By Emma Reynolds


Kate looked demure in her trademark nude heels today at the wedding of Princess Diana's niece.

The Duke of Cambridge kept a protective hand on the back of the Duchess, who wore a pale grey floral dress with her favourite LK Bennett shoes to the Lincolnshire nuptials.

She completed the muted look with an elegant Whiteley beige hat and embellished coat, with her hair half up in a plait around the crown of her head.

Poised: The Duchess of Cambridge looked calm and composed in a muted floral dress and embellished coat

It was latest of many outings for Kate's £180 high street shoes, which have flown off the shelves as shoppers seek to imitate her classic style.

The go-with-everything footwear has made an appearance at numerous weddings, formal occasions and even relaxed day trips.

Thrifty Kate has also worn the £99 hat before, teaming it with a white chiffon dress for the Epsom Derby last June.

Prince William laughed and joked with his friends and relatives at the wedding, but Kate looked rather serious as her husband made the introductions.


Sunny mood: A smiling Prince William steered his wife through the crowds filling the pretty churchyard at the wedding

Half up 'do: Kate wore her hair partly up, plaited around the crown of her head with curls tumbling beneath while her gentlemanly husband introduced her to his old friends and relatives

In contrast to last week's Jubilee celebrations, when the Duchess chatted with Prince Harry and her husband stood quietly to one side, this week the Duke was in charge.

Harry followed slightly behind while his older brother led Kate gently through the pretty churchyard, a pale grey clutch bag clasped in one of her hands and Diana's engagement ring sparkling on the other.

Her tasteful wedding guest outfit was finished off with pearl drop earrings and black eyeliner.

The bride was Emily McCorquodale, son of Diana's elder sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale and a guest at the royal wedding a year ago.

Lady Sarah is probably the the member of the Spencer family to whom Prince William and Harry are closest.


Picture perfect: Kate and William looked sophisticated as they stuck together in the crowd of guests

Royal procession: William directs Kate past the admiring fellow guests with brother Harry following behind

Lady Sarah is joint Master of the Belvoir Hunt and married to Neil McCorquodale,a former Coldstream Guards officer.

Their other children are George, a Prince Harry lookalike who shares his mother's red hair, and Celia, who hit the headlines for her wild partying earlier this year.

Emily's wedding to James Hutt took place in a pretty church in the Lincolnshire hamlet of Stoke Rochford, where she grew up on her family's 1,000-acre farm.

The Duchess looked rather serious, despite the dappled sunshine shining on William's cousin's big day

Her cousin Kitty Spencer also attended the wedding, wearing a low-cut white chiffon dress and navy heels.

The Earl of Spencer's daughter chose a look that was a far cry from Kate's sensible, high-necked attire.

Platinum blonde Lady Kitty, who was voted most eligible female by Tatler a few years ago, typically drew attention when the short skirt blew up around her thighs.


Attention grabbing: Lady Kitty Spencer went for a very different look to Kate in a low-cut white chiffon dress that blew up in the wind


source:dailymail

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Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William

By Rebecca English


Effortless elegance: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a full-length cream gown that was split to the thigh for a meeting at the Thirty Club at Claridge's in London last night

The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at a 'secret' engagement in London last night in a show-stopping cream dress.

Although her private dinner was meant to be under the radar Kate was anything but, in a stunning floor-skimming gown slit to the thigh.

The dress, believed to be a design by Roland Mouret, had a demure high neckline, was teamed with crystal-studded Jimmy Choo Vamp sandals that revealed crimson-painted toenails.

White out: The showstopping gown is believed to be a 2009 creation by designer Roland Mouret

The Duchess carried a diamante clutch bag that matched her shoes and sported a pair of chandelier-style diamond earrings.

Kate was accompanying her husband, Prince William, to one of the most elite dining clubs in the country.

The royal couple were at Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair for a meeting of the Thirty Club, whose members are some of the most powerful men and women in advertising and the media.

Founded in 1905 for the ‘betterment of advertising’, its monthly dinners are a chance for the movers and shakers of the industry to meet, discuss issues of the day and sometimes even seal deals.


Back in the spotlight: The royal couple looked relaxed and happy as they stepped on to the red carpet

Supportive: Kate was accompanying husband Prince William, who was a guest speaker at last night's event

The man with the keys to entry is Bartle Bogle Hegarty's Nigel Bogle but it also attracts big media players including Michael Grade, Lord Puttnam and Stephen Carter.

