The photos in this post are from July 2017, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their big swing through a few European countries, back when they were trying to be “Brexit ambassadors.” These photos in particular are from their first day in Berlin, where Kate arrived to the city wearing a cornflower blue Catherine Walker coatdress. The reason I’m reusing these pics? Kate repeated this Catherine Walker look over the weekend. She, William, George and Charlotte all attended a friend’s wedding. Charlotte was a bridesmaid and George was a page boy (he must be sick of that already). This was the first time Kate stepped out for any kind of public event since Wimbledon.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte are back in familiar roles — pageboy and bridesmaid! On Saturday, members of the royal family stepped out for the wedding of one of Kate Middleton’s closest friends, Sophie Carter, who married Robert Snuggs at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk at 11:30 a.m. U.K. time. The country wedding was attended by Prince William, Princess Kate and their two eldest children.
For the weekend affair, both children wore traditional bridal attendant outfits in white and blue. Charlotte, 3, was one of three bridesmaids, while George, 5, was among the chosen four pageboys. Dressed in a traditional tailcoat and vest, 36-year-old William arrived with some friends. Kate, also 36, wore a striking blue dress as she arrived with the children in a decorated farmer’s truck, which might usually be used for carrying people to a shoot or hunt.
Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton were also in attendance, as was their son James. However, Pippa Middleton, who’s expecting her first child next month, was not present.
Kate has been friends with Sophie for many years, with the two enjoying birthday celebrations together as well as more public events such as the Wimbledon. Sophie has previously joined the Cambridges on ski vacations and has even accompanied Kate to church with the Queen at Sandringham.
When I first saw the headline, my immediate thought was “of course Kate stepped out this weekend, she couldn’t let Meghan’s cookbook have ALL the headlines!” But really, everything here seems legit. Kate and Sophie have been friends for a long time, and it’s not like Sophie set her wedding date knowing that Meghan was going to get a mountain of good press in the week beforehand. It even felt like Kate and William went out of their way to avoid being photographed at this wedding – only People Magazine got the exclusive photos of William, Kate and the kids. You can see the exclusive photos of the kids here.
Thank you, @SPerryPeoplemag! For those looking for photo of Kate/William at Sophie Carter’s wedding today, they are in this @people story: https://t.co/zYbJaWpy45 pic.twitter.com/cD2RnLUGFP
— WhatKateWore.com (@WhatKateWore) September 22, 2018
Photos courtesy of WENN.
The kids were cute but am over this colour co-ordinated dressing obsession she has.
Agreed!! She just seems so cheesy and thirsty. She might be nice but gah the persona she projects is awful
Thirsty?? In almost 20 years, Kate has never given an interview to anyone. Even before marriage, Meghan gave one to Vanity Fair talking about her great love. Kate has her flaws, God knows, but she certainly isn’t “thirsty.” I think you meant the other royal wife.
The Middletons and the Middleton sisters not thirsty? The people who have had tabloid hacks, paps, and DM editors on their PR plan for over a decade?
Kate gave an interview to something like Hello, taking pride of place in the photoshoot about the boat charity event. The event she only joined to raise her profile after William dumped her again. Then she dumped the event after he took her back.
The exclusive People photos which showed her and the kids, but no William with them and the bride seen from profile if at all confirms that a photographer had special access to this private wedding ceremony. In fact he was identified as Mark Stewart, a royal photographer and not just a random paparazzi guy. So it was no coincidence that great photos of her and the kids were captured for a private event. And just the fact that photos of the kids were published confirms they were approved by the Cambridge’s. A random paparazzi would have never gotten pictures so clear and of the kids if they did not want them to. They were on private property.
It looks like the blue was coordinated to the wedding party… The Cambridges love their blue though.
I actually like the color coordination. It photographs well.
And I think that’s what they’re thinking of, as well. It looks great in photos. It’s not perfectly the same shade across the board, but they’re similar enough that they mesh well together in photos.
