Princess Kate wore Barbour, Ralph Lauren & WNU in Northern Ireland

Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out for a “surprise” trip to Northern Ireland. There was some debate about when this visit was scheduled, and whether it came together last-minute because the Duchess of Sussex was scheduled to speak at Fortune’s summit in DC. While I think there are arguments to be made about this visit likely being on the books for weeks, let me also say that I don’t believe William and Kate have earned the benefit of the doubt. Not with how they’ve behaved in the past two months, and not after they’ve made a point of rushing around, trying to look busy whenever the Sussexes are doing anything.

Some fashion notes – for the first part of the Northern Ireland activities, Kate wore a years-old bespoke McQueen coat, one which we’ve seen her in many times. Later in the day, she removed the McQueen coat and donned her favorite Barbour jacket, which she’s also worn many times. She also wore a WNU wool cardigan which is (imo) very ugly. If the skirt looks familiar, it’s because we first saw it one month ago. It’s Ralph Lauren, and she wore it for her Scouts event with Melania Trump. It looked awful on her then and now. I think she’s trying to evoke some 1970s New England WAG vibe but it’s not working.

The Daily Mail and Mail Plus have been churning through so many “remember when” pieces in recent days, for no reason at all – there’s actual new photos and stories about the Waleses and the Sussexes, I have no idea why they’re like “hey, remember when William and Kate were thrilled when Harry and Meghan left the UK?” But that’s an actual top story in the Mail’s royals section. They also did an extremely obvious piece about how KATE is the “magical Disney princess.” Right after the British press had a meltdown over the Sussexes’ visit to Disneyland and their appearance in a pro-Disneyland program on ABC.

Here’s a video (it’s a compilation of videos) from the Waleses’ trip to Northern Ireland. In motion, you can really see that the palace gopher slapped that hairpiece onto the back of Kate’s head. It’s not blended whatsoever.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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89 Responses to “Princess Kate wore Barbour, Ralph Lauren & WNU in Northern Ireland”

  1. I think they both look drab in what they are wearing. All the over acted smiles and laughter are a look at us we are so good together lol.

    • Chloe says:

      They have been trying to create a “candid” picture of her lovingly gazing at him for ages now and it just doesn’t look good at all.

      Her make up is also annoying me. She just slapped that bronzer on

      • Indica says:

        I’m waiting for the story on ‘while we’re not perfect together, we’re here for king and country and service’. Translation: We hate each other but Kate wants the throne.

      • Miranda says:

        She’s always trying to use bronzer as contour and it makes me want to scream. I also think she doesn’t know her undertones. Someone please take her to the f–king MAC counter!

    • convict says:

      Ewww, they don’t wash their hands before touching food. I hope no one ate that! That is truly disgusting. Imagine if they don’t wash their hands when they go to the bathroom? Ewww.

      Imagine getting a big gob of Kate’s fake hair covered in greasy hair product.

      • cws says:

        Kate’s skirt looks off because she needs to wear a half slip underneath it. it shouldn’t be clinging to her as if it’s underwear. It looks particularly off when she walks and you see it cling to her legs instead of moving around her as a skirt with its own movement

      • BeanieBean says:

        That got me, too! They were just outside picking apples, then shook a lot of hands, then started in on the dough?! Ew, gross!

        And can I say–just sliced apples on very thick dough & that’s it? No sugar, no cinnamon, no little dollop of butter in there? Just a lot of dough & maybe a quarter of an apple? No thank you.

      • Lady D says:

        Here’s me thinking she’s just swimming in those pants.

      • Lorelei says:

        There always has to be a fun little “activity” for them! ALWAYS! They’re like children on a field trip, there not to serve but to be entertained while they also do some “learning.” SMH

    • ClammanderJen says:

      Except for the 70s schoolmarm skirt, I really like these looks on Kate — she actually seems comfortable in them, as opposed to Mormon-prairie-tradwife and dress-coat Kate. Good colors on her, too, and I appreciate the textiles/texture. Trade the skirt for her jeggings and boots, and that’s a Kate I could almost believe has character.

