Kate Middleton at Festival of Remembrance

Kate Middleton at Festival of Remembrance

Kate Middleton joined Prince William and other members of the British Royal Family at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday, November 12. I’m also including Princess Charlene joining Prince Harry at rugby in this post.

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[The Army in London Facebook]

The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall commemorates all those who have lost their lives in conflicts. The Queen, as Patron of The Royal British Legion, attends every year with members of the Royal Family.

This year’s program included artists Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Laura Mvula, Birdy and Alexander Armstrong who performed alongside the Band of HM Royal Marines, the Band of the Coldstream Guards, Band of the Scots Guards, Band of the Irish Guards and Band of the Welsh Guards, the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Air Force Squadronaires.

The event included serving and veteran representatives from across all three Armed Services and a finale with the traditional Two Minute Silence as poppy petals fell from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall, representing lives lost in war.

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[The Army in London Facebook]

Royal guests included: the Queen, in her Bronte Porcelain brooch, and Prince Philip.

Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Andrew.

Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Kate wore a new coat from Temperley London, the Callas Evening Coat from the pre-fall 2014 collection. She wore a poppy brooch, her Gianvito Rossi black suede pumps, and carried her Mascaro/Pretty Ballerinas velvet bow clutch. There aren’t any good photos of Kate’s earrings, but Anna over at the Countess of Wessex blog suggests Kate is wearing her Oscar De La Renta pearl disc earrings.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Princess Anne and Tim Laurence.

Princess Alexandra.

Also yesterday, Princess Charlene joined Prince Harry at the rugby union test match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium.

And Harry announced that Sydney, Australia would host the 2018 Invictus Games. The Games will take place October 18-29, 2018.


87 thoughts on “Kate Middleton at Festival of Remembrance

  1. I thought the ladies looked nice last night. I preferred the original version of Kate’s coat. It was more of an hour glass shape with a smaller waist and flared a bit over the hips. The shape made it more interesting which I felt was needed in that dark color. I thought Kate looked a little better than she has in a while. Looks like she’s had her hair done and her make-up wasn’t as harsh/heavy as usual and she had a bit of lip color on.

    I thought Charlene looked great at the rugby match. I’m sure she would have loved it if South Africa had won.

    Glad to see Invictus Games going another year in a great city. The video was a little corny/silly but that’s okay. They look like they had a lot of fun.

    Thanks for the wrap up KMR!!

  2. One of my favorite royal events because everyone looks good, wearing black and major jewels. I think black is so flattering to the Queen, and she gets to wear it so seldom. And I love her brooch. Camilla, P. Anne, Sophie look great. Not a fan of Kate’s Temperley coat, and can’t see if she’s wearing jewelry because of her hair. It is so huge, it looks like the hair is attending the event, with Kate as an accessory.

    1. Kate needs to stop with the extensions and get a better haircut. It looks like a mop most of the time. And there is no point in wearing fancy earrings because you could never see them. Meghan wears her hair long but it always seems to be styled much better. She should pass her stylist info along to Kate.

      Kate’s hair just sits lifelessly on her coat and it blows my mind that a hairstylist has not layered it properly yet. My hair looked like that when I was a teenager and I didn’t go to a hairdresser for styling. If she thinks all that hair makes her look younger, it isn’t the case.

      I guess Meghan didn’t show up to the rugby match. It’s probably better she didn’t but if the Sun report is accurate that extra tickets were requested, I wonder if someone told Harry she shouldn’t attend. And if anyone did my guess is Prince Charles.

    2. I hadn’t thought of it until watching The Crown but I wonder if the Queen ever misses being more stylish. She’s 100% appropriate in her dressing, but she looked so lovely tonight!

    1. Yesterday I watched a show on German TV. It’s a Letterman kind of show. And the host asked Franzi van Almsick (former Olympic swimmer and a good friend of Charlene) “Do you sometimes feel like you should save Charlene and help her flee Monaco?” And Franzi’s (very emotional) answer was “Yes, definitely! Absolutely!”

  3. Why doesn’t Kate take her coat off? All the other royal,ladies are wearing dresses inside, even though they arrived in coats.