I think it was a wedding thing. The designer of the kids clothes posted it somewhere.
Ha, ha: they all looked great, she was supporting an old dear friend, so I was curious what everyone would savage her about! Color coordinating at a wedding: how heinous! How low can she go? Could the bar be any lower?
@ Nikki, re the savaging – some folks just can’t help themselves!
Where is NOTA to state unequivocally that Kate has NO friends? Not a one. In the world.
She was with the kids and William arrived separately. I think she was part of the bridal party in that regard. Matching doesn’t bother me in this case.
Eh, she is hardly the first nor the only woman who color coordinates the family for formal (or non-formal) outings.
Kate working. Lol
Call me crazy, but I love those headpieces on her. I don’t like the headpieces themselves, but yes on her.
And we need to stop with making everything a competition with Meghan… Once Kate returns from her maternity leave, they will end up having engagements on the same day/week at some point…
George is so tall! And Charlotte looks very comfortable on her godmother’s arms. I like that
Completely agree. I feel like an outsider here at CB because I—gasp—really love them both, see no competition and appreciate them for their differences! And while neither are going to be headlining fashion week, I still look very forward to kate’s 1950s era retro conservative clothing and Meghan’s ill fitting black pantsuits!
Let’s put an end to the competition. You CAN appreciate both, and hey while we are at it, let’s put an end to comparing either woman to their long dead mother in law!!
Agree with both of you!!! Also, The level of bad intended post of some people is impressive!!! Kate has her own style and Meghan hers! Stop the comparisons… is too much.
I actively follow them both, and don’t rely on People or Mail Online for my information. It’s amazing what a shift in perspective it is to spend time around people who aren’t in the know spend their time making up imaginary Mean Girls situations.
We should start a club @SWP
I really like them both, too. And it isn’t a competition! WHY must two women be pitted against each other, and have a “victor” and a “loser”? Why can’t they just “be” and do their own things, apart and, sometimes, together. They”ll present differently because they ARE different women from different cultures and backgrounds.
Also, I really love the playful side of George’s here (playing soldier, that cheeky grin of his). Shows his comfort level. While there’s a few great pics of Char (in godmother’s arms, and a great one of her smiling), I do love the grumpy one. Reminds me of George’s grumpy stage lol. Can’t wait to see how they grow up 😊
Let’s put an end to the idea that comparing how two women perform in a taxpayer-funded government job isn’t legitimate. Like them or don’t, they have a job to do. Comparing their work ethic, professionalism, and job performance is natural. Other royal married-ins and their work are frequently compared, but we only see calls to stop comparing these two. Funny.
Not all of us are angry about them. Some of us just enjoy the fashion, the hair, the funny stories and escapism. Maybe we should add an addendum to our club that life is too short to harbor such anger and resentment!
Totally agree. I love them both and their little family. So cute!
I totally get why Americans wouldn’t care. But when it’s our money that’s paying for them, I do resent a person living an incredibly luxurious life at our expense and not even bothering to do much work. (And yes, I know, change the system, blah blah blah). But that’s not possible right now, whilst it is possible for Kate to do more work.
I don’t think it’s great, but it’s better than a lot of the hats and fascinators she’s worn
Agreed with her and Megan. I have never seen either one of them showing any animosity or even rivalry and seem friendly if not close.
@SWP
I like them too.
And so much for the relentless “Kate has no friends” ad infinitum mantra.
Jegede, I also like them both. Meanwhile I was wondering if you are Yoruba? I am an Igbo girl from Nigeria.
Kasan Linda,
Yep I am. Half Ikorodu/ Half Golders Green!
Kate and the bride look so much older than they are. Must be an aristocracy thing?
Well, that’s rude and unnecessary.
It’s an observation, I thought the same thing about the bride. Kate’s headband is hideous as is the dress. Too short; looks cheap
@Cynthia Perry I agree! I love the jacket but hate the flowery headband. Looks so strange.
