William and Kate's Next Three Engagements Revealed + What Kate Might Wear

Hello to you all,
William and Kate's Royal diary is looking busy again - with three engagements in two days pencilled in for the end of this month. On April 25 the Cambridges will attend the UK film premiere of nature documentary 'African Cats' at the National Film Theatre, London. Narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart the 'true life adventure' tells the story of two animal families in the wild trying to survive on the African Savannah. You can watch the trailer Here.

African Cats/TheMirror

The premiere is in aid of Prince William's charity Tusk Trust, a wildlife protection charity which was established in response to 'an urgent need to halt the decline in Africa's natural heritage and find a way to combine the interests of people and wildlife alike'. William is expected to make a short speech. Last January the couple attended the premiere of Steven Speilberg's War Horse and Duchess Kate was reduced to tears. No doubt the Duchess will need a box of tissues on hand as 'African Cats' is said to be a tearjerker. 

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On April 26 the couple will have two engagements. Firstly they will attend a reception to celebrate The Scott - Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole. The couple will honour two British Army teams who raced across Antarctica to raise much needed funds for the British Legion's commitment to help recovering and unwell service people. William is a patron of this incredible organisation. Truly inspiring story. 

Scott Amundsen

                                       

That evening the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend a reception at the Imperial War Museum to launch their First World War Galleries: Centenary Campaign. For those of you interested in history or unique coverage of conflicts involving the Commonwealth the museum is a must see.

Imperial War Museum

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I am delighted about the choice of upcoming engagements and think they tip just the right balance. I'm particularly looking forward to the 'African Cats' premiere and seeing Kate in another full length gown. In terms of sartorial choices the 30 year old hasn't put a foot wrong In fact in terms of anything she hasn't Which lucky designer will Kate choose? Let's take a look at some possibilities beginning with Jenny Packham.

Jenny Packham

I'm secretly hoping Kate choose a dress by the amazing Alice Temperly. We discussed the beautiful Greta dress in this post last week and I do hope to see Kate wearing it this year. Although it could be quite chilly and she may opt for long sleeves. Below we look at the Camille, Vera and the Long Draped Spiral Dress. Adore the Vera.

Temperly

Should Kate choose Amanda Wakeley, all I can say is the dress below is gorgeous. 

Amanda Wakeley

Kate's other 'go to' designer is of course Sarah Burton at McQueen. Due to the rather eccentric feel to the latest collections, a dress for Kate will most likely be custom made by Burton. I will be surprised if the Duchess chooses a designer apart from the four aforementioned British designers. What would you like to see Duchess Kate wear?

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Duchess Kate wears red to Copenhagen to raise awareness for UNICEF

I'm very excited to report William and Kate arrived in Copehagen today to raise awareness for UNICEF. Huge numbers from the press turned out to see the arrival of the royal couple. They joined Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at the palace for a private lunch. The palace is adorned by contemporary art and has been recently renovated. Like Kate, Princess Mary was a 'commoner' before marrying Prince Frederik. (She didn't know he was a Prince when they met) I was struck by how similar Mary and Kate look, Do any of you think they look quite alike? I imagine the pair had plenty to discuss over lunch....

Duchess Kate then travelled to the UNICEF supply centre with Princess Mary while Prince William and Prince Frederik arrived in a separate car. The royals then heard about life for children affected by the crisis and helped pack supplies getting ready for delivery.  You can watch the video Here. The royals also met UNICEF ambassador and former James Bond actor Roger Moore.

Reuters

Prince William tasted the high energy paste used to treat severe malnourishment, Kate declined to try it. (It's supposedly similar to peanut butter)

Princess Mary and Duchess Kate reportedly got on like 'a house on fire'. While it wasn't a social occasion Denmark's future Queen welcome Kate with open arms and the pair seem very fond of each other. They are two of the worlds most loved, down to earth royals and I do hope we see more of them together in the future.

Reuters

Duchess Kate looks beautiful as always, wearing the red L.K. Bennett Ami coat. (With many thanks to the amazingly talented Susan from What Kate Wore and to Get What Kate Wore ) The burgundy coat is currently selling for £276 on sale. L.K. Bennett is truly one of Kate's favourites she normally opts for their shoes, this coat was a stunning choice for today. It is described as

"Sharp tailoring lends itself to a flattering silhouette with the Ami coat. Made in a rich wool mix, this belted coat has a striking collar and is fully lined".

