The Duchess of Cambridge began a busy day of engagements by officially opening the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace. It's been quite an interesting few weeks for the Duchess both royally and personally. William and Kate celebrated their fifth anniversary and days later Princess Charlotte's first birthday. Following a successful royal tour of India and Bhutan, the couple welcomed the Obamas to Kensington Palace, and their 'Heads Together' mental health campaign was launched. We can expect to see a focus on this as well as participation in Her Majesty's 90th birthday later this month. Hampton Court Palace has a fascinating history, providing the backdrop to some of the most turbulent chapters of Henry VIII's reign. Located in Surrey, redevelopment began to be carried out in 1515 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII. In 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, the King seized the palace for himself and later enlarged it. Along with St. James's Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by King Henry VIII. The King is said to have sent the first letter threatening a break with the Papacy to Rome from the palace. He later declared himself head of the Church of England after the Pope refused to annul his first marriage. Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to their son Prince Edward at the palace. Hampton Court Palace Today, the Hampton Court is open to the public - a popular tourist attraction thanks to its history and close proximity to Waterloo Station. The structure and grounds are looked after by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces. The palace displays art from the Royal Collection, and other attractions include the huge grape maze and the historic tennis court. The Magic Garden - the latest attraction - has been six years in the making, with an enormous amount of work put in. The Historic Royal Palaces’ gardens team have grown and tended to hundreds of trees and plants to create the garden’s magical landscape, planting over 17,000 bulbs and 3,000 shrubs in the garden. Designed by RHS Chelsea award-winning landscape architect Robert Myers, the Magic Garden draws inspiration from the myths and legends of the Tudor Court, and offers families a new and unique way to explore Hampton Court’s past. The Duchess met architect Robert Myers. Hampton Court describes the garden as exciting and mysterious: "Populated by mysterious mythical beasts, with battlements to storm, towers to besiege, and even a secret grotto to discover, the Magic Garden is a new and unique way for your family to explore the palace’s past. Set within King Henry VIII’s former Tiltyard, where the elaborate spectacle of the Tudor tournament played out, the new garden takes inspiration from the fairy-tale-like quality of the Tudor Palace." Those with children at home may enjoy showing them the 'Explore the Garden' feature which offers an interactive look at the garden. I suspect this is a spot George and Charlotte would have a wonderful time spending an afternoon. Hampton Court Palace Kate walks in the footsteps of King Henry VIII through the garden, where royal jousting tournaments were held. The Duchess was taken on a tour around the new play area, and shown some of its unique features. Kate met those involved in the Magic Garden's design and construction, as well as children and families enjoying the new facilities. Kate peeks into the Dragon's Nest. One eight-year-old boy said Kate looked like "a very rich lady". Kate told a group of children George would have loved the dragon, but he would be a bit scared. Kate chatting with the children. A couple of interesting nuggets from the visit. Kate revealed they have a hamster called Marvin. The Duchess said Princess Charlotte really likes Marvin because "the whiskers always tickle her face". Valentine Low Twitter Feed When asked if she is a Princess, the Duchess replied "Just call me Kate". Emily Andrews Twitter Feed The Duchess asked children about the garden. Kate met designers who worked on the project. The Duchess attended a short reception in the grounds of Hampton Court. And unveiled a plaque to celebrate the garden's official opening. A look at the decorative cake made for the opening. Next, Kate undertook her first engagement as Patron of the Anna Freud Centre by attending a lunch reception supporting the development of a new centre of excellence for children's mental health. Kate was welcomed by Michael Samuel, Chair of the Trustees. Mr Samuel is married to Julia Samuel - who is Prince George's godmother and was one of Diana's closest friends. Prince William recently presented her with an MBE. Ahead of the engagement the Palace said "HRH has a continued interest in drawing attention to child mental health issues and the importance of early intervention and working with the whole family to provide children with in-school mental