Kate arrived in a chauffeur driven car at 9 a.m. and was greeted by dignitaries.
Kate was the guest of honour at the Olympic photography exhibition which documents three years of preparation for the London games. The engagement combines Kate's roles as patron of the National Portrait Gallery and Olympic ambassador.The London Games begin in just over a week and we can expect to see William, Kate and Harry attend many events supporting Team GB from the sidelines.
The newly commissioned photographs of the athletes were taken by renowned photographers Anderson & Low, Nadav Kander and Jillian Edelstein.
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| National Portrait Gallery |
'Road to 2012 is the biggest photographic commission the NPG has ever undertaken, a three year project reaching its culmination this month to celebrate the festival of running, jumping and diving about to take place seven miles to the east. These are not quick snaps or candid behind the scenes revelations. Anderson and Low shot rowers, swimmers and gymnasts in their training environments to create the formality and feel of a fine art portrait'.
Jim White's review ends with a powerful description of the athletes comparing them to gladiators and warriors:
'Here are the heroes of our time, modern gladiators, serious - minded, determined, unflinching; photographed with a reverence in which, in previous times, warriors might have been recorded ahead of going into battle'.
The women's hockey squad posed for the photo below in November 2011.
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| National Portrait Gallery |
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| Rebecca English Twitter |
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| Paul Harrison Twitter |
Sky News reporter Paul Harrison noted the Duchess was embarrassed when she saw the photo.
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| Paul Harrison Twitter |
Below we see the Duchess looking at it.
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| Paul Harrison Twitter |
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| Paul Harrison Twitter |
The exhibition runs until 23 September and is free daily from 10.00 until 18.00. If you are a lover of the arts and wish to support the gallery you can find information on donating here or take a look at the online shop which sells books, posters, exhibition catalogues, jewellery and portraits. Below we take a look at the Kings & Queens Tablecloth, the Elizabeth II Canvas Tote Bag and the Necklace Camera.
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| National Portrait Gallery Online Shop |
It is Kate's second visit to the gallery this year. The Duchess made her solo debut at the Lucien Freud Exhibition last February where she met guests and staff.
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| The British Monarchy Flickr |
Royal aides have said the Duchess has been looking forward to viewing the exhibition 'immensely' as she is a keen photographer herself. She wrote her history of art degree dissertation on the photography of author, Lewis Carroll. There has been talk of her staging an exhibition in aid of her charities in the future.
Kate looked lovely in the electric blue crepe Stella McCartney Ridley Stretch Cady Dress from the Fall 2012 collection. The £515 dress is described as:
'A vibrant crepe dress. This simple shift embodies easy luxury with it's minimalist silhouette and eye catching bold hue. Concealed zip fastening at back. Round neck, short sleeves, darts at waist'.
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| Selfridges |
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| Rebecca English Twitter |
The Duchess accessorized with the stunning Cartier Trinity Necklace (With many thanks to Karen from WKW FB) Royal aides said it is from her own wardrobe and she thought it appropriate to wear it today given the Olympic theme.
The 18 caeat gold necklace, with paved diamond is 80 cm long and retails for a staggering £49,000. Given the huge price tag I expect it may have been a gift. Perhaps to celebrate Kate's role as Olympic ambassador? It's one of the most beautiful pieces of jewellery we've ever seen Kate wear.
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| Cartier |
The engagement went incredibly well and (for once this summer :)) the sun was shining. Kate was all smiles leaving the gallery....
You can watch an excellent video from the exhibition at The Telegraph.
You can watch an excellent video from the exhibition at The Telegraph.
In other news the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry has been renamed The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The royal trio are aiming to make the armed forces, young people and conservation their primary areas of focus for the time being. The website is well worth a look with large photos from recent engagements and information on the foundation. The following message from William, Kate and Harry appears on the website
'For reasons that never cease to amaze us, we do seem to be able to bring a spotlight to bear on wonderful initiatives created by other people to help those in need'.
The new website and renaming of the foundation is confirmation William, Kate and Harry will continue to work together as a team. If/When Harry marries his wife will be included in the foundation also.
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| Richard Palmer Twitter |
Judging by the figures I anticipate the royal foundation will be a great success.
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| Max Foster Twitter |
************
We'll finish today's post with a look at another artists impression of Kate from Marie Claire South Africa. There is currently an ongoing debate as to whether the photos are art or using Kate as a clothes horse. The fact she is wearing designers (who stand to profit from the magazine cover) clothes in the mock ups makes me question whether it is appropriate or not. What do you all think?
