Kate's First Solo Engagement!

Last night, The Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first official solo engagement, stepping in for her father-in-law at a private charity event.

Kate undertook the role at Clarence House after the Prince of Wales was called away on a trip to Riyadh to offer condolences to the Saudi Royal Family following the death of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

The event was a dinner for In Kind Direct, an organization which takes surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers and distributes them to charities.

Kate wore a vintage floor-length pale blue evening gown with a delicately beaded halter neck that extended round her bust. The dress was designed by one of her favourite couturiers, Amanda Wakeley, and was from her Fall 2006 collection

The Duchess had her glossy chestnut hair pulled up into a glamorous half up, half down do. Underneath Kate’s stylish half-up, half-down hairstyle a prominent three-inch scar could be seen on the side of her left temple.

A spokesman for the Duchess at St James’s Palace confirmed last night that it was the result of surgery as a young child. ‘The scar related to a childhood operation.’

To complete her look, she added diamond drop-earrings and a matching diamond bracelet that we've seen her wear on previous occasions. The origins of this jewelry are still  unknown.

Update 10/28/2011

In one of the pictures above, there is just a peek of a silver shoe under Kate's dress. I was able to get an HQ picture and it looks like Kate is wearing her Jimmy Choo 'Vamp' sandals in champagne glitter $750. She wore these to the Bafta Dinner in LA earlier this year.

Kate - the Lady in Red

Last night William & Kate were guests of honor at a fundraising gala evening at St James's Palace.The event was hosted by the 100 Women in Hedge Funds and raised £675,000 for the Child Bereavement Charity -- a cause close to William's heart. This marks a first royal patronage for the Duchess.

Kate dazzled in a red floor-length red dress with billowing sleeves by Beulah London. The low-cut, pillar-box, maxi-length evening gown emphasized Kate's beautiful figure.

The gorgeous silk jersey dress is the 'Sarai Dress' (£565) from the Beulah London Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection. It is also available in navy blue. www.beulahlondon.com/

The Duchess accessorized with a gold clutch, her sapphire and diamond engagement ring and a pair of diamond earrings that we have not seen before. Her shiny hair hung loose around her shoulders.

Update 10/19/2011

After finding a HQ picture, I think I have ID'd Kate's clutch. It is the 'Edith' Gold Glitter Clutch (£160.00) by Wilbur & Gussie. As of this writing, it's currently sold out. www.wilburandgussie.com/

Information from the Wilbur & Gussie Website:

"It's an envelope style clutch with an inside pocket and optional wrist strap. It comes in 100% silk or metallic weave. It holds more than just credit cards and cash. It lets you throw in your blackberry, keys and lippy and is becoming the firm favourite season after season.

•Size: 26.5 x 15.5 cm
•Made in Spain
•Edith was named after Brett's border terrier."

On a side note, this was the same clutch that Pippa paired with her dress to the 2011 Boodles Boxing Ball.

William & Kate Visit Children with Cancer at The Royal Marsden Hospital

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge spent the afternoon meeting medical staff, young patients and their parents at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in South London, to open a new £18 million children's cancer unit. It was their second official engagement since their wedding.

This was a cause close to the heart of Princess Diana, who was patron of the hospital and William became president of the Royal Marsden in May 2007.

 

Kate was all smiles in an elegant oatmeal colored, figure-hugging Amanda Wakeley dress. The knee-length dress with three quarter sleeves is the Sculpted Felt Long Sleeved Seamed Dress (£450) currently available on the Amanda Wakeley website in sizes 10, 12 & 14 www.amandawakeley.com

Description from the Amanda Wakeley Website:

'Sculpted Felt knee length fitted dress with 3/4 length sleeves and a slash neck. Features seam detailing. The cut of this dress really contours and flatters the body.'

Amanda Wakely confirmed Kate's choice on Twitter

'See The Duchess of Cambridge looking stunning wearing AW'11 amandawakeley.com/in-the-press/t... She also snapped up the dress in black and gunmetal!'

