The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Pakistan last night (local time) and these are some photos from their arrival at the Nur Khan Air Force Base in Rawalpindi. The Cambridge kids are not along for the trip, probably because of security concerns, but also because I don’t think it’s going to be that kind of trip, with kid-friendly outings. My guess is that Nanny Maria and Carole and Mike Middleton are looking after the Cambridge kids and doing the school run.
For the arrival, Kate wore Catherine Walker. This is the British (posh?) version of a shalwar kameez, which just reminds me that I predicted this. I said that Kate probably would most likely NOT go for Pakistani designers or traditional Pakistani clothing, but she would instead go for British designers’ versions of traditional Pakistani clothing (note: Kate is wearing traditional clothing for an appearance today, so I wasn’t completely right). I believe a traditional shalwar kameez would have been a long tunic-style cut for the top (rather than this full-skirted nonsense), but the pants seem appropriate to the style. Of course People Magazine (and other sites) can’t get enough of the fact that she was homage-ing Princess Diana about ten different ways. I actually like this color blue and I appreciate that Kate went conservative – legs covered, arms covered, no potential for flashing. I hope we continue to see bright and beautiful colors on Kate during this trip. Oh, and apparently Kate’s clutch and earrings are super-affordable pieces from Zeen.
You can see the Cambridges’ first Instagram from the tour here – they’ve gotten quite arty with the photos they choose, huh? But no one will mock them for such an arty choice because… well, you know.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Meh. She’s too thin. Meghan would have slayed.
i find this kind of body-shaming despicable. don’t police her body. and stop pitching them against each other.
Meghan was just in S.A. and she certainly didn’t slay fashion wise! Meghan has many strengths but fashion icon isn’t one of them I’m afraid.
I strongly disagree. I think Megan purposely has toned down her fashion appearances- and I understand why.
I agree. Love Meghan – even actually like her style overall, but I think Kate does this type of fashion better. Other than the flashing, she tends to go quite conservative with very well cut tailored clothing so she always looks good IMO. Meghan’s style is more relaxed and slightly less pulled together.
I don’t think Meghan is trying to be a fashion icon. Her wardrobe during the SA tour was not about solidifying her fashion status. She and Harry went on tour to work.
I do think it’s time we stop comparing the Duchessses. They both approach their duties and responsibilities in different ways.
@M., I disagree. I think Meghan would very much like to be a fashion icon, just as much as she’d like to be known for her humanitarian work, but she chose not to and played it safe to stave off the inevitable media criticism she’s been getting for her clothing choices. I do not think there is ever an “either/or” decision between being fashionable and doing work. You can be both. There is no dichotomy here. The difference is in who is allowed to be a fashion plate w/o doing anything more substantial, and who isn’t.
Because she would have been crucified if she bought more clothes. We’ve seen all new clothing so far – and expensive ones as well (Catherine Walker, Jenny Peckham (tonight’s reception dress)) but Kate will not get the
level of vitriol directed towards her for spending that Meghan does – criticized maybe but not to rant like levels that Meghan receives
I agree that she’s too thin. I went down a rabbit hole of Kate’s early fashion, etc. yesterday and she had more weight on her when she was dating William. She also looked great with a little of the baby weight still on. I mentioned on another post that I generally don’t like the way she dresses and I think part of it could be how she dresses her frame.
Wayyyy too thin. I’ve seen her in person and it’s shocking, she’s a bone rack. Also her skin looks very dehydrated and leathery under all the makeup. Excessive smoking, dieting and sun-worshiping have taken their toll.
She looks great. I wish I had her height. When I wear a shalwar kameez, I either look dumpy or end up being drowned in fabric even after some home-style tailoring.
Lol me too. I look like a moron in them. This outfit is beautiful though! I really like it
Great gowns, beautiful gowns….
I do like the colours of what she’s wearing so far especially the deep blue on the school trip. The princess fashionistas must be in heaven as well as the Daily Express guys who have to bring up Diana in everything.
