The annual sojourn to Balmoral offers the perfect opportunity for members of the royal family to catch up and relax at the Scottish retreat before returning to London to begin an Autumn schedule of duties. No doubt Prince George and Princess Charlotte are having a ball exploring the outdoors with Mia Tindall and their other cousins. William and Kate adore the outdoors, and are likely soaking up the scenic surroundings on the estate.
I imagine the Cambridges have been there for almost a week as Prince William joined his father on Wednesday for the Edinburgh Tattoo and a special performance at the Palace of Holyrood.
Crathie Kirk is a small Church of Scotland parish church in the village of Crathie. The walls are built of local granite and the roof made of Scots Pine. Building materials were donated by the surrounding estates, and £5000 raised by the local population to fund construction. It is known as a regular place of worship for the British Royal family when they are staying in nearby Balmoral. The Princess Royal married her second husband, Timothy Laurence, at the church because she was divorced and, at the time, not permitted to marry in the Church of England.
Is Kate's Hobbs London Celeste coat her favourite? Judging by the multiple times the Duchess has chosen it, I think we can safely assume it's right up there. It's a very wearable and versatile coat perfect for everything from church with the royals to a day of engagements. The chestnut brown double crepe wool coat subtly flares from the hips.
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| Hobbs London |
Kate also wore the coat for service at Crathie Kirk in 2015.
Below we see Kate wearing it on Christmas Day in 2012 and 2016.
For fans of the brand, Hobbs London are offering 30% off selected lines for UK customers and 20% off everything with discount code ALL20 for US shoppers.
The Duchess wore her Lock & Co Tiffany drop-brim hat. The £325 hat is described as "Crafted from 100% rabbit fur felt, this 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' hat is a style saviour. The stunning, lipped drop-brim and wide Petersham band make this hat a real classic which is perfect for dressier social engagements."
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| Lock & Co |
You may recall Kate first wore it in March for for a service of dedication unveiling the new Iraq Afghanistan Memorial on Victoria Embankment Gardens.
We can also see Kate wore her L.K. Bennett Addison dress. The Duchess debuted the dress when the young royals hosted the Obamas at Kensington Palace in April 2016.
The £325 dress features a jewel-toned print, transparent sleeves and ankle-grazing length. It's described as: "Ideal for events both formal and casual, timeless in its style and fashion forward in its execution." It's available in very limited sizing.
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| L.K. Bennett |
Speaking of L.K. Bennett, I was browsing their website last week and was very impressed with the Autumn 2017 Collection. They have done a tremendous job of encompassing the staples of a versatile professional wardrobe whilst incorporating trends, colour, prints and statement pieces. Kate could stroll into her nearest store and easily leave with a wardrobe which would carry her through the majority of events on the agenda for the remainder of the year.
The camapign was shot against the prestigious backdrop of London’s imposing Old Royal Naval College. Entitled ‘A Modern Portrait’, the campaign is inspired by the authentic style and sophisticated elegance of the ‘L.K.Bennett Woman’. Capturing empowered, modern women’s lives and style in motion.
Shot by Spanish photographer Daniel Riera and styled by Tank Fashion Director Caroline Issa, the campaign’s "creative handwriting abounds with confident femininity, showcasing the season in a series of vibrant, layered portraits".
The Charl Cream Jacket and matching cream tweed skirt are very Chanel.
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| L.K. Bennett |
The Elva Blue Check Silk Dress is cut with a flowing skirt, high neckline and elegant bracelet sleeves. Its nipped-in waist complemented by a D-ring belt. It also comes in black check.
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| L.K. Bennett |
The Ria Blush Leather Coat would be another great addition to Kate's coats. We also see my favourite piece from the collection - the Shippa Pink Tweed Dress. I love the fifties silhouette and full skirt. You can view the full collection here. I certainly hope we'll see the Duchess in at least a couple of pieces in the coming months.
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| L.K. Bennett |
It's always nice to catch a glimpse of the royals enjoying their summer break at Balmoral. I expect we'll hear engagement announcements shortly for September. In the meantime, I've been very much enjoying putting your dream looks for the Duchess together. Prepare yourself for an array of stylish splendour and sparkle. We'll be back with that post in a couple of days :)