health services. Her Royal Highness is keen to draw attention to the ways in which this charity is working to lead a step change in children's and young people's mental health care". During this engagement the Duchess will met families who have benefited from the centre, as well as key supporters. The Duchess also saw a short film about the ambitions of the organisation. The Anna Freud Centre is campaigning for a step change in children’s mental health. The centre of excellence is a key aspect of this work and is due to open in the Autumn of 2018 in Kings Cross. The centre will for the first time, bring together under one roof, the best people and organisations in mental health, education, social care and neuroscience, alongside children and their families. At its heart will be The Family School, for children aged 5-14 excluded from mainstream school, which combines mental health care and education. The Anna Freud Centre has embarked on a £10million capital campaign to complete the £34million funding required for the project. Anna Freud Centre A lovely shot of Kate. Kate wore her Michael Kors coatdress today. The Duchess debuted the piece on Anzac Day - the final day of the royal tour of Australia in 2014. The indigo twill jacquard swing coat featuring a full skirt and front flap pockets comes from the Spring 2014 Collection. Several readers quickly noted Kate wore her Roksanda Ilincic 'Peridot' dress underneath. Kate first wore it in Los Angeles in 2011 and again for a GREAT reception in 2012. The light blue grey dress is draped to one side with cap sleeves and a pleated skirt. It originally retailed for £815. Kate accessorised with her Mappin & Webb Empress earrings and necklace. Mappin and Webb Kate's new bag is a new Nina style in trench leather by L.K. Bennett (with thanks to What Kate Wore). In the photo below, we also see Kate wore her Cartier watch. It looks like Kate completed the look with her L.K. Bennett Fern pumps. L.K. Bennett You can watch a video here. And a video from the Anna Freud Centre lunch here. We'll see Kate this evening when she visits the NPG!
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets children from a local school as she arrives to officially open the new EACH charity shop on March 18, 2016 in Holt, United Kingdom.
Mary Morrison , Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the final withdrawal from the Gallipoli...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge basked in glorious sunshine as they arrived in County Down for the annual affair to meet a host of dignitaries including Northern Ireland's First Minister.
On April 6, 2016, Prince William and his wife The Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception with young people from India and Bhutan at Kens...
With a little help from her trusted stylist, Natasha Archer, Kate, 34, has been donning chic dresses and flattering silhouettes by London's most esteemed designers.
The Duchess wowed in a new gown by Roland Mouret for tonight’s Sports Aid gala at Kensington Palace. It looked like a gorgeous evening to be outdoors at Kensington Palace. This year’s Sports Ball commemorated the charity’s 40th anniversary. Kate has been patron of the organization since 2013. More from The Evening Standard: The Duchess of […]
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge opens the new EACH Charity Shop on March 18, 2016 in Holt, Norfolk.
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner at Kensington Palace on June 9, 2016 in London, England. On arrival, The Duchess will meet SportsAid ambassadors and young...
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner on June 9, 2016 in London, England. On arrival, The Duchess will met SportsAid ambassadors and young athletes who will be...
This morning Kate and William visited the US Embassy in London to sign a condolence book for the victims of Sunday’s horrific shootings in Orlando. Kate, William and US AMbassador Matthew Barzun. From the Embassy Twitter account. Grateful to welcome TRH Duke & Duchess of Cambridge @USAinUK to sign our condolence book for the victims […]
For an elegant gala dinner, Kate Middleton chose a sparkling gown we've loved since she first wore it in 2011.
This morning Kate and William visited the US Embassy in London to sign a condolence book for the victims of Sunday’s horrific shootings in Orlando. Kate, William and US AMbassador Matthew Barzun. From the Embassy Twitter account. Grateful to welcome TRH Duke & Duchess of Cambridge @USAinUK to sign our condolence book for the victims […]
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner on June 9, 2016 in London, England. On arrival, The Duchess will met SportsAid ambassadors and young athletes who will be...
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit the mentoring programme of the XLP project.London Wall on March 11, 2016 in London, England. XLP supports young people who...