Fashion is all they can talk about (and the Diana connection) because the itinerary so far is lacking a bit of substance.
@Rogue😂😂. “Great gowns…beautiful gowns”….Aretha would be proud.
Best and most accurate comment about this tour to date. I think she should have worn a local Pakistani designer for the arrival outfit, instead of catherine walker cosplay. I’m sure there are British Pakistani designers who could have assisted as well. Kate doesn’t go far beyond the usual few and while it’s ok for UK events, if her entire purpose in a tour is to display fashion, then she should be using Pakistani designers or British Pakistani designers who are more familiar with the design elements of those outfits.
Trust me Nic, you’d still find something to whinge about.
After eight years I expect more from both of them. I know sugars praise them for simply existing but until they put in real work and do it consistently I will continue to point out the lack of substance as compared to all other working royals. And comments like this motivate me. Stay mad.
Uhh, why are you just copying what I said in another post? At least be original. I know you’re white and know nothing about our cultural attire. Nic.
Rogue pulling out Aretha 😁😁
I love this outfit. Probably the best thing I’ve ever seen her in.
Agreed! Everything about it is amazing. Actually, I appreciate all the looks on this trip so far. She should add these styles to her regular cosplay routine.
This is hideous. Frozen with shoulders pads
She just needs a ratty blonde wig!!! Spot on
Omg, yes! It’s a Frozen costume! Sea foam vomit!
I’m not a Kate hater, but this color is gross. Just no.
Haha! Now I can’t unsee it!
Ugh… Now I can’t unsee it LOL
To me, it looks like she planned a dress she can wear again, and then just stuck the same colored trouser under it. It’s too long for a “tunic”.
The only things I like about this outfit are the color and the neck draping. She looks like she can be a Star Trek extra with those shoulder pads!
No it is not too long for a “tunic” Jan. Anarkali churidar suits are a similar length, and she’s not wearing a “tunic”.
You right, it’s a perfect cosplay for Startrek convention
Haha Elsa Blue. Thanks for the huge laugh.
I love this outfit. It is gorgeous and it suits her, the cut and the color. This is one of her best looks.
I think so, also. Gorgeous outfit, she looks incredible in it.
I like it too, except the neckline. The colour looks great on her.
Color me shocked that this is dull dull dull. Pretty color. Boring hair. She is not a fashionista, she’s just not
I think it’s beautiful really. I hope she dresses this good the whole tour.
The picture on Kensingtonroyal with their backs to the cameras made me laugh. It was so Sussex but without the deeper meaning of the two being a team.
Will they be accused of being too “Hollywood” for doing more artistic photos?
Actually this is the exact same camera shot as the one of William stepping off the plane in Israel back in June 2018, which was before the Sussexes even had their own account.
Haha don’t speak logic 😂 of course everything is copying the Sussexes lol.
That actually just proves Aurora’s point though. when Sussex Royal posts pictures like that, they’re accused of being too “Hollywood” or “too celebrity” and “they cant even show their faces to the people who support them” etc etc – even though Kensington Royal posted similar pictures before SR existed on social media. The Sussexes can literally do the exact same thing the Cambridges do and they get criticized for it while the Cambridges are praised.
I like the collar of this dress, but I dislike the ombré effect and find this almost ankle length dress and leggings combination weird. The leggings make me think of brightly colored running gear. I’d have loved to see properly tailored loose pants and a jacket or blazer, I believe it’d have been something to rewear as well as appropriate for the occasion without looking too much like theme dressing. Now this combination looks like something that was put together in the last minute as someone realized the legs have to be covered and the best they could come up with was something from the sports department.
Actually, this is a style that is worn here. A long flowing kurta such as this one would be worn with these kind of fitted trousers. They don’t look like leggings but we have a scrunched up leggings style called a chooridar that would also be worn with this kind of kameez. So yeah-this is not an odd combination for us.
Thanks to you and Evil Owl for teaching me this!
