The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in South Wales today for a “day of engagements.” I’ll give them both some credit: this is their fastest start to the year in all of their years of marriage. I remember one year when Kate did maybe two events total in the first two months of the year. But Kate already has two dozen events (easily) just for January. And look, they’re keen to keep this “working royal” energy going into February! It helps that the narrative coming out of Kensington Palace is “poor William and Kate, left to pick up the slack left by Harry and Meghan, Will & Kate are the good, hard-working royals.” Y’all know what I think about that, so I don’t have to go on a multi-page screed about it.
Anyway, fashion notes… Kate wore a red Zara dress (which we can’t see properly in these photos) and a Hobbs coat. While the Hobbs coat looks familiar, I think that’s just because the duchess owns a million button-covered blue and navy coats, so I have no idea if this is new or old. The Zara dress looks new – I don’t recall Kate ever wearing a red dress below her knees, but who knows, I’m probably wrong. I really appreciate Kate’s colorful scarf too – I like the pop of color with the dull coat, and I like her clutch as well. The slouchy boots are not great though.
So, the message is clear. The Cambridges are good and hard-working and keen, and they are happy to take on more work after they successfully exiled out the Sussexes. No further questions!
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Bless her. She looks like she could serve me a drink on my Virgin Atlantic flight.
Exactly lol
What! My instant thought was “I LOVE this! Wow, she looks so great!” I love love love the scarf with the coat, and the color and length of the dress. I even like her hair, and most importantly- she looks genuinely happy!
She has the same fixed grin on her face.
This is a really good look on her. The hair is pulled back, which should appease all the commenters who loathe her hair.
I agree, she actually looks way better and more relaxed than 2 weeks ago.
I like everything about this look as well. What is such a disappointment to me is we are always reduced to talking about fashion when it comes to Kate. She and William have been gifted with a worldwide platform and an enormous opportunity that not many get to make a huge difference in many peoples’ lives and yet this is what we get. Even her 5-question survey of the century could have been released as a Party Pieces party favor and done about as much good.
I unabashedly love this whole look… also love how they got the Welsh Colors represented by having Will wear the green and Kate the red (and white).
Best comment ever! @T.Fanty
This has Carole Middleton air hostess written all over it
Glad to see them working
Forced touching feels very off
Lovely snarky comments! Plus, she has her beloved buttons!
Did Wills let her touch his shoulder without shrugging it?
If Meghan touched Harry, she’d get criticized non stop. But it’s OK if Kate does it.
Why bring H&M into it? Can’t remember when they ever got called out for touching.
Doobie, Just check out Google and DM archives. She was called out for being Clingy.
Huh? They were constantly being called out for PDA! Holding hands is unroyal and exhibitionist, apparently*
*when the biracial duchess and spouse do it.
They got called out for touching on every single engagement they did. How could you possibly miss it?
They were called unprofessional, breaking protocol, clingy, and more. She had her hand on his back at one point and it was seen as a sign of “control.” I could go on and on.
Too much PDA is indicative of control issues and insecurity.
@Doobie, H&M are constantly called unprofessional for “clinging” onto each other at official events.
Well…he *did* do a subtle one when they were speaking to a group of kids today; she was patting and rubbing his back & arm for about three seconds before he stepped back and shifted his arm away (then he noticed the camera behind them and quickly stepped forward). At least it was more subtle than the flinch from Kate 🙃
They should honestly just be themselves at this point and quit with the blatant attempts at PDA. When your instinct is to flinch or move away from your spouse’s touch, maybe it’s just best to avoid it altogether. It’s too easy for awkward looking moments to surface.
I’m getting pirate vibes from the boots the red and the navy coat…
I hate this outfit, it reminds me of the blue-and-red Molly McIntire American Girl theme.
She needs a new hair do.
Oh, that hair! Can’t somebody do something?
She thinks her hair is her best feature, and is not about to let anyone with nary a pair of nail scissors or box of hair-pins within 50 metres of it.
