From Berkshire to Buckingham

What Kate Wore posted a photo from one of her readers of Kate walking in Hyde Park (or an area I also loosely refer to as Kensington Gardens) yesterday. There she is in my favorite LK Bennett jacket and wellies. Love. it. She is not buttoned up, and given how close a fit that jacket provides, I assume that is a result of her burgeoning pregnancy. Maybe time for a new--and ridiculously stylish--coat?

Don't miss sneaky little Lupo off on the left. That little guy does not miss out on the fun. I don't really pay much attention to Kate's friends, (is that horrible?) so when Julia R. said she is a woman named Trini Foyle, my first reaction was, who the heck is that? But, when I actually saw a picture of said Trini's face I recognized her as a woman I have seen with Kate many times.

In 2007, which is when both these next photos were taken, while William was off finding out that losing Kate was the worst thing that could happen to him, Kate was spending a lot of time with Trini. Given how hard those months must have been, my bet is this is a pretty strong friendship.

Well, there is a first time for everything. We usually see Kate & Co. skiing in Switzerland, but the pregnant Duchess opted for a sled after arriving in the country to attend the wedding of a friend. Kate looked unbelievably glamorous. Usually, when she is skiing she looks sporty, all covered in goggles and a hat, but her hair was looking all bouncy and blown-out under the cold Swiss sun. Instead of bulky goggles (ha, do they even call them that?) she wore oversized Givenchy sunglasses, and even had her flashy Princess of Wales sapphire engagement ring on. Gorgeous!

I have the say the price-tag on that LK Bennett coat was hefty, but as with many of Kate's "personal time" pieces, she gets her full money's worth.

I don't know about the whole sledding in the alps thing, but Kate has plenty of experience on snowy, steep inclines. I bet she was horsing around on the bunny hill with the baby.

Hopefully, there will be wedding photos. This could be a great weekend as we wait for Grimsby next week.

Kate arrived at today's wedding of Mark Tomlinson and Laura Bechtolsheimer with her brother-in-law Prince Harry by her side, looking stunning! She has had a few misses at private weddings, but this is just fabulous. The pale pink with the brown is such a great color combo, the lines are clean and sophisticated--perfect. She was wearing the leopard print dress she wore in Cambridge right before the baby announcement and the brown hat from last year's St. Patrick's Day. What really made this whole outfit was the fur! Kate must have been inspired by Keira Knightley's stunning portrayal of Anna Karenina, because her fur stole and fur edged gloves are spot on trend for this winter's fashion favorite.

Kate has sported the full Russian look in the past...

I rarely pause to consider our Prince Charming's attire, but he was looking particularly great today. I guess, as an usher, the credit should go to the lovely bride for her color and fashion choices...I assume. Anyway, he looked pretty dashing and together they made quite the couple.

...not too dignified, though. Just a prince, horsing around.

Thanks to the nippy weather, the bride was obviously covered up, but from what can be seen, it looks like it was quite a dress.

We have just a few days until Kate's next public engagement!

I am literally writing a separate post to urge you to read this article on Huffington Post. I am serious. Read it right now. It is absolutely hilarious. This man writes like modern and racier P.G. Wodehouse. You will be rolling on the floor. (I love the way he closes.)

The Night Kate Middleton Asked Me to Dance

You will thank me for urging you to read it. Enjoy.

[Update] The DM just offers more and more. After the post-wedding Brunch, ie today, Kate took a solitary walk--shadowed by three protection officers, as her husband and brother-in-law enjoyed the skiing. Since she married, we don't see Kate wearing a watch much, because she ditches it for public engagements, but it is fun to see her relaxed and casual this weekend, with her hair pulled up with a simple clip.

The Daily Mailhad more pictures of Kate this morning from her day sledding before the wedding while the boys were skiing. I like these because we get a better look at the boots. Those are furry and...interesting. Kate looks a little baggy-eyed and exhausted in this first shot. She must have gotten a good night's sleep before the wedding...

Elizabeth II has been hospitalized at Edward VII with a nasty stomach bug. She has cancelled all her engagements for the coming week. Certainly a good intention to keep in your prayers. Quick recovery, Your Majesty!

This is a woefully late post--I apologize. Kate was in Grimsby yesterday. She flew the 170 or so miles in the Queen's helicopter from her home at Kensington Palace to Grimsby on the east coast of England. Dense fog delayed the helicopter, and many were muttering that the pregnant royal should have taken the more economical train. In her condition, however, I see no reason why she shouldn't fly--I would. Since you have probably heard everything there is to hear, so I will just highlight my favorite moments of the day.

