Duchess Kate in rose Gucci for the 100 Women in Finance gala: cute or meh?

Kate Middleton attends the 100 Women in Finance Gala Dinner

Last night, the Duchess of Cambridge was the royal guest for the annual 100 Women in Finance Gala. The 100 Women in Finance throws a charity gala once a year to benefit one big charity, and they usually choose one of the charities or foundations associated with one of the younger royals. Prince Harry has attended this event in the past too, as has Kate – 100 Women In Finance is actually one of Kate’s patronages, although she hasn’t attended this gala every year since becoming the royal patron. In 2015, she was the royal guest because their gala benefitted one of her patronages, The Art Room, and I always remember that appearance because she wore one of the dumbest Erdem gowns I’ve ever seen, and she had, like, a country-music-star wiglet plopped onto her head. It was weird.

For this year’s gala, Kate didn’t go for a large, garish floral again, thank God. Instead, she went with this pinkish Gucci gown which… I don’t care for that much. It doesn’t look bad, and it definitely looks like it’s “Kate’s style.” I feel like the bust is way too tight, to the point where she might be uncomfortable. The two-tone combined with the velvet belt… I don’t know, I’m not into it. Again, it’s not the worst thing she’s ever worn or whatever. She looks presentable and pulled-together, and I appreciate that she’s giving us a slightly different vibe. But meh.

This year’s 100 Women In Finance Gala benefitted Kate’s Mentally Healthy Schools program. Something interesting: Kate gave two speeches on Wednesday, one at the Royal Foundation’s conference on Mentally Healthy Schools, and one speech at this gala dinner. Meghan’s entrance into the royal fold really did light a match under Kate in that one department, speech-making. Kate has made more speeches in the past year than she did in the previous seven years altogether.

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton looks elegantly stunning at a gala dinner in London

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Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Getty.

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209 Responses to “Duchess Kate in rose Gucci for the 100 Women in Finance gala: cute or meh?”

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  1. original_kellybean says:

    I vote “meh”. That style is doing no favours to her boobs. I don’t think she has much to begin with but that dress looks like a bandage compressing them.

    • Char says:

      If it wasn’t identified as Gucci, one would never guessed, cause it’s so generic and boring. It’s perfect Kate.

      • Good GRrrrrl says:

        I almost cut ties w an acquaintance who said her style icon was Kate Middleton. Aspire to mediocrity? The mind reels

    • L84Tea says:

      I’m feeling “meh” too, but that could just be the way it photographs. This is one of those types of dresses that I can’t decide if I like it or hate it. Although I bet it’s nicer in person.

    • ByTheSea says:

      I really dislike that she wore Gucci after the blackface incident. I know that Kate and the royals are not woke, but way to give more business to a company that kicked its black customers in the face.

      • Megan says:

        I was disappointed to see she was in Gucci. Most people cannot afford Gucci so it is important that those who can make it clear there is no place for racism in fashion.

    • scylla74 says:

      I also think that the dress is sort of “meh”. But I also have to say that you can really see in recent month that she appears to be much more comfortable at this public appearances. So that is a win in my book.

      In the end of the day a confident, happy person has so much better energy than a super stylish dressed, self-conscious person.

      • L84Tea says:

        I agree, she’s improving a lot and it even shows in her fashion choices. This one might also be “meh” for me personally coming right after that white gown she wore last week, which was so off-the-charts stunning to me that I’m not sure she can top it so soon after.

      • sequinedheart says:

        I agree – I love the silhouette of this dress but the colors wash her out. Her confidence, though, is what carries it.

      • minx says:

        Agree, she looks much happier and more engaged in recent months.

      • Yami says:

        I don’t understand this “coming into her own” narrative. How long has she been a royal and royal adjacent. Suddenly she’s coming into her own? Shouldn’t she have done that earlier? Maybe hit the ground running? At least after giving birth to the heir? It’s so silly. Coming into her own implies that’s she somehow doing something different. The only thing I see is having to work more and give speeches cause Meghan is around.

      • Nic919 says:

        It is pretty infantilizing to say a 37 year old mother of three is only now coming into her own. What the hell was she doing before that? And she still hasn’t done much different than the past except say a few more speeches. No other adult woman gets the passes this one does for doing so little.

      • Scylla74 says:

        The “coming into her own” narrative was not pushed from me. I think it took her very long to appear more confident and happy in public. But obviously it is happening and I stand by my assessment that it takes more than clothes to have “it” to stand out in a crowd.

    • SarSte says:

      I also just feel like this was the strangest choice for a Women in Finance gala. WHAT WERE THE OTHER OPTIONS? This could have been such an awesome moment to turn up in a slickly tailored suit a la Evan Rachel Wood. Can you imagine??

      • Lady D says:

        She showed up looking like a princess rather than a 21st century businesswoman. She would have killed it in a suit.

      • Monicack says:

        Please do not uniformize female empowerment. It behaves in certain ways. It should not look a certain way. That is the opposite of agency.

      • SarSte says:

        @Monicack – Such an interesting moment for you to point this out, on a post about an individual who has dressed exactly as traditionalists wish and expect her to, never ever going against the grain for fear of upsetting the establishment. Don’t assume I’m uniformizing anything, when in fact I’m wishing for the exact opposite of that – wishing for something slightly subversive from a woman who is rarely anything but. This would be the event for her to do it at, without catching a ton of flack.

      • Megan says:

        Yesterday there was a lot of discussion about whether Kate’s skirt hem was too short. Her skinny jeans also prompt a lot of conversation. The idea that Kate dresses exactly as traditionalists expect her to is simply not true.

        We don’t know what dress code was stipulated on the invitation, but to show up in a suit at an event where women are expected to wear evening gowns seems rude to me as it would be needlessly pulling focus from the message of the evening.

      • Monicack says:

        Wearing a suit is subversive? This is you doubling down on uniformizing wokeness. The further we get from this the absolute better. The result is a future where women can wear ballgowns, suits or clown costumes and still retain full authority over her narrative.