People her are always remarking on that, and I just don’t get it. People I know in their latter 30’s have some wrinkles! We can’t all be Nicole Kidman.
Even Nicole Kidman isn’t Nicole Kidman without a lot of help.
You are comparing to celebrities whose livelyhood is in their looks (expecially for women) and do whatever nessecary to always look their best.
They do? Not everyone has a forever young, fresh, unwrinkled face. Some look older than others because of sun and smoking, not taking great care of their skin, or just natural aging, but they don’t look old for ladies in their late 30’s
Part of it is that Kate usually dresses much more formally than pretty much anyone ever does in the US. People think Kate looks younger when she wears her skinny jeans. Her face looks the same.
I was surprised how In person Kate looks older, in her mid 40’s , easily. But maybe it was a day where she was exhausted,, still the retouching on her by the media has been really strong. Her skin is not good in person.
Also she seemed very robotic.
She looks good, they look good.
Always these frumpy coat dresses. And what’s with the matching flower hairband.. Looks like something from Etsy.
Yeah, I know I’m grumpy, I haven’t had my coffee yet.
The coat dresses make Kate look like a giantess, with the weird waist, short length, and 3/4 sleeves.
that sleeve length is hard for anyone to pull off – it makes everyone look like they have short stumpy arms
It really is the weird waists that I dislike on her clothes. I don’t really care if her clothes are boring, but the waists make my eye twitch.
She has a long torso and has in the past altered outfits to raise the waist and shorten the sleeves to disguise it.
I LOVE 3/4 sleeves! I think they look GREAT on most women. I’m always pushing sweater and T sleeves up to that length if they’re long. I think it’s an “casual elegant” look. Personally, what I can’t stand is this current fad of sleeves 2-4 inches longer than your fingertips! Makes me feel like I’m a kid dressing in my mother’s clothes!
Different strokes 😊
What’s with the Queen Mother head band thing? Looks like something out of the 60’s. Kate wore a similar thing for the christening and it looked awful there too. She does have eyes only for her children though. It’s very noticeable eg at Pippa’s wedding she was really only fussing over her own kids, not really worrying about the others, despite being the official wrangler.
Except for the the photo that has her speaking with other children, while her own are focused on something else. Right? Otherwise she would be a terrible, inattentive mother who can’t keep track of her own kids.
Other royals have tried and failed at the floral headband thing too. Victoria, Mary, Mette-Marit, even Madeleine. They often show up as part of christenings.
I like the blue of the coatdress and dislike the headpiece!
I am probably 30 years older than Kate and the whole look is way too matronly for me : ) but it seems to be her style.
I think Charlotte looks a lot more like Kate (and Pippa) than she used to. Not so much like HM any more.
Really?? I was thinking, after seen these pics, that she’s looking more like William lol. 😊
@Jan90067
Damn you must be me.
If Charlotte hair was blonde, she would be William’s double!
@ Jegede 😊 🤗 Come sit with me! I have fresh coffee!
I think she looks like William did as a child more than anyone else. She doesn’t look like the queen. Or even the Middletons.
Dem windsor genes are strong.
It’s insane how much kids’ can change at her age. Our niece is about the same age, and her looks keep shifting so much. I swear every time I see her lately she looks a little different. It’s not like it’s a different kid – but she’s leaving behind the babyish kind of features, and looking more and more like one parent or another with certain features.
I see Pippa, Kate and mum Carole in Charlotte too
Middleton genes are strong. George looks like Grandpa Michael Middleton w light hair.
What’s with the colour co-ordination? I saw another picture and there was another women wearing a shade of blue as well. It reminded me of Kate at Pippa’s wedding and how she wasn’t bridesmaid but still kinda was. Is it an aristocracy thing to not have a bridesmaid, but to get your friends to dress in similar shades? Kate looked like she was part of the wedding party.
The kids are cute. The headband’s not great. How did People get exclusive pics for a private wedding? They haven’t been ordered to remove them yet though, so they were invited or approved.