Better late than never, Kate arrived safely wearing a recycle. I was a little disappointed, not only was it a recycle, but it isn't one of my absolute favorite coats, so it wasn't the most exciting fashion event. Kate must really like the coat, though, because she wore it Valentine's Day last year and again Christmas morning. She still fits into remarkably well.

Valentine's Day 2012

It is very interesting how just altering small details can really change an outfit. When Kate wore this coat on its first public outing, she teamed it with a black turtlenecked knit dress and black stockings, while here she wore nude stockings, and a dress with more of a scooped neckline. She also accessorized with a very heavy tan from her recent time in the sun. I like black stockings, but after a long winter of them you kind of want to switch to a lighter look, and I am almost never a fan of the way turtlenecks seem to suffocate, so I really liked the changes and she really looked great. Somebody--I have no idea who--determined Kate was wearing Great Plains Cezanne dress underneath, but unfortunately, other than peaking through when she got out of the car, etc, we didn't get a better look at it.

Kate really is just too lovely. This video covers all the great highlights of the day. The little old man who tried to rise to bow to Kate, the old lady who thought she pulled a fast one and tricked the Duchess into revealing the sex of her baby, the creepy mannequin that is looking in a suspicious direction--and through it all Kate's extremely gracious responses. Well done, your royal highness.

I do not know if Kate will have a boy or a girl. Because of her extreme morning sickness, it seems the odds are with a girl, but I think it ludicrous to believe that Kate slipped up today. The time to slip up would have been when she told someone the baby has been kicking. That is when it is most likely you would accidentally insert a "he" or "she", not when you pull together a full sentence like, Oh thank you, I will give it to my daughter who is yet to even be born and well over a year away from even being able to play with such a toy, over which waiting period I will let it gather dust at KP. I don't know, it just seems like a significant stretch to me. Maybe she was going to say dog and stopped when she thought that might be offensive... it's a theory.

Caption this creepy dude.

This was super cute! Flowers from one princess to another. (Yes, I think Kate is a princess. Her husband is a prince and she has a right to all his styles and titles. We don't have to argue about, I persist in my stubbornness.) I wonder how much longer she will be able to come down like that to greet her little fans?

Kate's hair needs special mention today, she gave it some lift in the back which added so much, it has great bouncy movement at the bottom, and I think she has really lightened it. Against her tan and pearly whites, it was completely lovely.

Kate reminded everyone of her great sense of humor when she declined to try the fireman's pole in the hope of avoiding a Bridget Jones moment. Hahaha, I love it. I just rewatched that over Christmas--what a classic.

A Range Rover met Kate's helicopter in Kensington Park to take a no doubt tired Duchess back to her cozy cottage. Night all!

I am not exactly trying to have an "I-told-you-so" moment, particularly because I believe most of you agreed with me, but today video surfaced proving that Kate didn't say anything close to, "I'll give it to my daughter." Watch the whole video at this link. It really is amazing to me that she spends so much time chatting with everyone; she really is quite gracious.

Kate has been spotted shopping for maternity clothes. From what we could see the other day, I don't think she will be able to get away wearing her normal clothes much anymore. I also realized that a significantly smaller percentage of the female population will now be able to buy the clothes she is wearing. I mean, if you aren't pregnant are you going to run to the store to buy a maternity dress? I guess Kate's pregnancy is about to save some people a lot of money. Enough of my thought process...

Tuesday, Pippa met her mom, Carole, for lunch in London wearing almost no make-up. Bold and confidant move for a woman pretty generally stalked by photographers. The two were at a Lebanese restaurant, though, I believe, which is an awesome choice. I haven't found tons of great Lebanese places, but if you live in near LA certainly try Sunnin Lebanese Cafe--excellent.

Carole certainly looks like Kate. The black boots and the dark brown, furry gilet remind me of Kate's LK Bennett coat. They are a beautiful group of girls, that is for sure.

William and Kate added another engagement to their public calendar in addition to their St. Patrick's Day appearance. March 19th!

Cheltenham Festival kicks off tomorrow, and although I don't think we will be seeing HRH the Duchess of Cambridge at any of the events, once upon a time it was a happening four days. Cheltenham can be quite the dramathon. After William and Kate's shock split in April of 2007, many pointed to their "indifferent chemistry" at Cheltenham the month before as early warning signs. Kate has worn some of her most memorable outfits to Cheltenham, so all of the pictures we are about to enjoy should be very familiar.