      • Anitas says:

        I’m a woman, I work in finance and I wear ballgowns to work related galas. I wore a strapless sequin-tulle gown which looked way more princessy than what Kate is wearing here. She rarely if ever wears pantsuits, why should she be expected to wear one just to conform to someone’s idea of power dressing? Clearly she doesn’t feel comfortable in them (to my regret really) and sticks to her style, which is her prerogative.

      • Tina says:

        Wow, yeah, I dgaf what she wears as long as she turns up and does. some. work.

      • PrincessK says:

        I agree. She was dressed for a ballroom gala. If Meghan had worn that she would have been slated for inappropriate dressing and for choosing a non British designer.

    • Liz says:

      I like the compressed boob look, but you need a very particular torso and shoulders to carry it off. Too bony and you look like tense and cold. She is still too bony, too thin. It’s fine in person but it doesn’t photograph well.

    • Mel M says:

      I agree, total meh and the fact that it’s Gucci. The articles last night I was reading though would have you think this was the most gorgeous, classy, princessy, classy, angelic, classy of all the looks the universe has ever seen. I know most people here know she’s not a fashionista but most outlets think and write otherwise and there is actually a book about how amazing her fashion called “Kate: How to dress like a style icon: Fashion from a royal role model”. I don’t get it.

      • Tina says:

        This is the royal machine in action. Just wait until the Queen dies. The Kate promotion will be in full effect, but what will be really different is how much Camilla will be promoted. The press knows its place. That’s why they’re making such an effort to sit on Meghan.

    • SK says:

      The colours do her colouring no favours whatsoever. I like the velvet belt and the skirt has a beautiful flow to it. I like that she’s upped her shoe game. Mostly this dress is just a big eh though and that’s a shame!

    • FuefinaWG says:

      The color is bad for her, her 28A boobs are totally smashed, and she kind of looks like a vagina …

  2. Cidy says:

    I love every part of the dress except for that random velvet belt in the middle???? But then rest is good. She could have done an updo but her hair is fine here. Overall a pretty good look.

    • Erinn says:

      Same. The belt throws it off for me. I don’t HATE the belt, but I feel like it wasn’t necessary. Or maybe if it wasn’t velvet I would like it more?

      I’m into the muted shades like this, lately. So I like it.

      • Becks1 says:

        Do we think she added the belt herself? It seems a bit off from the dress but it goes with her clutch.

      • Erinn says:

        Good catch, Becks1. I think that’d make sense. I think it’s the same clutch she took to Eugenie’s wedding, but she didn’t have the belt on then. But the fabric seems like a perfect match, so maybe she got it when she bought the clutch originally?

      • jan90067 says:

        Seems she did, Becks1, to go with the clutch. The belt wasn’t “attached” and it floated below the waist seam of the dress; I thought it was weird. It was as if she felt she couldn’t use the clutch unless she had the same color somewhere ON the dress. She could’ve worn the same colored velvet shoes that she has (and has worn together before).

        This dress was pretty (sans belt), but damn, her boobs looked so compressed!

      • Megan says:

        I was wondering if any of the fashion blogs would post a runway photo of this dress to see if the belt was part of the original design. I have not seen any so maybe it is a custom design?

      • Nic919 says:

        She always adds unnecessary belts and ends up ruining most of the looks. I don’t know if she thinks she is trying to create a smaller waist or what but it isn’t working. The original version would have worked much better.

    • emerson says:

      Meh (and I’m being generous). By the way, where is the cost of this “bespoke” Gucci gown, the shoes (regardless if they’re repeats) and her bag? If I’m not mistaken didn’t she wear D&G earlier that day and not a single complaint.
      *I’m I the only person who noticed she read the same speech twice and it was awful both times?
      It’s been almost 8 years and there’s zero excuse for this level of incompetency. People please stop with fear of public speaking excuse. It’s like a pilot being nervous to fly, which is normal, not because for safety reasons but that he’s afraid of heights.

    • Digital Unicorn says:

      Dress is boring, colour suits her and yes she ruins it with the belt. She has ruined many beautiful dresses with belts -she wears them to shorten her torso. She wouldn’t need them if she actually dressed for her body type and took advice from a proper stylist.

    • Ellaus says:

      I actually like the velvet sash, but would have preferred that the darker part of the bodice would have make a V instead of just reaching the waist (a V being the shoulders-waist-hips)… It looks unfinished to me.

      Anyhow, it is a good look, the speech was better than the usual – I know, I know- but Gucci (being problematic, albeit having tried to mend the situación) and Dolce and Gabbana (problemátic AF) in the same day…. It just seems so tone deaf… Her stylist should do better.

    • Feeshalori says:

      I think Kate added the sash, you can see that it’s covering darker material that might have acted as an incorporated waistband.

  3. runcmc says:

    I actually love this dress on her! It really flatters her body type. And yeah she’s really stepped her style game up and worked more in the last month.

    • Bella Bella says:

      I think it’s a pretty dress, though does nothing to enhance any cleavage she might have. But Kate herself is very wholesome looking to me. Especially with her hair. I can imagine this dress on a different person who has more of an edge or is more sexy and it could work great.

  4. Red Snapper says:

    I hate it. Her poor breasts!

    • SarSte says:

      It looks like a bad bridesmaid dress or something?? I think it’s the colour in particular and the ombre-ness of it – what an odd choice for a gala and women in finance one at that. I would have bordered on liking this if it were one consistent colour – maybe black, navy, or a deep emerald green. Something a little more appropriate for an evening gala.

      • Snappyfish says:

        It reminds me a dress Jasmine would have worn in Aladdin (sans belt)

      • sequinedheart says:

        exactly! Soooooo Bridesmaidy. She should have worn this to Pippa’s wedding instead of that skin-tone little-house-on-the-prairie number she donned.

    • Aoife says:

      Looks like a chest binder! Just not great.

    • vava says:

      I loathe this dress. The only way to salvage it is to completely remove everything from the waist up, shorten the hemline and turn it into a skirt. The bodice is extremely unflattering and the gown is too long, she was tripping on numerous times. I like her shoes, though.

      Kate is such a phony. At the daytime event she gave an “impromptu” speech…………written on five pages and rehearsed. That’s not what I consider to be impromptu.