      I don’t even register William in pictures anymore. He is a non-entity and a black hole of personality.

      And for god sake’s, the hair. Cut. The. Hair. It’s like god-amned Fox News porn hair.

      • Lawrenceville says:

        KKKHate doesn’t need to cut anything that isn’t there, she just needs to buy shorter better looking wigs. Like, how hard is that for a person with this much boatloads of money? Sigh, all these left-overs-on-salty-island people have no sense.

      • Lorelei says:

        We’ve heard forever that William “prefers long hair,” but I wonder what he thinks of this current mess on her head. I know he’s a guy, but even HE must notice/see how ridiculous she looks? And her own hair IS still long! We saw it in those paparazzi photos from one of their ski trips. She could find a good stylist to work with her natural hair to give it more volume or whatever and lose the gophers and she would look so, SO much better. Sigh.

        @ClammanderJen, I didn’t even realize it until you said it, but same re: William. I don’t even notice him anymore (unless the sad little struggle beard is looking particularly straggly. Or he’s saying something offensive.).

      • Jaded says:

        Even Amal Clooney chopped 8 inches of useless hair or extensions off and it looks great

    • KC says:

      Their faces must hurt from all that smiling.

      • HGL says:

        What’s wrong with her left eye?! It looks swollen. And why in all the pictures does she keep grabbing her fingers like they hurt?

        Are they still doing the pillow-thing? :0

  2. Tessa says:

    Scooter looks like he’s braying and she gives the festive glances. Her hair looks even worse. When will she get a clue and get a better hairdo and a trim. Scooter is trying to spin look we are so happy

    • Lorelei says:

      “Festive glance” is the gift that keeps on giving. It never gets old and I still find it funny ever single time it’s mentioned. Chris Ship had no idea what he was starting, lol.

  3. Tessa says:

    No hairnet so her hair could go into the food

    • inge says:

      ‘Waiter there seems to be a hair extension in my soup’

    • convict says:

      How about washing their hands before touching food. I did cooking at school and we were never allowed to cook without tying our hair back (or use hair net), no nail polish or jewellery and having to wash our hands.

  4. Amy Bee says:

    Kate’s outfits yesterday were terrible. I’m starting to think that in her bid to be taken more seriously by the press she let her stylist go and has decided to dress herself. She has absolutely no fashion sense.

    • Sunshine says:

      I think they cut her budget so Peggy can pay for Gizelle.

    • jais says:

      I’m just happy when it’s clearly not a Meghan-inspired day. I prefer this kind of costume than business suit Kate.

      • Amy Bee says:

        @Jais: So true.

      • Miranda says:

        Yeah, I guess it’s preferable to copy-keening, but “costume” really says it all. She looks so unnatural and…effortful? What’s the opposite of effortless? Try-hard? Studied?

        Whatever. My point is that, much like Kate herself, it just doesn’t work.

    • lizziebee says:

      What on earth is going on with Kate and her fashions. Other than the State Visit from Trump last month her outfits are just dire.. so drab and dreary. Where have all the bright cheerful colours gone or is this some secret code for how she’s feeling? Whatever it is I wish she’d get back to how she used to dress.. So boring…

      • First comment says:

        Everything she wears is just a way to make people talk about it in order to draw attention on the clothes or the hair instead of her weight…that’s the whole point…everyone notices her bad hair and drab clothes and ignore the real issue of Kate…

      • Myself says:

        I like most of the pieces. Not as she’s assembled them, but heck – I grew up in CT in the 80s, it’s a familiar look to me and I probably wore similar stuff. And brown is the “new color” this fall, so drab is in 🙂

      • Lorelei says:

        @LizzieBee, right? There are some beautiful “autumnal” colors she could wear, but she always looks drab. Drab is the only word to describe it. Such a waste, with her budget and resources, for us to be so bored with everything she wears.

