Strictly Kate (Catherine - The Duchess of Cambridge)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

William & Kate Attend Wreath Laying Ceremony at Blenheim

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About 2000 people gathered to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Blenheim's Seymour Square, where they laid a wreath at the town's World War I memorial monument. The ceremony marked 100 years since World War I.

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The Duke and Duchess placed handwritten messages on the wreath and stood solemnly as the Last Post was played and the Ode of Remembrance recited.

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Veterans and politicians were in attendance, including Prime Minister John Key and Labour Party leader David Cunliffe.

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After the ceremony the couple spoke to veterans and then walked around the town square, shaking hands with locals and receiving flowers from children. This was the first chance for the royal couple to interact with the public on the tour.

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Kate looked radiant in a bespoke, below-the-knee cornflower blue Alexander McQueen coat. It was clinched at the waist with pleats at the back.

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According to Hello! Magazine, Kate's coat is a modified version of their ready to wear 'Utility Peplum Coat Dress' (£ 2,345) from their Pre-Spring/Summer collection 2013.

Stuart Weitzman

Russell & Bromley

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The Duchess of Cambridge accessorized with her bespoke, suede Stuart Weitzman 'Power' pumps in 'nice blue' (thanks to 'My Small Obsessions on FB for the ID) and her matching navy 'Muse' clutch from high street brand Russell & Bromley.

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Completing her outfit, Kate wore her sapphire and diamond earrings and a poppy brooch on her left lapel, which was the WW100 pin, marking a century since World War I broke out.

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Her hair was swept back into a sleek, looped ponytail.

Omaka Aviation Heritage Center

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Next on the itinerary was a stop at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center to tour the Knights of The Sky exhibition.

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They met New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson and received a tour around his personal exhibition of WW1 memorabilia.

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Peter Jackson is New Zealand's most famous film maker, and has been collecting First World War memorabilia since he was 12. The museum contains 20 of his planes displayed on dioramas depicting dramatic scenes from the conflict.

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Outside the museum, a number of planes were lined up on the grass from the First and Second World Wars and the royal couple were able to view, and even climb in and out of the planes.

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Inside the museum, the royal couple were presented with a child-size flying helmet, lined with possum skin, for Prince George.

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Kate Wears Tory Burch to Prince George's First Official Engagement

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Today, Prince George undertook his first official engagement and attended a parent and baby group organized by The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society at Government House in Wellington.

Hello!

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In the plush surroundings, William and Kate chatted with the parents of 10 babies, all a similar age to George, including a pair of gay fathers and a single mum. Toys were piled in the middle of the Blandor room as the children played under grand chandeliers and formal portraits lining the walls.

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The babies were all chosen from families in the Wellington region, and all were first-time parents. They were born within a week or two of George. The idea was to give the William and Kate the opportunity to introduce George to the world in a less formal way than usual and give the couple a chance to swap anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of being first-time parents.

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The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, known to all as Plunket, provides health care and support to new families.

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It was founded in 1907 by pediatrician Sir Frederic Truby King. He wanted to help babies and mothers dying of malnutrition and disease, and in 1908 the influential Victoria Plunket, wife of the then Governor-General, became its patron, giving the organization her name.

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Kate looked glamorous in a knee-length, black and white short-sleeved dress Paulina Midi Dress by American designer Tory Burch ($450 and sold out). The black and white colors represent the colors of New Zealand. This is a piece from the designers Resort '14 collection and features a flattering, knee-length skirt and cinched-in waist with elegant pleats and a tactile fringing.

Additional Info on Kate's dress

'Tassel trim enlivens this sleek midi dress, rendered in a mesmerizing geometric print and finished with crisp pleats at the skirt.
•Tassel trim at cuffs and hem
•Short sleeves
•Banded waist
•Front pleats
•Lined
•About 41" from shoulder to hem
•Cotton/rayon/polyester
•Dry clean
•Imported'

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Annoushka

Cartier

The Duchess of Cambridge completed her outfit with black suede Jimmy Choo 'Vikki Sue' pumps (currently sold out), her Annoushka diamond and pearl drop earrings, and her Ballon Bleu Cartier wrist watch.

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Prince George was dressed in blue Sailboat Smocked dungarees by British luxury brand Rachel Riley (£75), a Chelsea Clothing Co. Milo Body onesie (£14.99), and soft Early Days Alex Pre-Walkers in Navy.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Where Are The Cambridge's Staying in New Zealand?

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On their first leg of their royal tour, the Cambridge Family is staying at the historic Government House in Wellington, New Zealand.

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Built between 1908 and 1910, the 45,000sq-ft property underwent a two-year £22m makeover, and reopened in 2011.

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Thirty staff will be on duty to assist the royal family at the two-story property, which features an impressive staircase, a ballroom, a conservatory, sitting rooms and a flag tower.

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William and Kate will stay in a guest suite next to Prince George, who will have his own room.

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Government House is the home of Governor General Jerry Matapare and his wife Janine, who stay in a self-contained apartment. It is also home to valuable artworks and artifacts, including a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, painted by Denis Fildes in 1960, and one of Queen Victoria, which is on permanent loan from Queen Elizabeth.

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When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived on April 7th, they were greeted by a traditional Maori pōwhiri ceremony on the lawn of the property and Prince William inspected a guard of honor before a 21 gun salute was fired.