      • Ina says:

        Phony indeed. Can’t utter more than one word before diving back into her notes. Still painful to watch after 8 years??? I’m sure that in-between botox sessions and shopping trips she has plenty of time to sit with a speech coach. But nah, too much hard work. Her nails would break.

      • Ahoyoy says:

        I’m shocked that I don’t hate this. It has some personality, but she ruins it with the pageant queen hair. If she was going to wear a 70s inspired dress, she needed to continue the theme with the hairstyle. As is it just looks like an amsale crinkle chiffon bridesmaid’s dress (which is a $300 dress, I’m just saying).

        Also, the point of having a fashion house make you a dress is bc you like their signature style- this doesn’t look like Gucci anymore than her McQueens look like something that Lee McQueen would design. This simple design could have been made by an anonymous seamstress for 1/10th of the cost. That’s without even mentioning why she’s wearing two problematic Italian designers in the same day- ‘English’ rose, my foot.

      • Ina says:

        That hairstyle belongs in highschool. Sparkly shoes don’t match the gown. The infatuation with velvet belts/waistbands I don’t understand. But quite frankly, we can overlook these errors if she had credibility and gravitas. Sadly, when I look at her, all I see is a woman with little substance and relevance.

      • Old Lady Nan says:

        So nasty. If anyone said anything this mean about Meghan, you’d all be screaming.

      • Anitas says:

        The hair is the worst part, I agree. I hate half-up half-down dos, nobody can pull it off without looking twee.

      • Sduff says:

        Performance anxiety is real. It ruled Barbra Streisand’s life. I’m convinced it’s why many famous performance artists take drugs. I have been speaking for 15 years and still occasionally hyperventilate. Also thousands of people will judge her, not just the hundreds the rest of us speak to at work conferences. It’s completely understandable.

      • Tina says:

        @Old Lady Nan: have you read anything written about Meghan in the British press? Ever, but especially in the past month?

  5. LORENA says:

    I saw headlines calling her an English Rose and I think that’s what she was going for. She looks lovely and I love the dress

  6. Snowflake says:

    Yuck

  7. Shrute’s beet farm says:

    She looks lovely, and I know she would have picked her gown awhile ago, but it’s kinda weird to be wearing Gucci when they’re in the middle of a blackface scandal and celebs are setting their clothes on fire on social media.

    • Royalwatcher says:

      I also love how there was not one single article that talked about how much she’s spent on gowns in the past week. Probably about 20k, no? Where is the same outrage that Meghan gets? Where is the nit picky level of detail on the cost of every single item Kate is wearing?

      • Jj says:

        You aren’t wrong. People are definitely more vitriolic towards Meghan. I will say that Kate gets slightly more latitude in her spending as she will most likely be Queen one day.

      • Bluecanyon says:

        You must be new to royal watching! Kate has been dragged for the amount she spends on clothes. Just search on the DM & on this site and you’ll see countless of articles over the years criticizing the cost of Kate’s outfits.

        The reason no price was quoted for her latest outing is because it is custom made.

      • Becks1 says:

        People still take guesses at Meghan’s custom clothes. They just write off Kate’s.

        Heck on here whenever Meghan does an appearance there is a chorus of “she needs to watch her spending, she’s tone deaf, no one needs to wear designer to a day event with brexit going on.” But Kate does it and there are crickets.

      • wha1ever says:

        You’ve got that the wrong way around Becks1.

        Kate has always been criticised about her spending, always!. Yearly amounts have been inaccurately reported (by the Daily Mail) and regurgitate on other sites and social media as if they were facts for years now.

        Whereas Meghan fans have always used the “she gets freebies/ huge discounts” excuses to defend Meghan’s spending while simultaneously attacking Kate’s spending. Very puzzling logic there.

      • Becks1 says:

        No, I don’t.

        All criticism re Kate’s spending stopped when Meghan came on the scene (at least the criticism re: Kate specifically, the royals in general do tend to get blasted.)

        And Kate has always been praised for being thrifty when she repeats an outfit.

        And once again, comments about Kate’s spending are NOT in the same vein as Meghan’s. There is a tone re Meghan’s spending that is very “who does she think she is.” Meanwhile Kate wears bespoke designer to every event and people are just like “future queen!!!!”

      • Old Lady Nan says:

        I know this is an American site so I think there is an ignorance or purposeful ignoring of the different roles the two women have in the family. Like her or not, Kate is married to the future king. Meghan is married to Andrew or Edward and the Brits don’t expect her to spend like the future Queen. You may not like that or snark about it, but the royals have definite roles and Meghan’s spending is way outside of what her role should be.
        Plus, she is an outsider so her exhorbitant spending is looked at through that lens, too. And let’s not forget, this started with that 75k engagement dress. It is tone deaf and entitled on MM’s part.

      • Sduff says:

        Kate is future Queen Consort. Meg will never be higher than wife to sixth in line. Yes it is a huge difference.
        When Beatrice was fifth in line, directly, she would have been crucified for Meg’s spending. And she is also a Princess of the Blood.

      • Tina says:

        As a Brit, I dgaf who ranks higher. I care about one thing: is this person a working royal. And if they are a working royal, do they provide value for money. Top value for money is obviously Princess Anne, followed by Charles. Then the Queen, Sophie, (Andrew), Edward. The young ones are all lazy af. We will have to see how Meghan does.

        And can I just say that the idea of a “Princess of the Blood” is deeply, deeply creepy. Beatrice is not a working royal, and that’s the only important thing here.

      • Princessk says:

        @Old lady nan…l am sick and tired of people complaining about Meghan’s expenditure on clothing. Firstly, the amounts are all estimates and we will never know the true figures. Secondly, Meghan is given a budget to spend and she is not stupid and will keep within it. Also it is not Meghan’s fault if our future Queen has a fairly dull and boring approach and appearance in public life.

    • Amy Too says:

      Gucci in the evening and dolce and gabanna during the day. It’s like she’s going down a list of “recently really problematic” designers, which is strange, because she usually wears McQueen.

