The coat looks beautiful on Catherine, but I am not a fan the tassels, which seem a little overwrought. Her overall appearance is excellent, but I also think it may be time to give the faux military thing a rest.
Another quibble, which I also made in reference to the Countess of Wessex, is that I prefer to see the larger silk/paper versions of the poppies, rather than the jewelry versions worn alone. The paper or silk versions make more of a statement of remembrance, whereas the jewelry versions strike me as more ornamental.
Kate’s poppy brooch this year seems to be in honor of her grandmother who was a codebreaker. This is a new brooch, introduced this year and sold by the Royal British Legion Shop to commemorate the people who worked at Bletchley Park in WWII.
The purchase of the new brooch contributes to the Legion’s outreach as much as the purchase of paper or silk poppies. (And she wore those last night.)
Here she goes again, playing dress up with her kids, instead of at a formal event
I am sorry but pretending to be wearing a military uniform isn't cute, or a 'respectful nod'. The only people in military uniform should be those in the military or veterans. Or at the very least, wearing a real uniform as a patron. She does this all the time, her little theme outfits. Her 'sailor' look for naval events. Her military look for this. I swear she reminds me of Miss Frizzle.
If she didn't have the tassel look, the coat would be great. Lovely collar.
Her hair is stunning and I love her accessories as well.
I kind of like her hat even, though never a huge fan of these small hats.
Thank you for sharing this information on her poppy.Kate’s poppy brooch this year seems to be in honor of her grandmother who was a codebreaker. This is a new brooch, introduced this year and sold by the Royal British Legion Shop to commemorate the people who worked at Bletchley Park in WWII.
The purchase of the new brooch contributes to the Legion’s outreach as much as the purchase of paper or silk poppies. (And she wore those last night.)
I agree with your comments. She looks like she is playing dress-up. At first I thought she was channeling Diana's "Sgt Pepper suit" except that she was all in black as opposed to Diana's white and gold. She really lost me with the tassels - they look like they were swiped from curtain trim. Given that Catherine Walker did Diana's suit, I wonder if this is the same.
Would have preferred it without the tassels for the Cenotaph but it is a nice coat and a good look. The paper/silk poppies do have a more striking appearances (especially wearing a few together as HM and Cams did) but I would hazard that with 100% of profits going to the Poppy Appeal Catherine's badge meant more money going to veterans than the paper poppies worn by others. I'm not saying that its more important for that but likewise can it really be a bad thing?
I have to agree about the military theme, even as it is carried into the hat. I love the hat and I wore the military version for twenty years. However, I also had a black hat very much the same style that I wore in civvies.Absolutely not a fan of the tassles or the military theme dressing tbh. It never sits right with me when she (or any royal lady who hasnt served) does military theme dressing for military events. Unpopular opinion but there it is. (Note, this is IMO different than say Anne wearing an actual uniform).
What is more, its just a rather severe look.
I do, however, love her fascinator.
Catherine looked very regal, IMO.
My one criticism is why must she have a new coat every year, this is an event that would lend itself well to her regularly re-wearing a few chosen coats on an ongoing basis.
Good point, she is very retro and maybe all for her grandmother. All is beautiful except the zipper!,on the coat and the pull right at her throat. One of my absolute favorite hairdos on her. Yes a long way from the sausage curls hanging in the face.What I liked about this year's look is that actually back in the 1940s, the military aspects of an outfit were very much the rage. So, in a way, fitting for remembering those that served and died in WWII with the retro fashion of that era.
I still have my mother's 1940s rhinestone American flag pendant she wore while my dad was overseas with the Navy during WWII. I think I'll dig that out and wear it tomorrow just because I can as its Veteran's Day here in the US. ?