We are back for a couple of quick newsbytes. We’ll start with an update to Kate’s Calendar:
Sunday, April 21: There’s no guarantee we’ll see Kate at Easter Sunday services this year, as the Palace does not release that information ahead of time for personal events. However, I think it is likely the Duke and Duchess will attend the Easter Mattins service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Not only have they attended the last two years (2017 here and 2018 here), it is the Queen’s 93rd birthday on Sunday.
Thursday, April 25: The Duchess will attend the annual ANZAC Day service at Westminster Abbey. The event begins at noon local time, 7am EDT/4am PDT.
Below, the Duke and Duchess at ANZAC Day services in 2014; on the left, at the national service, and on the right, at the dawn service. Both events were at the Australian war Memorial in Canberra.
This year Prince William will be in new Zealand on ANZAC Day where he will honor victims of the terrorist attacks at two mosques in Christchurch. a lot more from Radio NZ:
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the Duke of Cambridge will be in Auckland next Thursday and she will travel with him to Christchurch the following day.
Ms Ardern said Prince William will also meet police and ambulance officers who were first at the scene of the attacks on two Christchurch mosques on 15 March, in which 50 people were killed and dozens injured.
Prince William will also meet members of the wider Muslim community.
Kate and William have taken part in Easter services at St. George’s Chapel before. below left, the Duchess in a repeated Catherine Walker coat at the service in 2017; on the right, Kate at last year’s service, wearing another Catherine Walker repeat, just weeks ahead of Prince Louis’s birth.
Today we saw HM at the Royal Maundy service at the Chapel, accompanied by Princess Eugenie.
The Queen looked bright and sunny in a coat by Stewart Parvin and hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan.
With both Prince George and Princess Charlotte back in school Wednesday we will see Kate return to engagements.
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Our other note involves an update to coverage of stories about a “new stylist” for the Duchess, written about in this post. The post relayed media coverage indicating Virginia Chadwyck-Healey was “Kate’s new stylist.” Ms. Chadwyck-Healey is seen below attending Kate’s wedding.
It turns out that is not the case, Ms. Chadwyck-Healey is not the Duchess’s new stylist. We added an update to the post on April 8th, seen below.
The newest issue of Hello! magazine offers a different perspective on the role being played by Ms. Chadwyck-Healey. The story, “The truth behind Kate’s new glow and edgy fashion sense,” notes Natasha Archer has been a lot more involved in Kate’s wardrobe than described.
Despite widespread reports that this bold new look has been honed by Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, HELLO! can reveal that, while the former Vogue staffer has given occasional advice, Kate’s much-admired wardrobe continues to be the work of her long-time PA and stylist, Natasha Archer.
The piece is in the April 15 issue of the magazine.
The Hello! story goes on to say:
Natasha is on maternity leave following the birth of kid Theo in December, but she planned outfits for the Duchess ahead of her time away and works behind the scenes as needed. “Natasha has been meticulously organised in her work, styling the Duchess despite her pregnancy and maternity leave,” a royal source told HELLO! “She is incredibly loyal and does a terrific job.”
You can read the entire Hello! piece here. Below, Ms. Archer at Whitehorse airport in Canada during the 2016 tour.
It sounds as though there has been some involvement or input from Ms. Chadwyck-Healey, but not anywhere near the degree reported. There was an additional story in Tatler April 15th:
‘Tash’, as she is affectionately known to friends and members of the household, had diligently pre-planned the Duchess’ wardrobe according to her longstanding diary prior to taking maternity leave to have her kid Theo with her Royal photographer spouse Chris Jackson, late last year.
… she frequently speaks to contacts from various fashion houses and people such as former Vogue staffer Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, who despite reports Tatler can clarify has not taken over the main role.
‘I think it’s fair to say Tash was a bit upset at the rumours, particularly as she worked so hard to pull all of the looks together,’ one source told Tatler of the stylist who was honoured with Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in the new Year Honours list for services to the Royal Family. ‘Kate is very fond of her and has been supportive during her pregnancy. She hasn’t been replaced.’
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Our final note today: the spring Studio by Preen collection at Debenham’s.
The Duchess has worn Preen on several occasions. Below, in the black and red versions of the Finella dress, and the Everly dress, seen on the right.
Styles in the new collection include the Geo spot Midi dress ($77) and the Black Checked Mesh Midi dress ($88).
There are 35+ designs including sweaters, blouses, skirts, and dresses in sizes 6-22. Other styles: the Drawstring Trench coat ($134) and Check Print Jersey Maxi dress ($66).
BTW, if a fan of the Finella, it is still available in teal, and the price is just $388 with promo code APRIL20. originally $1215, the frock is on sale for $486, but the extra 20% off brings the price down another $97, to $388.
This is at The Outnet, the off-price sister site to Net-a-Porter.
Hopefully, we’ll see you on Sunday!
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