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| Grazia/Marie Claire South Africa |
Thank you for reading.
Oh I love this dress on Kate! It's a gorgeous colour and age appropriate :) Great post as always Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteAmazing and lovely young lady-in-blue! I really like this electric blue dress and also the hooped necklace and earrings. A charming sight!
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for being so fast in posting! Keep up the good work. You're fantastic!
Best regards from the South of France!
Very beautyful! I love her dress and necklace : )
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great work.
I think this is the best we've seen Kate! The little extra weight she appears to have put on has made her look so much more healthy and youthful! Im also loving the colour of her dress very vibrant fun and young and I for one cannot wait until the olympics! Thank you for the updates Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteGrace
Thank you for your lovely comments, Kate looked amazing this morning. One of my favourite looks this year.
ReplyDeleteKate looks gorgeous! I love the electric blue colour of her dress and the necklace adds some fun. Really beautiful! The exhibition seems to be very interesting, how nice that Kate is herself part of it with this lovely photograph :)
ReplyDeleteI also love the overall look, but don't like how the dress makes her arms look thick. It makes her look very masculine in the arm and shoulder area.
ReplyDeleteI know she has put back on some much needed weight, but I think it is just the cut of the sleeve that is the issue.
I don't think any part of Kate could be described as 'thick', to be honest!
DeleteLove it! The hoop necklace and earrings are perfect and add a humorous touch.
ReplyDeleteI think is this necklace
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cartier.co.uk/#/show-me/jewellery/n7060000-trinity-necklace
There's a lot of tummy covering going on. I saw the video as well and she's very conscious of her stomach area.... Pregnant maybe?
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at photos from today on the getty page and there are a few that looks like there could be something going on in the beatuiful Duchess's tummy. I am not saying she could be pregnant but the photos sure look like it. Or she is just getting heathly. All I can say is she looks just stunnig and possible put on a few pounds.
DeleteYou can see it in this dress. She look's a little fuller around the middle and in her face. Just my opinion.
It was my first impression too. I will say no more!
DeleteShe looks absolutely beautiful; the accessories were perfect! How adorable is she?!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Charlotte!
Shantel :)
Absolutely Wonderful Pictures today.
ReplyDeleteThat Blue Dress w/ her Black pumps make for an excellent look.
I am also sure the Blue Dress was in excellent contrast to the shade of red the Duchess turned when she saw her own exhibit. I know Modesty runs deep in Kate.
As for the Magazine Cover using her Image, if they are dresses Kate has worn in the past or in public, well she IS a public figure. But Photoshopping different outfits on her to sell your own, to me is a big no-no.
Anyway, great pictures today Charlotte your commentary on the Duchess is one of the highlights of the Blogsshere.
bellissima..sempre
ReplyDeleteJust woke up to this! Kate looks gorgeous and the blue dress suits her perfectly! It's simple yet elegant.the artist's impersonation of Kate is rather cheeky,I kinda liked it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte for this amazing blog!also is there a video to her visit?
Charlotte linked one from the Telegraph (I know-there's so much great info on each post!). Silvia
DeleteThanks Silvia, I saw the video.did anyone else notice Kate dint have a clutch in her hand?
DeleteIs it true that the necklace cost £49000?! If it is, although it is a lovely necklace, that is an extortionate amount for a necklace
ReplyDeleteYes it is, but I doubt she bought it herself.
DeleteMy guess would be a wedding present--possibly from somewhere in the Middle East.
Kate hardly ever wears serious bling, and it's good to see her in such a beautiful yet simple piece. Didn't we all love Diana's amazing jewels? And whatever happened to that amazing sapphire/diamond ensemble?
DeleteLove her dress and the Olympic nod w/the necklace (just gorgeous-especially up close). Again, she looks crisp, flawless but it is clear that she WILL NOT use clothes to draw attention to herself but rather the event. I could feel the excitement! I can't tell you how pleased I am that she is a supporter of the National Portrait Gallery and the arts in general. The whole photography angle, no pun intended, is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say this is yet another superb post? If I were a publisher I'd approach you with a deal for a book that does just what you do-a fashion focused yet holistic approach/retrospective to the Duchess's life and engagements.
I don't even bother looking at other blogs or magazines (including People or Hello!) to get my scoop on the Duchess. You do it best-and by a long stretch. Silvia
Silvia, that is amazingly kind of you, thank you! *I'm blushing a little here* I do love covering the fashion but feel news on the event and the charity/patronage is equally important. I'm delighted you enjoy that aspect of the blog!