Cheltenham 2006:
Kate wore the Katherine Hooker that she later shortened for her engagement appearance in Anglesey. I think we can all agree that the shorter length is the better look, but she sure wasn't going to be cold that day.

The infamous Cheltenham 2007!

Kate and William attended the opening day together, and again Kate chose Katherine Hooker, accessorized with Chanel sunglasses. I don't think all that much can be deduced from body language here at all, but hindsight is 20/20. Kate is often panned for this outfit, but I really liked it at the time and I still like it, although I probably would shorten the skirt--I bet Kate would, too.

William is probably just brooding on the traffic delay here, and not plotting his upcoming split from his beautiful girlfriend, but only he knows for certain.

Kate attended the races again on the closing day, and wore everyone's favorite Katherine Hooker jacket of all time. The bird-egg blue of the jacket, with the dark chocolate brown of her structured beret, and the rich tapestry like scarf were all too, too perfect. This is classic Kate Middleton. I absolutely love this outfit.

They split and got back together, and we saw Kate at Cheltenham one last time in 2008 before she essentially went dark until her engagement in 2010. The change in Kate Middleton 2007 to 2008 was certainly being telegraphed in her lightly hipper vibe while still maintaining her classic elements. (This coat was seen again in Canada, of course.)

In a recent interview, Katherine Hooker confirmed that Kate does not accept free clothes and usually comes into the shop or has items sent round to her home if she is too, too busy. Hooker said Kate is as lovely and down-to-earth as she ever was--and from what we have just seen, KH should know. Kate Middleton has been wearing her label for-style-ever. Read more here.

I hope that after Kate and William have a few kids and settle into royal life a little more, that we will see them at Cheltenham again, but only time will tell.

I think the smooching on the ski-slopes may be becoming "a thing". We all loved when William and Kate made big news for good reason--and they didn't even actually kiss! Harry and Cressida also made headlines recently for another ambiguous embrace, and now Pippa and Nico are letting us in on their love with this PDA in St. Moritz. Maybe this will morph into a royal rite of passage? E!online has a pretty detailed report, so I am going to pass it off to those folks. I think I have covered the main photo we came for anyway... ;)

I didn't think we would see Kate this year at Cheltenham, but it seems William and Kate decided it was time to get back to normal! They arrived at the last day of the races this afternoon to see Mike Tindall's horse compete in the Gold Cup.

There is a lot of speculation that Kate's coat is this one that she wore years ago one a night out in London. Lighting can really change a picture, and although they don't look the same color, many of the details are identical. Since it is an unusual coat, and Kate is prone to rewear old items, I think it is the same coat. I didn't really love this coat years ago--it looks almost cheap in the picture--but here at Cheltenham, it looks really lovely. Cameras are strange things. When I heard it was a Joseph coat that made more sense to me.

She must like that hat a lot, because it is certainly getting a workout. She wore it last St. Patrick's Day, again at the wedding in Switzerland, and now today at Cheltenham. I love all the browns in this outfit, it is absolutely great look for an overcast day.

DM is saying her boots are Aquatalia Rhumba, but they are absolutely not! I think they are Stuart Weitzman, but feel free to correct me. Kate has shown a penchant for patterned tights in the past, and she is sporting a pair today. I have to laugh, she is a bolder woman than I.

Richard Palmer pointed out this amusing picture of some man tweaking William's ear. The Prince looks amused--I have to assume there is a private joke here. I have no idea who the man is, but I believe it is the circled gentleman in the picture below. He has a cheeky smile on his face, and the right colored forest green coat. That is my random guess, and it could be completely wrong since these two pictures were taken at different times. Kate is in front of William in this second one and he has put his glasses on. Who knows. (P.S. I love it when William wears his glasses. Suits and glasses-- men look so good in them.)

Pippa made an appearance earlier this week at Cheltenham channeling her sister's look from an earlier year. That fur hat belongs to her mother, or was at least worn by Carole at William's passing out parade. Those thrifty Middleton girls...

Much was made of the mystery man with whom she attended, but seriously, how fast can the girl move? It was just last week she was officially coming out on the Switzerland ski slopes with Nico Jackson. Let me just say, I would be impressed. But stranger things have happened, and if I have learned one thing in my relatively short years--truth is definitely stranger than any fiction.

