Kate's £6.50 tiara

For Kate Middleton choosing 'something borrowed' for her wedding day was a simple choice: a tiara fit for a queen. The head of the Windsor family, Queen Elizabeth II, loaned Kate her Cartier 'halo' tiara. The tiara was made in 1936. It was originally purchased by the Duke of York for his Duchess, who would become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen mother, a few weeks later. It is estimated to be worth millions. In 1946, she passed the crown to her daughter, the current Queen, for her 18th birthday. Kate opted to wear her hair mostly down on her wedding day with the tiara holding her veil in place. If Kate is lucky she may be calling the tiara her own someday soon. In 1981, Queen Elizabeth gave Princess Diana the beautiful Cambridge lovers knot tiara as a wedding present. Sadly after she and Prince Charles divorced she returned it.

The Cartier 'halo'' tiara, worn by the Queen Mother

Kate's hairdresser did not have the luxury of using the tiara when creating the Duchess of Cambridge's style for the big day. Instead he used a £6.50 plastic tiara from Claire's, a high street jewellery shop. Claire's tiara could not have been more different than the Cartier 'halo'. Made in china, It is less than an ounce heavy. However, it worked sufficiently and Kate's hair was styled into a demi chignon flawlessly.  

Richard Ward, whose salon was responsible for styling all the Middleton family admitted to using the cheap tiara as the team practiced tirelessly. 'Kate was amazing, keeping us calm if anything. And she cared how we were coping, constantly giving us confidence. It was fantastic.' They back-combed the top to create a foundation for the tiara to sit around, then added a tiny plait in the middle and sewed it on. Since the wedding Claire's tiara's have sold out in record time. 

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Kate Takes Lupo For A Stroll Around Kensington Gardens

Just two days ago Kate revealed her cocker spaniel pups name is 'Lupo' to a classroom of excited children at Rose Hill primary school. The little dog has clearly become a very special part of William and Kate's family. The Duchess was photographed taking a stroll with Lupo around the beautiful Kensington Gardens.

The photos were reportedly taken on February 20th, the day before Kate's visit to Oxford.

Kate was accompanied by a royal protection officer during her walk and the pair appeared to be enjoying a conversation.

Kensington Gardens is simply a beautiful place for a stroll. There are a number of attractions such as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground and the Italian Statue.

A map of the gardens.

You can also visit the online shop and send an ecard with a beautiful photo from the gardens.

Kate watched Lupo closely and appeared to be talking to him. Perhaps training him and teaching him some tricks? It should be noted Lupo is one adorably cute dog :)

Close up from the wonderful Popsugar.

Lupo gets his very own close up too :)

Note Kate is wearing her engagement ring, We rarely see her wearing it whilst out casually.

Kate wrapped up in her L.K. Bennett Darwin Jacket, a tan sweater, light blue jeans and hat. I love her casual style and it's great to see her looking so relaxed and happy.

The Darwin jacket has been  staple in Kate's wardrobe over the past number of months, She was photographed wearing it Christmas eve and leaving Richard Ward's salon a few weeks ago.

The shearling jacket is still available in large on the L.K. Bennett site.

Kate also wore her Le Chameau Leather Lined Wellington Boots. This look appears to be Kate's 'go to' outfit while out and about.

Sources (Lehitkuva, Popsugar, Ikon Pictures Us Weekly, Kensington Gardens Website)

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Vogue: 'Kate's the rare creature whose look appeals to men, women and the fashion industry alike'.

Duchess Kate's Royal tour has been the topic of discussion in every magazine around the world. Kate has been unfairly and harshly criticized for choosing conservative pieces and wearing hose. (She is not an actress and doesn't have the same freedom with fashion choices) In my opinion each and every piece in her wardrobe was classic, timeless and elegant. One could tell careful thought and consideration had been given. Whether it was respecting Canadian fashion by choosing Erdem or staying true to old favourites, Reiss, Issa and LK Bennett she pulled it off effortlessly. Simple clean cut lines and neutral colours part of Kate's signature look. She represented fashion, the Monarchy and herself excellently. I was always a fan of her style going back a number of years ago when she shopped at Topshop. She never needed to expose too much skin or felt compelled to wear 'trends' and one has to admire her for that. An article about the Duchess of Cambridge's style has been released. The verdict is very good! (Did you all hear Anna Wintour wants her for the cover?) The article describes Kate's style as 'feminine' and 'accessible'. It also mention how she woke up before William each morning to have her hair done by James Pryce. I was very pleased with it and I think they understand her style perfectly!

The Duchess of Cambridge came, she saw, and she conquered North America on a nine-day tour of Canada and California, but whether rowing crew, visiting a hospital, meeting and greeting, or attending the black-tie BAFTAs, the former Miss Middleton was perfectly outfitted for each and every occasion. In an effort to keep the entourage small (leaving plenty of room for those reported 40 dresses that she packed in her luggage), the duchess traveled sans stylist. She did, however, bring along her go-to hair guru, James Pryce, from the Richard Ward salon in London’s Chelsea, and woke up before Prince William each day to have her hair done before heading out for their official engagements—clearly, Catherine knows the power of a good blowout. That smooth and effortless-looking hair translates to the duchess’s overall approach to dressing: classic and easy, yet polished. 

In a time when most public figures are trying to push the envelope and shock and awe with their outrageousness when it comes to fashion, the Duchess of Cambridge is bringing an understated elegance (not sexy) back, while still managing to dress in a way that men clearly appreciate. She never wears pieces that befuddle the boys, like gladiator sandals, rompers, or platforms. Instead, she’s the rare creature whose look appeals to men, women, and the fashion industry alike. She shops where regular girls shop—Topshop, Reiss, Whistles, and L.K. Bennett—and wears looks that regular girls wear—wrap dresses, shifts, and skinny jeans. She’s pretty—but not intimidating; she looks like someone we could be friends with. Of course, she also wears Alexander McQueen and Erdem, but even when it’s “designer” it looks like “her”—the shape, the length, the neckline, the sleeves (she’s a one-woman endorsement for the comeback of sleeves!). Even at the BAFTA awards, her McQueen dress wasn’t a recognizable runway look—it was streamlined and modified by her. She repeats looks, too, which is both endearing and, in the midst of a difficult financial landscape, respectable. And she supports her hometown houses, boosting morale by working tirelessly yet tactfully to promote British labels while traveling. 

Above all, she understands that flirty, feminine frocks are always pretty and never fail. She keeps her accessories simple and pulls off a look that’s straightforward yet somewhat normal. Not normal in a banal way, but normal in a way that it’s empirically attractive and universally appealing. Sure it’s safe, but stylishly refined: exactly the right way for her to dress. She’s not alienating anyone—and no one is going to misunderstand her look. Her approach sends a powerful message that is stylish, thought-out, and position-appropriate—suggesting the best about British public life and decorum.There’s no subtext or hidden agenda when it comes to the Duchess of Cambridge’s style, and it’s refreshing that an aesthetic like this is finally having a well-deserved moment in the limelight.

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