Duchess Kate wore a red dress underneath her coat, as she didn't take her coat off we do not know who the designer is. However the lovely ladies at What Kate Wore discovered Kate's belt is by Reiss from 2008 and is called the Bessie Belt. (With thanks to Duchess of Cambridge style for the photo) 

The Duchess has always been a fan of suede boots, She gets quite a lot of criticism for wearing them but I think they suit her and are the perfect footwear for the winter. Today, Kate wore Stuart Weitzman Zipkin black suede boots. The four inch boots with a gold zipper are available for $635.

Kate's accessories were stunning today. She wore the charm bracelet Camilla reportedly gave her as a present. The disc charm has 'Catherine's' monogram on one side and Camilla's on the other.

Kate's gorgeous Vinnie Day gold plated logo leaf earrings are currently available for £100. They are described as


"These are a wonderful pair of earrings which we find never go out of fashion. They are easy to wear both day and night. Comfortable to keep in the ears".

William and Kate made a private donation via their foundation to the east Africa crisis. However millions of children still need life saving assistance as the drought continues. I have been researching the work UNICEF do and it is truly inspiring. Sadly UNICEF face a $40 million shortfall and require donations to help the thirteen million people facing famine in east Africa. William and Kate hope their visit raises awareness and gains support for this essential, life saving work. You can donate Here.

I must say Kate did a splendid job today, She was completely at ease in Copenhagen with the Danish royal couple and she looked stunning. I think her fashion choices are actually getting better with each event. In an interview with the BBC Duchess Kate spoke eloquently about the 'terrible situation' occuring in east Africa and one could tell she was genuinely concerned and understanding. Kate said


"It's really just how shocking the situation still is.I think it was initially a very big story . A lot of people did hear about it, but I think because it has been going on, people have perhaps lost track of the terrible situation. So I think this, hopefully, will put the light back on this crisis".


Watch Kate's interview Here

Sources (What Kate Wore, What kate wore facebook, Daily Mail, Twitter, Daylife.com, Unicef, L.K. Bennett)

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Kate Wears Matthew Williamson to 'African Cats' Premiere

William and Kate attended the African Cats première at BFI Southbank, London. It is their first joint public engagement in over three months.Despite the dismal weather conditions, the couple were in high spirits. The rain briefly stopped moments before their arrival.

Pacific Coast News

'African Cats' is a nature documentary which follows a lioness and a Cheetah with their offspring in Kenya's Masai Mara nature reserve. The film is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and Sir Patrick Stewart. A portion of the proceeds for the film were donated to the African Wildlife Foundation. The 'true adventure' documentary offers a rare insight into the struggles animals face in the wild to protect their young. I expect one would need their handkerchief when viewing this movie as it's a real tearjerker. 

The première is in aid of William's patronage Tusk Trust. The organisation has twenty years experience initiating and funding conservation and community development programmes across Africa. Tusk has been a driving force in helping to protect African wildlife, something Prince William is passionate about. If you wish to donate please click here.

The Mirror/African Cats

The Cambridges were joined at the event by one hundred children involved with their patronages. You can a video from the event at ITNSource William and Kate with Charlie Mayhew of Tusk Trust. Mr Mayhew revealed the couple 'absolutely loved the film'.

Zimbio

There was much speculation regarding Kate's sartorial choices for the evening :)

Richard Palmer Twitter

However Kate opted for a classic, dove grey, dress with turqoise and gold encrusted detail on the cuffs by Scottish designer Matthew Williamson. Kate's outfit is from the pre-fall 2012 collection. The dress is not available in stores yet but will be priced at $1695. Kate ordered the dress in January. (With thanks to Lisa WKW FB)  Williamson added beading on the collar to match the cuffs for Kate's piece, perhaps because Kate wanted it for an evening appearance? 

Matthew Williamson

Williamson is an incredibly talented designer and I'm delighted to see his work has caught Kate's eye. Again we see Kate choosing a new designer whilst staying true to her love of timeless elegance.

British Monarchy Flickr

 

A look at the back. The peplum jacket is reminiscent of the LK Bennett Jude jacket Kate wore during her visit to Leicester. Obviously a style the Duchess favours.

Styleite

Kate wore the gorgeous Kiki Classic Peridot , Blue Topaz and Diamond Earrings. (With many thanks to the wonderful Anna who also Id'd the shoes) The beautiful earrings are available for £1,200 and described as

"These runaway best selling earrings never fail to impress. Wearable, elegant and available in a dazzling array of colourways, the flattering green and blue gemstone combination is especially popular."

