Strictly Kate (Catherine - The Duchess of Cambridge): August 2014

Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Young Royals Pay Tribute to British Lives Lost in WW1

Daily Mail/Getty Images

On Tuesday, William and Kate, along with Prince Harry travelled to the Tower of London to, officially, unveil Paul Cummins' Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red.

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This "spectacular" art installation of ceramic red poppies marked the centenary of the First World War.

Tower of London on FB

When the last poppy is planted on November 11, Armistice Day, there will be a total of 888,246 poppies around the tower - one for each British and Colonial fatality during the war. It will also, symbolically, mark the end of the First World War in 1918.

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Daily Mail/Andrew Parsons/I-Images

The tower was where more than 1,600 men swore an oath to the crown in August 1914 after enlisting for the war.

Tower of London on FB

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The trio climbed the Middle Tower to view the artwork from above, before walking through the field of poppies, accompanied by General Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London and his wife, Lady Dannatt. They then, each planted their own red poppy in tribute to the war dead to join the huge red sea of poppies.

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Then they walked around the moat to see more of the artwork, where they were cheered by crowds who had lined the banks.

Daily Mail/Steventon/Historic Royal Palaces

Daily Mail

Daily Mail/Steventon/Historic Royal Palaces

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So far 120,000 ceramic flowers have been planted but by the time its finished there will be 888,246. Each one is hand made (and unique) by a team 35 people and each takes around three days to create.

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All flowers are to be sold off - raising millions to be split between six charities with links to Armed Forces.

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L.K. Bennett

Kate looked vibrant and recycled her snorkel blue, L.K. Bennett Detroit Dress (£225). The structured frock features a unique notch collar detail, cinched waist, and ladylike knee-length hem with a centered back split.

'My Small Obsessions' on FB

The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing a new pair of navy suede round toe pumps by Jimmy Choo (thanks to 'My Small Obsessions' on FB for the ID).

Additional Details

'Style: Georgia

These column shaped heels are a stylish alternative to super skinny stilettos.

The rounded toe shape works in perfect harmony with the chunkier heel which will keep you on
your feet.

$650

Heel measures 90mm/3.5'

Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley

In her hand, Kate held her matching suede Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley ‘Muse’ clutch.

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The Duchess wore a new Empress Mini White Gold and Diamond Pendant (and again thanks to 'My Small Obsessions' on FB for the ID) by Mappin & Webb (£1,850).

Mappin & Webb

Additional Details

'A sparkling and versatile diamond pendant from the Mappin & Webb Empress collection set with 0.40 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds in 18 carat white gold on a 46cm (18 inch) chain adjustable to 40.5cm (16 inches).

The motif measures 15mm (0.59 inches) in diameter.
Diamond Carat: 0.4 Carat'

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Cartier

Completing her ensemble, Kate wore her sapphire and diamond earrings, her Ballon Bleu de Cartier wrist watch and her sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

William & Kate Travel to Belgium to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of WWI

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William and Kate joined world leaders in the east Belgium city of Liege to mark 100 years since Britain entered the First World War.

Robert Jobson @theroyaleditor on Twitter

Britain plunged into war with Germany at 11pm on August 4, 1914 and an estimated 17 million soldiers and civilians were killed during the bloody conflict.

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The Cambridge's first stop was at the L’Abbaye Saint-Laurent where they were greeted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

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Representing the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a morning ceremony of commemoration at the Cointe Inter-allied Memorial. They were joined by dignitaries from countries across Europe, including France, Belgium and Germany along with families of the fallen.

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Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo (@eliodirupo on Twitter)

Upon commencement of the ceremony, a luncheon was held at Belgium’s Prince-Bishops’ Palace.

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Daily Mail/Andrew Parsons/I-Images

After lunch, William and Kate (and also where the couple were joined by Prince Harry) headed to the events in Mons — the scene of a do-or-die rearguard action by British troops later in August 1914, and also the place where the last British soldier was killed on November 11, 1918.

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The Mons ceremony focused on the small military cemetery of St Symphorien, where 229 Commonwealth and 284 German solders were buried together.

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Daily Mail/Geoff Pugh

As the sun went down, the trio attended the third and last commemorative event of the day. It was an hour-long twilight service at the Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons.

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The event was organized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and included music and poetry.

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Daily Mail/Alan Davidson

The Duchess couldn't have chosen a more appropriate ensemble and looked stunning in a bespoke, cream coat dress by Alexander McQueen. It featured a full pleated skirt, long sleeves, dropped waist and an adorable Peter Pan collar.

Farfetch.com

Thanks for the tip from 'Kate's Closet on FB, who shared a similar Alexander McQueen coat dress currently on sale for $2,883.45 (originally $4,276.35). The black wool blend coat features a turnover collar, a fitted waist, long sleeves, a flared and pleated lower section and a pleated storm flap to the rear.

Daily Mail/PA

Kate topped off the look with a matching 'Fleur - Ruffle' beret adorned with dusty pink peonies by Jane Taylor. The summery blooms perched atop her hat seemed to echo the fresh flowers laid on the war memorial at St Symphorien cemetery in Mons by Prince William.

janetaylormillinery.com

Additional details

Classic straw beret with intricate tonal hand dyed ruffle detail

£615

LK Bennett

'My Small Obsessions' on FB

Daily Mai/AFP/Getty Images

Kiki McDonough

Completing her outfit, the Duchess wore her favorite pair of nude LK Bennett Sledge heels, her bespoke Alexander McQueen clutch and kept her signature tousled tresses pinned back to reveal her Kiki McDonough diamond and pearl drop earrings.