She accessorized with her LK Bennett 'Sledge 2' pumps and her LK Bennett 'Natalie' clutch.

Kate kept her jewelry simple. She wore her diamond cross necklace and her Kiki McDonough 'Grace' earrings.

Photo credit: Diana's Jewel

Kate Attends the Sutton - Colthurst Wedding

Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the wedding of their close friends Thomas Sutton and Harriet Colthurst at St Mary and St Nicholas Church in Wilton, Wiltshire.

William arrived early to fulfil his duties as an usher and later (in time for the ceremony), Kate was accompanied by her friend Louise Aubrey-Fletcher.

Kate dazzled in a stunning Collette Dinnigan mid-length raspberry coloured lace dress, fascinator, clutch and Prada heels.

The dress looks reminiscent of the blue Erdem dress Kate wore on her Canada Tour.

Kate's shoes were Prada Patent Platform Pumps in Burgundy - classic patent leather on a slim, 4 1/2" cigarette heel $720. Description from the Saks Fifth Avenue website:

•Self-covered heel, 4½" (115mm)
•Covered platform, ½" (15mm)
•Compares to a 4" heel (100mm)
•Leather lining and sole
•Padded insole
•Made in Italy

Update 9/26/2011

This morning Collette Dinnigan confirmed via her Facebook page that Kate, in fact, did wear her dress: "Kate Middleton wears Collette Dinnigan Red French Floral lace Dress to friends wedding in Wiltshire on Saturday September 24, 2011."

I also want to thank loyal follower Britt for her confirmation!

I haven't been able to get a good look at Kate's clutch but it looks very much like her Aspinal of London "Eaton" clutch that we've seen on various occasions.

Kate wore the diamond bracelet that she wore to the BAFTA's on her 2011 North America Tour.

Photo Credit: Diana's Jewels

Update 9/27/2011

The latest news from Collette Dinnigan is that Kate's dress was an exclusive design from the Resort '12 collection, and will be available in stores at the end of October.

On the Friday before The Sutton - Colthurst Wedding, Kate made a 4 hour stop at her hair salon to get her beautiful tresses coiffured.

 Kate wore black skinny jeans, a cream v-neck sweater, black suede knee-high boots, and her navy Mulberry Polly Push Lock purse $1300.

Update 11/13/2011

Thanks so much to follower 'LittleMo' who shared a story that was in The Daily Mail. The Collette Dinnigan dress was actually Carole Middletons'. Carole Middleton purchased and wore the dress in 2009 for the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition.

Update 12/11/2011

Kate's suede knee-high boots have been ID'd. According to the 'Coolspotters' website they are the Russell & Bromley 'Charge It' boots (£270 and currently sold out).

Photo credit: Get What Kate Wore

Kate Spotted Shopping at Peter Jones

Earlier today, Kate was spotted leaving a Peter Jones store in London (part of the John Lewis home goods chain). She reportedly picked up some essential items for her new home at Kensington Palace.

After her shopping trip, she left via a chauffeured car.

Kate wore Paige Denim Skyline Ankle Peg jeans ($189), flats and a peasant top that looks similar to the 'Lace Trim Square Cut Blouse' (£65) from the Warehouse chain that she bought back in April 2010.  The bottom ruffle of the blouse looks slightly different to the Warehouse one...stay tuned.

Description of the blouse from the Warehouse website

" The nipped in waist and batwing shaped sleeves will define your waist whilst the lace will add a feminine touch."

Her gorgeous hair was down.

Update 9/8/2011

Paige Denim has confirmed that Kate wore their jeans on her shopping trip.

 

Update 9/27/2011

Kate's blouse has been ID'd! It is, funnily enough, a Warehouse blouse after all but not the one she bought on her April shopping trip. It is The Warehouse Lace Kimono Top made from 100% silk and the lace is 100% cotton. It was selling on Asos Website for $91.48 and then went on sale at $9.15. It is currently out of stock www.us.asos.com