Rupert Murdoch is believed to have attended one dinner, although clearly in light of recent events was not present yesterday.

Their meetings feature a guest speaker – in this case Prince William - who was following in the footsteps of many other senior royals who have made address including his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, his grand-father Prince Philip and aunt Princess Anne.

The Duchess was accompanying him, palace sources said, for support.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said William had decided to attend in honour of the Queen’s jubilee and his own 30th birthday next month.

‘The Duke has been invited for around nine years now and thought that it was right to accept the invitation this year because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

'It also seemed rather apt as it his 30th birthday next month,’ they said.

‘Other senior members of the Royal Family also suggested that it was an interesting event to attend.’

They declined to say what issues his speech would be tackling, however, as it was ‘a private occasion’ and the engagement was not publicised in advance.


Dazzling: The Duchess teamed her simple gown with a beaded clutch, platform heels and diamond earrings

Designer accessories: Jimmy Choo was the label behind both the sparkly beaded bag and the silver crackled leather shoes, which retail for £484

The Thirty Club was named after its 30 founder members - ten senior figures from the advertising industry, those who advertise and the media. Today it still has 30 full members on roughly the same line, but has expanded its number of include some associate members.

Some refer to Thirty Club members as ‘peacocks’ and their dinners as a ‘great flurry of feathers’.

Apparently a great deal of meaning is written into the table plans and the further you sit away from ‘the top table’, the less influential you are considered – although clearly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had little to worry about there.



source:dailymail

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Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William

By Daily Mail Reporter


Last April, William and Kate were married in a stunning ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

The world watched as the fairytale came true for Kate Middleton, a middle-class girl who married her prince.

One year on, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look happier than ever. Across an eventful 12 months that has seen the two make dozens of public appearances, attend numerous charity events and William posted to the Falklands, leaving Kate to carry out solo engagements, the two have spent the year in the spotlight coming to terms with life as a working Royal couple.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look back at some of the highlights of what has been a spectacular year for William and Kate.

APRIL 2011: THE ROYAL WEDDING


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding on April 29th was watched by over two billion people


Worth the wait, Kate: The Royal's balcony kiss voted nation’s favourite TV moment of 2011


Walking hand in hand from Buckingham Palace the newlyweds look happy and relaxed the day after their nuptials

MAY 2011


William and Kate meet with Barack Obama (left) and First Lady Michelle Obama (right), on the first day of President Obama's three-day state visit to the UK - shortly after this photograph appeared Kate's £175 Reiss dress caused a shopping frenzy and sold out instantly

JUNE 2011


The Epsom Derby 2011 was the biggest gathering of the Royal Family since the royal wedding. Kate dazzled in a collarless off-white jacket over a diaphanous white frock and nude platform shoes while Prince William, and Harry opted for a top hat and tails.


The Trooping of the Colour ceremony marks the monarch's official birthday, but all eyes were on the Duke and Duchess playing key roles in the event for the first time


The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge attend the 10th annual ARK Gala in London. The Duchess wears a Jenny Packham gown that cost £3,835


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the 10th annual Absolute Return for Kids (Ark) Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace. Kate opted for a Jenny Packham gown, accessorised with LK Bennett shoes and a clutch bag, bringing a touch of simple elegance as they made their first official public engagement as a married couple


Never mind the royal wave: Kate and William take part in a Mexican wave on Centre Court as they watched Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon

JULY 2011


Pretty in purple: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge took part in Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chat during a citizenship ceremony: Kate's brooch was borrowed from the Queen


Rapturous welcome: First job of the day for Prince William and his wife Catherine was at the Canadian Museum of Civilisation where they took part in a citizenship ceremony to mark Canada Day. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a red hat with maple leaves


William watches as his wife shovels dirt during a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa before she hand the spade over...