    1. Yes, it does seem rude. But this is Kate we’re talking about. Perhaps she wasn’t wearing a warm enough dress under the coat? I prefer the original coat, it had more shape and was much more interesting. The hair is a joke.

      1. Kate looked like she was bored out of her mind.I wonder did she ever stop and think that along with the title comes a lifetime of duty.

    2. There are times I wonder if she wears anything under the coat. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t.

      Her hair was too much. That’s all you saw.

    3. I was going to post this exact same question. I don’t understand the constant coat wearing. If you’re outside…fine. But one takes OFF outerwear when indoors. Is this a style thing in England that I’m completely unaware of? I’m assuming no, since there are plenty of you wondering the same thing. It is so bizarre. And she does this all the time.

      1. IMHO this woman is enormously insecure. That’s why she needs plenty of security blankets: the hair, the crotch clutch, the coats…

    4. This is why I don’t understand the term ‘coat dress’. I thought it was a dress that was heavy enough to be worn outside like a coat. But it sounds like you guys are saying the opposite, that it is a coat designed to look like a dress and should be removed like a coat once inside.

      1. Whilst there is no strict definition, it can be all the things you mention ie a dress designed to look like a coat or vice versa or a coat that can be worn with a dress underneath, but is too light on it’s own to function as outerwear.

        1. Diana often wore a coat dress, usually by Catherine Walker, maybe to events that were outside and in, too. Hers were pastel colors that I remember, and always looked neat and dignified.

          I think of a coat dress as more spring and fall, though I once had a linen summer one.

          I see the Temperley as a coat, not a coat dress.

  4. Am I the only person annoyed by the mop of hair hiding the poppy? I find it.. not offensive, but just really rude and inconsiderate.

    The original cut of the coat is way better than the one Kate has which seems bespoke.

    I’m so happy about Invictus continuing in 2018!

    1. Considering that the whole point of the concert is Remembrance Day and that wearing a poppy is an important symbol for that day, it actually is rude to wear her hair like that, which obviously covers up the poppy. She can wear it down but pulled back or to the other side. She is like a child on these issues. It’s not like she has never experienced Remembrance Day before.

  5. Yet another new coat – I have had mine for 20 years …. You don’t need one much in Australia – so basic navy does the job ….. Not a good look to waste money on an altered designer piece that is less than the original is …. Fail for me

      1. Fall 2014 is when Kate was pregnant with Charlotte and when she purchased the coat, and this coat doesn’t look as fitted as the model wearing it so perhaps it was only ever purchased to be maternity wear for her?… her face does look a little fuller. So many she is newly pregnant? I know she’s prone to not take coats off but maybe she’s also covering a teeny bump? You do show amazingly fast with your third (I speak from experience). It could also explain why she looks half asleep inside the theater.

  6. Also, I wanted to share the poem so often said this weekend.. I wish it was more common here in the USA. It’s lovely.

    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
    Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
    At the going down of the sun and in the morning
    We will remember them.

    I always want to say thank you but it seems hollow and empty, so instead I’ve given to charities who really need the support.

  7. The Queen looks just marvellous for her age. Off topic but I think Charlene should have been an actress, she really has the most expressive face and eyes. She seems to emote, all the time. She’s a Chekhov character, thwarted, or Lily Bart like character, perhaps.

    1. A Chekhov character, thwarted. I love that. She is unbelievably striking to look at isn’t she?

      Off topic, does anyone know what the bump on Harry’s forehead is? Is that just how his head is shaped? I’m not trying to be mean at all, but it’s become more prominent lately–to me, anyway. Maybe just because of his hairline? Or when he seems to get excited or exert himself?

      1. It’s just how his skull is shaped, and comes through his skin. He’s always had it. It’s just more noticeable now that his hairline has changed.

  8. I agree Kate’s makeup is much better here but it is too bad the hair is hiding the poppy and earrings. It doesn’t surprise me that she wore a coat – there are only a handful of times she has removed her coat at events.

    Charlene looks smart at the rugby event. She has a tailored elegance about her.

    Camilla and Charles just returned from a successful trip, and look ready and eager to do events right away at home. Hopefully, Will and Kate will be the same way when they take their role.