I’ve visited Pakistan and seen what is worn there as my uncle used to live there, but sorry, I still find this combination odd. Maybe it’s the color and the shape of the dress, but I can’t help it.
I think the reason the dress is cut as it it is so that Cathy may wear it again on another engagement 2 years down the road in the UK. Get rid of the trousers and add a pair of heels (I would wear strappy silver high heel scandals) and the outfit (dress) would not look so askew.
IMHO, that dress was not designed to be worn over trousers as a shalwar kameez.
@BluePeony: Those are not sports department leggings. They’re churidar pants, traditional clothing worn by South Asian women under a long kurti (flowing tunic). I own several pairs of these in every colour and prefer them over trousers when I visit my home country. This outfit seems well thought out.
I’m sorry but in this combination and color they look like sportswear to me. It’s just my opinion and I expressed it, as I thought I was free to do, so I’m sorry if I hurt someone’s feelings. As I mentioned before I’ve visited Pakistan and know how people dress there. But in my eyes it just doesn’t save this outfit. But to avoid further conflicts, I’ll refrain from commenting from now on and just read the stories as I used to do before, so these are my first and last three comments published today.
I’m South Asian and I find this outfit beyond boring. When I think of all the options she had to choose from, I can’t understand why she would pick this hideous sea foam blue Shalwar Kameez. Same old plastic hairdo and layers of dated make-up. If she would change it up a bit, her wardrobe wouldn’t be so predictable. Practically falling asleep over here looking at these pictures.
@Blue Peony: I think that’s wise
There are many different kinds of cuts and styles for kameezes in Pakistan and we do wear this ‘full-skirted’ style as well. The outfit is beautiful and Pakistanis are appreciating her clothing choices because they’re beautiful but also appreciative of our culture. We love it when foreigners wear our traditional clothing!
I don’t even think this is a full skirt, there’s just some movement because of the light fabric when she walks. I like the ombré effect, too.
Thanks Geane! People are referencing how she should be wearing things which seem appropriate to them through western eyes… There is a variety of lengths, styles and cuts when it comes to Asian clothing – no two regions across the region will be alike from
Pakistan to India to Bangladesh. Extra long to extra short, ruches ankles, cropped or smooth around the ankles etc etc
Yea I was going to say, at least in india the longer full skirted style is in- what my in laws call gown style or anarkali(??). But Pakistan has a somewhat different fashion sense I think. Anyway this is interesting and I don’t hate it (though now I can’t unsee frozen connection). I agree that the idea is that she could wear pants under it for this trip as an homage to South Asian style and wear it as gown without pants for some other occasion. Thrifty, as far as royals go.
And let’s not forget there is zero charisma in this pair. Alone, without the kids, they are plain vanilla, which I guess is William’s greatest quality in some quarters (Piers Morgan and friends).
Beautiful colour, fits her perfectly and occasion appropriate. Definitely a win. I would have gone with different shoes though, embroidered jutti flats in pale blue or silver would’ve elevated the whole look.
It’s perfectly fine. It suits the occasion, and I like seeing a pop of color.
Beautiful color on top and the drapey neck is nice, but I have a weird dislike for ombré. It’s my own issue, lol, but I can’t stand it!
I really like this. The colour is beautiful.
Lots of talk about how this is their “most complex tour ever” (that precise phrase as well, so it seems safe to suggest it’s come from an official source), so it’ll be interesting to see what the engagements themselves are like.
Ewww Diana cosplay.
I like how there’s already at least one Manic Grin (TM) photo floating about online from this tour.
Did you have the same comment about Harry when he wore the protective vest recently?
Harry doing it is just sweet, daughter in law doing is just creepy.
No, as a protective vest in a danger zone is probably non-negotioable?
This is idiotic. Wearing a protective vest in an area where there are bombs that could detonate is a safety precaution.