This picture is highlighting Carole's hat, but also notice her stockings. I think we now know where Kate gets it...

So, it was a lovely surprise to see Kate beaming at Cheltenham festival again. The other good news is that more events have been added to Kate's calendar. She will be with the scouts on the 22nd. This will be a busy, busy week. Yay? :)

Kate and William arrived at Aldershot for St. Patrick's Day and wore the same Emilia Wickstead dress she wore last year, but obviously altered to accommodate her pregnancy. This hat you will recognize from her day with the Queen in Leicester last year. Kate bundled up a little more today with a black turtleneck dress, black stockings, and gloves, piling her hair up in an intricate chignon.

Aldershot 2012

Kate in Leicester 2012

I thought perhaps she was rewearing the turtleneck dress from Valentine's Day last year, because how many of those can a girl need? But the collars aren't the same. Today is much more relaxed, while the dress from Liverpool looks to be ready to choke her, and is ribbed. Turtlenecks.

The parade didn't go off entirely without a hitch. Kate's heel ended up lodged in a grate and she had to cling to her laughing husband as she freed herself. Most of the soldiers stayed at stoic attention.

As usual, the cheerful couple took it all in stride with perfect good humor. Kate was able to get loose eventually...

One of the guardsmen has brief chat with Kate in which she told him she would like a little boy. A quote from The Telegraph:

Guardsman Lee Wheeler, 29, who told the Duchess he missed his 22-month-old son whilst on duty, said he spoke to her about the baby.
"I asked her 'do you know if it's a girl or boy', and she said 'not yet'. She said 'I'd like to have a boy and William would like a girl'. That's always the way,” he recalled.

I actually want the baby to be a boy, too, but we all have quite a few more months to wait before finding out!

Last year, William was away in the Falklands, so it was certainly fun to see them together here today. It is interesting how Kate doesn't seem to have bought any formal-wear specifically for her pregnancy yet, but has been altering pieces from the past. It is like she is holding out as long as she can... Whenever I feel a little heavier than usual, I always put off buying new clothes until I have slimmed down a little. I wonder if Kate is having similar hesitancy Either way, I loved this dress and have no problem with the recycle. It is fun to see it a different way!

I was about to go in hunt for a video when Melek K posted this one to the Facebook page. Job done. :) Thank you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Well, more pictures of Pippa and flame have hit the press, this time of them walking when they were in Switzerland together. To be honest, I do not even recognize him! He doesn't look anything like he did on Mustique or in the file pictures that were passed about. I thought his hair was much, much darker. Anyway, it is Nico and he needs a tailor. He is a pretty big guy, but he still looks like he is drowning in those clothes. I don't want to be too hard on him, though, because there is always the possibility his luggage was lost at the airport and he has been wearing what he could find... Pippa looks lovely and that hat is particularly cute. The DM has more photos here.

Meanwhile, Uncle Gary Goldsmith must be in hot water with Momma Middleton after he gave an interview with Hello! magazine about none other than his royal niece, HRH Catherine. Gary told the magazine about the holiday he put together for William, Kate, & Co. on Ibiza where the boys got mud baths and they all learned to mix music from a DJ--in addition to the usual island festivities. He also claimed that the Gucci bag he gave to Kate when she was a teenager sparked her love of fashion. That makes sense to me--she sure has sported a lot of Gucci ever since. :) I am just being a little bit of a brat; I am sure Kate loved her Gucci purse. Anyway, he had a few other innocuous comments to make and they can all be found in your friendly neighborhood newspaper shop, or most of them can be found on...the DM, here. I think Uncle Gary is pretty harmless--none of this is shocking or unusual, I think he is just enjoying the spotlight and people are always looking for a new story. Let me put it to you this way, in a world where Kim Kardashian can have a TV show that documents every mundane minute of her life, Uncle Gary can have the occasional Hello! exclusive.

Today's public engagement was a little more somber in nature, as William and Kate visited a charity that helps families who have lost a child or are going to lose a child. Kate wore a coat by Goat. I could make so many strange comments here, but I will just say that were I to start a fashion line, it wouldn't be called goat. In any case, the coat was flirty and cute, and enhanced by the Peter Pan collar peeking out around her neck. Her dress was a Zara buy in black, which was an appropriate shade for the day.