    • BeanieBean says:

      It’s her sweet nod to Annie Hall. 🙄

      • Chrissy says:

        LOL! She probably has no clue who Annie Hall or Diane Keaton (RIP!) was! Diane had her own style as well as was very well respected in her field. Kate’s only claims to fame are her history of flashing, her laziness and racism, her tragic hair and clothing situations and her quest to capture and keep Willnot. I know who I respect more!

      • Lorelei says:

        @BeanieBean you just know your comment is going to be a headline on the Fail as soon as someone there sees it! Don’t give them ideas!

  5. ParkRunMum says:

    OMG. And LOL. That photo of William just grinning from ear to ear is …something. Like, hysteria tingling in the wings, possibly the prelude to breaking into song, possibly the last wobble before he descends into madness. And emerges as an alter ego to Jack Nicholson in The Shining. He’s heeeeeere….. there was a column that Marina Hyde wrote — when I still read her column, before she joined the Sussex-bashing bandwagon — in which she mocked Boris Johnson’s election campaign, opining that he was just cosplaying a series of menial jobs, deemed “essential” to getting out the white working class vote. Like, let’s play a postman! Let’s play a truck driver! Let’s play a baker, or, like Trump, a McDonald’s server! Let’s play a construction worker!!! She said, and I spit my tea when I read this phase, it’s like he’s barebacking groupies and calling it an election campaign, or words to that effect. That’s what the royals do….. when they’re out of ideas. They cosplay normal people. Every ancien regime that went down that road …ended. It’s like Marie Antoinette and her sheep.

  6. inge says:

    Why not wear a nice knitted sweater no need for a cardigan&whatever that black thing underneath is combo

    • First comment says:

      She wears a lot of layers to create the illusion of normal size…

      • mycatlovestv says:

        Let me go up into my attic and see if I still have one of those puffy winter parkas we used to wear back in the day. That *might* help with the “normal size” issue!

    • Lorelei says:

      Some jewel tones would be nice, too! I’m so tired of the green and brown (and still traumatized by the color of that VB green suit from the other day).

  7. Dee(2) says:

    This is all that I’m going to say. I had to take a screenshot of my news aggregator home screen yesterday because it was so preposterous.

    One article said ” Meghan Markle speaks at Powerful Women Summit in Washington as new pictures emerge”. The article directly underneath it? “Princess Kate’s hilarious demand as she and Prince William enjoy a fire engine ride”.

    Two events by 40 plus professionals yesterday.

    • jais says:

      I kind of remember taking a class trip to the fire station when I was in preschool. Similar vibes. I’m sure they enjoyed a fire engine ride lol. I don’t even mind these type of events though. They should be out doing something right? It’s the performative part of doing events whenever the sussexes are out and then emoting for the camera more than the actual people they’re meeting that gets me. But yeah, the juxtaposition of this with Meghan’s interview is something.

      • Lorelei says:

        @Dee, it would be funny if William wasn’t actually about to become a head of state, given billions of taxpayer funds.

        @Jais, I said the same thing upthread— they always seem like small children on a field trip! They’re ostensibly there to “learn” something, but the organizers always also need to plan some sort of fun little activity to hold their attention.

        I’m sure W&K do it because they think if they cook something or whatever it will result in all sorts of great candid photos — it does not — but considering their ages and positions, it is so embarrassing! I can understand maybe throwing in a few things like this during Kate’s first few months as a royal, to give her some “down time” during engagements and to give her a chance to show the public her lighthearted side (lol), but we’re a decade and a half in and this is just mortifying.

        Not to mention how much work they create for other people, who have to plan, prepare, and then clean up the messes these two make. Ridiculous.

        It was always stupid, but compared to the work the Sussexes are doing, they look like even more of a joke. They are so unserious.

    • Unblinkered says:

      @Dee2 – it’s time the British newspapers finally started doing their job and reported W&K for the failures that they are. Can you imagine Charles & Diana back in the day carrying out so pathetic an engagement?