Oh god, that was hideous what Harry did. I didn’t realise he had done the exact same thing a few years earlier, then he did it *again* in South Africa. The place fortunately has been cleared by the Halo workers and they weren’t wearing protective gear in the same shots. Fortunately no danger in the very spots he was in and Harry and his team would know this beforehand. Then he came out and said it was just work in front of the cameras and he does his real grieving behind closed doors or something to that effect. That was perfectly fine but it’s good he cleared the first bit up – a PR push for the cameras. Raising awareness is one thing but there was no need for the 2nd cosplay when people around him were visibly in their normal clothes. It reads as what it was…. Anyway, I didn’t mind this Catherine Walker, nice colour and floaty fabric. I’d say Westernised fusion wear rather than 100% traditional, like Diana wore.
Hideous? Promoting a charity that removes landmines is hideous? Hope you didn’t strain anything with that stretch.
Wearing Diana’s signature designer, using a pattern created 20 years ago since the designer passed away 10 years ago. Taking her Diana cosplay to an even creepier level.
Now if she could only cosplay Diana when it comes to actual work and supporting charities/causes.
I didn’t know about the designer being dead.
I’m trying to imagine how this even translates into “real life” – like if I dressed in similar clothes to my partner’s dead mother. It would be so bizarre.
Don’t like it. Awkward shoulder pads and an unpleasant, jarring color gradient (and yet blue is my favorite color too). Her posture is as awful as ever and doesn’t help the look of the outfit.
Kaiser you missed that there are tiny BUTTONS on the sleeves 😂
Seriously though this is very nice, appropriate and a lovely colour but I wish she had worn something by a Pakistani designer for her arrival. The length of the tunic is a little long (an inch or two shorter would have worked better I think to show off the trousers underneath). I’m far from an expert on traditional Pakistani dress and maybe this is how the shalwar kameez is worn, but I believe the tunic has deliberately been made this length so she can re-wear this as an evening gown at some point and be praised for being “thrifty”. Also, Elsa Goes To Pakistan vibes.
Nope it hasn’t been deliberately made this length. I would recommend looking up Pakistani designers – plenty of references for people if they want to see WoC wearing these designs. Although, she can wear it in the future as a dress.
yeah is I said I’m not expert but I believe this particular length was chosen for the purposes of it eventually being reworn as a dress.
Don’t care for the ombre blue and white- it looks way too ice-skatery to me. If this had been done in something stronger, like an orange to red or shades of green it would have been way better. Like the style, though.
Is this dress already cultural appropriation? I mean, honestly… For me it’s like people from abroad arrive in Germany wearing a Dirndl just to please the host/or thinking they please the host. Why can’t she wear something british or european? Look at Queen Maxima, she is visiting India right now, her wardrobe is her ‘normal’ (funny) style with just some hints to indian culture. I don’t like this carnival show.
??? This is not cultural appropriation at all.
I sort of feel this way, but will defer to those from Pakistan/of Pakistani descent here. When she dresses like this, it feels very costume-y to me but I’m not sure where the line is between being respectful of a different culture and wearing a costume. A poster above said the Pakistanis are appreciating her clothing choices, so I think I am overthinking it.
Ha – same here. To me it feels a bit as if she showed up in France wearing a beret and a baguette tucked under the arm. It’s a bit cliche and not a particularly subtle, elegant and imaginative way to pay tribute to the host country. But I see that celebitchy posters with Pakistani roots appreciate the gesture, and that is what matters.
It’s not cultural appropriation. The RF – especially the female members – do often wear outfits that pay homage to the countries that they tour. It is expected and appreciated.
Nope, this is not cultural appropriation at all! As ADS said, the royals do this to pay homage. Diana is very beloved in Pakistan (she visited thrice in the ’90’s) and she wore shalwar kameezes and traditional attire when she was here. The gesture is still appreciated to this day and she is spoken of fondly. The same goes for Kate – the Pakistani media and social media is full of praise for her attire. We don’t see this as cultural appropriation because we love it when foreigners visit, wear our traditional attire, try to speak our language and enjoy our food and culture.