Kate again wore black heels and black gloves, with black stockings. The couple met with staff at the center as well as children and families.

I love this dress! I actually bought one very similar, but a little more figure hugging several months ago and I feel like my choice is now validated. I bought mine because it reminded me a little of Victoria Beckham style. She made the Peter pan Collar a real staple certainly of her earlier collections. It is a very cute style on children and adds an interesting element when incorporated into women's fashion.

The royal couple conducted a walkabout and Kate received loads of beautiful flowers! William actually complained that he never gets the flowers anymore, only cold hands. They also received more teddy bears. Ok guys, no. more. teddies. I am serious. If you are ever heading to meet a royal, don't pop into the local convenience store for a teddy bear. I dislike teddy bears more than turtlenecks. Flowers might brighten someones office, but a teddy... No more. William is like, "Whaaaat do I do with this?"...

When Kate got back into the car to leave, you can see she is fully equipped with water!

I didn't love this coat, but I liked it well enough. It was cute not stodgy and balanced the brightness they were meant to bring with the obvious sorrow of such a charity.

Well, that is enough for today. We will be seeing Kate again really soon!

There were little whispers that Kate and the Queen would have a public outing together today and we were not disappointed! It is the 150th Anniversary of the London Tube, and let me tell you, that is worth celebrating. It is by far my favorite underground anywhere and for good reason. Clean, efficient, clean, clean... This is the first public outing of the Queen since she was taken ill, and it is good to see her. I have certainly been concerned about her prolonged absence from public appearances. The ever cheeky prince Philip was also along, as the royal trio caused a stir in the Baker Street Station. Sherlock Holmes had invited them to tea, and--I am joking. That was not part of the program.

Kate seems to like the blue/black color combo when with the Queen or on the Tube. Today she wore a coat by Malene Birger, a Danish designer. I am always interested when Kate wears a non-British item. In general, since becoming an HRH, she has pretty consistently flown the home flag, but every now and agin she does deviate. Keener eyes than mine, on WKW Facebook, pointed out that Princess Mary of Denmark also wore this coat! So, we have some royal ladies trading fashion notes? If you don't follow all the European royals, Princess Mary is Crown Princess of Denmark and wife to that country's heir apparent, Prince Frederik. It was with this couple that William and Kate toured the UNICEF facility. Frederik and Mary have four very precious and extremely fashionably dressed little tykes. Can't wait for Baby Cambridge.

Speaking of Baby Cambridge, Kate was given this little pin that says Baby Onboard. She laughed and said she would have to be sure to wear it at home. Now that is a better gift than a teddy.

The hat was my favorite part of this outfit. I LOVE this hat and I love the outfit it went with before. Kate wore it to a wedding not long after her engagement announcement. You can't see it in this picture, but she was wearing deep purple shoes with a little bow on each. Ugh, I loved them. And she was glowing, of course, and her hair and make-up were perfect. Ah lovely memories...

I don't love today's coat. I don't dislike, I think she looks beautiful and the colors are great in general and awesome on her! But, something about the flare of the coat is making me think of men's coats from Louis XVI. I don't know why. Weird, BUT, she still looks nice. I have to remind myself this is also maternity wear for her, and she is certainly going with the more tent-like approach after her initially figure hugging MaxMara. I think this coat looks too old on her, and I think she should wear coats that are more fitted. The A-line isn't exactly thrilling me. I know a lot of you will disagree, because it is obviously a beautiful coat and she pulls it off, nevertheless, that is my opinion. Look, it is this panel that is too much for me:

Just something about it. Moving on... The Queen looked good and Prince Philip looked like all sorts of comments were galloping about inside his head, which I am sure there were.

Kate also told someone that she used to ride the Tube all the time before she married and missed it. It is perhaps the only hint of wistfulness that Kate has shown for her more normal lifestyle before she became everyone's favorite lady.

We have a few items to clear up from last post. Kate's black dress was indeed Topshop, NOT Zara, as I posted. I won't bore you with the details on how that mistake came about. I have (well, I will) fix that error, so the archive is correct in the future.

Number 2) CP shared in the comment section an article about William and Kate visiting with bereaved families. I do not focus particularly on the charities that Kate and William visit unless it particularly piques my interest. In this case, however, I agree with CP that it is good to share. It is especially poignant since William traumatically lost a parent at a young age. Click here for the article. Thank you for sharing, CP!

Busy, busy week, more Kate to come! Love the hat!!