DeleteA huge thank you to you all for reading and taking the time to comment!
On another note, The commenter who said Kate's necklace was £49,000 was correct! I expect it must have been a gift.....
Sylvia I totally agree with you. If I could I would've hired Charlotte in a heartbeat!:))
DeleteThat is so sweet!
DeleteSylvia I totally agree with you. Charlotte is such a great writer. We need people like Charlotte to come to the US and write for one of the great magaizines we have here.
DeleteAnd the beautiful Duchess looked just stunning again today.
I couldn't agree more.... If any publication hires you, Charlotte, I'm going to be their number 1 subscriber.
DeleteYour fan in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Must agree, Charlotte! You are an amazing writer! I feel really joyful whenever you publish a new post! I know you are not a journalism student, but girl, you are a natural! Thank you for this amazing blog! You are my one and only source when it comes about the Duchess.
DeleteLoved today's outfit! She was simply beautiful... I will confess... I felt kinda relieved to see a brand new outfit rather than a previously worn. I really admire her... What a great woman she is! And It is awesome to see that The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry has added her name to it. A truly special recognition to her lovely work and also 'shuts some mouths up', if you know what I mean.
Is there any new engagements so far?
Thank you!
A nice evening to you all!
That's some serious piece of bling for 9am on a Thursday morning.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress and she looks beautiful as usual, though her shoes appear to have suffered some damage---possibly from all the rain recently!
A St James's Palace spokesman said of the necklace:
ReplyDelete"It's a personal piece which she's had for some time. It's not an official Olympic item but it's appropriate to wear it."
Follow us on Facebook ;) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Duchess-of-Cambridge-News-and-Views/198889870209498
Great post as always, Charlotte! I have to say I was pretty disturbed by Marie Claire's cover and use of the Duchess' image (whether they were painted/fan art/or photoshopped). I think it was greedy of them and wrong. At the end of the day, it's just distasteful to have more respect for your clothes or your magazine, than for another human being, no matter how famous she is. But, that's just my personal view, and certainly others are allowed to have their own. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the look, shes so elegant and charming
ReplyDeleteAnother great post from MS. Charlotte. I just loved dress and everything the beautiful Duchess wore today. She is such a stunning woman. She looks very healthy. And I did notice she did not have a cluch with her today.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the post in the Marie Claire magazine, I think it is very disrespectful to the Duchess. Just show's how far a magazine will go to promote some fashion. I think the palace should take some act against them.
Now I know I will get some backlash from some readers that she is a public person but to put her on the cover of a magazine without her permission is not right.
And thanks again Ms. Charlotte for another great post. And I would hope that someone in the US would hire you.
Hi Charlotte, the earrings look like Swarovski earrings I considered getting my mum for Christmas the other year! Don't have a link but they look similar. Might be those I'll see if I can find a link for you :)
ReplyDeleteGrace
Not my favorite look of hers. The color of the dress is vibrant, but overall the look is boring. It reminded me of a department store representative or cosmetic counter lady I see when I go shopping.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your lovely comments, Writing about Kate i such fun. Wouldn't it just be a great job? :)
ReplyDeleteGrace thank you so much for mentioning Swarovski, you are indeed correct they are an older version of a pair I linked to in the post.
She looks gorgeous and I love her fuller figure( which is not a put down by any means)
ReplyDeleteLove the dress love it all!
oh i honestly thought that there was something going on with her tummy area but put it down to the dress....she was also very awkward around her tummy in the video!!
ReplyDeletewho knows!! would be thrilled if it were true of course.
Go look at the photos at www.gettyimgine.com (I think that is the site). I had to look twice to see the tummy area. It sure looks like something is going on. But please if you have a chance go look and tell me if I am going crazy...lol
DeleteYou will need to put in their search engine: catherine duchess of cambridge national portrait gallery july 19
49,000 POUNDS?! Holy smokes!!
ReplyDeleteI love this color on her even if I don't like the actual top of the dress - there are pictures floating around somewhere of Kate back in her early twenties/clubbing days in an (admittedly much more revealing) dress of the same color and I remember thinking she looked wonderful back then as well.
-Sarah
I love this look! The cut of the dress and the color is perfect for Kate's figure and coloring. A perfect balance of elegant and youthful. I have a feeling the necklace was a wedding present from a royal family (perhaps Saudi Arabia??).
