Kate Wears Emilia Wickstead for the Order of the Thistle

William and Kate attended a Thistle Service in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh today where William was installed as a 'Knight of the Thistle'. 

The ancient Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour of chivalry in Scotland and can only be bestowed by the Queen herself. Today marks the fourth day of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in Scotland and it seemed a fitting time to install William into the order. 

British Monarchy

In Scotland William and Kate are titled the Earl and Countess of Strathearn. 

Despite the dismal weather conditions a large crowd turned up to welcome the royals.

James Whatling Twitter

The current version of the order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland. The order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen Knights and Ladies currently including Prince Charles and the Princess Royal. The motto is 'Nemo me impune lacessit' (Latin for 'No one provokes me with impunity') 

Royal Gov

The Order's emblem is Scotland's national flower, the thistle. According to legend, an invading Norse army was attempting to sneak up at night upon a Scottish army's encampment when one barefoot Norseman stepped on a thistle, causing him to cry out in pain, thus alerting the Scottish to the presence of the invaders.

Wikipedia

No doubt you will all recall the lace bodice of Kate's wedding dress featured detailing which symbolised the nations of the United Kingdom. Rose detailing, Thistles, Daffodils and Shamrocks were individually applied to represent England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arriving for the service. 

British Monarchy

Lovely shot of Kate's profile. A journalist at the service said the Duchess 'oozed elegance' today. Kate's hair looks fabulous as always today, love the half up half down look.

St Giles Cathedral is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The chapel itself was built in 1910 in the style of the high Gothic architecture of the 15th century. St Giles Cathedral is now attempting to raise £2.5 million to complete a comprehensive restoration of the interior, If you wish to donate please click here.

Wikipedia

A 360 degree panorama view of the interior. It's certainly is an incredible building.

Wikipedia

The always informative Richard Palmer shared news from the event.

Richard Palmer Twitter

And his thoughts on the service.

Richard Palmer Twitter

After the ceremony 400 pipers, drummers and dancers travelled down the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament building. The Royals also attended a Thistle luncheon at the Signet Library, Parliament.

Kate looked elegant in a £1,200 Emilia Wickstead coat dress. Ms Wickstead told Daily Mail reporter Rebecca English the coat dress is soft yellow gold and was made especially for her and took about six weeks to complete.

Grazia reports the dress is not from a specific season but the yellow gold raffia fabric featured strongly in the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The general consensus is it was not one of Kate's best looks and while the colour looked lovely on the Duchess I tend to agree. It didn't appear to be as structured as Kate's previous coat dresses, surprising for a bespoke piece. Some suggested it needed a belt and buttons. What do you think?

Emilia Wickstead

The Duchess wore her £99 Whiteley Cappuccino Parisisal hat. 

Whiteley

It is the third time we have seen Kate wear the hat. She wore it to the Epsom Derby in 2011 and recently to the McCorquodale last month.

Mark Stewart Twitter

The Duchess teamed her coat dress with her brown suede Emmy shoes. 

Interestingly Kate wore a similar bespoke Wickstead coat dress with the same Emmy shoes for St. Patrick's Day.

British Monarchy Flickr

Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Citrine Drop Earrings. The 18ct earrings are available for £495.

Kiki McDonough/Splash

Kate carried her brown suede Emmy clutch and the scarf crafted of Strathearn Tartan (a nod to her title as Countess of Strathearn) she wore to the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

You can watch a video at ITN Source.

We will next see Kate Sunday in the royal box for the Wimbledon final :)

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Kate sets the trend for Pippa and Carole Middleton

Carole and Pippa Middleton attended a party at the Goring hotel last night without Kate, however her influence was still there! The female members of the Middleton family are blessed with enviably long and lean legs. Regardless of how good your legs are, what woman doesn't want the perfect pair of heels to enhance how good  her legs look? Carole and Pippa followed the trend set by Kate at the Epsom Derby.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant and stylish wearing a pair of £175 nude LK Bennett sledge court shoes with a Reiss dress and Joseph Jacket. Her Mother and sister were photographed wearing near identical pairs of shoes. Kate could easily afford expensive designer shoes but as expected has stayed true to her love of affordable British high street fashion. Millions of women worldwide attempt to emulate Kate's simple, classic look but no doubt she'll be especially glad to know even her mother and sister admire her chic style!

LK Bennett sledge court shoes

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Duchess Kate Photographed Shopping in Chelsea Last Weekend

I expected we would not see new photos of Kate until her next engagement on June 13th, where she and William will accompany the Queen on a visit to Nottingham. However Kate sightings are like buses you wait quite a while for one and then several come along at once :) The latest issue of In Touch magazine features a photo of Kate shopping in Chelsea on June 2nd. 

In Touch

Incidentally the same day as the Epsom Derby. The couple missed the first day of the Jubilee celebrations because Prince William was undertaking flying exams for his captaincy, which he is expected to achieve in the very near future. 

Richard Palmer Twitter

Kate looked chic in a dark green dress with a ruffled hem teamed with a matching belt and waterfall cardigan. (I will update with ID's if they are confirmed) The Duchess wore her hair scraped back in a bun and accessorised with a white handbag with black stripes and pearl earrings.

As for the headline the article is running, I do not believe Kate is pregnant. The only source who can provide official confirmation is Clarence House and they have not done so. The pregnancy rumours have persisted since the wedding and will no doubt continue to do so. This magazine has run several stories over the past year 'confirming Kate's pregnancy' and discussing the couple's alleged 'baby heartbreak'. 

In Touch

The issue of In Touch featuring Kate on the cover is available tomorrow for $2.99.

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Kate enjoys a day at the races with William and Harry

The Duchess of Cambridge attended at the Epsom Derby. Accompanied by William and brother in law Harry, the trio looked happy and relaxed as they enjoyed the day. The Queen also attended and looked happy despite her horse finishing third. Kate looked stunning in a white two piece outfit with a fitted jacket and LK Bennett nude heels teamed with a nude fascinator. While William and Harry opted for top hats and tails. Carole Middleton was also there, no doubt to support her daughter one of her first visit to the derby as a royal. Kate still tanned from her honeymoon was seen relaxing with Princess Eugenie is obviously a part of the Windsor family now.

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