The Duchess of Cambridge is being an outfit repeater this week, and I quite like it.
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We first saw Catherine in this darling cream coat with ruffle detail when Prince George was christened at St. James’s Palace in October 2013 (see pic above. He looks thrilled.).
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Today, Her Royal Highness and the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a garden party at Buckingham Palace, her fourth since joining the royal family in 2011.
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This is Prince William’s first garden party. Odd, given that he’s one person away from hosting these himself.
PHOTOS: The Definitive Ranking Of Kate Middleton’s Coats
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Catherine wore her hair in a intricate low bun, topped with the same Jane Taylor hat. She swapped out her Kiki McDonough citrine pear-drop earrings ($740) for Annoushka pearls with Kiki McDonough diamond hooks.
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We got a much better look at the detail of the McQueen dress today, and it features a darling pleat at the back (excellent photos taken by the Daily Mail‘s royal reporter, Rebecca English):
The Duchess chats in the garden pic.twitter.com/d6KkDcFBZH
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 24, 2016
Here, Catherine is seen speaking with photographer Chris Jackson, her personal assistant/stylist, Natasha Archer, and her hair stylist, Amanda Cook Tucker.
Kate’s got the office in today: her PA Natasha and hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker pic.twitter.com/lXH065UFZB
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 24, 2016
According to English, William and Catherine invited the team who were trained to step in for the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte should the need have arisen.
Professor Tiong Ghee Teoh, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and consultant anaesthetist Dr Johanna Bray were at today’s party.
There were 23 members of Imperial College Healthcare team at St. Mary’s Hospital medical team, including two obstetricians, three midwives, three anesthetists, four surgery staff, two special care baby unit staff, four pediatricians, one lab technician and three to four managers.
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One of the doctors from the team explained that though they weren’t present at the birth, they were on call should an emergency come up.
Another member revealed that their team was built so that should anything go wrong, there was an expert available, adding that many women have this plan in place for birth.
“Everyone was sworn to secrecy,” Dr. Bray said of the formation of the team.
Fascinating stuff! Can these fine doctors determine when we can we expect another prince or princess?
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“That’s the million dollar question – need to know basis!” Dr. Bray joked.
The garden parties are put on to recognize worthwhile contributions made by members of the public.
Today, Her Majesty spoke with three women from the Army Widows Association.
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Two lost their partners in Afghanistan, and another’s husband died in his 50s. All three spoke about their conversation with the Queen and her interest in their group, which has been offering support to widows for 14 years.
“She sympathised how difficult life can be when you have not just lost your husband or partner but the life and support networks the army offer when, as is often the case, you move back with your family,” one of the widows, Scott said.
Having lost her husband, Lee in 2009, Scott “felt proud for him” that she and her two friends were at the event.
“When I heard the National Anthem and saw the Queen felt myself welling up. Lee would always say ‘she’s my boss’,” Scott recalled
“She is the figurehead of both the country and the army. He was very proud of the job he did.”
The Queen wore a coat by Stewart Parvin with a Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat and her three-strand pearl necklace.
As soon as my eyes locked on her brooch, I knew immediately I had to go to The Court Jeweller.
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It turns out that this particular piece, distinctly made up of diamonds and pearls, may be new (perhaps a 90th birthday present?).
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What did you think of Catherine’s outfit today? Did you like the coat? Did you loathe it? Do share!
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