You can always be sure I will LOVE Kate's outdoor wear, and when Kate added a day with the scouts to her calendar I knew it would be a glorious profusion of Barbour and Le Chameau. Kate was right on point showing up to spend time with the scouts in a Barbour jacket and Le Chameau wellies. My day is made.

That Barbour jacket is actually a little on the lighter side, but Kate had layered at least three deep, so she was cozy as a bug in a rug. I see a black fleece peeking out, as well as a base sweater of some kind. Those Le Chameau wellies are ridiculously warm. They say in the description they keep you toasty, but it really is incredible just how toasty. Kate could not have been more prepared for a day in the snow!

The hat is a Really Wild Clothing item. Kate has loved this brand for years, as mentioned in previous posts, and I love when she wears anything from them. We don't see this kind of hat often, but she wore one very similar in 2006.

Kate Middleton in 2006

It looks like Kate's friend took some style inspiration from the Duchess, because that hat looks suspiciously similar to the Really Wild Clothing hat Kate has worn in the past, most notably the Gatcombe Park trials.

Basically, on a day like today there isn't much to do but sit back and enjoy the photos. Kate looked right in her element, the kids seemed thrilled to have her there, and the adults all seemed to be having a blast, too.

I particularly liked this photo of Kate down on the ground with the kids. Very cute!

I can't believe Kate is already five months pregnant! It seems like it was just yesterday everyone was speculating about when she would have a baby, heck, it seems like she just got married!

We will see Kate and William very soon in Scotland--April 4th. Prince Charles will join them. I love Scotland, so this should be fun!

Kate and William arrived in Glasgow today, after what I felt was a very long Kate-draught. I was very, very excited to see the Countess of Strathearn back in Scotland! Kate and William have been in Anglesey, where the two were spotted quietly going to church on Easter morning together. Kate was wearing the Moloh Worker's Coat today with her Aquatalia Rhumba boots, which she first debuted in Scotland two years ago. There are a lot of elements to her outfit that I really like. The tartan pattern is very in vogue, the coat is fitted, which I am always cheering for, muted tones, etc. The big question seems to be, is it too short? I am the first to applaud Kate's tenacity in continuing to flaunt her pins post wedding. I love short skirts, Kate has incredible legs, and it is very rare that I think anything she wears is too short. (I am not suggesting a Side-Walk Sally short, here, but you get my point.) I think this coat is too short, and the problem lies in shape.

No person can wear every single style. It is a fact that some things suit and some will not based on how you are built. If you are one of those people who thinks it is a free country and you can pull off any and every style that comes across the fashion pages, you probably are offending people fairly often with your style. No one can pull off everything. This coat would probably have worked if Kate were not pregnant. Consider her stunning appearance at the Epsom Derby. It was absolutely gorgeous. She was skinny as a rail post wedding and completely pulled off the whole outfit. It remains a favorite of mine.

Today, the length of the coat is much the same, however, she is six months pregnant, so she has thickened up just a hint in her legs, but more importantly, she has an entirely different silhouette, thanks to her lovely baby bump. That, combined with the wide circumference at the bottom, which makes the viewer uncomfortable, changes the whole game. The skirt is too short. That is my verdict. She still looks lovely, but she would look better if it were just a tad longer...this time. Back to the Scottish action. The pair visited the Emirates Arena, which will be the site of the XX Commonwealth Games in 2014. Very appropriate considering the royal couples involvement in the recent summer Olympics.

At the Strathearns' second stop of the day, a homeless shelter for young people, Kate chatted with some of the girls, and of course the baby came up! The project manager asked when Baby Cambridge is due:

When Rachel asked what her due date is and if they had any names, Kate replied: "It's around mid-July but apparently babies have their own agenda...
"We have a shortlist for both (boy and girl) but it's very difficult.

"My friends keep texting me names."She also answered "around June time" when Rachel asked when she would be stopping working to put her feet up before the baby was born.

Kate told some of the young people also that she has taken up knitting, but as of now, is still not very skilled.

I may update this post later, as I am in a rush at the moment, but if not, see you all tomorrow!

Something about wearing red in Scotland with her rhumba boots, Kate is really into it. She pulled a piece from the past when she arrived at Dumfries House today in this red Armani coat. Remember it? William's passing out parade at Sandhurst in 2006. I didn't love it at the time. It was a little large, with those wide lapels, almost something you could see Diana wearing at the height of the 90's. The hat was also big, and it all seemed to kind of overwhelm her. The lacey shirt she wore underneath looked like a cheap tank. It felt like Kate was still transitioning from her college-student style, to princess-in-waiting, and hadn't fully found her feet yet.