See beautiful new family photos of Prince George, Princess Charlotte & the Duchess of Ca% mbridge in the French Alps, read about Kate Middleton's ski style.
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
In her role as patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, the Duchess of Cambridge opened a new EACH charity shop in Holt, Norfolk. Located just forty minutes from the Cambridges country home, Anmer Hall, market town Holt has been a favoured shopping haunt for Kate over the last couple of years, with several outings to the nearby Mew Antique Emporium and local grocers reported. Most recently she stopped by a café and farm shop where she treated George to an ice cream. The new shop in Holt is EACH's 21st in their retail portfolio and forms part of their ambitious plans to expand their network of shops even further over the coming years. The charity has stressed the importance of having a presence in Norfolk for some time - it's an area in which many EACH families live and where so much care is delivered. The Duchess received a very warm welcome. Ahead of the visit, Tracy Rennie, EACH Director of Care said: "We are delighted the Duchess of Cambridge will be taking the time to help us celebrate the opening of our new shop in the beautiful town of Holt. We’re really looking forward to becoming an integral part of the town’s thriving and friendly community, and are confident local residents will help us make the shop a great success." Tracy Rennie took Kate on a tour of the shop where Kate had the opportunity to meet a number of staff, families and supporters, including seven EACH shop volunteers with a combined service of more than 130 years. Kate quickly spotted a hat she liked the look of. And it looked great on her :) Embed from Getty Images A peek inside the shop. The Emma Bridgewater display. Kate bought a book, Fireman Sam’s Favourite Tales, as a present for Prince George and a Beatrix Potter Tom Kitten figurine for Princess Charlotte. Embed from Getty Images Kate paid £10 in cash for the items and revealed "Fireman Sam is George's favourite" and said he had asked her to look for a helicopter :) Embed from Getty Images Kate helped sort clothes in the back room. A commemorative plate to mark Kate's visit. More from the Eastern Daily Press: 'Local support worker Helen Jacobs-McGee took wheelchair-bound Jill Carrette along to catch a glimpse of the Duchess and were thrust to the front of the crowd after Jill broke down in tears when photographers blocked her view. “We can’t believe we got to meet her,” Mrs Jacobs-McGee said. “All the cameras were coming in and she was saying: ‘You are all getting in my way, I can’t see’ and she started crying. She (the Duchess) asked if she was okay and Jill asked her how her husband and children were and she said: ‘Next time I’ll bring William with me’.' Kate met eleven-year-old Rebekah Hughes, who suffers from Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, inside the shop. Rebekah enjoyed showing Kate her favourite things - leading the Duchess by the hand to a display of handbags and jewellery. Rebekah said her favourite item was a silver Gant hadnbag, to which Kate replied "We better put a reserved sticker on that. Shall we put a reserved sticker on it so no one else buys it?". The girl then asked Kate what her favourite item was and she chose a £1 penguin brooch before adding "There are so many wonderful things". Embed from Getty Images Rebekah also presented the Duchess with a posy. The Duchess also met fifteen-year-old Chloe Baird who has been receiving care and support from EACH since 2009. She was diagnosed with a Dermoid Cyst in the back of her brain. Despite several difficult operations Chloe is unable to walk and relies on a wheelchair. Chloe's mum Sarah said: "The respite and nursing care we receive is really beneficial, as Chloe has atracheostomy and can only be left with me or my husband Guy, or a trained nurse. It's also enabled Chloe to attend school once a week with an EACH nurse, until a one-to-one carer at the school could be fully trained." More than 700 children, young people and family members are currently receiving care and support at EACH, including over 300 from EACH’s hospice at Quidenham in Norfolk. More than half of their care and support is delivered in the family home and community, including North Norfolk, in surroundings familiar and comfortable for the family. EACH relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its income, and this year alone needs to raise £2.5 million from retail activities and a further £5 million from fundraising. EACH For those in the Norfolk area planning a visit, EACH are seeking regular donations of clothes or bric-a-brac and customers seeking bargains. Sam Lucking, EACH Director of Income Generation said: “We rely on donations of clean and high quality goods to sell, including clothing, bric-a-brac, books, toys, jewellery, DVDs/CDs, household linens, retro and vintage clothes and small electrical items. We also welcome donations of good quality furniture and can collect it free of charge if you’re unable to transport it yourself. Please do pop in and let us know how you can help!” You can find a list of the organisation's charity shops dotted in 19 locations across East Anglia