    1. Yes to C & C stepping up as per usual and unlikely that Chopper and Chutney will do the same – the attitude of that pair is mind boggling

    1. Hi AH, good to have you back.
      I love the delicate porcelain brooch too, maybe not so much the Grima one, but they do stand out from all the other classic designs.
      I’m a really big fan of brooches, in general. I can’t help but wonder how many are in HM’s collection!

        1. Wow. I actually have a ring in a similar style.
          Some of these designs are beautifully rough, however some others bring about my mild trypophobia, I’m afraid.
          But I can see why he’s considered an innovator.

      1. I love all the queen’s brooches. I get that Kate isn’t into the big jewelry but so many of her blah outfits and coats could be spruced up so easily with a pretty sparkly brooch!

        1. So true, Sarah.
          Kate’s style is in such a need of some accessory sometimes that even the poppy (when not hidden by hair) can make a difference.

  9. All of the ladies, save for one, looks good. Sophie had on lace, but it looked very understated and chic as compared to Kate’s lace bombs. Kate looked way too casual with that coat. Plain and simple. Too much wiglet and not enough effort in the outfit.

    I love this time of year. It puts the veteran’s sacrifice into perspective and people stop and give thanks. The tributes break my heart with the love and respect that is displayed.

  10. Charlene looks stylish and lovely, as always. Kate looks unkempt and lazy with that ugly mop on her head and shapless coat. She could at least take off the coat and look like she kind of wants to be there.

    1. I thought that yesterday and got excited because she looked really nice with her fuller cheeks. I like chipmunk cheek Kate =) then realized those pics were heavily photoshopped. When she’s walking in looks very nice. Sitting on balcony back to harsh look of bags under eyes and gaunt cheeks =(

  11. when I first saw that pic with the hand up, I thought it was Kate’s! Had to look twice.
    I think the Queen looks amazing for being 90! The windsors sure have longevity in their genes.
    William with his typical bored expression at an event.
    I don’t know if Kate paid her hairstylist for the night but I just need to reiterate, fire the woman! She does her no favors.
    The only artist I recognized was Birdy.
    Thanks for the post KMR.

  12. Have the men in the BRF actually earned all those medals on their jackets? Or are some/most of them awards from the Queen to make them look more important?

      1. Well, I think they are fake, or made-up awards. But I was hoping some of them would be real. Harry has a real medal for service in Afghanistan, I believe.

    1. They’re commemorative. All in the forces get them. I.e. For the Jubilee, or some are merit service awards, service to the monarch and whatnot. Non royals get the Jubilee medals as well. Andrew and Harry have actual wartime service medals. William only has the Jubilee ones.

    2. Prince Philip wears campaign medals from WWII (he was on active service in the Royal Navy throughout the war). Andrew and Harry wear campaign medals – Afghanistan for Harry and South Atlantic for Andrew. Tim wears the General Service Medal with the clasp for being mentioned in dispatches. All the men wear commemorative medals which are awarded to all members of the armed services (not just Royals) to commemorate events such as jubilees, coronations. This type of medal is also common in other armed forces (including the US).

  13. Are those Kate’s extensions we see? In her photo, it looks like the longer layers underneath are a lighter brown color (although that could be from the camera flash), and the shorter top layers are a darker brown. Are the longer layers her extensions? If so, that looks pretty bad for someone who can afford the best.

    1. Jet, I love your questions.
      So refreshingly funny.
      I don’t have an answer for this one, I’m afraid. Some people here are certain it’s a wiglet. Wiglet or extensions? Such a question will keep me up through the night. 🙂

    1. I don’t think it’s the color but the fact she wears it in pouffy bouffant style. I think a more slick look would be lovely. Could be they type of hair she has tho?
      Can we talk about Kate’s eyebrows instead. I had an aesthetician tell me once that brows aren’t twins but sisters. Which I totally agree with. Kate’s look like cousins twice removed!!!

      1. Yes, the eyebrows are wonky. Does she do them herself?

        Anne’s hair is very curly, and there is a lot of it. I’m pretty sure she styles it herself.