      I would like this dress much better if it was all the darker rose color. I don’t mind the belt, I think it’s pretty, and I don’t mind the shape or style of the dress, I just really don’t like the lighter pink color.

      • Eleonor says:

        These events are scheduled, and probably she buys clothes long before the event. if she has something custom made, and refuses to wear there will be some royal sources spilling to the press, and she will be crucified for her crazy expenses.

      • boredblond says:

        Agree..deeper shades might make it a little more mature and in line with the occasion, but I actually like the dress, belt and all

      • Shrute’s beet farm says:

        Eleanor

        Yes, as I said, I know she would have picked the gown ages ago, but if people started leaking that she didn’t wear a custom Gucci, she could have easily said—through KP—that Kate didn’t want to support, even tangentially, blackface and racism. Bam, the uproar over cost would disappear. And not for nothing, she has two nearly identical gowns in different colors she could have swapped the Gucci for.

      • Nic919 says:

        Perhaps the Gucci thing was too recent to make any changes but Dolce and Gabbana have been problematic for a very long time and these same comments were raised when she wore D and G months ago. She just doesn’t care about it. Just like she couldn’t be bothered to wear black last year at the BAFTAs. And the same traditionalists who love their English Rose actually prefer her to be this way and not bother herself with being aware of real issues.

  8. Jemimaleopard says:

    I’m really not into it but each to their own! However it is so similar to a Jenny Packham she owns in two different colours – right down to the velvet belt. Don’t understand the need to have all these dresses that look the same, cost a fortune but are just different colours 🤷🏼‍♀️

    • Royalwatcher says:

      This, exactly this, for me as well. She already has two identical dresses (except color), one of which she wore to this same event a few years back. I really don’t get it. Plus, for me, those shoes just do not go with that dress.

    • BaronSamedi says:

      Yes, exactly. It’s her uniform of evening gowns. Just like with daytime events she has found a style of evening gown she likes and she basically looks the same in all of them.

      I like the colors too but I wish she had tried to match her make-up to it. The peachy blush and dark eyeshadow aged her when a rose shade would have looked so great with this!

  9. AnnaKist says:

    It’s a big ‘’meh’’ from me.

  10. Kittycat says:

    I’m liking this look. The bombs dont look comfortable but it’s not important.

    Its different and it’s not college girl with a sugar daddy.

  11. Redgrl says:

    I’ll be the dissenter – I actually think this is beautiful.

    • Tessy says:

      I like the skirt, but find the darker boob sashes a little off putting. The idea is pretty though.

  12. Maum says:

    See I quite like the velvet but hate the bra thing- that two tone could have been carried in the skirt, not on her boobs.

    And call me crazy, but I had forgotten the erdem until i clicked on your link. I hated it at the time but looking back it looks quite… fresh. The print is quite crisp and I am finding myself liking it… arrggghhh!

  13. Kittycat says:

    Kate is really stepping up on the speeches and appearances.

    Dare I say 200 plus appearances this year?

    • Bluthfan says:

      Has she ever gotten close to that number? One positive of Meghan joining the family is that the Cambridges actually work now.

      • Yami says:

        Right? People be acting that it isn’t Meghan that has caused this flurry of work. I have to roll my eyes. They praise Kate to the sky’s for doing the stuff she should have been doing years earlier. The bar is so low for this girl.

      • Tina says:

        She got over 200 in 2012.

      • Beli says:

        She did 111 in 2012. Her highest is 2016 with 140. The only other year she did more than 100 was 2017. (Tim O’Donovan’s figures)

    • wisdomheaven says:

      She still has the lowest engagement numbers of the “Fab Four” though…(I think).

      I don’t see Kate getting to 200 this year. Would love to be wrong!

      • AmyLue says:

        Officially, Kate didn’t have the lowest official engagement count last year. Meghan did…although Meghan did a ton of unofficial engagements before she was married. On the other hand, Kate was also on maternity leave. We won’t have real numbers until the end of 2020 or beyond.

      • wisdomheaven says:

        I was speaking of this year thus far—not last year. She was on maternity leave and Meghan only had half the year “count”

      • Beli says:

        @AmyLue – Actually Meghan did more official engagements in 2018 than Kate did, plus the unofficial ones. Kate’s was the lowest total of the four.

        William had the most, then Harry, then Meghan, then Kate. And so far this year they’re sitting in the same order.

  14. Royalwatcher says:

    But, ummm weren’t both speeches exactly the same? Like, she didn’t give two speeches in one day, she gave the same speech twice in one day. And even the first time she had to literally read from the notecards “I wasn’t planning to give remarks today.”

    • Caroline says:

      She’s so dumb LOL

    • Mego says:

      Ooooh boy 🙄

    • Beli says:

      Wow, seriously?? That must mean that the first time she saw those cards was on stage. No writing the speech herself or preparing to deliver it.

      • Jan90067 says:

        An article said that she’d been taking notes throughout the meeting, and when it was ending, told her staff she’d like to say something. I can see that happening, as I’ve done that in meetings myself.

    • Lexa says:

      I could be wrong because I haven’t seen the full speech from last night, but I’m not sure they were exactly word for word the same aside from the quote KP posted? They did effectively say the same thing, though, but I’m not sure that’s odd considering the conference was about mental health in education and the charity being supported was focused on mental health in education. My guess is that, for the earlier speech, she mixed her set talking points from last night’s speech (maybe even making the changes directly onto a copy of the evening speech?) with a few bits about the conference and adjustments to the language.

      • V. says:

        @lexa I don’t think you’re wrong. A royal reporter who was there said that she wrote the speech during the conference. And she was actually photographed taking notes during the roundtable.
        I think she was planning to give one speech at the gala,but she carried some notes just in case she decided to say something at the conference too.
        She stayed there for over 4 hours,so she had plenty of time to put together a few sensentences.
        I also like that they had a roundtable with the teachers who are the ones who are going to benefit from the program. The mental health topic is an incredibly vaste topic,so if they’re starting to focus each charity’s program on specific targets,it’s the way to approach it.
        I don’t why some people want to believe at any cost that she’s stupid.

    • R says:

      She isn’t a good public speaker- she struggles with it. I know that must be hard for you to understand since you do everything so perfectly.