ReplyDeleteI can't believe people have been fussing about the cost of the necklace. She's a princess...she's got to have some bling, and if it was given to her as a gift, she ought to wear it. I thought it was a very tasteful piece, and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI really love the silhouette and colour of this dress. However, I'm just not a big fan of the "inside out darts"... looks great on her, but I think it would annoy me. The necklace is a really great statement piece, and I haven't really seen her doing much with necklaces before, so that's really refreshing.
ReplyDeleteFor the folks who thinks the dress makes her look like she has chunky arms or a tummy, you are out of your mind! She still looks really slim.
Hate the Marie Claire concept. They're really using her image to imply that she endorses their magazine/designers of choice. Very poor judgement.
Kate looks gorgeous! This color on her is beautiful, and I'm happy to see her looking to healthy.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you SO MUCH for you timely updates! I check your website every morning!
Why doesn't she have a clutch with her? I swear this is the only time I've seen her without one...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about her lack of clutch yesterday and how I think she often carries a clutch as a kind of prop, because you can see how without it she ends up having to find some neutral, awkward thing to do with her hands, like the tummy covering/folded over tummy thing. She also seems to do that when she has a clutch as well but it doesn't seem as unnatural then because she actually has something to hold. So while her hand placement always gets people speculating about pregnancy (which I hope will be true soon!), I think her tummy covering body language is simply that she knows she is being photographed and is being very careful not to project body language that can be seen as stand-offish like arms folded or hands on hips, so she defaults to awkward tummy covering. Just a rambling thought...:)
DeleteRe: Marie Clare
ReplyDeleteI think it's very disrespectful and should not have been done.
I feel they should be paying her the money they make from using her image without her okay!!
Re: Photography exhibition, I think she looks lovely per usual.
Jenny
Australia
PS: Thank you for sharing these photos with us, very much appreciate your site.
Great to see the detail included here, superb blog post as always! Loved the dress, thought the necklace was a wee bit old and heavy for the dress and her age and the occasion. Wish she'd tie her hair back or pull it back once in a while, just for variety. Great to see she's put on a few much-needed pounds, she doesn't look so gaunt and bony lately. As for the Marie-Claire cover, the duchess isn't the first person nor the last to be Photoshopped. Odd, isn't it, how we don't mind our heroes and heroines Photoshopped to remove blemishes and make them look perfect but when it's for something else, we get furious. Haven't seen any statement from the palace so I'd guess they're not as upset about it as everyone else seems to be. Would love to see more casual photos of the duchess.
ReplyDeleteI'm obviously in the minority here, but I do not like this dress. Very blah, absolutely nothing to it. Maybe a shorter sleeve length would've been better? But I agree with everybody else that Kate looks fabulous with a bit more weight on, whatever the reason.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adele. I'm not a fan of the style or the colour of the dress - sleeves, waist, length seem wrong to me - and I'm afraid I don't like the necklace either because it lacks finesse... It is a play on the famous Cartier ring that was so popular a few decades ago, but to me the design hasn't aged well.
DeleteBut the Duchess is just as lovely and charming as always.... ;-)
Theresa from Paris
Hello, I just found your blog a few days ago and since then I spent hours looking throught the articles you wrote. I was looking for a long time for a Kate blog like that and this is the only one which is updated as soon as there are news about Kate. And what I like too is that this blog is not just about what Kate wore, it's also about her life and what she is doing. Just want to tell you that I love your blog and hope you will never stop writing :-) I put this page to my favourites and am looking at it 10 times a day hoping for new posts ;-) Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteA fan from Germany.
Thank you so much and welcome to the blog :)
Deletelove the dress and love necklace i think pregancy rumours are starting right now
ReplyDeleteAll your comments are a joy to read, thank you!
ReplyDeleteA couple new dates for Kate's upocming Dates
July 27 - A luncheon for the opening olympic ceremonies
Aug 12 - Closing ceremonies event
Call me crazy but I think the duchess will the pregnant on the tour. I just get this feeling that they will announce at the end of August. The 23rd exactly. I also think that Kate will not attend the torch arrivial. Its a gut feeling and I'm probably crazy
ReplyDeleteShe looks like an old lady. So frumpy and bland.
ReplyDeleteThat's harsh! I hope I look like that when I'm an old lady!
DeleteSeriously - I can see how her style would be seen as safe, boring, too demure, maybe even bland - but FRUMPY? Like I said, if only I could look this frumpy and bland on my best days! :)
I hold her to a higher standard since she's royalty, is in Diana's shadow, and has millions to spend on clothes, accessories, and hair & makeup. So yes, for a 30 year old, she looks like a frumpy 40 something.