Kate has now reworn both these pieces with much better success! We saw the hat just this past Remembrance Day, and with a more fitted coat, she wore the hat instead of it taking over as it did in 2006.

Now, she has worn the coat as well, and it looks so much better! (And more suitable length after yesterday) Not that Kate is old now, but she is certainly at a different place in her life, and so the more mature look of this coat suits her here as the pregnant Countess of Strathearn, rather than the early twenties, fresh from university, girlfriend of a partying prince. It is amazing how little things can change an outfit.

William and Kate, aka The Earl and Countess of Strathearn, I do love these titles, were joined by the Duke of Rothesey--guess who...yes, Prince Charles, at Dumfries House, a stately home, indeed. I feel like it could easily be used in just about any Jane Austen adaptation. Don't think it is just the house, this place has 2,000 acres to go with it. Not a bad spread. They weren't there for an Edwardian festival, though, they were opening an outdoor centre. I wish I could tell you more, but I can't find any info on it, and my interest petered out after the third Google search. A mystery I have no trouble leaving a cold case, so, we move on... But not before we take a moment to notice Prince William's very handsome overcoat. A man in an overcoat is a good looking man.

In case you are not already in the know, this scarf Kate has sported on several occasions is a special tartan. Tartans we initially produced for decoration, but quickly became associated with regions, and then with families and clans. This scarf is the Strathearn Tartan, and Kate is the Countess of Strathearn, so this pattern is the one she got. I don't love it--I much prefer blues and greens--but if I got to be a countess, I could live with it. Kate has carried this scarf on two other occasions:

You will notice the same pin in the above picture that she is wearing today. Richard Palmer says:

Kate's wearing a maritime-themed brooch featuring two silver dolphins. It's a gift from the Royal Navy Submarine Service.

After Dumfries House, William and Kate visited BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness where nuclear submarines are made. In this light, the coat seems orange at times. It is interesting to note that the coat buttons at just the right spot for a maternity coat, so it really couldn't have been more perfect.

Every engagement, something makes headlines, whether it is the lady who thought she tripped Kate up, or the little girl who didn't want to let a prince kiss her, or Kate revealing she is knitting these days... Today's story was the little girl who showed Kate a barbie doll of the royal. From what I can see of the doll, it is styled loosely on Kate's engagement. The trademark hair is there in force, and Kate asked, is that what my hair actually looks like? She didn't seem to be a fan.

Fun close to the two-day trip!

Kate was out antique shopping today in Holt, Norfolk, which is suspiciously close to the Queen's Sandringham Estate, and therefore to Anmer Hall, which is rumored to be the Cambridges' next residence. Given the extensive renovations to the house, I really do think that William and Kate are indeed planning to make it their next country home.

When I saw these pictures of Kate I kept thinking, something looks a little odd. Then I realized she is pregnant. Still not used to it, apparently...

We are relatively a long ways out from Kate's next public engagement, and by that I mean less than a week, but her sister Pippa is at a wedding in Scotland, accompanied not by Nico Jackson, but George Percy. I will never stop saying that is a strange relationship/friendship, but....

This is a very interesting ensemble, and one that kind of walks a fine line--Pips is fond of taking a good risk and has had her far share of disasters as a result, but I like this. She just barely makes it work. Love all the purple, and the dress is simple and slender enough that adding the fur doesn't make it a monstrous mess.

She looks great, and that hair makes me think she is taking tips from her older sister... See more photos at the Daily Mail here.

Lastly, don't forget that the Duchess of Cambridge has added a spate of new events to the calendar and will now be out and about on April 21, 23, 24, and 26 as well as having added a few fun dates to her June book, right before she disappears to rest up and deliver an heir.

Today is Her Majesty the queen's birthday, and while the birthday girl marked her special day privately, the stunning Duchess of Cambridge stepped in for her at Windsor Castle for the National Review of the Queen's Scouts. (Today's post is so late in the evening/early in the morning that it is actually tomorrow) Who better to take on this job than Kate, who has been so involved with the scouts, both publicly and privately?