here. If you'd like like to support EACH the charity has an online shop which includes the £6 bracelet Kate wore (it was designed by Imogen Sheeran, mother of the very famous Ed). The Emma Bridgewater Two Half Pint Mugs and the Emma Bridgewater Bag are also available with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the charity. EACH Afterwards, Kate marked the opening of the store by cutting the ribbon. Before leaving, Kate received several bouquets. In many ways, today's appearance solidifies the importance of 'ribbon-cutting' ceremonies for me. It's an area the younger royals are keen to do less of in favour of other types of engagements but seeing the excitement and anticipation from EACH staff and volunteers on social media it's clear it still very much has an important place. The fact Kate officially opened the shop will undoubtedly be a considerable draw for potential customers in the area, and press the opening receives is invaluable. EACH is an incredibly special charity; it was one of Kate's first patronages, the charity she gave her first speech for, and recorded her first video message for. They are doing outstanding work and it's brilliant to see them expanding and doing well. Wishing them every success in their plans for the years ahead! Kate's ensemble today needs no introduction. The Duchess repeated her M Missoni tweed coat which she previously wore during a 2012 visit to Fortnum & Mason and again that year for a trip to Nottingham with William and the Queen. Kate wore it again for the 2014 wedding of Lucy Meade and Charlie Budgett. The Duchess bought the light blue coat several years ago at Bicester village. The collarless, knit bouclé piece features fringe trim. It is from the Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection. M Missoni Underneath, Kate wore the cornflower blue ZARA dress she memorably wore the day after the royal wedding. She's worn it under coats (including the M Missoni) several times since. The Duchess sported a pair of new Prada Pointy Toe Pumps (with thanks to The Royal Cambridges). Below we see the shoes in black at Nordstrom. Nordstrom Kate accessorised with her sapphire and diamond earrings. And her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch. Cartier Kate completed the look with her navy suede clutch. There's a lovely video from the visit available at YouTube. ************ Before we leave you, we have an exciting update to share. ITV has confirmed it will air the highly anticipated Queen at 90 documentary on Easter Sunday, 27 March from 8 - 10 pm. The programme will include Kate's first interview since her marriage to William almost five years ago. The Mirror shared quotes from Kate's interview and an excerpt from the programme. As you can see, the Duchess wore her blue tweed Rebecca Taylor suit. ITV Another treat from the video is a look at Kate's icy blue McQueen gown from the diplomatic reception. It is beautiful, and very much a gown fit for a princess. How incredible does the Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara look? ITV Another look. Click play below or visit the Mirror to view the video. On Princess Charlotte - “It’s very special having a new little girl…I feel very, very lucky that George has got a little sister. The Queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl, and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington she was one of our first visitors here.” On what George calls The Queen - “George is only two-and-a-half and he calls her ‘Gan-Gan.’ She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows her love for her family.” On The Queen's Guidance - She has been "very generous in not being forceful at all and in any of her views. But I feel she’s been there, a gentle guidance really for me.” On her most memorable engagement: “The most memorable engagement for me was an away-day to Leicester. I went without William, so I was rather apprehensive about that. I think there is a real art to walkabouts. Everyone teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting. So I think I've still got to learn a little bit more and to pick up a few more tips I suppose. The Queen was very supportive. The fact she took the time to make sure that I was happy and looked after for that particular occasion, which probably in everything that she’s doing is a very small element, it shows just how caring she is really.” The quotes released offer a fantastic insight and will be an excellent opportunity to see another side of Kate's personality. It sounds like it's quite a candid interview and promises to have a number of memorable quotes. For our readers across the pond, the documentary will almost certainly be available on YouTube shortly after it airs, and we will provide any and all available links in our post on the night. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in its entirety. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! :)
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Wester Hailes Education Centre in Edinburgh on February 24, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge opens the new EACH Charity Shop on March 18, 2016 in Holt, Norfolk.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge opens the new EACH Charity Shop on March 18, 2016 in Holt, Norfolk.
