricket sweater.
Thanks!
She looks really pretty here!
William looked so uncomfortable.
It’s just smug arrogance.
😁😁😁
He’s awful and can’t even fake affection toward Kate. It’s uncomfortable and makes me feel bad for her. Have you seen the video of them playing soccer? She goes over to him for a hug and he pushes her away.
I feel like he’s aristo Hank Hill in a lot of ways.
I love the styling and the dress, just not for this type of event.
I love the dress, she is doing what she does best. Look pretty. But my favorite Kaiser comment was about William ‘quietly getting hammered’.
Kate’s dress is beautiful however it looks much more dressy than her husband’s attire.
I like them behind the bar… they need to spend more time in Irish pubs… it’s a good fit.
It’s pretty, but seems a bit too sparkely and out of place for this event.
It’s a good look on her, I like the dress.
To be honest I’m starting liking her more and more. She seems fulfilled, at ease (sometimes still nervous of course) and someone I’d have a drink or coffee with 🙂
I agree more and more she seems super personable, kind and empathetic. She just comes across as kind, personable and authentic. I was always eh about her but lately I just find her charming and like you said someone you’d be friends with.
In this she looks like she is having so much fun on this trip
I know what you mean. I have never been a fan of Kate but I have been warming to her recently. She seems to be making more effort to engage with people on her engagements.
Also, I really like this dress. It’s one of the few Kate outfits I would buy if I had the money and the figure for it.
I’ve always had sympathy for her as I can’t imagine the level of scrutiny and criticism she lives under. I also feel that having another “commoner” (Megan) come into the family who is used to scrutiny and has a different vibe has been helpful to making her feel more comfortable to be more of who she is. And I usually like her clothes lolll.
She really seemed in her element when she was out on the ball field with a group of kids.
Meet for a coffee and some talk about Brexit and the exorbitant cost of the RF’s wardrobe? Oh wait…
I looooooove that dress. I am extremely u-sensitive (lupus) and it’s hard to find lightweight dresses that still cover! It’s my perpetual challenge. I hope her wearing this inspires some fast-fashion copycats this spring!
Don’t get me wrong- I love this dress-but it is a bit 1970s Mother of The Bride..
But then again, that’s totally my aesthetic.
She looks cute, relaxed, and happy.
1980s hair again. I can’t put my finger on why her hair looks so dated all the time.
I don’t read it as dated and I’m a few years younger than her. Maybe you prefer a looser curl or more beach waves?
It’s probably the tight curls which make me think of old ladies with hot curlers. The trend lately has been towards that whole undone, effortless “French” look.
The dress is very nice but her browliner is too harsh imo.
I like the dress.
The dress is ok just not what I’d wear to that event but whatever. Let’s talk about her Botox. Yikes!
Personally, I love some 1970s glam. This dress is fab, but not for the venue. I don’t know what dress would have worked though, which makes me think slim trousers with a silk shell and a cute blazer might have been cool. That’s kind of my go-to for evening networking events at pubs.
She’s making some great faces pulling the pint, like “ehhh, this is not going to be great, oh man” and I definitely see wrinkles with her arched brow so the botox isn’t that heavy.
I know the drinking age is probably lower in Northern Ireland but it seems odd that a youth event is being staged at what looks to be a pub. I usually associate youth to mean under 18 and none would normally be allowed to drink a pint in North America. Fun with alcohol wouldn’t be a youth event over here either.
So much foam. She looks good. I like the dress, even with the puffy sleeves.
It does look like Will is getting hammered. LOL
Kate looks good! I love the dress, and love her faces, looks like she’s having a good time. Maybe she’s getting hammered too?
She may want to look “edgy and contemporary” but cannot pull it off because the sum of her of styling is made of parts that don’t work together. Awful nude shoes that’s so wrong for the dress. Big beauty pageant hair. Overall, she ends up loooking like a character from the Dynasty tv series.
I absolutely love the dress, but wonder if she should’ve worn something more casual for such an event? Regardless, she looks lovely.
That or William should have had a tie on. He looks very unfinished here.
Gorgeous dress, but those shoes bring some serious clashing blah to the look.
She always manages to age herself by 20 years. Is she allergic to looking chic and modern? I just don’t get it.
Will looks appropriately casual and Kate looks like she doesn’t leave the compound very often.
I used to live in Belfast, right down the street from this bar. Watched nearly every World Cup game in 2010 there (thanks to South Africa being in the same time zone as the UK)
The optics on this are wrong for so many reasons. 1] Kate was gorgeously dressed (no denying it, she’s absolutely beautiful every time she’s in public) but possibly too much for what was essentially a night out at a pub (high class, but still a pub)? 2] the photo of Kate standing in a subservient background pose while Will gave some kind of speech off of index cards – in contrast, I immediately thought of Meghan’s heartfelt speech last September 20th when Harry and Doria beamed with pride at her Kensington Palace Together: Our Community Cookbook book launch (no shame on either royal wives, because I’m a firm believer in letting them be their own best person) 3] I may be mistaken, but isn’t this supposed to be some kind of mental health awareness tour? If so apparently Will’s mental health involves imbibing as much alcohol as he possibly can while his wife serves up horrible pints in a massively expensive dress, as if she were his and the UK’s high class barmaid. Maybe that’s it? Plus the M-Audio and Harp Ice product placements were tacky.
I really like the dress. I wish I had the figure & the bank account to pull this off. It’s effortless, but chic and despite the 70’s vibe, it’s still quite timeless as its something that can be worn again and again.
Can’t criticize her pint skills, I don’t drink beer & def. can’t pour it. And even if I did drink beer, I’d probably mess up with a bar tap, and more so with people looking at me.
I don’t like the look, far too dressy for the occasion and location especially with that hairstyle. I like the color of the dress but not the style, looks bland. I don’t like her shoes either.
I don’t get the criticism, that’s a perfectly acceptable pint for a lager. I’ve been served foamier at pubs. The only thing worse than an overfoamed pint of lager is an underfoamed pint of lager. Too little foam = flat lager = yuck.
I like the dress. And I don’t like most of her dresses!
And they had to promise her a new dress and extra xanax to go.
Seems like a fair deal to me. I’d pretty much want the same if I had to do it!
Ok why do people complain about the price of Meghan’s formal reception dress but don’t blink at Kate’s pricey pub wear?
She looks lovely and it makes all the difference that she seems to be enjoying herself and having a good time. This tour was great so far.
She looks lovely and it makes all the difference that she seems to be enjoying herself and having a good time. This tour was great so far.