William and Kate attend ICAP’s 23rd annual Charity Day

On the 9th December 2015, William and Kate attended ICAP’s 23rd annual Charity Day in London.

Every year on Charity Day, ICAP give 100% of their revenue to charitable causes.  This has allowed the broker to support projects around the world.  Here’s a taster of projects ICAP’s Charity Day has funded:

“Giving away one day’s revenue and commissions every year has enabled us to fund entire projects – such as providing 207,179 people in Malawi with clean, safe solar lights; funding research studies to protect global fish stocks and sustain marine conservation; providing 5,100 free cataract surgeries to the rural population of Buxar in India; enabling people with Down’s syndrome to overcome the barriers to gain employment and launching a pan-European ‘hotline’ 116 000 – the first emergency number of its kind dedicated to finding missing people.”

This year, a total of 95 charities benefited from the fundraiser.  Three charities supported by William and Kate were included: Place2Be, SportsAid and SkillForce.

The royal couple started off the visit by touring the ICAP offices and meeting with representatives from their charities.  The pair then hit the trading floor and under the guidance of brokers, they spoke with ICAP’s clients and had a go at closing deals over the phone.

According to the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English, William is “pretty brutal on the phone” when it comes to sealing a deal, while Kate “very polite and chatty”.

They royal duo met with a host of colourful characters, as ICAP staff wore fancy dress for the day –

The royal couple battled it out on the ping pong table:

The Duke v The Duchess at Ping Pong @TeamSportsAid #ICAPCharityDay pic.twitter.com/JuQUrAu6BW

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 9, 2015

While Kate scored a slam dunk in what appears to be a sports-themed area on the trading floor –

A #SlamDunk🏀for The Duchess of Cambridge @ICAPCharityDay pic.twitter.com/Hy6092BC3h

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 9, 2015

William has attended a number of ICAP fundraising days in the past, but this is Kate’s first.  You may recall she was scheduled to attend the Charity Day back in 2012, when pregnant with Prince George. However, she had to miss the event, as she was suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  Last year (2014), Prince Harry attended ICAP’s Charity Day.  Over £8 million (US $12.5 million) was raised in just one day.

ICAP have has raised nearly 120 million since launching their Charity Day initiative in 1993.

Kate’s outfit:

Kate is wearing L.K. Bennett‘s ‘Davina’ shift dress and the coordinating ‘Jude’ peplum jacket, both in teal.

Both pieces should be familiar with regular readers, the Duchess wore the exact same combo in 2012 during a visit to Leicester with the Queen.

Here’s how the Davina shift dress was described at the time:

The Davina dress is beautifully tailored in a luxurious tweed. Elegantly designed, it’s chic, gentle ruching down one side adds to the already feminine silhouette. the asymmetrically cut neckline gives this dress a modern edge, while the capped sleeves are kept simple.

And, here’s how L.K. Bennett described the Jude peplum jacket too:

A fine balance between sharp tailoring and femininity. Jude features a double neckline with a v-neck front and raised collar in the back, which frames the neck and decolletage perfectly. The nipped waist is complete with a belt. Pair with a pencil skirt for a clean line and elevate with sleek heels.

Here’s a reminder of Kate during the visit to Leicester in 2012 –

As you can see above, Kate is wearing a different belt today.  In 2012, she paired the suit with the glossed-leather belt by Alexander McQueen.  Today, she is wearing the original teal belt that came with the Jude peplum jacket.

Shop Kate’s style:  

Kate’s Stuart Weitzman ‘Power’ pumps made a return again today.  The Duchess wears them in black suede.

The shoes are now sold out in black suede style, but they’re available (and on sale) in red patent at Stuart Weitzman, and in a number of colours, including black patent, at Jildor Shoes

Kate carried her black suede Mulberry ‘Bayswater’ clutch today too.  Pictured below in black leather (left) and Kate holding it during a previous event (right).

Kate paired her outfit with some stunning jewellery; her Mappin and Webb ‘Empress’ earrings and necklace set.

Finally, you might have noticed that Kate’s sporting a shorter hairstyle today.  It appears that Kate has had a couple of inches chopped from her barnet.  Her hair now falls just below her shoulders.