For an elegant gala dinner, Kate Middleton chose a sparkling gown we've loved since she first wore it in 2011.
Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge opens a new EACH Charity Shop on March 18, 2016 in Holt, Norfolk.
Ahead of Mother's Day, the Duchess of Cambridge attended the launch of maternal mental health films with Heads Together charity partner Best Beginnings at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London today. Following yesterday's horrific terror attack on Westminster, it was very much up in the air until this morning if the engagement would go ahead. Her Majesty postponed plans to open the New Scotland Yard building until a later date. Victoria Arbiter tweeted "Worth noting that the Queen's postponed engagement will not be due to fear but rather a conscious effort to relieve the burden on police". In terms of location there was no reason to cancel Kate's appearance and no doubt after much consideration it was decided not change the schedule. It is exactly one month until the Virgin Money 2017 London Marathon, for which Heads Together is the Official Charity of the Year. William, Kate and Harry are very much hoping to make it a 'mental health marathon' and have been carrying out individual and joint engagements ahead of the big event. A key point of these engagements has been to highlight the amazing work being done by the charities involved. Best Beginnings focuses on the period between conception and a child’s third birthday, where the foundations of a healthy and fulfilling life are laid. Founded by Alison Baum in 2006, the organisation aims to ensure that every child has the best start in life by: developing practical, simple, educational and interactive tools to support parents-to-be and new parents. Embedding resources in local health pathways and training professionals to use them in their practice. Raising awareness of the things that can affect new mums, dads, bumps and babies and engaging with government, authorities and society to influence change. Kate received a warm welcome upon arrival from CEO Alison Baum. The event, to raise awareness of maternal mental health challenges and start conversations about the wellbeing of parents and their children, was attended by health campaigners, academics and other professionals in the field. The Duchess watched one of Best Beginnings films. Rebecca English noted Kate was accompanied by Sophie Agnew today, assistant to her private secretary Rebecca Deacon and a likely contender to replace her when she leaves. The 'Out of the Blue’ film series was created by Best Beginnings to promote mental health for parents and their children. The series explores a range of mental health conditions from low mood and anxiety to more severe forms of depression through stories told by real mothers across the country. The films are also aimed to help fathers, and the wider circle of family and friends to better understand mental health issues and show how to support mothers more effectively. For those interesting in viewing the videos, information on downloading them is available here. The Duchess appropriately began her speech by sending "thoughts and prayers to all those sadly affected by yesterday's terrible attack in Westminster". I was very much looking forward to hearing Kate speak about motherhood in her speech. Drawing on her own experiences, the Duchess admitted to a lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance as a mother. "It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost." Kate's speech was excellent - easily the most personal one she's given discussing the highs and lows of becoming a parent. I imagine these are feeling all parents experience. With the joys come challenges and perhaps it's not always easy for people to discuss those challenges. The full text of Kate's speech: 'Before I begin, I know you would all want to join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to all those sadly affected by yesterday’s terrible attack in Westminster. We will be thinking of all the families, as we discuss the important issues we're here to talk about. I would like to thank Best Beginnings for inviting me here to introduce the 'Out of The Blue' series. This collection of films highlights how vital it is to be open about our mental health especially in the early years of parenthood. Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge- even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost. And yet there is no rule book, no right or wrong - you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family. For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance. Sadly, for some mothers, this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with their own mental health. Two in ten women will suffer mental health issues that can occur during pregnancy and in the year after birth, often clouding their moments of joy with a real sense of darkness and isolation. Many of these women also suffer in silence, overwhelmed by negative feelings, but also afraid to admit to the struggles they are facing due to the fear or shame of what others might think if they “aren’t coping”. Some of this fear is about the pressure to be a perfect parent; pretending we're all coping perfectly and loving every minute of it. It's right to talk about motherhood as a wonderful thing, but we also need to talk about its stresses and strains. It’s ok not to find it easy. Asking for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness. If any of us caught a fever during pregnancy, we would seek advice and support from a doctor. Getting help with our mental health is no different – our children need us to look after ourselves and get the support we need. Conversations are crucial for mental wellbeing and they should be part of everyday family life. Talking about a problem with a friend or another trusted person can be the beginning of getting better. This week, as we look forward to Mother’s Day, I would love to see everyone celebrate and value the fundamental importance that mothers play in family life. Mothers take on an overwhelming responsibility of caring for their families. Their role is vital in providing unconditional love, care, and support at home, particularly in the early years of a child’s development. We therefore should do everything we can to support and value their hard work. The work of Best Beginnings is vital. By providing tools and resources to help parents establish their own confidence and their own self-awareness, Best Beginnings enables mothers and fathers to do the best they can for their families. The Out of the Blue films you are about to see are also an amazing example to all parents, that starting conversations and asking for support is a real source of strength. They have been created with real parents, talking honestly and openly about their own experiences of parenthood. ' A video of Kate's speech. Watch The Duchess of Cambridge speak at the launch of the @BestBeginnings 'Out of the Blue' film series, with @Heads_Together pic.twitter.com/1mMupReocK — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 23, 2017 A view of Kate leaving the auditorium from Richard Palmer. Kate then joined a parent support group to talk with parents about how becoming a parent affected their mental health and how open and honest conversations with family, friends or other trusted people helped them get through the tough times. The Duchess talked about how "There's so much support for mothers when they are pregnant but it can be very lonely after your baby is born." More from the Daily Express: 'Ms Grant said: "I wasn't sleeping,I was unable to feed, I had an infection and was in a bad way physically after I lost three quarters of my blood. I begged for help with what I think was my last vestige of sanity. I just wanted to get my baby someone where safe and was admitted to a special mother and baby unit." Thanks to the help of a team of 'amazing' professionals, Ms Grant made a good recovery and her 'bright and funny' son, now four and a half, is about to start school, while she is back at work. Kate told her: "I feel very passionately about women - and fathers, getting the help they need at the right time and being able to talk about these issues. "I know if William was here then he would say the same." She added: "Well done to you all in taking the step to come here and talk about your experiences. Having that conversation is so important." Kate was delighted to meet two year old Teegan Mia and said to her "You have been so good, sitting there. I know George wouldn't have done the same at your age!" Daily Mail royal reporter Rebecca English shared a video of Kate talking to one mother about post-partum psychosis. Video: Kate chats to one brave mother about post-partum psychosis @bestbeginnings pic.twitter.com/VOLAdk96Ub — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 23, 2017 Before leaving, Kate posed with staff and families she met for photos. The Duchess brought back her much loved red and white gingham skirt suit from Kensington based bespoke firm Eponine London (named after designer Jet Shenkman's children's favourite Les Miserables character). Kate first wore the chic look almost exactly a year ago for a visit to the XLP Mentoring Programme. The top features a boat neck and three-quarter sleeves while the skirt is A-line. It originally retailed for £1200. The womenswear brand is "inspired by the elegant lines of the fifties and sixties". Every garment is designed and made in London for women who seek out individuality and who desire to be both chic and contemporary. Eponine London Kate's suit is from the Spring/Summer 2016 Collection. Eponine London Kate carried her L.K. Bennett Nina Clutch. The £185 clutch remains available on the U.K. website. L.K. Bennett The Duchess chose her Gianvito Rossi '105' pumps in praline. The $675 pumps are described as "Is there anything more chic than a classic pair of suede pumps? We think not - and we simply adore this rosy-nude pair from Gianvito Rossi. Crafted in Italy, they come with a seductive