It isn’t that long before Kate makes her return, is it?
I saw the pictures on the Daily Mail and The Sun, so.maybe they are not as “exclusive”?
Maybe they’ve bought rights from People? The Fail had an article about the wedding at the weekend with old photos, so that’s a new development.
The flower headband looks like something the Queen Mum has worn. It makes her look dowdy and older than she is.
I hated the headpiece she wore, but the rest of it was nice. They all looked cute though I thought George’s outfit was a bit young for a 5 year old.
Let the poor child wear long trousers!
They always dress him in these 1950s outfits. I know pageboys are supposed to wear “cute” outfits like this, but George is always in shorts and smock shirts. It’s not cute or nostalgic, it’s silly. For God’s sake, let the child be an individual.
He wears normal children’s clothes when he’s out and about informally. It’s quite a clever way to do it, since he’s apparently rarely recognised when he’s just with his nanny.
Kate’s look is rather matronly for her age. That said I think she has found her style and she looks so much more professional and put together in her coat dresses than her choices in the past and that’s a very good thing. The blue color looks very attractive on her.
Yes, she always dresses like a middle aged woman. I agree I think she’s found her style but it ages her but its an improvement as she used to go between dressing like a college student and dressing like her mother and is now fully in the camp of dressing like her mother.
I think Katie Keen would look better in one of those trouser suits that Megs favours – with the correct styling as well (hair pulled up).
You know, digital unicorn, for years I complained that Kate never wore her hair up..it was always those sausage curls ringlets remember? And now, she’s giving me what I wanted but I can’t stand these updos she’s doing. I can’t put a finger on it, but it is the worst kind of updo. Why not a higher-on-the-back of the head modern French twist? I can’t put a finger on it but I hate the hair updos she is doing.
TLDR; I’m never satisfied w royal fashions lol
She’s had some good updos. The one she wore with the turquoise lacy gown is a favourite of mine. I think it’s having the bulk of her hair so low on her neck that makes them look matronly. It’s what you’d expect the headmistress of a Victorian girls’ school to wear.
That’s it belluga! I couldn’t put a finger on it but it is the low location of the bun!
Yes! That turquoise dress (with the lacy see through back), and that hair was one of her best (if not THE best) looks for her ever!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2143134/Kate-Middleton-Duchess-Cambridge-stunning-teal-dress-London-Olympic-gala-concert.html
Yep, it’s the low bun, so massive you can see in on both sides of her neck.
She would look so much better and younger with shoulder length hair and no extensions. With less hair, she would be able to put it up in a simple twist or chignon, rather than these huge heavy buns that really weigh her face down.
I can’t stand that turquoise gown. Every royal and their sister showed up in a version of it before Kate, either from the original designer or knockoffs.
Poor Kate was told that the RF did not want another Diana, and so she deliberately dressed in a way that she felt would win approval and show that she was not being a clothes horse. The RF did not want another Princess of Wales to outshine her husband so Kate played meek.
But with Meghan’s growing popularity Kate may decide to show us the real Kate, rather than the Kate her mother told her to be.
I wouldn’t mind seeing that Kate of that were to happen, PrincessK.
Those headbands are horrible. The one at Louis’s christening was so so but this one with the flowers is so cheap and tacky looking. Also, totally over the coat dresses.
Was she supposed to skip a good friends wedding (which her kids were in ), just because Meghans cookbook came out last week? Meghan and her cookbook got tons of good coverage, and not everything can always be organized to not happen in the same week as someone else’s event
Beth, lol. I’m looking forward to seeing the serious “yes she should have” replies.
Of course. Meghan’s redeeming an entire nation, don’t you know? Meghan is the new saviour..and she walks on water. So no one should talk or comment or go out for a week before and a week after she is spotted anywhere.
I’am Meghan fan I don’t think that her and Kate should be compared At all their two different woman. I don’t think the writer was being serious you could tell it was a joke you can’t even make a joke without the Kate fans flipping out no one here thinks Meghan walks on water people just like her better
They are both taxpayer-funded government employees doing a job. Comparison is natural. Other royals are compared but we’re not allowed to compare these two?
