Do you remember the birth of Boaty McBoatface? This was several years ago--boats take a while to build, I suppose--but anyway, several years ago I read an article about how the name of this new polar research boat was put to a public vote in the UK. The vote resulted in the name Boaty McBoatface, which made international headlines, as you can imagine. I remember reading about it from a news report and thinking, well they brought that name upon themselves. Apparently, the will of the people was over-ridden, though, because today the Duchess of Cambridge officially christened the erstwhile-almost-RSS Boaty McBoatface the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
As a consolation prize to the will of the people, the company named (what I believe is) a small research submarine on the boat Boaty McBoatface.
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@NERCScience |
Kate recycled her "geometric" McQueen coat, which she debuted on tour Down Under in 2014. I am surprised this coat has gotten so many rewears. It is bespoke, and when she first wore it I certainly thought it would be one of those more unusual ensembles that are made with a touch of pizazz for a tour, but are never seen again in the ordinary day-to-day of her royal engagements. But, Kate recycled the coat to the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, where it worked well, and again to the 75th Anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets, which was a very, very successful rewear, possibly it's best. And, of course, she wore it today.
It's not my favorite coat, because the pockets are so unusually large and boxy, and because the collar feels a little uptight to me. Those features, along with the pleated back, though, are what make it so great for military-themed events. It looked fabulous with the RAF Air Cadets, and was very good at Normandy, too.
Polar research ship officially named the "Sir David Attenborough" by Duchess of Cambridge https://t.co/usQmmLYzzh pic.twitter.com/9UHB8PgtCr— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 26, 2019
I suppose I don't have a strong feeling about today's wear. It isn't my favorite coat, but although it wasn't particularly exciting to see it again, I wasn't disappointed. She looks very nice in it, and I do love the pleats. Clearly Kate really likes it, since although four wears it not unprecedented, it is not the norm. The color is stunning on her and the details--the pleats, the pockets, the belt--all give it a little more interest than the run-of-the-mill coat. I imagine she reaches for it when she wants just a touch more flair.
Kate paired the coat with her Empress pendant earrings and a new Asprey clutch that looks very sharp, and she wore her "Josie" block heels from Emmy London. Those shoes are structurally very strange. Something about the curved, block heel and the pointed toe... maybe too creative? Finally, Kate didn't wear a hat, which has drawn quite a bit of comment. I am not sure why she didn't, since it is the type of event you'd expect a hat. Maybe she didn't find one that suited her fancy, or perhaps they wore hard hats to tour the boat and she didn't want to remove her hat? I don't know the answer. :)
Although it wasn't a super exciting day for fashion, that blue is particularly good with Kate's coloring, and she looked fabulous. Plus, it is just nice to see our favorite princess out and about, and Mr. Security keeping a watchful eye out... :)