  8. Jais says:

    Is that even 1970s New England WaG style? I have no idea. It looks to me like something from a period piece, like I’d expect to see a character from All Creatures Great and Small wearing this or something. So still costumey. The Barbour jacket looks great and functional.

  9. Terri says:

    Kate’s weight loss is alarming in these photos. More skeleton than usual, too many demands on her vacation time? Seriously though, she has no top lip

    • convict says:

      Yes, I commented in the other thread. She’s fading away to a shadow. It seems no one cares about her enough. She looks like this emaciated woman near my home who used to exercise ferociously, but who recently passed.

    • Me at home says:

      Why isn’t Carole trying to help her, even if Willy and the rest of the Windsors can’t be bothered? Someone should tell Carole that Kate has to be alive to wear the crown.

  10. SuOutdoors says:

    I never liked Kate’s girlish skirts, the endless buttons and these drab coatdresses. But this outfit was the ugliest ever. Even without stylist – who would let her leave the house dressed like that??? And doesn’t she get to see the pictures after her engagements? Everyone can see these awful wiglets, how couldn’t she?

  11. Becks1 says:

    this outfit is awful. It’s just horrible. and its not the individual pieces – that jacket is a nice classic jacket but does not work at all with the skirt and sweater. the sweater is actually nice IMO and while classic, also pretty on trend for this fall/winter. But it looks horrible the way it is styled over the turtleneck with that skirt. And that skirt is just beyond saving.

    I “know” why she changes outfits mid-day at visits like this – so she looks busier than she is – but its also just so mindboggling to me. No other royal does that. She didn’t just take off the coat (although she was wearing the skirt and turtleneck under it) – she seems to have added the cardigan, then added the barbour coat and then changed her boots.

    WHY. Just wear something appropriate for the entire day. A nice pair of slacks, sensible boots, and that cardigan could have worked for the whole day. The costume changes are ridiculous and insulting to the public.

    • 2131Jan says:

      Each outfit change = another “work” event in the court circular. Change clothes to make it look like she’s doing multiple “jobs”. WTF do they think they’re fooling??

    • Mei says:

      Agree with all of this! Individually the pieces are solid, especially the jacket and cardigan, but putting them together ruins it completely. She’s trying to monochrome like Meghan but it isn’t working at all. Yes not everyone has an eye for style but that’s why you HIRE someone. Or at least someone half decent. Why the cardigan over the turtleneck, just why. Honestly even the skirt individually could look nice if styled better, I’m no stylist but imagine it with a long sleeved white shirt, a dark brown belt with a dark gold buckle, some lighter gold jewellery, a cropped tan jacket and some mid-brown leather boots. Not perfect but miles better!

    • Jay says:

      Exactly what I was thinking – the pieces themselves are classics, they just shouldn’t all be worn together this way! The heavy turtleneck with a wool cardigan buttoned up all the way to the top AND a heavy waxed jacket? It’s like she pulled out all of her autumnal “country squire” coded clothes and then was like eff it, I’lm gonna wear all of it!

      • Chrissy says:

        Maybe it’s because she has no body fat and is freezing all the time, hence the multiple layers? OTOH, how cold could it be in NI? Anyway, I think she’s really struggled looking well put together since Natasha Archer left, what with her tragic hair situation and the hit-and-miss clothing choices. You’d think she could look more professional after all this time.

      • jais says:

        I wondered if the cardigan was scratchy and the turtleneck underneath made it easier to wear?

    • BeanieBean says:

      And may I just add–she tucked in that cardigan. The cardigan is cropped, who tucks in a cropped cardigan?!

  12. AtAngie says:

    There is something seriously going on with her. Is she sicker than what we are lead to believe. The weight loss is very alarming. She covers it up by wearing layers and loose and baggy clothes. I can see it am sure the Rota can. It seems like no one is allowed to address the issue in the press.