Visit: William and Kate arrive at Prince Edward Island watched by a number of fans who had dressed up in period costume for the occasion


Lady in white: Kate wore a cricket style outfit for the occasion which she teamed with navy shoes. The Royal couple were met by hundreds of cheering fans


William and Kate pose wearing the sweaters of the Canadian Rangers after being made honorary members during a visit to Blatchford Lake, Northwest Territories July 5


Beaming: The royal couple looked the part in matching stetson hats as they got into the rodeo spirit in Calgary


Dazzling Duchess: Kate looked stunning in a little yellow dress as the royal couple arrived at Calgary airport


Kate and William cut a stylish appearance as they arrived in Santa Barbara ahead of a charity polo match that saw the Duke lead his team to a 5-3 victory, left, before the couple departed LAX airport, right


Hollywood royalty: Wearing a classic tuxedo, Prince William escorts Kate down the red carpet and into the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles


Hollywood royalty: Wearing a classic tuxedo, Prince William escorts Kate down the red carpet and into the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles


Warm welcome: The couple were greeted by a crowd of well wishers in Los Angeles, who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the British royals


Mom, I'd like you to meet... The royal couple met Jennifer Lopez and her mother at the glittering event



AUGUST 2011


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Summerfield Community Centre in Birmingham to lend their support to riot-torn communities - Kate swapped her usual High Street favourites for a designer outfit by Alexander McQueen paired with Prada heels

SEPTEMBER 2011


Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the Royal Mardsen hospital in Sutton

OCTOBER 2011


The royal couple attend a Charity Gala Evening hosted by 100 Women in Hedge Funds at St James's Palace in London for which Kate wore a full length red gown by ethical label, Beulah, left. Later that month, Kate attended a private dinner at Clarence House in aid of the charity In Kind Direct - one of The Prince of Wales's charities - without her husband

NOVEMBER 2011: KATE SPARKS BABY RUMOURS


DECEMBER 2011: GALA DINNER AND FIRST CHRISTMAS AT SANDRINGHAM AS A MARRIED COUPLE


The Duke and Duchess attend The Sun Military Awards at The Imperial War Museum with Prince Harry. Kate wears a gown by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton, the same designer who created her fairytale wedding dress



JANUARY 2012: KATE TURNS 30


It's Kate's 30th birthday, and the royal pair attend a premiere for Steven Spielberg's acclaimed film War Horse. Kate chooses a lace Alice Temperley gown for the occasion, while Wills dazzles in tuxedo


This month, Kate announced the four charities for which she would become patron - Patron of Action on Addiction, Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, Royal Patron of The Art Room and Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, London - and also revealed she would become a volunteer with the Scouting Association612

FEBRUARY 2012: KATE'S FIRST SOLO ENGAGEMENTS... AND VALENTINE'S DAY ALONE


Kate goes solo: William is posted to the Falklands leaving Kate to attend multiple social functions alone during February - and the Duchess takes them on with poise. Here, she attends the opening of the Lucian Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery


It's Valentine's Day, and Kate goes solo again - this time to visit a Liverpool children's hospital, where she is bestowed with hundreds of bouquets and gifts


William is still in the Falklands - but Kate is not letting the grass grow underneath her feet. On February 22 she pays a visit to an Oxfordshire school where she takes place in an art class - and gets red paint on her Orla Kiely coat-dress

MARCH 2012


Girl's day out: Kate, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Queen go for tea at Fortnum & Mason


Wills is still away in the Falklands, so Kate embarks upon a visit to The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts with her in-laws - yet another engagement without her husband by her side. Kate looks confident and assured - testament to how far she has come since marrying William almost a year ago


Prince Charles wished to introduce his daughter-in-law to the charity work he carries out with the Princes Trust - and the experience went a long way in helping Kate adjust to life in the public eye


Charles and Kate were greeted by hundreds of cheering schoolchildren waving Union flags at the centre - a taste of things to come for Kate for the rest of her life


Later that same day, Kate is invited to meet the British Olympic hockey teamsin her role as Team GB and Paralympics GB 2012 Ambassador. She dons pink jeggings and trainers to join the teams for a game - and not only does she wow with her skills, but as a result of the Duchess Effect, pink jeans go on to sell out across the nation


The Duchess relived her school days as she played a game with the Olympic team


Kate, who wore heels before the game, posed with the GB Mens's Hockey Team


Short address: Kate gives her first speech in honour of families at The Treehouse, a hospice run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH)

APRIL 2012


APRIL 2012: Together again at last: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, centre, enjoyed a week away at the renowned Trois Vallees ski resort with mother Carole, left, and the Middleton family after his safe return from the Falklands


Peplum queen: Kate wears Matthew Williamson as the couple arrive for the British Premiere of 'African Cats at the BFI Southbank


Quick change Kate: The Duchess Kate wore an indigo tweed Rebecca Taylor suit for her visit to Goldsmiths' Hall, left, then later in the day changed into a simple grey dress as she appeared at the Imperial War Museum last night



source:dailymail

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Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William