Yes, she should lose the extensions to start.
I know, I wore my hair like that when I was a kid….I’m now 67.
My first thought: she broke out her bump-it again.
I like the look overall.
It’s good that they’re working more. I don’t like the narrative being pushed, but it’s about time they stepped it up a little.
Totally agree with you. It’s about time W&K stepped up. I will, however, be amazed if they can keep it up. Lol
I think there will be some vacations coming up.
Came here to say this. I’m honestly glad they’re working and hopefully Kate will do more than 160 engagements (her highest) and maybe even hit the 200s
Side note: I actually do like the outfit!
Lol. Let’s see how long the poor souls can keep it up.
They look exhausted already, and in desperate need of an extended holiday. Surely they’re overdue a break on an exclusive tropical island?
I don’t think we’ve seen that coat before, but its possible. How many coats does she have?? I feel like every time we’ve seen her over the past month she’s had had a new coat.
I do like the pop of red though and I’m laughing at the hearts on her scarf. It’s February! Hearts!! I don’t even get annoyed at her love of theme dressing at this point in time, I appreciate that she’s consistent lol.
Becks –
Same about the theme dressing, although I’m horrified to say her and I are in about matching scarves! Mine are flower petals and not hearts though.
She is very consistent in the way she dresses and at least I can appreciate that even though her style isnt my cup of tea, she has found her style niche.
I always dress on theme, so when these negative comments come out…I think it’s fun. I also have young kids, so I do it for them and for when I volunteer for their school parties.
Hey, you do you.
My mom was a kindergarten teacher and she had SO much theme stuff! The kids loved it.
Mrs. Frizzle for the win!
More appearances, good PR, but I am bored!
Soooo bored
Sooooooooo very bored. They are hopelessly boring.
And I am sure she touched him because of the weird dynamic between them that became more apparent after everyone saw repeatedly Meghan and Harry’s natural and physical affection for each other.
Kate is hoping so hard they can pull off the Harry & Megs warm, connected couple vibe but their interactions are always so solitary. I watched the video of their arrival (the Fail describes it as them “Packing on the PDA”) and it is literally Kate touching him on his upper arm as he continues walking without responding. She should just give up rather than continue to draw attention to Will’s lack of warmth. Get a backbone Kate and stop groveling for his attention.
The DM would pick on Meghan for doing the same thing Kate does. This also was pointed out by some of the media.
Tatty hair and contrived arm touching. How droll.
Dang it Kate- you’re an attractive woman with beautiful hair. Stop with the heavy eyeliner and sausage curls! They age you so much.
Her look is fine. Boring as usual.
One of their stops was at a steel plant that it laying off 1000 of its employees. They were there to meet with union representatives & then visit with employees. Don’t understand what value their visit brings here. Sorry Jim, we’re letting you go, but you’ll have a chance to shake hands with a royal on your way out.
I think it’s supposed to be a morale boost. Like “Yeah you’re getting fired but at least you get to hear the future future King and Queen Consort tell you how sorry they feel about it all and give you sympathy!”
Maybe she asked for their opinions on nature vs nurture?
Oh my god, that’s actually rather f-cking horrifying, I’m not going to lie. Granted, I don’t think that when they penciled in this engagement that they really knew this was going to happen at the steel plant, but still. I can’t imagine that someone like smug Willy who likes to lecture about how communities should ‘help themselves’ was of any help at all.
It’s like a scene from The Office.
Come on Kate! You can work work work just like Meg!!! You can show affection just like Meg!!! There can be NO reason to stop working, until that hyperemesis gravidarum!!! 😉
Can we not make jokes about that? It’s actually a very serious condition that endangers both mother and fetus. I’ve said it before that I’m no fan of Kate but that’s going too far. Thanks.