  13. Thatgirltothere says:

    They both look so… unfortunate. All that money and they can’t find a good tailor for proper suiting for that man. No moisturizer for his obviously dry skin, or a proper barber for a proper his hair.

    She just looks like her usual self… she’s trying to mix up her style so as not to be so obvious in her copying of Meghan but she just looks kind of drab. Even when she’s copying, she can’t seem to get it right.

    I don’t know why she can’t watch a tutorial on how to wear hair pieces. They’re right there on the information superhighway for free. It’s another thing Meghan has over her, no hair pieces!

    • Becks1 says:

      the hair thing is so weird to me because her hair did not used to look this bad. In the post yesterday about the fashion lines closing. Kaiser posted pictures of Kate through the years in the different fashions, and the difference in her hair was so drastic – and not just when she was pregnant.

      in the past few years something has changed and her extensions and wiglets are so obvious now and also just look bad. She went from having hair that people envied (even if there were still extensions and wiglets) to whatever the hell is going on on the top of her head now.

      • Nic919 says:

        Her hair was shorter, which looks better and it was closer to her original dark brown hair. The blondish colour doesn’t work on her and looks like straw.

        (Not my king on twitter poster a clip of her working on some old fashioned machine to make straw and said she was making a new wig… and that is what the hair looks like)

      • AMB says:

        Absolutely no snark, hair loss is a symptom of malnutrition. From the visual evidence, her issues seem far more serious than bad wiglets.

  14. Hypocrisy says:

    I think they dress just like their personalities… it’s literally a reflection of themselves.. wrinkled, drab, underwhelming and just ugly.

  15. Kirsten says:

    None of the pieces she’s wearing seem to go together — they don’t layer well and it makes the whole outfit seem a bit drab.

    • kelleybelle says:

      All designed to hide her extreme thinness. That being said, I thought they weren’t going to report on Kate’s “fashion” anymore. I wish to God she’d just cut her hair. It doesn’t suit her the way it does Meghan.

      • jais says:

        At the same time though, sometimes she wears something that really accentuates her thinness, like the blue dress at Wimbledon. So idk that I see that really. This just looks like she was an extra in that Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society movie. Then at Wimbledon she’ll pull out a dress that isn’t hiding anything. Maybe that’s due to the temperature difference but still.

  16. MaisiesMom says:

    I’m fine with all of the individual pieces in this outfit, including the skirt. It’s very classic New England-y Autumn, on brand for Ralph Lauren. The sweater is a nice neutral staple piece. The jacket is serviceable, but with pants or jeans, not a skirt like this. There are too many layers and she’s overdressed. I agree she looks so thin and it’s alarming.

  17. Texas Hold 'Em says:

    WE’RE! HAVING! SO! MUCH! FUN!
    WE! LOVE! EACH! OTHER! SO! MUCH!

  18. lamejude says:

    The sweater isn’t ugly on its own, but the way she has it styled is all wrong.

    If it was worn with jeans, and the sweater was unbuttoned and slouchy with tshirt under it, that would be a much better look.

    Don’t wear a chunky knit and pretend it’s sleek shell.

  19. Bethany says:

    That hair looks just like a horse’s tail.

  20. Kim says:

    This outfit is crazy, crazier than probably anything I’ve ever seen her wear. Unless it’s a thin knit, there is nothing I hate more than a sweater tucked in. And a bulky wool cardigan that’s being worn over what looks like another sweater underneath? She looks like someone’s elderly Nan who wears all her clothes at once because she’s always cold. I can’t even imagine the temperature inside all of those clothes.

  21. MsKrisTalk says:

    Dreadful

  22. fwiw says:

    I think she dresses drab to look unhealthy enough to justify her “I’m still sick” approach to royal work.

    Kate’s presentation reminds me of a younger Camilla, often pictured outdoors hanging with her dogs or hunting, layered in sweaters & jackets without a care as to fashion. Maybe this is how women in historic mansions surrounded by hundreds of acres of national park land dress? That will be her in a few weeks.