Kiki McDonough

Duchess Kate wore a pair of dark grey Emmy shoes and carried what appears to be a matching clutch similar to the items below. (With thanks to What Kate Wore)

Emmy

When the movie ended William began his speech with 'I'm emotionally exhausted. There's more drama in that than Eastender's :) To view the full speech please click here. William and Kate have a busy day ahead tomorrow with two receptions to attend. See you all then :)

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Kate speaks about life in Anglesey and wedding planning, Why Kate could be planning a trip to Africa and info on her engagement dress!

A video has been released from the media reception at Buckingham Palace. As the reception took place almost a week ago I was surprised to see it. In the video one can see Duchess Kate entering the room greeting guests. Kate's Mulberry peace and love dress looks simply stunning when it can be seen properly. Many of us wondered what shoes Kate chose, from the video we can see her wearing her black court shoes.


I was touched to hear Kate speak candidly about choosing wedding music this time last year and how much she adores living in Anglesey. Kate came across as warm, charismatic and instantly put the guests at ease with her winning personality. Kate said


"It's amazing it's been a year. I think this time last year I was thinking about wedding music. I love our life in Anglesey. It's just nice to be outdoors and away from the city. As much as I love London, it's nice to get away".


The Duchess also said she hoped next year would be quieter than this one. You can watch the video Here. (Kate speaks at 14.30)

News has been circulating in the press (Nothing official confirmed yet) about Kate planning to visit famine victims in Africa. Royal aides are reportedly travelling to Africa before Christmas to organise an itinerary for the Duchess. Kate will meet some of the 100,000 people who face starvation. Diana put the spotlight on starvation during a trip to Zimbabwe in 1993. This is obviously a cause Kate feels strongly about and I would love to see her make this visit. It would raise much needed awareness. A source said

"Kate does not want to be seen as trying to imitate her husband's mother, but she shares Diana's passions, and cannot bear to see people suffering. She knows she can help raise awareness of Africans' plight and is determined to help".

Duchess Kate's Issa silk jersey wrap dress is still being produced in various colours and prints. It is not only an iconic piece but a truly beautiful one. The wrap detail and v neck are very feminine and elegant. With the party season approaching it would be a fabulous addition to anyone's wardrobe. Kate's navy dress is available here for £519. It is described as


"Beautiful navy long sleeve dress with a V neck front. Wrap over dress that ties at the back. Hidden zip at one side 100% silk.

The dress is now available in burgundy at Harvey Nichols for £485. (With many thanks to What Kate Wore)

In this Polyvore Piece we see Pippa wearing a very similar burgundy dress. Both look stunning, I love the title 'The Good Girl and The Wild Cat'. :)

Issa designer Daniella Helayel recently said she loves reproducing her best pieces with a new twist. Issa certainly did this with Kate's wrap jersey dress. It is available in a number of prints at Joseph M from £479 to £555. Below we look at the gorgeous black patterned, black and white and teal printed versions.

The variation of prints means there is a dress suitable for every occasion. The black pattern with colourful designs would be perfect for dinner. The charm print is ideal for any evening party and the floral print could be worn at the office. A piece like this has superb versatility.

My personal favourite print dress is the love heart. I do hope we see Kate wearing one of these in the future.....

Kate is attending A Gary Barlow concert in aid of the Prince's foundation on Tuesday (Dec 6)

See you all then :)

Sources (Daily Mail, What Kate Wore, Polyvore, People)

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William and Kate enjoy pedalling around London and a new engagement announced

I was quite amused to see this photo shopped image of William and Kate this morning. It has been confirmed the Cambridge's are fans of The London Bike Hire Scheme and have been pedalling around London in 'Boris Bikes'. The couple that peddles together, stays together..........:) I do find it incredibly endearing, William and Kate were recently spotted at the gym together and now cycling together. London Mayor Boris Johnson said
"I don't this for certain but I was told that members of the royal family use the bikes. I was told William and Kate use them".
There is a docking station close to Kensington Palace on the edge of Hyde Park, near the Royal Albert Hall where the couple reportedly pick up and drop off the bikes. If you're passing through London you might see the Royal couple on the distinctive blue bicycles!

As I'm sure you all know Prince William is patron of the Tusk Trust. Since its formation in 1990 Tusk has raised over £12 million for a variety of projects in Africa aimed at protecting wildlife and alleviating poverty, through sustainable development and education amongst rural communities who live alongside wildlife. Perhaps an unusual choice for a British Prince but such a worthy and deserving cause. (I have quite a soft spot for animals) I expect William has too. For more information on Prince William's work with Tusk click Here. If you wish to donate to Tusk you can find all relevant details Here.
On December 5th 


"A modern art auction and reception for HRH Prince William and his charity Tusk will be taking place at the British academy of Film and Television and Arts".