I’ve had HG and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
I never had HG, but the first months I spent on the brink ofwanting to throw up every minute, plus streaching your stomach thin, the labour, and breastfeeding. The thought of having to do all those things again, just no, I’m done. So I can’t imagine why someone with HG keeps having babies.
omg those boots are horrible! what was she thinking!?!?! I’m feeling pretty passionate about this
Another new blue coat to add to the hundreds, to go with her new teeth what is this the 8th time she revised them?? Keep bowing and paying Brits lol.
I like this look! The boots could have been better – maybe a chunky heeled boot? – but I think this is overall a great look for her, especially the hair pulled back (half, anyway), scarf and coat. Looks cosy!
I think a heel would have been better with the dress and coat. To me, the boots don’t go with the rest of the outfit. I am sure I would like these boots with skinnies. I don’t really like her style, it’s just not compatible with mine so every time I see her I see a bunch of things that I would tweak, or just flat out never wear
The boots were a terrible choice.
Katie Keen and Woke Will are working so hard you guys. Poor poppets are going to need a six week vacation soon!
I wonder how they got to Wales? Helicopter? E-vehicle? Private flight? Train?
Helicopter apparently
I think her style is getting better. She looks good here. And zomg, she touched William. Isn’t that a protocol breach?!!!! *eye roll*
They’re try hard PDA is so obvious. We see what you’re doing!
…I love that coat. And while Kate went over-the-top with the red accents, I still really like her outfit. Honestly, I’m here and back again for Kate experimenting with pops of color instead her normal unrelentingly monochromatic outfits.
They have always done the occasional hand on the back/shoulder so I’m not sure what most of you are going on about.
Yep.
Saw her dress on Twitter. It was fine. Don’t think we’ve seen her in it before. Not gonna slag on her. William needs to give up the ghost. Shave your head! I swear it looks as if he’s spraying his head with those fake hair follicles. Looks ridiculous.
hahaha, Wills really should do sth about his hair situation.
Kate looks nice, nothing ground-breaking but very much ok for this engagement.
Her dress was pretty. A nice red sweater dress. She looks fine and seemed engaged.
They will continue to do more work in Wales – as is proper for the lead up to becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Kate is such an inflexible thinker. Budget = Zara.
Gasp! Maybe she’s … merching!
She’s wearing clothes and people have worked out where they’re from! That’s what merching is, right?
Zara is paying her behind the scenes! That’s why she wears them so often. They’re not even a British brand.
/s (In case anyone thought I was actually seriously accusing Kate of merching)
Actually, if Kate were merching in any way and was caught, I would enjoy watching her stans explain why it’s a good thing. They’ve already gone all in on why William should not have had to speak out against the racism thrown at Meghan and Archie. (Meghan has a husband! William needs to protect his family!)
I miss Meghan Harry and Archie, i hope this current lack of info and sightings from them doesn’t become the norm. Do u think it will be? I fear this is why Kate and Will are doing events, ‘yes this is as it should be, we get attention and they get far far less’. If so-snooze
Ugh I miss them too. I understand their reasons for leaving, but now i’m SO BORED.
It makes me so mad. This is what happens when you don’t treat your coworkers right. Idon’t expect Kate has an inch of the charisma Diana had. But Fergie went through a similar thing the press made her look like the bad guy, but Diana paid them no mind, tehy were close and became friends and that was ncice to see. And Wiliiam, with that smirk. He loved that now the press was now calling someone else a social climber other than his wife. After his wife fell flat on her face, you’d think he’d have some sort of sympathy for Meghan, but he didn’t. William and Kate relished every DM article printed about Meghan. They are just mean, leaders they are not. And they think we are content with Sophie as a replacement boring and boring, old and old.
Be careful. Your ageism is showing and it’s ugly.
Honestly, Will and Kate have zero chemistry together. Like Zero. After almost 20 years together, you should at the very least see/feel that old “comfortable warmth” that long time in-love couples have. Like Charles and Camilla — who always seem like they have inside jokes together and really enjoy each others company.
If they weren’t who they are, I would honestly look at pictures of them together and think they are nothing more than people who work together and are showing up at the same event. Familiar with each other, because they work together, but nothing more than that.