      I mean I am sure if you ever had to do something that you struggle with while the entire world watches you’d be perfect and there would be nothing but endless praise.

      I am sure no one would be vile and hateful and call you dumb or mock you for not excelling.

      • Lady D says:

        After 7 years on the job and still under-performing? I wouldn’t have a job and neither would you.

      • R says:

        But is she under performing? She isn’t great at speeches but neither was Diana her strength came from one on one interaction and I have seen video of Kate one on one and she excels. There is positive interest in the monarchy and her family so I think she has done her job fine.

        Could she be better sure but her biggest job is to keep the crown going and she has 3 little future generations.

        Also even if you think Speeches are a major most important part of her job she is doing them and she might never excel but calling her dumb is beyond the pale and frankly says more about the posters then her.

      • Bluthfan says:

        Yes, Kate is underperforming. She can’t give decent speeches, she is lazy and does the least amount of activities of any senior royal, she ignores her patronages and has had to have celebrities step in to cover for her, she spends a lot of money on clothes with little to show for it. And I’ve never seen a ton of praise for Kate’s one on one skills. Diana excelled at it. Kate is average at best. If this was a job you could get fired from, she would have been.

      • V. says:

        @wisdomheaven The evening speech was presented better because she probably rehearsed it. I think she really put together the other one during the conference.
        And,honestly,I didn’t find her delivery terrible. She’s gaining a bit more confidence,but I agree that she can definitely do better with more training.

      • Royalwatcher says:

        @R – I’m assuming you posted this under my comment by mistake? I didn’t call her any names and certainly know I’m not perfect – no one is. However, IMO, Kate does a poor job at the JOB part of things because she doesn’t put the work in (again, IMO). I think she’d be better at speeches and small talk and looking engaged if she did these things more frequently.

        I also find it frustrating that she had soooo many years to prepare herself for the JOB part of royalty during her GF years and clearly didn’t do anything that could help her in this role. She could have practiced giving speeches, joined charity boards, volunteered, etc. but she didn’t do any of this (or we would have known about it in her royal bio). So now, she’s lacking (IMO) while getting high praise for doing little and excuses made for her year after year x8.

      • Nic919 says:

        Diana did not take eight years to get better at speeches. She also did not have a university education like Kate did. But Diana made a real effort and improved even while dealing with young kids. Kate isn’t great at speeches because she doesn’t really know what she’s talking about. Anyone who gives speeches will tell you that preparation is key to looking natural. She hasn’t done the work and it shows. It’s not like giving brief speeches was a new thing that royals had to do. It’s something that they have done since George VI took lessons to work on his stutter. Future queen consort is well aware of this and had plenty of time to develop this skill in her 20s when she didn’t have a job. If you want to improve you can. She never did.

  15. Becks1 says:

    I…kind of like it? I can’t decide. I don’t like the chest area – it looks like binding like someone said above. But the colors are nice on her. This dress overal is very “Kate” but I prefer it to some of the lace dresses she tends to for events like this.

    Her hair looks nice but I prefer it up with big formal dresses like this.

    It reminds me of the Packham dresses we have seen on her before (like at the BAFTAs last year).

    That Erdem dress was one of the worst ever lol.

    Finally – someone on KP’s Instagram asked yesterday if she has given speeches before and they got blasted because “they clearly don’t follow the royals she always gives speeches.” (I don’t think the question was meant to be snarky). But I was like….no, she doesn’t always give speeches. We are definitely seeing an uptick in them though which is good IMO.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Re: the last part of your comment- it’s so funny to me considering her mother was saying “being a royal is about more than making speeches” in her recent interview…

  16. Loretta says:

    Awful dress, the top is so unflattering. So yesterday she wore D&G and Gucci, two of the most problematic label at the moment. Not a smart thing for her IMO.

    • Lorelei says:

      Can you IMAGINE the headlines if Meghan wore these two labels right now? But Kate is “an English Rose.” SMH

      • Ahoyoy says:

        This is so foreign to me. I do a bit of crisis management as well as fashion-buying for a few clients. If I opened up a client to this kind of public ridicule, I would be fired. But, this could be a UK v. U.S. thing. In the U.S., brands are incredibly image conscious. I haven’t bought D & G for a client in about a decade. Passing over their quality issues, their racist nonsense and their opinions of LGBTQIA families leave any public figure wearing their designs open to massive ridicule. For someone who represents a business or political brand, that’s career suicide. But I guess it’s a matter of who the brand cares about- royalists are typically older, lower middle to upper middle class white people who are racist themselves. So, they’re likely not bothered by this. Clueless Kate is Clueless. News at 11.

      • Tina says:

        “But I guess it’s a matter of who the brand cares about- royalists are typically older, lower middle to upper middle class white people who are racist themselves. ”

        THIS.

    • hkk says:

      It’s completely tasteless and out of touch, very in keeping with the monarchy…

  17. Cidy says:

    Although her and Meg have the same problem with the makeup. They over bronze and blush and when the camera brights hit them they look weird.

  18. Weaver says:

    I feel like she’s worn a zillion different colors of this same dress.

  19. hkk says:

    So she is just going to go ahead and wear Gucci the week they pull that hideous blackface sweater while her black sister in law gets dragged constantly in the racist British media. And no one is going to say horrible timing, Princess! Really?

    • Lisa says:

      She is an English Rose so it doesn’t matter. Eyeroll.

    • wha1ever says:

      If its a custom made dress then it’s not like she just decided last week to wear it. The decision has probably been weeks if not months in the making. The colour scheme of the dress is very Valentine’s Day and also deep pink has been very on-trend this winter. It makes sense to wear it now (when its still trendy) rather than in a few months when all the light bright colours are trendy.

      • Becks1 says:

        But, D&G has been problematic for a while now and she wears them a few times a year.

        I admit that I missed that her dress is themed for Valentine’s Day though. Lol. Oh Kate. Never change.

      • wha1ever says:

        I’m talking about the evening dress which is Gucci.

      • R says:

        Ok Becks1 go drag everyone from Beyonce to Kate that has worn D&G and Gucci recently.