If Kate had opted to wear trousers and long dresses she would not have been criticised at all but we Pakistanis see this as her going the extra mile to show her respect and appreciation for our culture and trust me, this will be remembered by the public for a long time.
Maxima wore a sari gown designed by a non Indian designer. It’s the same thing. Far better Indian designers to pick if she wanted to wear a similar style. I read something about the fabric being from India at least. There’s a thin line between appropriation and appreciation. If they are turning up in full proper head to toe traditional to a non cultural event then it would be appropriation imo.
If you wear a Dirndl or Lederhosn in Bavaria or Austria, the locals will appreciated it. 🙂 No cultural appropriation at all.
Guess what, wearing something British includes these outfits: people of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi descent are our largest ethnic minorities, far larger than afro-caribbean. I see British women dressed like this (though not quite so fancy and probably wearing a coat over it in current weather) all the time, every day.
she looks polished but this is not her silhouette. too much attention drawn to her wide shoulders and weird definition in the waist. it would have been better to be more flowing in the waist area instead of fitted.
I like the color, but I’m not wild about the style of the neckline.
Mostly I am just kind of like, “huh, nice designer bespoke outfit so she can step off a plane.” Maybe H&M are smart to avoid the big arrival scenes like this.
I thought there would be a welcome speech or something but there was nothing. Just walking down the steps of the plane. Had there been something right after I might understand, but that was it.
Right??? It was kind of bizarre. On other tours when they arrive like that it makes sense because they almost immediately go to an event of some sort. They arrived in Pakistan and got off the plane. That was Day 1 of this tour.
My favorite part of that–it counts as an engagement!!
Meanwhile Maxima looked great getting off the plane in one of her trouser suits, then slayed in her tribute ballgown and diamond bandeau at the State Dinner.
Where do you find the pictures of Maxima, nota?
TheRoyalForums is good about posting links to picture agencies quickly. There’s also a Dutch-language blogger who follows Maxima’s fashion, modekoninginmaxima .
Harry and Meghan did this in Morocco. The pretty red outfit Meghan was wearing. I’m not sure if they did something else after. It was a royal arrival event.
They met the crown prince at that point (or shortly after their arrival that same evening) so I get the nice dress for that.
But even so – stepping down from a plane and then being whisked away moments later should not count as “work” for any royal. Meghan and Harry did not do this on their South Africa tour, which some RRs were upset about (“they want PRIVACY!”) but I think makes sense.
Came here to say that I think she looks breathtakingly gorgeous. Just stunning. But. She should’ve worn a scarf around her neck.
I like the color of the dress, but not the actual dress itself. Uggers.
Is Kate always this slender?
Wow! Drop dead gorgeous!
I love her outfit. She looks absolutely gorgeous. I am going to buy some fabric and give to my tailor to make this exact outfit.
LOL
Linda, if you are from the UK, hit up West London and parts of East London. I’d day West is better and then try to haggle in those Asian stores lol. You’ll walk away with a beautiful outfit or fabrics for your seamstress. Just ignore this notasugarhere person, it’s obvious they are culturally insensitive. This outfit would work really well with a dupatta, a long, sheer scarf that we wear with it. The neck part was supposed to represent it but I’m not feeling it in this design.
Dress to please you, Linda. Ignore the Notasugars of this world. As Guest reccomends above, if you are UK based; Newham, Ealing, Hounslow, Southhall are all culturally diverse parts of London with a huge Pakistani & Indian community. You’ll find great fabric in shops in that area for this kind of outfit and skilled tailors too.
Question for any commenters in the UK. Do normal everyday women wear Catherine Walker? Or things like her designs? The looks seem very formal like church wear or something you’d wear to court
Nope, Catherine Walker is very expensive for a start and is generally worn by middle aged middle class women – its a brand that Carole would look fab in not a 36 year old woman.