Kate chose a delicate minty green coat by Mulberry and rewore the neutral hat she first debuted at the Epsom Derby not long after her marriage in 2011 and at the wedding of a friend. (The wedding when she wore the Katherine Hooker coat with the dress from the Santa Barbara polo match. Not my fave, but...) I love, love, love this! Kate wobbles recently with an ill-fitting coat that was just too short, but she has hit her stride again with this. It fits well over her burgeoning bump, without overwhelming her, and it is long enough to maintain decorum, but still short enough to highlight her beautiful legs and remind us that pregnancy hasn't changed her. Perfect!

When I saw the above photo I thought, gosh that boy-scout looks really familiar. Well, it is Bear Grylls! Ha, my brothers have been known to watch the occasional survival show.... To me, this is a mile-marker outfit, because she is well and truly pregnant. Every other public outing we have seen her at, she has downplayed and concealed her pregnancy remarkably well, but she has now gotten far enough along that it is hard to minimize. Thankfully, she has hit the absolute perfect tone with this outfit.

The coat doesn't come with a dress when advertised, so I am not sure where she got the dress she is obviously wearing underneath, but it matched the color of the coat to perfection. Whether this was provided by Mulberry, or whether Kate is just that much of a fashionista is not clear.

I absolutely love Windsor. Such an historical castle, so, so very beautiful, and the site of one of the best annual events on the royal calendar--the Order of the Garter ceremony! This is getting me very excited for summer. The coat is almost retro. It is super cute and I was so thrilled to see her looking so fabulous!

Kate arrived at Willows Primary School in Manchester to promote her new patronage, the charity Place2Be. Kate was wearing a floral patterned Erdem. She paired the dress with royal blue suede pumps that bring out some of the discreet petal/circles on the dress. Sometimes Kate arrives by helicopter and sometimes...she takes the train. Kate took the train from London to Manchester today:

Kate first really debuted Erdem on tour in Canada, and some great looks are from the label. Erdem makes a lot of these geometrically patterned pieces, and Kate obviously favors blue. It is one of those labels that has its fair share of hits and misses, though. These two Canadian pieces were lovely:

But, I never really warmed to either of these pieces worn to the Trooping and for private functions, and the Asia tour:

Today's dress falls somewhere in the middle for me. I don't super like it, but it isn't like the Trooping dress, for which I had a definite antipathy.

Kate delivered a brief speech today in which she spoke of the destruction caused by addiction and her patronages fight to provide help to those struggling. To watch the Telegraph's video, click on the picture below:

It was Lupo's lucky day, as Kate received a goodie bag with dog treats on her walkabout.

The U.S. had a rather busy time of it last week in terms of news, and I can say that I almost didn't ouch my royal Twitter or follow any news on Kate, so that may be why I missed this photo photo of Kate and her mom shopping last Thursday! That or it is a true exclusive, which Hello! does pull off with fair regularity. In typical style, Hello! has titled this picture as baby crib shopping, although if that is a baby crib and not a laundry basket or something, I would be very surprised. I love it though. Kate's hair up in a ponytail is super cute, and whenever she is out with her mom I love it. Certainly buying this issue!

Kate looked great today. I may not be wild about the dress, but it is certainly pretty, figure flattering, and appropriate for the occasion. Who knows what her closet has in store for us next...See you tomorrow at the National Portrait Gallery!

Kate Walks with Trini Foyle in the Park

Kate Goes Sledding in Switzerland

Kate Attends Wedding in Arosa, Swiss Alps

Huffington Post Article: The Night Kate Middleton Asked Me to Dance

[More Pictures] Daily Mail Reveals More Kate Sledding Photos

Kate Battles Fog to Visit Grimsby

Pippa and Carole Lunch in London: Kate Didn't Say Daughter

Cheltenham Festival: A Royal Staple of the Past

Pippa and Nico Skiing In Switzerland

Kate and William Attend Last Day of Cheltenham Festival!

Kate and William at St. Patrick's Day Parade. Aldershot, 2013

Pips Pictured with Nico and Uncle Gary Chats with Hello!

William and Kate Visit Child Bereavement Center

Kate Joins HM and DofE at Baker Street Station

Kate with the Scouts in the Lake District

The Countess of Strathearn in Glasgow, Scotland

Kate Wears Sandhurst Red Armani Coat in Scotland

Kate Spotted Antique Shopping in Holt, Norfolk

Kate Wears Mulberry at Windsor Castle for National Review of Queen's Scouts

Kate Wears Erdem to Manchester Primary School