Wednesday 15th September 2021—The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) returned to royal duties after taking a break over the summer. The Duchess visited RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to meet with those who supported Operation PITTING—the UK’s evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan.
The operation, which flew over 15,000 people out of Kabul, was the Royal Air Force’s largest humanitarian aid operation in 70+ years. It ran between the 14th and 28th of August.
During the visit, Kate met with military personnel, civilians and volunteers who assisted with the Operation. Many of those she met provided food, clothing, toys, medical support, childcare and sanitary products to the 850 people who arrived a RAF Brize Norton during the two-week evacuation.
During the visit, Kate toured one of the aircraft used in the evacuations and had a number of “very personal” discussions with military personnel.
Video footage from the visit:
Kate’s outfit:
Here’s a look at Kate’s outfit during the visit to RAF Brize Norton. Her beige-coloured blazer is new (to us style watchers, we’ve not seen her wear it before). It’s by Reiss. She wears the Larsson Double Breasted Twill Blazer in neutral brown.
Crafted from wool-blend fabric with a pronounced twill weave, the double-breasted jacket features peak lapels, oversized pockets and button detailing. The piece retailed at reiss.com for £285. (Now sold out I’m afraid—but shop other Reiss blazers in the widget at the bottom of this page.)
Under the blazer, Kate wore her ‘Binky’ blouse in white by Jane Lewis Atelier (formally GOAT). The lightweight silk blouse is slim-fitting with a round neck and full sleeves that gather into the cuff. It’s beautifully finished with silk covered buttons. The Binky retails for £440 and also comes in black.
This is the second time the Duchess has worn the blouse during a public engagement. We first spotted her wearing it in 2016 for the launch of the Heads Together campaign. You may be pleased to learn that it remains available to buy in sizes 6-18 at the time of writing.
Kate’s coordinating beige bag is new (to us). It’s the Mini Holly bag by Tusting. The company describe the accessory as “pretty and curvaceous”, inspired by 1950s design. It comes in six different colours—Kate carries it in ‘Taupe Atlantic’. It costs £295.
The piece is made from smooth and glossy Atlantic leather and lined with Alcantara Microsuede. It has an internal slip pocket, side poppers, a turn-lock fastening and gold-coloured hardware. The bag comes with a detachable holder strap, which Kate was not using today. All Tusting bags are handmade in England.
Kate brought back her Gold Disc Circle Earrings by Irish brand All The Falling Stars for the Royal Air Force Base visit. The company gifted the earrings to Kate during an Official Visit to the Republic of Ireland in March 2020. They’re made from 14kt gold.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of gold hoop earrings, you’ll be pleased to learn the company still stock the earrings on their website. They cost €69.00.
Kate wore a pair of wide-legged blue trousers during the visit. They are as yet unidentified. One of my favourite Twitter accounts, the Data Duchess, noticed Kate first wore them during the Pride of Britain awards last year (see below).
Correction: Earlier today, I wrote that they were the High Waisted Sports Luxe style by Jigsaw, which Kate does own, but this was incorrect.
It looks like Kate wore her Josie block-heeled pumps by British shoe brand Emmy London. Kate’s worn the shoes pretty frequently since 2019 (on 7-8 occasions that we know of).
The brand describe the Josie as an “elegant pointed court shoe with a modern block heel.” The midnight blue suede shoe features leather lining, a natural nubuck sole and a luxuriously padded insole for added comfort. Vogue.com call the Josie the “perfect work shoe for fall”. The shoe retails for £395 / $415 / €475.
And finally, Kate finished her look with a coordinating blue belt. Sadly, no further information is known about the item.
Special shout out to Emily (@emgcollins Twitter) for finding Kate’s blazer and bag super quick!
Looks casual yet works for her for visiting with the staff .
I have a beige jacket, now I will have a good reason to wear it with a pair of pants and a blouse.
Exactly what I thought Sunni! I love how you’re going to ‘RepliKate’ the look, great idea 🙂
Well done duchess supporting these brave man ….Catherine looked so elegant and feminine she never disappoints
So excited she is back
She always nails elegant and feminine!
I admit, I purchased the Reiss Austen jacket in camel after I saw this look on Kate. She really is the queen of good classic fashion pieces.
I love seeing how she puts different styles together. I could see myself trying this look now, but I probably wouldn’t have considered camel blazer/navy wide-legged trousers as a combo before seeing them on her! You’ll have to let me know how the blazer is.
Carly,
I am not a fan of wide leg trousers and purchased the blazer to go with jeans (white, black or dark blue). The jacket I selected was the Reiss Austen, and the color is camel, but is lighter with a very slight blush tone.. It is nicer than it appeared on my screen and I am happy with the quality, color and price (I paid about $200.00).
I have discovered brands I like over the last ten years because I see Kate wearing affordable High Street items. Her designer clothing is out of my price range, but I can afford jackets, boots and shawl/wraps she has worn. It’s fun!
Keep up the good work. I love your blog.