Today, the Countess of Strathearn (Kate's Scottish title) undertook her very first solo engagement in Scotland. She travelled north to for three separate engagements highlighting Place2be, The Art Room, and finally an initiative we have not seen Kate appear for before: Tennis on the Road. I know we are excited for the tennis, but let's start at the very beginning.
Kate arrived at St. Catherine's Primary school to meet staff and students and to see the work that Place2Be is doing at the school. This event focused on well-being and tied into Kate's mental health work. Look at these cute two practicing their curtsy and bow before Kate arrived! (photo via @byEmilyAndrews on Twitter) So sweet.
A lot of fans were excited to see that Kate was recycling her green SportMax coat, which the Duchess debuted on Christmas morning. I really loved this coat when she first wore it, and today we got a chance to get a second look and to appreciate the lovely details better.
I think this coat is better proportioned than her blue SportMax (I know that was a little big, because she was pregnant) but objectively speaking, the lapels on this coat are better proportioned for the style and look a little sharper and more streamlined, which I like. I might like the other coat in Kate's size and belted...but, let's not get off topic. Today's coat has cleverly concealed slit pockets, but "architecturally" appealing, angled flaps that give the coat a graceful contour.
The Duchess participated in various group activities at St. Catherine's. Note that Kate kept her coat on while at St. Catherine's, even while inside. She does that often, but today I think there was a special reason, which you may have already guessed.
When the princess moved on to the Wester Hailes Education Centre, she removed her coat to reveal (fully) what could be termed her second look of the day. Underneath the SportMax coat, Kate was wearing a new label, Le Kilt. A Scottish company, Le Kilt specializes in traditional designs with a modern flair. Kate likes to wear tartans and kilt/kilt-inspired pieces when in Scotland, and it was fun to see this new piece!
This skirt is very much like the Dolce & Gabbana from her HuffPost appearance, as well as the kilt she wore the last time she was in Scotland! Both feature wrap skirts with side-fastening, and today's skirt melded the fringe and side fastening of the D&G with the pleats of the Christopher Kane kilt very beautifully. I think of these three skirts, today's skirt was my favorite.
We are seeing two of Kate's fashion love-affairs continue to develop here. Her penchant for pleats and her gravitation toward houndstooth! She is on a houndstooth streak! Kate paired her kilt with her black turtleneck and I am dying to know what the label on this top is. It has a very faint brown trim on both the collar and at the wrists.
Here is a close up of that bit of brown. If you recognize this piece, be in touch to become the most popular reader of the month. :)
Kate's 3rd appearance of the day was to participate in a tennis program designed and run by tennis champion Andy Murray's mother, Judy Murray! Kate has watched Murray compete many times, so the must have been a really fun afternoon for her.
On this 3rd stop of the day, Kate changed a final time. She put on a new sport ensemble featuring a snug Nike top, trendy track pants by Monreal London, and blue ASICS.
Tennis is perhaps Kate's favorite sport and she is reputed to be very good. In some ways, it is also a private and hidden sport. We have seen plenty of pictures of Kate sailing, and lots of pictures of Kate skiing (two other sporty passions) but we have never really seen her with a racket in hand. One of the few times Kate took legal action herself against the snappers was when a paparazzo took photos of her playing tennis over a Christmas holiday with James. She won that case, and we haven't seen any photos of her with a racket in hand since. Until today!
The smile on Kate's face never left for a second. As you probably recall, Kate and William are renovating their tennis court (hopefully it is nearing completion, or finished) and I expect Kate will be out teaching George to start handling his racket this spring. These shots of Kate doing floor exercises made me want to get back to Pilates!
This Nike top was a pretty quick hit. It's a greta color on Kate and features the 3/4 length sleeves of which she is so fond.
I like it because the collar is a little unusual, and it reminds me of the green Katherine Walker Kate wore in Canberra. Look, it's the same collar!
It was a really fun day in chilly Scotland! The Duchess cleverly recycled and mixed in new pieces, and was able to give each stop its own ensemble. (She may have taken her coat off for a meeting with Place2Be leaders, but there were no major pictures from this tête-à-tête) I am a big fan of the SportMax coat, and I liked the new kilt. Seeing Kate with a racket in hand was a particular treat.
Here is a close up of that bit of brown. If you recognize this piece, be in touch to become the most popular reader of the month. :)
Kate's 3rd appearance of the day was to participate in a tennis program designed and run by tennis champion Andy Murray's mother, Judy Murray! Kate has watched Murray compete many times, so the must have been a really fun afternoon for her.
On this 3rd stop of the day, Kate changed a final time. She put on a new sport ensemble featuring a snug Nike top, trendy track pants by Monreal London, and blue ASICS.
Tennis is perhaps Kate's favorite sport and she is reputed to be very good. In some ways, it is also a private and hidden sport. We have seen plenty of pictures of Kate sailing, and lots of pictures of Kate skiing (two other sporty passions) but we have never really seen her with a racket in hand. One of the few times Kate took legal action herself against the snappers was when a paparazzo took photos of her playing tennis over a Christmas holiday with James. She won that case, and we haven't seen any photos of her with a racket in hand since. Until today!
The smile on Kate's face never left for a second. As you probably recall, Kate and William are renovating their tennis court (hopefully it is nearing completion, or finished) and I expect Kate will be out teaching George to start handling his racket this spring. These shots of Kate doing floor exercises made me want to get back to Pilates!
This Nike top was a pretty quick hit. It's a greta color on Kate and features the 3/4 length sleeves of which she is so fond.
I like it because the collar is a little unusual, and it reminds me of the green Katherine Walker Kate wore in Canberra. Look, it's the same collar!
It was a really fun day in chilly Scotland! The Duchess cleverly recycled and mixed in new pieces, and was able to give each stop its own ensemble. (She may have taken her coat off for a meeting with Place2Be leaders, but there were no major pictures from this tête-à-tête) I am a big fan of the SportMax coat, and I liked the new kilt. Seeing Kate with a racket in hand was a particular treat.