        I am not defending any of these brands action but I will say that I am not going to rip someone apart for wearing Chanel when Coco was freaking helping the Nazis. And lets not even get started on Karl.

        Oh and you better not own any Hugo Boss considering how that started.

        If you are looking for wokeness in the fashion industry good luck.

      • Lady D says:

        @R, so just give up on ever holding them accountable? She’s in a position to speak and be heard. As future queen she needs to do so much better.

      • Becks1 says:

        @R, sure, I’ll drag everyone if it makes you happy. This post is about Kate.

        And no I don’t own any hugo boss…….

      • R says:

        @ Lady D I am not saying don’t hold the companies responsible. We should they should have serious consequences for what they did, and if people want to cancel them fine. What I am saying is trashing all the people who wear them seems counter productive.

        Also I don’t think anyone has a high road here, because if you wear anything from H&M, Zara etc you are participating in 1. destroying the planet and most importantly child near slave labor. Also the stories of corporate Zara are not good. If you eat Mars chocolate well you’re supporting slavery of children in Africa (google slavery and chocolate).

        My point is the fashion industry is really problematic- and they should be called out but I just know I am not 100% innocent in the negativeness of it.

        AGAIN what Gucci did was vile, it is inexcusable and the company should take a huge hit (although I do feel sorry for the employees who have no impact on this and will take the brunt of that hit) but I just can’t get after every celeb who wears stuff because they would never wear clothes.

      • Tina says:

        There is a massive difference between companies that were problematic in the Nazi era, 70 years ago, and companies that are racist today. No one working for Chanel or Hugo Boss (or BMW or Volkswagen, for that matter) today was involved with the company in the 1940s.

      • Nic919 says:

        Considering the British monarchy helped usher in slavery and genocide in various other countries you would think they would try to at least be aware of current designers who are openly racist and avoid wearing them. But let’s keep making excuses for a woman who has never made an effort to show concern for others unless she is required to.

    • Royalwatcher says:

      IMO the Cambridges do.not.care. William also speaks about online bullying but can’t speak up in some way for his own sister in law?! This is why (to whatever extent) William and Harry had “a falling out” or whatever is going on with them.

      • Mia says:

        Agree and I’m enjoying your posting. Believe me on twitter, it’s brought up as well as people asking the cost of Kate’s pretty dress and accessories…all with a hilarious gif

      • Bebe says:

        Wow I had no idea that you had such great sources telling you the reason those two had a falling out! You have better sources than all the press and tabloids. Or are you just msking things up in your head to suit your own version of reality?

      • Lady D says:

        Bebe, have a Snickers bar.

      • Linda says:

        @Lady D
        I think you need the snickers bar more.

      • Royalwatcher says:

        @Bebe, I started my post with IN MY OPINION and then qualified what I wrote three times!! (“to whatever extent,” “a falling out” in quotes, and “or whatever is going on”)…. so clearly I’m speaking for myself and what I observe with my own two eyes. E.g. during the Christmas stroll how neither brother seemed much into the other, the rumors that William felt the need to speak to Harry about Meghan, etc. Of course I don’t have secret sources. But I mean, honestly, my guess is just as logical as anything you can come up with. None of us know…this is a gossip site.

    • Beach Dreams says:

      Two or three years ago she would’ve gotten called out by the media. Maybe not to a large extent, but some outlets would’ve pointed it out.

    • Bohemian Angel says:

      She doesnt care as it doesn’t affect her. All this talk about Kate’s new found confidence is to do with the fact that she is more appreciated by the trolls that used to drag her, she’s now the English rose and the real duchess since Meghan came along. I seriously believe that she is benefitting confidently from all the hate Meghan is getting and is using it to her advantage, hence the reason her and her husband aren’t forming a united front in support of their sister in law. Just my honest opinion.

      • TheOriginalMia says:

        Bingo, Bohemian Angel!

      • CHATNUH says:

        Boom!
        Ditto.

      • Bluthfan says:

        Yep. This is it exactly.

      • Royalwatcher says:

        @Bohemian Angel – I agree 100%

      • V. says:

        What do you think they should say or do? And about what,exactly? Those feuds/ tiaras/ “she’s demanding/difficult”-stories are part and parcel of the royal gossip cycle that feeds itself ,and they all have countless stories about them being published. What was actually bad for Meghan was having these stories being reproposed every week for a months because in the end it became lucrative clickbait.
        But Kate chatting and making a visible effort to be seen as someone who is relaxed and doesn’t have problems with her SIL wasn’t a coincidence. It was her/their way to dismiss the dramatic Kate/Meghan feud gossip. It was somewhat successful,because in January those stories felt already old news. If there’s a new cycle of stories reproposing the same narrative,I can’t see them avoiding to address it directly.
        Since the beginning of the year,excluding her family drama,she got real criticism just for the banana gate. The mockery was oberblown,but the idea was also objevtively a bit tone deaf and very naive on her part. What should they/KP say? Don’t dare to criticize our holy philanthropic work? And when it comes to their expenses,what should they say? Don’t dare to criticize Meghan or anyone else because of her/our clothes’ cost/home renovations?
        Then there’s her family problem and it’s not really up to W&K to speak about that and how it’s being covered. It’s up to Meghan and Harry. And,let’s be honest,her father,along with the pre-Christmas stories,was recently brought back in the press because Meghan wanted to put her version out there. She’s controlling the situation,at least on this case. Also,KP is not only William and Kate. It represents M&H too. And they have their personal stuff,or people that work more closely with them. Just recently Meghan was papped with the new press secretary. If they want to disable comments,I don’t think William can’t police every social media.. We don’t even know what it’s being discussed privately.

  20. Andrea says:

    I like this dress. I love the colours and I don’t think think the boobs are restricted. I think it’s more uncomfortable when your boobs are smooshed up to your chin.

  21. Chloe says:

    If she’s going all out and wearing Gucci, why go for something so bland and, dare I say it – Packham-like? It’s not awful but I bet the burgundy belt and matchy matchy purse are entirely her own. It just looks like something she’d add.