I’m not from the UK. So, sorry for jumping in. I think the tailoring is very good but the clothes are very dated ala Dynasty and the late 80s. And to answer your question: I’m convinced that Kate and perhaps deceased friends of Catherine Walker are the only people still funneling business to her husband. Like you said, who, in this modern age and below the age of 65, is still buying clothes or having bespoke clothing made from what is essentially the bridal section of a 1980s Sears catalog? All I know is that I see a certain set of church women on Sundays who wear that here in the states. And those women make it your business to know and are otherwise signaling that they are solid, upright and proper and you, my friend, are not.
I’m so hoping that when QEII eventually goes that she’ll take the coat dress as de rigueur with her.
Its very old fashioned and definitely something more likely to be worn by Caroles age group than kates. The designns tend to be outdated because after Catherine died her team merely started remaking her old designs instead of getting a new deisgner in. If im not mistaken her husband now runs the company. Diana wore it a lot
She looks fine. I can already tell between this and the other post that we’re going to see her and Catherine Walker riffing on the basic silhouette and styling of a salwaar kameez, repeatedly. Fair enough I guess. But I can’t bring myself to look at Kate’s wardrobe this tour w/o being irrationally angry about it from some reason. How much does all of this cost? It can’t be cheap. And yet, we’ll see no outcry about it from the media, will we? Meanwhile, Meghan had to settle for dressing down in order to get some mildly lukewarm reviews, after being torn up by the press for two years now. I can’t look at these photos and not think that about how William and the media set about making Meghan the fall guy w/o any recourse. I cannot believe we live in a world where Kate gets away with doing so little and gets praised so much in the process.
Also, I’d be interested in seeing Camilla wear this type of outfit. This is right in her ballpark. No offence to Camilla, who I find always keeps her fashion choices interesting, but why Kate would choose to follow the style of a nearly 70(?) year old woman is beyond me. That neckline especially is something that ages her.
Camilla seems to wear salwar kameez, without the dupatta, all the time LOL. I guess she feels comfy in the style but Camilla shouldn’t really be the benchmark here because she’s frequently wearing clothes from another culture & all ages wear shalwar suits, so it’s not really copying her mother in law. I don’t know if that’s right. Do they refer to her as mother in law? idk.
I don’t like it. Looks like lame Princess Jasmine cosplay to me because of the color. Something about it is just too twee.
The dress is beautiful but doesn’t look good on Kate. To me, it looks like it just hangs on her.
It does just hang on her, as does the hairdo
I don’t like this look, especially just coming off a flight. She’s going all in on the whole Pakistani theme dressing on this trip so far. Think I said this with Meghan as well, but a nicely tailored suit would have been just fine, especially getting off a flight, not this floaty thing. Anyway, very different from the Sussex tour. Kate is serving all the looks but not much voice. This is all about what she’s wearing with a few highlights of charities as background props.
What’s with wearing same designer as your dead mil, or reenacting her or touches of her? Why isn’t William offended by this, he seems fine with exploiting his mom by people who didn’t even know her. I understand people like to feel connected to their dead loved one, but enough is enough. My uncle (mom’s brother) died many years ago, he was about 24, since than we can’t mention his name without mom breaking down, we even put his picture at the back of the family album so she doesn’t come across it, and we’re careful not to bring him up. If he loved his mom isn’t the true memory of her sacred?
Why wear a milquetoast version of a salwar kameez when the real thing is available? The colors, the embroidery are so pretty and fun. It’s nice she’s respecting the culture, but it would have been way better if it weren’t some gentrified cosplay.
I love ombre so I really like this. While I’m a little weirded out that it’s a Catherine Walker and they’re working off Diana’s old designs I think she looks lovely.
I actually love the colour of this outfit.
It’s blah to me. I dislike the ombré coloring. Now that someone has called it Frozen cosplay, I can’t see anything else.
Nope. Don’t like it.
Guest2.0: Yes, exactly.
I like it and think she looks good here and as pointed out, no chance of a flashing. Beautiful color on her and those earrings are gorgeous. She looks fresh and engaged if not a little tired looking.