I'm looking forward to see what Duchess Kate chooses to wear and the positive impact the event will have for Tusk. I expect we shall see more of William and Kate between now and then than expected as their appearance at the Gala fundraiser wasn't announced. 




Sources (Mirror.co.uk Isopix.be Tusk Trust)

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William and Kate to visit Africa, Sarah Burton finally speaks, Why 007 thinks Kate is the perfect Bond girl and more

After yesterdays triumphant visit to Copenhagen, The Duchess has been making headlines worldwide today. One of the most interesting stories is the possibility that the Cambridge's may visit Africa in the near future. Duchess Kate told an aid worker that she intended to visit Kenya 'soon'. The region obviously has a special place in the young couples heart. It was just over a year ago William proposed to Kate in the beautiful surrounds of Kenya's Lake Rutundu while on holiday at the Lewa Downs Wildlife Sanctuary.

Prince William has described Africa as 'close to his heart'. He went on his first overseas engagement with Prince Harry to Botswana last year. He also trekked through Africa to raise funds for Africa. If the Cambridge's make this trip they will be following in Diana's footsteps. In 1993 she travelled to Zimbabwe and fed starving children at a red cross station. Should the couple make the trip it is expected it will be in June 2012 as William has expressed an interest in running a marathon on June 30.

Duchess Kate met former James Bond actor and UNICEF ambassador, Roger Moore yesterday. Sir Roger paid tribute to the royal couple for their 'passionate' interest in supporting UNICEF. He described how the royal couple reminded him of Diana and why he thinks the Duchess is the perfect Bond girl!

"I think comparisons are odious but Diana did wonderful things in bringing the world's attention to the danger of landmines and I think their royal highnesses are showing an equal interest.

Kate is the epitome of a bond girl with her beauty both inside and out and just like one of the Bond portrayals, Kate shines and awards massive attention to anything she's involved with".

A press conference for the new Bond movie 'Skyfall' was held today, Below Daniel Craig is pictured with Bond girls  Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris. I could see Kate doing this in another life. She's easily beautiful enough..... :)

Sarah Burton has finally revealed how she kept the huge secret about designing Kate's wedding dress. The designer revealed the project was closely guarded and ever her parents didn't know. Speaking about designing the world famous ivory silk and lace gown.

"It was so great to actually keep a secret, especially in this day and age when everyone talks about everything. 

I remember standing in Westminster Abbey and thinking this is unreal. It was like a fairytale. And all I could think was 'I hope I don't trip over'. I didn't realise the enormity of it until much nearer the wedding day. It was a magical experience".

The Duchess has been crowned 'Best Dressed 2011' by Harper's Bazaar UK. The judges included Kate's favourites, Milliner Philip Treacy and designer Roskanda Ilinic. Kate represents the fact that British style is 'endlessly varied, peerlessly elegant and gloriously unpredictable'. I'm thrilled to hear Kate is receiving due credit for her classic, timeless style. Others included on the list were model Kate Moss and actress Keira Knightley.

Continuing on with Kate style news, The lovely ladies at What Kate Wore have discovered  that Kate's Pied a Terre wedges have been reissued. The £75 shoes are perfect for spring/summer wear and look amazing teamed with skinny jeans. Kate's pair are black and she has worn them numerous times.

 I'm sure have all heard the rumours that Kate is yet again pregnant. She was photographed holding her stomach in several photographs yesterday and members of the press commented on the fact she looked tired, drawn and a little unwell. Of course it is entirely possible she is expecting but she may have been feeling under the weather from travelling. I was also disappointed to read how harshly she has been judged on her interview yesterday. It is the first time Kate has spoken publicly since the engagement interview. She is obviously aware millions are watching and has always been a shy and private person. I do think she did an excellent job and supported UNICEF wonderfully. Anyone would have been nervous and I do think she deserves praise as it's a daunting task.

Finally I want to share a photo of Kate at the airport before departing from Copenhagen. (With thanks to Lilting Times Via Twitter)

Jet-set with the best, and save with an Orbitz coupon!

Sources (Daily Mail, The Telegraph, Royal Reporter Via Twitter, What Kate Wore Facebook, Lilting times Via Twitter, Harper's Bazaar UK)

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