  22. Beli says:

    I sort of like the idea of the dress, but the bikini top thing ruins it. That could have been softened with the stronger colour into the skirt That and the brand, not a great choice.

    Her hair would be better up, but at least it’s back, which is an improvement from other times she’s worn blingy earrings.

  23. Beach Dreams says:

    The striped look is awful and clunky on this material. Kudos to her & her team for picking outfits from the two labels that have recently had racist scandals, really sharp choices there 😒

  24. Mego says:

    Looks like she is wrapped in a tight bandage and holy eye makeup batman!

  25. Barrett says:

    All the comments above and the color is not for her skin tone, very dull.

  26. Tiffany says:

    Well over 200k for clothes a year, but she draws the line at hiring a professional stylist.

    Hire a professional stylist Kate.

  27. Kk2 says:

    I kind of like the pattern/color but the fit/design of the bust is awful and ruins the look for me.

  28. mazzie says:

    I mean, it’s an iteration of the same style of dress she wears and clearly feels comfortable in all the time.

  29. minx says:

    Not really my taste, I always think that’s an 80’s color.

  30. Anare says:

    I’m not wild about the gown. What jumped out in the first picture is her Botoxed forehead/eyes. Yikes!

  31. yiza says:

    Kate looks better than ever but I seriously cannot imagine wanting this life. Constant scrutiny. I would enjoy it for like a month maybe and then it would turn into a horrible wealth prison where I’d just have to be scrawny and spend hours preening. Ugh. Off to my 9 to 5.

  32. Guest says:

    That dress is ugly. Meh…

  33. Lexa says:

    This isn’t my favorite dress, but I think I would have liked it better in a more interesting/vivid color combination. I hate the lighter fabric and the fit of the bust.

    I’m pretty disappointed that she wore both D&G and Gucci yesterday. I’m guessing the two new formal gowns were the reason she went light(er) on spending in January, but I’m hoping she continues her repeating into the spring and summer, especially since I think they’ll have a longer tour this year.

    • Bluthfan says:

      Have they ever had a longer tour without taking vacations in the middle of it?

      • Lexa says:

        I’m talking about the wardrobe cost for these tours. Regardless of whether or not they take mini breaks throughout a potential 7-10 day tour schedule, Kate will likely have days of multiple outfit changes—that’s why I said I hope she continues to repeat heavily throughout the year because 1) she has plenty of clothes and 2) to keep her overall wardrobe cost down for the year. I’m just speculating that they’ll have one of their longer tours with the kids this summer because they didn’t have one last year with Kate being on maternity leave.

    • V. says:

      ” I’m guessing the two new formal gowns were the reason she went light(er) on spending in January, but I’m hoping she continues her repeating into the spring and summer, especially since I think they’ll have a longer tour this year.”

      Yes, this seems her tactic. It’s actually a smart way to “manipulate” the optics when she knows she’s going to spend more in a particular period of the year. But she could have totally repeated one of her similar gowns,or are least an old outfit for the daytime event. It’s the same with Meghan. Above all for daytime events, they need to tone it down with the designer brands.
      It was a waste of money,and she was doing relatively well in the spending department.

  34. G says:

    Although she looks put together for the event, I dislike the color combination especially on the top- it looks like a bikini top with the light fabric underneath…

  35. Anitas says:

    Ugh…no. The type of skirt suits her, but I hate the top part, the colours look dull and I know the dress was supposed to look romantic and airy, but it reminds me of those kitchy tulle chair decorations at weddings: https://www-static.weddingbee.com/pics/149339/ceremonychairsash.jpg

  36. Scal says:

    All I see is boob strap. Lol

    It just needed one less thing. Either lose the 2 tone top, the belt, or the wrinkled multi tone skirt. This would have been stunning if it was all that dark pink

  37. Gigi La Moore says:

    Meh. The top half is not flattering at all. Her evening gowns are too samey.

  38. Linda says:

    She looks stunning as usual and I am pleased to see that she is out and about working. Same goes for William who was at two charities dealing with mental health and Harry.

  39. Case says:

    I’m surprised more people don’t like this dress — I think it’s one of the most beautiful looks I’ve ever seen her in. I quite like the belt/clutch matching, too.

  40. Flying fish says:

    The fit at the top of the dress is too tight. The color is meh and band around the waist is unnecessary.
    She needs a proper speech writer, she seems to be saying the thing rephrased!

  41. Helen says:

    fug and expensive for nothing.

  42. FredsMother says:

    Nice dress on Cambridge. Random belt placement!!! Bad make-up. Also when your waist is too small for belts….Problems I’d like to have.

  43. Jfromfla says:

    The dress reminds me of a milkshake. The variations of colors swirled together with the darker fruits trapped in certain places!

  44. Billie Bee says:

    I like this and I actually liked the Erdem, too.
    I HATE her day style, but usually quite like her evening looks.

    • Bluthfan says:

      That’s how I am too. She dresses like a pre-teen during day events. But her evening wear is usually divine. I hate the pink shade on this dress though. I know it is in right now, but it is so unattractive.

  45. Eeeeeeetrain says:

    Does anyone else find those ‘Meg is copying Kate’ stories to be so fishy when did Kate EVER carry anything other than a clutch before MM was on the scene.

  46. R says:

    Not crazy about the dress, but she looks lovely. I do wish she’d avoid Gucci and Prada well really any Italian brand they are problematic. However, I am not going to bash her or any other celeb that wears them because style is style and a lot of great people work for these brands and I’d hate to see them lose their jobs the fashion/retail industry is crumbling. Not an excuse for what the brands did it was horrible just saying I bet people inside tried to stop it and the creative director refused to hear any criticism of their genius.

    Also can we please for the love of all that is holy stop with this Kate is doing this because of Meghan crap. It isn’t true and frankly it is so beyond sexist it makes my stomach hurt. I like Kate and Meghan while IMO Meghan doesn’t come across as authentic when one on one like Kate does, Kate is terrible at public speaking and Meghan excels at it. They have different strengths and that is a great thing because they will impact in different ways. We should all be glad about that because that is how you maximize effectiveness. But none of this means they are in competition or reacting to the other IMO they are both trying to do the best job possible.

