Duchess Kate wears Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham in NZ: gorgeous?
So much to talk about! Today in New Zealand, Duchess Kate and Prince William attended a wreath-laying ceremony and then did a public walkabout to meet the peasants who had lined up for hours to get a glimpse of the royals. Kate wore what I think is one of my favorite looks ever (on her): an Alexander McQueen coat-dress in periwinkle blue. Her hair was pulled back appropriately in a stylish ponytail too. She wore sapphire earrings which coordinated with her sapphire ring. The whole look is age-appropriate and stylish and she looks awesome in this shade of blue. You can see more photos here.
Last night, Will and Kate attended a royal portrait unveiling (the portrait was of the Queen) at the Government House. I suppose it was supposed to be a cocktail/formal event, so… no tiaras. Too bad. Kate wore a “bespoke” dress by Jenny Packham. Going by the photos at The Mail, I thought this was a full-length gown, but it’s not. It’s tea-length. You would think that if Kate was ordering a specially-made dress (probably upwards of $20,000, right?) with a glittery fern design, she would ask for it to be full-length? Not so much. It is pretty though – I like the fern detail and the sleeves are especially nice. Kate wore her hair down too, which… I still think is the wrong choice for formal/cocktail events in the evening.
Oh, and William made a speech! Here it is:
‘Rau rangatira mā o Aotearoa, tēnā koutou katoa. (Distinguished people of New Zealand, greetings to you all.) Thank you also for hosting Catherine, George and me during our time in New Zealand. I hope that George doesn’t keep you up! He’s at his most vocal at 3am, as you may have noticed – I swear I heard him doing the haka this morning. He’s a bonny lad and you’ll be pleased to know that he’s currently preparing for life as a prop forward! I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back here in God’s Own Country – as I have learned to call it – and this time with my wife and son. When I returned to New Zealand for the first time as an adult in 2005, I came mainly to watch the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions – the best way to be introduced to this sports-passionate nation. In subsequent visits, my affection and admiration for New Zealand has only deepened. On this visit, I have no doubt that it will be Catherine – and not just me – who falls for New Zealand. The qualities that New Zealanders share in common with one another – warm-heartedness, generosity, neighbourliness, openness, an instinctive sense of justice and freedom, to name just a few – are qualities that I suspect – given your modesty – you may take for granted. But they are qualities for which New Zealanders are admired the world over.’
Thank God the bar is set so low for Kate and no one expected her to make a speech that length they would still be at the reception while she fidgeted with her hair and read one word… out… looking up… looking down… one… more… word… fidget…hair toss…word…
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News, Getty.
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