@Beth, @SWP and @Someone,did y’all not read the entire article but just stopped at Kaiser’s “at first I thought….”? I encourage you to read further than that part!! You remind me of the posters that, without getting all the facts, accused prince Harry of trying to grab and hug and kiss Zahira (the muslim lady) at the cookbook launch.
Masamf if you reread my post you will see my ‘lol,’ which means I was laughing aka joking. Relax.
@ Masamf
Goodness gracious, it’s not that serious sheesh.
Hate those flower bands she’s taken to wearing. Not only are they cheap looking, they add about 3 inches to her hair. Been over the coat dresses, but that’s her aging, outdated style.
SHe still looks like a posable doll. No warmth behind that smile.
This is a weird comment. Kate is clearly very warm with her kids, so not sure where you’re coming from.
Warm to willie and her kids. Cold to everything and everyone else. Ooo, forgot the Ainsley yacht dude.
I think she looks GREAT! When I saw the picture of her hairdo from the back, I thought it was very elegant. The rich jewel tone really flatters her. I like the style of her dress, which has a good fit, emphasizing her lean physique. I think the length of her dress is fine, not matronly or too short. For the record, I’m a HUGE Meghan fan, but the Kate hate here is pretty unbelievable. Her kids look adorable, and it’s good to see Prince George coming out of his shell.
I’m in total agreement with you! Can I come sit with you, Nikki? (I’ll bring a couple bottles of a good red for later!)
I like Meghan and Kate. thought Kate look gorgeouse headpiece and all.
I want to join the Nikki and Jan party!
The more the merrier, y’all!
All those pictures of Prince George are so adorable. He’s a real ham, isn’t he?
What is that mess on top of her head? I can’t see anything else.
Why is it that Billy is never part of the exclusive shots? Is the setup negotiated through the Middleton PR team?
There are pictures of him, he is color coordinating with the rest of the family.
And he was a guest but not part of the wedding party itself, that’s probably why.
I love the headband and the coordinated outfits. Beautiful family.
Isn’t Charlotte old enough to walk on her own? Every photo I see of her, she’s being carried. I don’t understand why that seems to be necessary.
Children sometimes want to be carried, especially around a lot of people. My nephew is 5, and he still insists on being carried by his mum or by me when he doesn’t feel well or when there are strange people around
There aren’t actually that many pictures of her. She’s maybe been photographed at 7-8 events in 3 years? And she’s walking in about half of them. So I don’t get the impression she’s carried an abnormal amount. We don’t really know because she hasn’t actually been seen that often. My daughter is about 6 months older and still wants a quick pick up pretty frequently.
I think given all the criticism Kate gets about work and nannies and whatnot (some I agree with some I think is way too nit picky) it’s nice to see that her children consistently want her and to be held by her. You can tell she’s the direct caregiver with nanny support, not a distant mother with nannies doing the primary work. Kate holding Charlotte doesn’t really bother me. She seemed very natural when Charlotte tripped and fussed at the balcony appearance for example . Just pick up a whining kid and comfort them and keep smiling. That’s kind of basic mothering at this age tbh.
This. Also, sometimes holding younger kids just works better for how pictures are lined up and it’s easier to get them to look where they should.
I think there is plenty to criticize Will and Kate for, but this isn’t one of them.
Charlotte is probably getting tired of being in wedding parties. She seemed over it in some of the photos.
Some kids like to be held. Makes them feel secure. My daughter whined to be picked up until her Dad said “I physically cannot carry her anymore.” She was about 4. He’s had back troubles for years and I can’t say the constant carrying wasn’t a factor.
Charlotte is a little 3 yr old…jeesh. Nothing wrong with her being carried by her mom.
