Sunday 19 March 2017

The Royal Wardrobe: a duchess in Paris


Kate and William in Paris
(photo credit: Kensington Royal Twitter, UK in France Twitter)

In a quiet week, the Royal Wardrobe is making like just about everyone and focusing on Kate and William's trip to Paris. For many different reasons, the last seven days have been mostly about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. William's ski-ing holiday at the start of the week took up acres of column inches while Royal Visit Paris did much the same at the end. So this week's Wardrobe, and poll, are about the style selections of Kate during her first official visit to the city that owns chic. Here's the Royal Wardrobe of a duchess in Paris.





Kate started the two day trip to the French capital in the green coat she'd worn to the St Patrick's Day parade in London earlier on. The Catherine Walker creation features several Kate coat staples - a double breasted top with metallic buttons and just below the knee length with a slight flare. Given that Catherine Walker was born in France, it was a nod to her hosts while the fact that she was one of Diana's favourite designers didn't go unmissed as this was William's first visit to Paris since his mother's death there in 1997.  It was worn for the meeting with President Hollande at the Elysee Palace as Royal Visit Paris got under way.




We might have started the visit in the same coat as the morning but the evening saw two quick changes for Kate as she attended a reception then a dinner at the official residence of the British Ambassador to France. It was all about British design for Kate as she chose a black Alexander McQueen dress for the reception celebrating links between the UK and France. It's a fashion forward choice with mid calf skirt, textured fabric and frayed hems and neckline. There's a bit of bounce to the skirt and Kate's added a modern necklace to give it even more texture. Plus, we've got ankle straps going on which is a real style side step for Kate. Perhaps the most unexpected look of the visit but is it your favourite?



The evening reception at the Embassy saw Kate choose another of her favourite, British designers as she stepped out in an ice blue Jenny Packham full length evening gown. The dress has plenty of embellishment across its length while the sleeves add sheer and sparkle to up the glamour. This turned into a bit of a controversial choice - it's already been dubbed  Kate's Elsa dress. So did it hit the target or is it time to let it go?



You can't go to Paris and not wear Chanel. Well, you can. but it really would be a bit of a miss all round. Kate chose a burgundy and blue mix dress for day two in the French capital, We've got a crossover top, a slightly flared skirt and a rather chic take on statement sleeves not to mention Kate in a Chanel belt. The duchess picked out the burgundy in the fabric mix for her accessories with a Chanel bag and the block heels she's been in love with since Christmas. Is Kate in Chanel your royal style pick of the week?



The last engagement on the tour was a trip to the rugby at the Stade de France as Wales took on France at the end of the Six Nations championship. Given that her husband is now the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (he's just taken over from the Queen) and this is the first time he's seen them play since adopting the new role. there was only ever going to be one colour option for Kate. It wasn't a problem as there's plenty of red in the duchess' wardrobe and she opted for the Carolina Herrera coat we've seen before to add a splash of colour to the royal presence. It's also pretty cold watching rugby so wrapping up well was essential. And it meant that Kate got to give us a quintet of choices for her first official visit to Paris - but which is your favourite? Please do vote in the poll at the top of the page, on the right hand side, and results will be here on Tuesday. Or if you prefer, start the discussion below - it would be lovely to hear your thoughts.

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