stiletto heel and an elegantly streamlined toe". They are available at My Theresa. My Theresa Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Cushion Drop and Morganite earrings. Kiki McDonough In a formidable speech this morning, Prime Minister Theresa May said “Beyond these walls today – in scenes repeated in towns and cities across the country – millions of people are going about their days and getting on with their lives. The streets are as busy as ever, the offices full, the coffee shops and cafés bustling. As I speak, millions will be boarding trains and aeroplanes to travel to London and to see from themselves the greatest city on earth. It is in these actions, millions of acts of normality, that we find the best response to terrorism". There's been such a display of unity, courage and strength. From the first responders to the doctors and nurses who ran from St Thomas Hospital to help the injured displaying incredible bravery, to those who walked into the office this morning and went about their routine showing "acts of normalcy" are so important. It was good to see Kate embodying the "keep calm and carry on" spirit so many in London have shown. I know we all echo Kate's words when we say our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were affected by the senseless act of terror yesterday.
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the America's Cup base of sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth to see how youngsters are being inspired to join the marine industry.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the America's Cup base of sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth to see how youngsters are being inspired to join the marine industry.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner on June 9, 2016 in London, England. On arrival, The Duchess will met SportsAid ambassadors and young athletes who will be...
Kate mixes designer & department store styles for suicide awareness engagements, a new Jonathan Saunders dress. Learn how to save £100 on Penelope Chilvers.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out engagements in London today, focusing on efforts to prevent suicide. Fresh from their skiing break in the French Alps with George and Charlotte, today's events reportedly mark the beginning of a much busier schedule of engagements for William and Kate. We know the couple will undertake a tour of India and Bhutan next month and a two-day trip to France in late June. There are also reports of two additional foreign trips later in the year and - whether these will be joint trips or perhaps a solo trip abroad each for the Cambridges - it will be very interesting to hear more details. At home, mental health will be a "major focus" for the Cambridges and Prince Harry, according to Kensington Palace. The Palace noted Prince William is "particularly keen" to support mental health in young men and to understand the difficult areas concerning bullying and suicide. Meanwhile, Kate will continue her work on children's mental health and early intervention while Harry will address the 'invisible wounds' sustained by service members during their tours of duty. William and Kate started their engagements today with private visit to Maytree - a unique suicide centre which provides a four night stay for people in suicidal crisis - this morning. The centre shared a couple of photos from the royal visit afterwards with the caption "Look who dropped in for a cup of tea". Today's itinerary was very much planned with a focus on the inspiring story of Jonny Benjamin, who was saved by a stranger in 2008 as he contemplated taking his own life. In 2014, following a period of hospitalisation, where Jonny received the help he needed, he launched a social media campaign titled #FindMike with the help of charity Rethink Mental Illness to find the man who saved him. The campaign succeeded and Jonny had the opportunity to properly meet and thank Neil Laybourn. Jonny and Neil More on the events that led to Jonny's decision from an Independent article about his journey: 'On a January morning in 2008 a young man from south London approached the edge of Waterloo Bridge and prepared to throw himself off. Jonny Benjamin had just been admitted to hospital and diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and depression. Struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis and battling to keep his sexuality under wraps – Mr Benjamin is gay – he felt he could no longer bear to be alive. Mr Benjamin did not take his life that day; the kindness of a stranger who stopped to talk saved his life. After convincing him not to take his own life, the stranger continued on his way.' The Duke and Duchess met Jonny and Neil at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, where Jonny was sectioned after his near suicide. It provided an opportunity to speak to someone who has gone through incredibly challenging times, hear about the problems which led to his decision to consider taking his own life, and his