My youngest is a bit older than Charlotte and is a WILD CARD and frankly, I carry her in traffic/busy situations because if I don’t she might RUN LIKE THE WIND and I dont feel like chasing her, much less in a dress hat and heels.
Maybe she wasn’t feeling well or was tired. She didn’t seem her usual, cheery self. Nothing wrong with wanting a cuddle when you are 3. There was a nice photo of the bride holding her.
I don’t like the matchy matchy it ages her. But I think she always looks polished and put together. Char and George are adorable and she just glows around her kids!
I miss Kate…looking forward to maternity leave being over!
She dresses so old for her age.
I am one of the few people here who actually likes her just fine.
But ugh. Her clothes.
I like the colour of the outfit but not the style. It looks as if it was designed for a shorter person. I’m not a fan of the headband either. However, it was good that she used a previously worn outfit in a non-bridal colour to avoid any unfavourable “upstaging the bride” articles.
I’m torn about the hair piece/hatband—I think I would like it more in a different color (with a different outfit) or if she had worn her hair partly down with it to make it feel a little more youthful and fun. I’ve always thought that she probably sticks to low updos because of her extensions (depending on their placement/what kind they can be visible when you pull your hair up) or because it’s easier to blend in hair pieces to give the style more fullness. She could be dealing with hair loss following Louis’ birth so whatever makes her feel the best about herself is what she should go with… but please vary the updos, Kate!!
I’ve said this before (and I think Lainey has said something similar?), but I think she IS modeling herself on the queen mother in some ways and that’s what the Royals want from her. While I mostly think the Queen selected Kate and Meghan’s wedding tiaras based on what would look best with the style of their dresses, I still don’t think it was a coincidence Kate got one that had belonged to the Queen Mother.
Also, it’s nice to see Kate has a friend from years ago she’s still close to. It seems like Sophie had likely inspired some of her more adventurous looks.
The Queen Mother was the power behind the throne, a hard worker, and someone who understood her duty and performed it. How is that like Kate? The royals do not want a potential future Queen Consort to have a 15 year history of public laziness. I suspect many a courtier is going grey over The Problem of William and Kate.
The Cartier Halo tiara wasn’t a well-loved tiara in the family. It was only worn a few times by Queen Mum, not sure Princess Elizabeth ever wore it. Halo was the basic starter tiara for Margaret and Anne who both dumped it after getting bigger tiaras.
With Meghan, I was glad to see one of Queen Mary’s tiaras dusted off again. We never know what is still in the collection until someone wears it or it shows up at auction.
Ok, NOTA, you’re the authority here. I just meant in terms of the old-fashioned/retro way Kate has been dressing lately and the way she often dresses the kids. It’s more an outward image thing than anything else because, yes, obviously she should be working more if she wants to truly model herself after the QM.
I also don’t think the Cartier Halo is without sentimental value or isn’t well-loved. It was a gift from her father to her mother, and possibly the first tiara the Queen was gifted as a Princess. It could also be the tiara Kate liked best of the possible options she was given. The Queen seems to make choices like this with intent and meaning so I wondered if that might be part of it, in addition to the nice consistency of it moving through the family as a starter tiara.
I agree wholeheartedly with your post Lexa.
I am so not into this color on her. On the queen, yes. It is so mother-of-the-bride. Ugh. I just can’t at all.
Give the woman a break! She looked great, she is a beautiful woman. (Yes, so is Meghan.) She was with her kids, and seemed to really enjoy them and looked very proud and happy to be with them. And it was great to see George be silly. He always seems so solemn.
And Charlotte was surrounded by lots and lots of people, probably mostly strangers, and probably needed the security of her momma holding her. I give Kate credit, as she does seem to be a hands-on mom.
I think Catherine and Meghan are both beautiful women who are in the fortunate position to help those in need 💕
Her and William are both aging at lightening speed. I saw some photos that were not airbrushed, and whoa.
Ooh patty can you tell us where? I’d love to see them too.
They were all over Instagram and Tumblr.
I wish they would actually do something worthwile