After visiting the U.S. Embassy this morning, William and Kate flew over to Belfast for a Garden Party hosted by the Secretary of State, Theresa Villers.
The Garden Party took place at Hillsborough Castle, which is the Queen’s official residence in the Northern Irish capital city. Shortly after their arrival, William and Kate planted a tree to mark the start of the Garden Party.
The Garden Party hosted a number of guests selected from local charities and organisaions.
William and Kate spoke with many of the attendees.
Kate’s outfit:
Most fans of the Duchess will immediately recognise her gold brocade coat. It’s by Day Birger et Mikkelsen.
The piece is from the designer’s Resort 2006 collection. Here’s a photograph of Kate wearing the coat in 2011:
Kate has worn the coat on four occasions previously. She wore it to the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes in 2006, to the wedding of Oli Baker and Mel Nicholson in 2010, to the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in 2011 (see above), and to the London Paralympics opening ceremony in 2011.
On a number of those occasions, Kate chose to wear a lace dress from Collette Dinnigan underneath the coat. It appears she’s wearing the same frock again today. You can see the dress in some photos from the Garden Party:
Here’s a closer look at the dress. In the photo below, Kate at the Young Stalin book launch in 2007:
Kate opted for a brand new hat for today’s Garden Party.
It appears to be a bespoke version of Lock & Co’s Morning Rose Perching Hat, which retails for £645. On the company’s website, the hat is pictured in red sinamay fabric. It can be made-to-order in other fabrics/colours if requested.
According to Lock & Co, morning rose flowers inspired the hat’s design. Here’s how they describe the piece on their website:
The hat sits neatly on the side of the head with the tip of the teardrop shape adding elegant height to the wearer.
Kate sported a new pair of earrings today too. (At least, they’re new to us!) They’re Kiki McDonough’s Eden Flower Drop earrings.
It appears Kate is wearing a custom version of the earrings. On Kiki’s website, they have a Lemon Quartz stone. Kate’s earrings appear to have a Citrine stone.
You may have spotted Kate’s Cartier Shamrock brooch today? No doubt, you’ll remember Kate wore the piece while visiting the Irish Guard in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015?
The Cartier brooch is an heirloom piece worn by a number of royal ladies over the years, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Anne, the Queen Mother and Queen Alexandra.
Kate’s shoes and clutch bag ought to feel familiar if you’re a regular reader. Kate’s accessorised with both on numerous occasions since the Royal Tour of India and Bhutan.
They’re the L.K. Bennett Fern pumps in Trench (taupe leather) and the matching Nina clutch by the same company:
The Fern pumps are sharply pointed with a sky-high heel. They’re an elegant choice for any event. The pumps cost £195 on L.K. Bennett’s UK/International website.
Sadly, L.K. Bennett have not released the shoes in the USA/Canada yet. I’ve read that they’re due to land any day now. Register your interest by visiting this page and get notified when they come in stock.
The Fern shoe is one of L.K. Bennett’s signature styles. The company stocks it in a number of colours, fabrics and patterns to suit each season.
Shop Fern:
UK & International website
USA & Canada website
The Nina clutch bag (£195 / $395) in Trench (nude leather) is out of stock everywhere at the time of writing. Again, this is due to be restocked in the United States any day now. You can register your interest here and be notified when it’s available.
The Nina does come in a number of alternative designs. Some are on sale too.
Shop Nina:
UK & International website
USA & Canada website
Special thanks to: Me & My Mum Kate on Twitter for identifying the hat really quickly & Anna for spotting Kate’s new Kiki earrings today.
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