Remember how we all knew “Polo Baby” might be on the way because of that sizzle M and H had at that Polo match? We were all fanning ourselves because we could feel that fire through the screen!
At this point, I honestly think that Kate should do some of her own “gardening” on the downlow. If we see Katie Keen suddenly glowing, I’m gonna put on my tin-foil tiara and speculate she got herself a ‘gardener” of her own. . .
I doubt that would ever happen. Kate is completely dependent on William and he knows it. She would never do anything to jeopardize her position here. I don’t feel the least bit sorry for her, either.
I’m not saying it would happen, I just think it “should” happen. Turnabout is fair play.
Also, Kate has more chemistry with Sir Ben Ainsley than anyone else she’s been photographed with. She literally used to light up like a beacon during those outtings. Here’s one with poor Wills looking like the 3rd wheel.
https://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Duke+Duchess+Cambridge+Attend+America+Cup+BlX43h_Nxctx.jpg
In other pics from that set, he gets her undivided attention and there is more than one photo of William as the “third wheel.”
Fair enough. Maybe Kate should continue to taunt William and cause him to feel like a third wheel. That would be well-deserved!!!
Yes! I think she should try to make him feel like a third wheel, if the opportunity arises! Because let’s face it, she’s never looked at Wills like she does Sir Ben! Kate showing her boredom of Wills, might make him take note. I mean, how could she bored with future King William? He of the tall bald head and bland disposition? I mean, who could resist that? (Besides all of Celebitchy! Ha ha)
I appreciate the boots, they seem comfy. Heels would be too dressed up at least for me.
As for hair I appreciate hers.. I wish I had hair like her.. What’s wrong with it?
I dislike this ensemble from what I can see. Wish we could see the dress better, though. I think for me, I just don’t like red and navy blue together. The boots would be better with a completely different outfit.
The coat is BLAH. I’d never buy that. It doesn’t have any design features that make it at all interesting. I think with a red dress, teal, or one of her lighter blue coats would have been so much better. For once in my lifetime, I’d like to see her wearing some interesting foot gear. Alas, that probably won’t ever happen.
She needs a new hairstyle – a major cut to the shoulder, a layered bob. This particular style is both juvenile and aging, if that is even possible! (which I think in her case it is, and has been sort of a pattern with her.) Eye makeup is terrible, as usual. The PDA seems fake. These two, even though they are getting out more recently are so unimpressive, I’m kind of embarrassed for them.
The boots are wrong.
Captain and Mrs. Captain obvious!
Kate is a terrible dresser for her position. She really is okay, but certainly not a fashion icon. She’s certainly not deserving of Vogue accolades of fashionista beyond her “sales power” of items selling out, purchased presumably by other okay dresser, once she wears them. I’m never floored by her choices and on many occasion have thought that I should contact her to be her stylist. Though I am a publicist. She doesn’t wear the most flattering cuts and styles for herself…. is anyone helping her!?!?!
The attempts to mimic H&M in style and interaction would be funny in their hamfistedness if they weren’t so creepy.
Kate looks fine. I want to know a fully broken down itemized cost list for the clothes that she’s wearing here, including what I’m assuming are storage and dry cleaner costs. None of this stuff comes cheap, and she’s costing the British tax payers their hard earned money. Meanwhile, the workers she’s meeting who are going to get laid off have to navigate the intentionally humiliating process to collect the social welfare they’ve rightfully earned after decades of contributing to the economy. The dichotomy becomes more and more disgusting when I think about it.
@STARRYFISH29
“The attempts to mimic H&M in style and interaction would be funny in their hamfistedness if they weren’t so creepy.”
I posted a link about this. Google harry and Meghan Nottingham visit 2018. Katie’s coat, boots and eve flowy dress is reminiscent of Meghan’s brown skirt. The cringy one sided PDA is another attempt to mimic the Sussexs🤦♀️