DeleteI don't believe HRH has millions to spend on clothes and hair-even if her necklace did cost a great deal,though was possibly not her own choice.
DeleteWhy should she be considered in the shadow of Princess Diana?
She loved her sons dearly and I cannot believe that she would have tried to overshadow whoever either of her sons married.
Life must be difficult enough for a young woman trying to find her feet as a member of the Royal Family. Diana found it difficult and I am sure she would not wish comparison to her to make it more difficult for the girl her beloved son has chosen.
@Anonymous 7/21 @04:19 I don't know where your getting your information but the beautiful Duchess's engagement clothes are paid for by Prince Charles so she does try and keep the cost down even though she does not have to. And then her other clothes she buys and pay for them herself. I am sure she can spend whatever she what's on clothes but she choose not to so why talk nasty about her becasue she does not.
DeleteAnd please don't compare her to Williams beloved mother. The Duchess is her own person and will do her own thing for the royal family. She has already made her Prince happy and proud for what she has done in the short time. There is alot of difference in the two women in William's life. HIS mother was very young when she married into the royal family and had no help in what she was to do. Where as the Duchess, William has made sure she has had all the support she need's to adjust to her royal life. And they have done a great job making sure of that. William does not what happened to his mother happen to his beautiful wife.
So why don't you cut her some slack!!
@Anonymous 7/20 I don't understand how you can call the "beautiful" Duchess old & frumpy. She is young and beautiful. I wish I looked like her when I was 30yrs. old. You don't understand that she has to be very careful on what she wears. When she is out on offical engagements she is representing the royal family. So far the Duchess has not put a foot wrong. And I think she never will.
ReplyDelete@Aussie Mum- I totally agree with you. I hate it when you have someone put the beautiful Duchess down. And to call her old & frumpy, con give me a break.
Pauline, you need to give me and everyone else on here a break. Why do you reply to every critical comment on here as if you're Kate's lawyer? You don't have to defend her honor, because it's not under attack. You are so easily provoked.
Delete"So far the Duchess has not put a foot wrong." That is your strong opinion and I could counteract with evidence but I doubt Charlotte will approve my comment. Stay calm and carry on, for everyone's sake.
I disagree with you as far as commenting on every negative remark made on the Duchess. But when people disrespect her that is not right. If you have not noticed that the Duchess come under fire for just about everything she does. She spends to much on clothes, she spends to little on clothes, why does she always wear her hair down etc ect. And then people try and compare her with William's beloved mother. Why?? They are two very different people. People just need to give the Duchess some slack. And if you have evidence showing the Duchess doing something wrong, then write about it. But so far the palace is very happy with everything the Duchess has done. So is her Prince.
DeleteAnd we are all entitled to our own opinion here and these comments are mine.
When I read comments about Kate being referred to as "old", "thick", "dowdy", "frumpy," "odd shaped", or even "masculine looking", etc., it makes me giggle. I guess that all the editors who will do anything to put her on the cover of a magazine, the designers/retailers who are tickled pink that she's wearing their clothes, or the general public that causes websites to crash when a designer's name is revealed, ALL need glasses. :) I guess I do too because I just don't see it. I think she is a very pretty young woman with an elegant and graceful way about her that was evident from day one. And her demeanor appears to be that of a very happy, confident, and down to earth woman. No wonder William chose her to be his wife. She was born to the role, IMO.
ReplyDeleteRoyalfan I totally agree with you. The Duchess is such a class act. And the royal family is happy how she has adjusted to royal life. And I love the fact that they have made sure that the Duchess get's all the guidance she need's to carry out all of her engagements. William has made sure of that.
DeleteThey have learned from the past. I tip my hat to them.
Kate looks stunning in that Stella McCartney dress! But then, has she ever looked bad? I love reading your blog! Kate is so inspiring in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteKate looks stunning as always!!! There is only one thing that bothers me now, she can't stop messing with her hair. There are lots of photos where she is adjusting it all the time. She should wear her hair up in a bun or I don!t know but it is getting annoying:-(((( Nobody pays attention to this in her camp??? What do you think??? Thank you for your continuous updates I love them:-)))))))
ReplyDeleteCatherine looks flawless in this Stella dress!! I love how she added perfect accessories! Love all of the good causes she is bringing awareness to. I wish the media would recognize this as well. Not just what designer she is wearing.
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