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.

Daily Mail/AP
 
Daily Mail/Paul Brown/REX
 
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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Daily Mail/Neil Warner/Splash News
 
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
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
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.

Mirror
 
L.K. Bennett
 
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

Daily Mail/EPA
 
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.

Daily Mail/EPA
 
Daily Mail/EPA
 
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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Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
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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Daily Mail/REX
 
Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo (@eliodirupo on Twitter)
 
Upon commencement of the ceremony, a luncheon was held at Belgium’s Prince-Bishops’ Palace.

Daily Mail/Alan Davidson/The Picture Library Ltd
 
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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Zimbio
 
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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.

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX
 
Daily Mail/PA
 
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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Zimbio
 
The event was organized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and included music and poetry.

Daily Mail/Getty Images
 
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
 
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.