          1. I certainly wouldn’t do anything but what she asked for if I were her stylist, but I still wish she would soften the color and pouf. She had some great photo hair styles when she was young.

        1. When you look at the quality of the rest of her “team” tho, I wouldn’t be surprised! I’d be mad if I left the salon with my brows so misshaped! When I was in college I went to one of the aesthecian schools because it was cheaper and I never looked that way =)

  14. I liked Harry’s advert for the Invictus Games. He comes across really well, relaxed and likable. All the Remembrance services were touching. I was moved by the Albert Hall service. All those poppy petals falling from the ceiling – each one a human life. Very poignant.

  15. The Queen has gorgeous skin. I always love seeing which brooch she will wear. I also love Camilla’s choker.

    As others have commented I wish that Kate would have pulled her hair back so that we could at least see her poppy and earrings. Maybe she needs a bit of a haircut or restyling or something because she looks like she is drowning in her hair.

    I don’t get a pregnancy vibe from her, but as soon as the Meghan Markle story broke I thought to myself “now it’s only a matter of time before we get either a Kate pregnancy announcement or a Christmas picture of the Cambridges because Kate won’t like having the attention off of her.”

    But then again, maybe Kate likes the fact that the press is talking about Meghan because that has made it so that people are no longer talking about the court case with Kate’s naked pictures from France.

    1. I have been wondering if the Meghan markle story hit the fan, so to speak, in a deliberate attempt to take the heat off the Cambridges re: their not-so-amazing Canada tour and the naked photos. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first the first time the Cambs threw Harry under the vus to make themselves look better. It seems to me Harry was both blindsided and disappointed by the news breaking about Meghan, not to mention it throws some shade on his upcoming tour. Typical Will move. ?

      1. I thought maybe Jason did it on purpose. I agree that Harry seemed blindsided. I interpreted the sentence in his statement about how it “wasn’t fair” that after only a “few months od dating” Meghan should be hit with this “storm” that Harry would not have gone public just yet. He waited at least a year or two before going public with Cressida. So someone leaked it. The question is who?

      2. I think the initial leak to Camilla Tominey was maybe a courtier who maybe saw that Harry was serious and maybe wanted to ruin it by scarring Meghan off with the intense unfriendly media attention. So I think it would of served both purposes of taking the heat off the Cambridges and also throwing a wrench in the development of Meghan and Harry….it seems that has backfired and I suspect Meghan and Harry see themselves as us against the world and are more than determined to make this work out.

  16. Oh dear God, a leaked snapchat has hit the internet. Brace yourself. This poor woman, no matter what your opinion. I cannot imagine. Pray for an early Christmas miracle that the British tabloids somehow act completely out of character and show a modicum of restraint.

    Surely the Cambridges wouldn’t go that low? Even if they could?

    1. With all the throwing Harry under the bus history KP’s staff have with William telling them what to do and the media always pushing the Good Prince vs Bad Prince dichotomy, I think we know what’s gonna happen.

    2. I know, GreenTrees. I saw it in the comments of a LoveLolaHeart post. I didn’t want to say anything, but I think it is real. Someone must have stolen it. Which is really awful and wrong.

      Do you think that may be why she went to London? To talk to attorneys about it?

      1. Actually, with a little digging around, I think and hope that this is a fake. It was first posted over a year ago which means the tabs would have been all over it by now if it were real. Let’s hope to God so.

        The problem is that Fox News has just picked it up with the ever so helpful headline that ends in a question mark. You know, like all definitive reporting.

  17. If anyone sees a link to Meghan Markle’s naked snapchat picture on other forums or blogs, please do not share them and help them spread through the internet. I am not sure if they are her or not, some people are saying nasty photoshopped pictures of Meghan’s head on a porn star’s body are also being circulated as well. Please don’t share those, either. I am not a fan of Meghan but this is wrong. It was wrong when Jennifer Lawrence had her pictures stolen, it was wrong when it happened to Leslie Jones, and it feels wrong now. I saw someone post it on LoveLolaHeart’s blog but I don’t comment on that blog so I can’t say something to the blogger to ask her to delete it. People are sharing it on other forums and Twitter, too.

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