    • Tina says:

      “IMO Meghan doesn’t come across as authentic when one on one like Kate does”

      So you’ve met them both?

  47. Karen says:

    One of her most awful dresses! The top does her no favors since she has poor posture

  48. Sam says:

    The dress is similar to every other dress she’s worn before but I actually like this one even though I don’t really like the colour.

  49. V says:

    I like this dress EXCEPT for that the darker pick section on top looks like a bra. Now I can’t unsee it and I am just staring at her boobs.

  50. RoyalBlue says:

    Ugh not my style at all. She likes these cutesy Cinderella type dresses doesn’t she.

    At least she got the memo and is working more. You can see they have studied Meghan and how popular she is and is trying to fit Kate in that narrrative. Defining her role as a royal and trying to leave a footprint. Her giving speeches is an improvement. But that earlier speech wherein she implied it was impromptu, was an epic fail! Time to move on from being a shy blushing school girl and start acting like a confident woman.

  51. Jen says:

    I think it’s bad but not horrible like the one linked to her last visit to the event.

  52. Lilly (with the double_L) says:

    Meh, but I understand why she chose it. It’s a future queen dress: safe and not ugly. I love the earrings and her hair, though. She looks very pretty.

    • Lady D says:

      Her hair looked gorgeous yesterday. I wish she could have worn it down again last night, just so I could admire it some more.
      It would also help hide her poor posture.

  53. Fluffy Princess says:

    I think the dress is pretty, and Kate looks nice, but I don’t think the color does much for Kate.

    I understand she has a very feminine style, and I bet in person this dress is really lovely looking, I too, hate that it’s Gucci.

    Even that ugly Erdem dress–the colors of it were MUCH more flattering on her. Kate needs to find a way to wear vibrant colors at night–pastels do her no favors and they tend to wash her out.

  54. Cerys says:

    The dress is a big “meh” from me too. It looks like a pink bandage has been wrapped round her boobs and it is too long in length. It’s a bit of a trip hazard. However it was good to see her out and about doing her “job” for a change.

  55. Ilive says:

    The dress is fine, but the occasion needs a powerful sophisticated one, hers just screams I’m a lightweight

  56. Ana says:

    That 80’s couch Erdem mess of a dress she wore years ago was way better than this bland thing that makes her look like someone is trying to bend her spine from the inside. It is too tight on the shoulders and chest and the skirt is making me pray she won’t trip with the next step.

  57. StephB says:

    So should I read anything into her Gucci selection? Shouldn’t she be boycotting??

  58. MeghanNotMarkle says:

    It doesn’t fit properly but it’s ok. Not great.

  59. SpillDatT says:

    I don’t think the dress is tight around her chest, it looks that way because of the design.

    Either way it’s unfortunate and the colour is washed out. A huge miss, considering she had some really great outfits recently especially that white McQueen.

    Meh-h.

  60. Liz version 700 says:

    That dress makes me want to sing “hello 80’s my old friend…we didn’t need this again…”. Her styling is very nice but that dress is a hot mess … all it needs is a giant bow and the 80’s will rule again

  61. Kim says:

    I thought she looked great!

  62. Cindy says:

    I vote “meh” mostly due to the color. It washes her out.

  63. itspurplespice says:

    This dress is exactly like her. It completely lacks personality or any distinguishing trait. It is “unoffensive” to the point of being bland.

    • Ina says:

      Commenter on Facebook: “Dress looks like raw hamburger on white bread.” I can’t unsee it now.

  64. ans says:

    Blows my mind that in ONE DAY she wore D&G and Gucci. Seriously, WTF? Who is advising her? I can see being unaware on her own of these things but isn’t it someone’s job to inform her?

  65. HeyThere! says:

    Tottally unrelated but I would love to know her dietary restrictions?! Is she a ‘vegan, dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, no nightshades, organic only’ person?! And pairs it with working out nonstop?? I am just curious, zero shade is being thrown. I am dairy free 90% of the time for my skin and stomach…and lactose free milk. I just want to see myself eating tacos and margaritas with her and I don’t see it. LOL

  66. Sparkly says:

    I actually really like this dress. I think it’s lovely, although the chest definitely needs something else, and I’m not sure this was the best occasion for it.

  67. Marycarol says:

    I think Kate has a hard edge to her. She looks like she was rode hard and put up wet. And that fake smile doesn’t help.

    I don’t like the dress. It looks like random Drapery panels held together with a velvet sash. The dress is sub standard already before the velvet ribbon.

    Is it possible that either Gucci or her stylist don’t like her?

  68. A says:

    Yeah. It looks like a bandage dress, and I mean that quite literally. The two tone is strange, and the way it’s pulled over her chest isn’t helping.

    Her hair is nice though. It’s kind of odd to me how much I like it. Her makeup is improved, but I think her and Meghan should get together and make a pledge or something to give up the bronzer and the blush/eyeliner for a while. A little less would go a long way.

  69. Greta G says:

    Is it possible that Kate purposefully wore
    the 2 designers that did blackface? Like Princess Michael wore a Blackamore brooch? Maybe there is something more about the 2 sister-in-laws/ Duchesses.
    I know it’s a reach, bu that’s what popped into my head…🤷‍♀️

  70. Sori says:

    Meh, from celebitchy….shocking!

  71. Kristen says:

    I like it. Not what I would wear, but it’s on brand for her and she looks great.

  72. Jag says:

    She looks pretty. I’d like the dress better without the belt and if the dark color were more prevalent on the bottom, rather than the light color, but she looks good. (I do agree that the coloration on the top makes her look like she’s being compressed, but it looks good in the images where she’s speaking at the podium.)

  73. Gippy says:

    I actually love the dress. The execution is wrong it’s too tight on her bust. I think it’s her skin tone throwing it off, it would look better if she was paler or on someone with a dark skin tone.

  74. CrystalBall says:

    Would have been greatly improved with her hair up, the belt off and her very oily t-zone attended to. Needs to improve, could try harder.

  75. Col says:

    Terrible. Looks like that shiny 80’s era plastic gift packaging. She doesn’t have good taste.