On the 18th of July 2017, day two of the Royal Visit to Poland began at Stutthof, a former Nazi Germany Concentration Camp 34 km east of the city of Gdańsk.
Stutthof was the first camp set up outside of German borders (in September 1939). It was also one of the last camps liberated by the Allies (in May 1945).
110,000 people from 28 countries were imprisoned in Stutthof. 65,000 people, including 28,000 Jews, died as a result of executions and horrendous living conditions.
Those who survived the hell of being imprisoned at Stutthof speak of the daily lottery of life or death.
And many of those who died did so in the months before the Allied victory.
As Russian forces advanced on Poland, Nazi guards marched thousands of prisoners to the Baltic Sea where they were forced into the water and shot by machine gun.
– ITV News
During the visit, the royal couple were shown a series of exhibits that illustrate the conditions in which prisoners had to live at the camp.
William and Kate also met with a group of five former prisoners to hear about their ordeals in the camp.
Two of the survivors have returned to the camp for the first time in over 70 years.
Next, William and Kate travelled to Gdańsk, a Polish city on the Baltic coast.
The city is famous for the colourful buildings and narrow cobbled streets in Main Town, in the centre of the city.
Lots of people turned up to Gdansk Market Square to welcome the couple:
The crowds were impressive:
The couple with the Mayor of Gdańsk:
In the market, William and Kate were given an amber processing demonstration. Gdańsk is known as the City of Amber since the Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of the gemstone.
They also sampled a couple of local delicacies, including pierogi, dumplings that feature either a sweet or savoury filling.
The couple sampled Goldwasser liqueur, which features flakes of gold.
According to the Express, William downed the drink in one before remarking “it is very good, very sweet.” “And very strong…” added Kate.
The couple visited the Artus Court building:
Next, William and Kate visited the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre. The Prince of Wales is the theatre’s Royal Patron. Here, they toured the theatre and attended a small reception for Polish people from the world of theatre, arts, culture and media.
During the seventeenth century there was a large English-speaking community based in Gdansk, which made the city an important destination for travelling English players. The Shakespeare Theatre opened in 2014, and is home to the city’s annual Shakespeare festival, attended by theatre-lovers from around the world. The Theatre has an adaptable auditorium which allows for three different sized stages, and a retractable roof.
– Royal.UK
William and Kate saw the roof opening during a special performance, toured the theatre and attended a small reception for Polish people from the world of theatre, arts, culture and media.
After, the couple visited the European Solidarity Centre, the home of the Solidarity movement in Poland.
The Solidarity movement in Poland is arguably one of the most unique and inspiring movements in modern European history. Between 1980-1989, Solidarity led what has often been described as a “10 year revolution”, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of communism in Poland, a key turning point which triggered wider reform and revolution across the Eastern bloc.
– Dr Kelly Hignett
The couple toured the museum and laid a rose at the foot of the Solidarity monument.
Kate’s outfit:
Kate chose a floral printed top and skirt by Erdem.
Shown below: the designer’s Imari skirt:
According to the Erdem website, the Imari Skirt is made from a cotton blend ‘faille’ fabric, which gives the garment a slight sheen. It previously retailed for £760 GBP (around $996 USD) before going on sale at £380 ($498). The dress has a fitted high waist and pockets. Erdem says the feminine shape is created by tucks and folds in the skirt’s fabric, which gives it volume.
With thanks to Michelle, a stylist from Australia, we can share that Kate’s wearing the Erdem Arleen top (in the same print as her skirt, of course).
The boxy top features three-quarter length sleeves and a ‘boat’ neckline. A quick search of Google shows that Erdem produced the Arleen top in a number of different prints and fabrics. However, we’ve not yet found an example of it in the same fabric Kate’s wearing. To me, this suggests Kate had it custom-made to match her skirt.
For reference, the floral print is called “Hurst Rose”.
The Hurst Rose print is available on a few different Erdem items, including a top and a pair of trousers at MyTheresa.com.
Also, a quick reminder: this autumn, Erdem will be releasing a clothing collection in collaboration with H&M.
Kate carried a new bag. It looks like it’s from Etui bags. Pictured below, a similar bag from the company:
Etui stock their bags in a number of stores across London, including John Lewis and Topshop. Kate’s carried their bags with some frequency since the Poland tour was announced earlier this year. Pictured below, Kate carrying one of Etui’s bags in Luxembourg.
Kate wore her new nude block heeled sandals, first debuted at Wimbledon a few days prior to the Poland visit. They’re the Stuart Weitzman NearlyNude sandal. Kate wears the patent leather version:
Kate debuted a new earring and necklace set during today’s engagements. It’s thought they feature an Amber stone, which Gdańsk is famous for. We do not know who designed the necklace and earring set at this time.
Speaking of amber necklaces, the Polish Embassy tweeted that Kate had been gifted a necklace from Gdańsk, made from amber and gold, designed to match her “modern style.”
Finally, Kate wore her engagement ring and her trusty Cartier Ballon Bleu watch in Stainless Steel.
Beautiful couple. This is a very sad sight to see. God bless! XOXOXOXOXO
Hmm. Not liking the floral dress at a former concentration camp. That does not feel right at all.
Very rare misstep for her. She usually goes out of her way to be accommodating and reflecting of her hosts. Wonder what changed…
The finish of the fabric is “faille”–no “r”. It means a low-sheen finish.
Thank you – now fixed!
I actually think the dress is very appropriate. The tones are somber and respectful. She looks great, and I think a lot of thought was put into that dress.
Interestingly, I saw on Twitter that the Queen wore a white floral outfit to the 9/11 site, and that @RoyalReporter asked both Polish people and British Jews about the colour choice. Neither said she was expected to wear black.
With respect to HM The Queen’s outfit at the 9/11 Menorial: remember that white is also a color of mourning.
As always our beloved couple the picture of grace ! Keeping it very real when touched by grace, the sign of one being born to Royalty. From a poised smile to her timed gate she glides along as though she barely touched the ground. The picture of Diana’s grace descends upon Kate as she grows more and more regal & Royal. God Save our Duchess !