experiences of the mental health system in Britain. Jonny firmly believes that if he had received help earlier in his life he would not have reached his crisis point - again highlighting the importance of early intervention Kate has been supporting. People shared quotes from the meeting in their article: 'During the meeting, William said, "Someone told me five people a day try to kill themselves. I was just blown away by the statistics." Sitting on a sofa with Kate, Benjamin and Laybourn, he added, "For both of us, the mental health piece has got lots of aspects. It's such a big issue that we need to do something about it. "We feel it's been raised higher up the ladder. It's suddenly bubbling just under the surface. Now we need to get up to the next level, to the surface." Kate, who has championed efforts to beat mental health issues in children, stressed that childhood problems were the root cause of many afflictions adults face. "We see through the work that we do with addiction, homelessness and knife crime that a lot of it stems back to childhood," said the royal mom' Jonny decided he wanted to help others who were going through the same difficulties he was, and in January he launched a new initative, ThinkWell, designed to help educate young people about mental health and break down the stigma through school workshops. Interactive workshops incorporating film and education have already been delivered in a number of schools by a trained workshop leader. After their meeting, they travelled to Kensington Palace where they viewed a screening of The Stranger on the Bridge - a documentary about Jonny's work and the efforts of the #FindMike campaign. A group of young people from a South London school where Jonny has previously delivered his ThinkWell project were invited along to take part in a discussion. Afterwards, William and Kate participated in a private discussion with a group who have been bereaved by suicide to discuss their experiences and the support available to them. The rest of the day's programme is private. I expect this is to allow William and Kate to talk one on one with those who have considered suicide and those who have been bereaved by it, and to identify key areas and potential organisations who would best benefit from royal support or perhaps a patronage. Only yesterday, I read an article on the lack of investment and funds available for children's psychiatric services in the UK. Young royals becoming a face for this area and championing worthy causes will bear a spotlight on the much neglected sector. Kate brought back her Erdem Allie coat from the designers Pre-Fall 2013 Collection. The Duchess first wore it in New Zealand during the royal tour (you might recall Kate told a member of the crowd she liked it but William thought it was "a bit bright"). Kate chose it again for the start of the Tour de France race in July 2014. The flawlessly cut bright grass-green, knee-length coat features a tab-detailed waist, and true to form, the designer used his love of floral prints - this time on the silk lining. The wool crepe garment originally retailed for €1,824. Erdem It appears Kate had a cardigan or long-sleeve top underneath which she removed with her coat. Kate's gorgeous swallow print dress is from the Jonathan Saunders diffusion collection for department store Debenhams (with thanks to the eagle-eyed Kate Middleton Style). It is understood the piece was available in 2012 for £60. The dress was described as "This black day dress from Edition by Jonathan Saunders features a button fastening along the centre front, pleats along the lower part of its skirt and a sash at the waist. It is styled in sheer chiffon with printed white birds.". Debenhams Fans of Mr. Saunders designs will be disappointed to hear his business is closing down following his decision to step down as creative director of the brand due to personal reasons. Embed from Getty Images While Kate's dress is sold out, it's a very easy look to Repli-Kate with an abundance of bird print dresses available on the high street and online retailers at present. Below we look at the Oasis Bird Print Frill Dress - retailing for £48 at John Lewis, We also see the Tyche Bird Print Dress from Shoptiques and the Kate Spade Bird Print Shirtdress. Kate wore her favourite black suede Stuart Weitzman Power Pumps (with thanks to Middleton Maven). Stuart Weitzman Kate carried her Muse clutch. Russell & Bromley And wore her trusty Cartier Ballon Bleu watch. Cartier A look at Kate's emerald earrings. You can watch a video at ITN source and read more about the day on Jonny's blog. We'll see you tomorrow when William and Kate visit the mentoring programme of the XLP project in London.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the America's Cup base of sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth to see how youngsters are being inspired to join the marine industry.
Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she joined the royal family at Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk.