    • MaisiesMom says:

      I feel like with Camilla, that was pretty authentic to who she was/is. She was sporty, she rode horses, she spent a lot of time in the country. With Kate it’s hard to tell why she’s wearing this. It isn’t for reasons of practicality, unless she’s just cold and needs layers? But there are more fashionable ways of layering.

  23. olliesmom says:

    It’s like she doesn’t know how to work her hands or what to do with them.

    Lots of baggy layers. Is it really that cold there this time of year? I would be a sweaty mess!

  24. tamsin says:

    I think in Kate’s case, because she seems to have not much flesh on her bones, she probably needs layers just to keep warm. I watched the clip of Kate and William making apple bread and it was like watching paint dry. Some banter would have helped, or some conversation would have helped. And neither look in the least interested in even tasting the bread.

    • Iolanthe says:

      Of course they have to spin and weave and bake and pick fruit ..always hot on the heels of whatever Meghan has done or is doing . Desperate , pathetic, unfortunate..these should definitely be their new titles ..because it isnt working. Its as dull as ditchwater and phony as hell. Kate seems strong enough, despite presumed cancer or starvation diets ,to handle machinery and clamber out of fire trucks without a helping hand from her gallant Prince . Forget offering support ..there isnt a backward glance after he gets out ahead of her. She has to do the needy grope ,or pat whenever he is within reach . I am amazed she hasn’t been shelved like most of the namesake Catherines before her ..the family is full of divorces and second spouses, including his father the King. It would just make sense to separate from someone you can hardly bear to look at . But no Kate is clinging on like grim death ..has to get to the finish line and get that crown at all costs .

      • Chrissy says:

        Oh, somehow I’m sure that Carole Middleton has enough dirt on Willnot to keep Cannot tethered to him and her future crown come hell or high water. However, both his lack of interest in her and her desperation to hold on to the fantasy of an oh-so-in-love couple have become really obvious and uncomfortable to watch. He’s just barely going through the motions, isn’t he?

      • Unblinkered says:

        @Iolanthe
        “But no Kate is clinging on like grim death ..has to get to the finish line and get that crown at all costs”
        And to thwart William’s preferred plans, no matter what…. KM’s behaviour has always hinted at a highly vengeful woman.

  25. Mslove says:

    Same old, same old. Peg attempts to act like a peasant in the kitchen and everyone laughs at his antics. Yawn.

  26. therese says:

    I wasn’t going to watch the video, and then I said, Oh, ok. That photographer deserves an academy award. I’ve never seen such good camera work. At any rate, couldn’t finish, and the last picture I’ve seen so often: fun with kit and bill. I’m over it.

  27. Lorelei says:

    Against my better judgment, I watched the video, and am left with the question of what on earth was the purpose of any of this, except to make W&K look like they’re working and to give the ROTA some new photos? How is this visit benefiting anyone in any way?? How is any of what they did “service” to crown or country?

    Also, the man who greeted them when they first got out of the car looked super unimpressed with them both, lol.

  28. Elly says:

    They both look so awkward it’s hard to watch. Kate again looks like she’s dressed for a role. I like the Barbour coat but I agree that some color contrast would look great. Fair Isle sweaters are trending here in the US (not sure if that’s the case in UK). A pullover with an autumnal color pattern would be such a nice contrast with the coat. Plus I believe it’s a UK brand. I agree that straight leg jeans or slacks would look better than the skirt. I’ve always read that it’s better to balance a baggy item with something more tailored. Not baggy with baggy. I read in the above comments that she may not actually have a stylist. Someone also in a previous article mentioned that the RF gets their clothes for free. I wonder if she picks her own clothes or just has to take what she’s given. Her hair is not flattering at all and actually detracts from her looks. IMO a wavy lob would look great on her and more modern. She is a good looking woman and with all their money why can’t she hire a stylist?

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