Kate & William visit Singapore

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in the South Pacific as representatives of the Queen for the Jubilee celebrations. As always, all eyes are on the young royals and in particular on Kate. What the Duchess wore - her shoes, her handbag, her hairstyle. We are obsessed with Kate and it's understandable, she has a classic elegance and beauty.

Theirs is a love story that the world wants to read about.

The media is constantly querying her appearance suggesting that Kate is pregnant. They flip from one side of the coin saying she is too thin, to the other pointing out a possible baby bump. Don't we all have great 'skinny' pictures of ourselves and a few pictures that make us cry out 'I look so fat'. It is all about the angle of the shot and our posture.

The Duke and Duchess arrived in Singapore and went straight from their flight to begin the personal appearances. The temperatures and humidity is almost unbearable, with reports of local residents fainting while waiting to see the royal procession.

The media rolled with speculations that Kate was expecting because she drank water at a reception rather than wine. Seasoned travelers know that increasing your consumption of water while flying helps to keep you hydrated and eases the jet lag conditions. Imagine stepping off a thirteen hour flight with a seven hour time difference to immediately greet crowds of people. Add the overwhelming temperatures and a humidity level of 70%, I know I would seem a bit weary.

 

 I applaud Demi Lovato for voicing her opinion on the 'media's consistent need to fuel the pregnancy rumours' {read it here}. Miss Lovato makes the valid point that this is why men and women {in particular} have body image issues. 

Below is a picture that fueled speculation with comments about Kate's 'expanding waistline' {seriously ?}. Any woman who has worn pantyhose in ultra hot weather will attest that the number one feeling is bloating - the waistband is binding your midsection and your body is screaming to take the hose off.
Even William, who mentioned during the state dinner that 'the jet lag is the hardest', looked a bit uncomfortable at times with the overwhelming humidity.

I encourage the media to forget about a potential 'baby announcement', if and when it happens the world will know at the same time with a news release from the palace.

The Queen couldn't have better representatives for her jubilee celebrations than William and Catherine.  At times I have to remind myself how young they are, their level of maturity and poise is well beyond their age. From the emotional presentation of the orchid named in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, to touring memorial gardens and glittering at a state dinner; the young royals shine. 

Here are some pictures of the happy couple as they tour the South Pacific.

Touring the memorial gardens.

 

Signing the guest registry.

The Duchess of Cambridge wearing a gown from the house of Alexander McQueen .

Royal Style

via macleans.ca

......... and the Jubilee week festivities continue.

When you dress this colourful, you earn the right to have a colour page designed outlining how savvy you are. And when you are the Queen of England celebrating your Diamond Jubilee you deserve your own Pantone Colour Chart.
That is exactly what Pantone and Leo Burnett London did when they teamed up to pay homage to the Queen's fashion forward colour style.

The limited edition Pantone colour guide has been launched and shows the Queen in a rainbow of regal selections.

If there is a Jubilee Celebration keepsake I would want, this would be it.

Colour choices by percentage.

The Queen dresses primarily in monochromatic colour schemes and wears 2 inch heels {at 86 years old}. What does she carry in the always-on-her-arm-handbag? A 5 pound note for the collection plate at church, lipstick, a mirror, a handkerchief, and eye glasses. The Queens shoes and handbags are usually neutral colours {black, beige, white}, riding boots and wellies.

If you look back at images you will see that HRH made stylish choices as a young Queen. The limelight had been on Diana for her fashion style and now on Catherine; but I see the savvy and youthful style that the Queen established early.

The white lace dress that is popular this summer. And look at that tiny waist.

The bare shoulder and lace organza overlay is so romantic. I would wear this dress in a heart beat.

 

 

Something you rarely see is the Queen wearing trousers. This was taken after her knee surgery in 2003.

A rare image of the Queen wearing a hairnet instead of a hat.

At the Jubilee celebrations.

The collection of royal jewels, tiara's and crowns is significant to say the least; but like all of us the Queen seems to have her favourites and wears them often. The triple strand of pearls and her pearl and diamond earrings have adorned the Queen's ensembles for many years.
Beyond the assortment of fashions created for the events, and beyond the collection of jewels, it is the Queen's smile that will shine the brightest during her Jubilee celebration.

Royal Celebrations

The celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee are proving to be a dazzling display of pageantry as the world joins in the festivities.

Queen Elizabeth II has delicately married the needs of modern times and tradition to bring the Monarchy into the twenty-first century. HRH is now 86 years old and has served 'her loyal subjects' for sixty years. And while many people are long retired by 86, the Queen doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

 

Can you imagine how many hands Queen Elizabeth shook {always with her white gloves on}, how many speeches she has listened too, the number of bouquets she has accepted................ the list of repetitive duties is never ending.

I have over recent months viewed many films and documentaries of Queen Elizabeth, I am amazed that she manages to smile through all of the events {although to me much of the presentations seemed boring}.

Princess Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth makes the first long distance phone call without the assistance of an operator {1958}

Leading up to the Jubilee celebrations and now a the height of the festivities the streets of London are filled with every possible representation of the Union Jack.
Miles of bunting has been strung up, mini Union Jack flags wave continually from the hands of happy revellers, there are cakes decorating with red, white and British navy, lingerie designed specifically for the occasion {albeit that I doubt HRH will be wearing any of the scanty styles} and there doesn't seem to be a surface untouched by the patriotic colours.

 

The festivities continue with a 'pop concert' featuring Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Jesse J. And from the roof of Buckingham Palace, Ska band Madness will sign the 80's hit 'Our House'; another first in royal history. 

Fashion fit for a Queen {or Duchess}

February marked sixty years of the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries, and she is Queen regnant of 16 sovereign states. {note to media editors: Queen Elizabeth has not been 'sitting on the throne for 60 years'. She 'ascended to the throne'. Yesh! please edit.}
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place in June of 1953, and it is this year that the Diamond Jubilee is celebrated.

Queen Elizabeth in a stylish sequined gown {at the Belgian Embassy}

Among the celebration plans are tributes honouring HRH, Brit fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has conjured up a patriotic collection of frocks in honour of the Queen's jubilee. The Red Carpet Capsule Collection was created from Ms. Westwood's memories and influences of previous gowns the Queen wore in years past.

This bridal-esque Union Jack crepe gown is my favourite from the collection.

The collection is soft and feminine, a side-step for Westwood's usual new wave wild designs. The Glamourous draped Grecian-inspired creations are presented in blush pink, coral, soft grey, and subtle shades of metal that just may be representation of previous marker anniversaries {silver for 25th, gold for 50th}.

It has been noted that the Queen is a stylish muse in her own right and time; but the tribute collection of frocks seem as if they were designed with the new Duchess in mind. Vivienne reportedly snipped in the past that Kate Middleton's wardrobe choices are 'ordinary'. Could it be that Lady Westwood was 'put out' that the Duchess had not stepped out in one of the patriotic designers fashion. With choices like these, Kate Middleton just may slip into one of the Jubilee celebration frocks.

 

The designs would not be complete without a collection of jewels to compliment. Designed by Vivienne Westwood.

 While spending time last weekend in Berkshire with her family, the Duchess of Cambridge took in a bit of shopping. She was spotted at the Ralph Lauren store where she "reportedly" bought three dresses. 

 

 

Kate Middleton has great legs and can make a simple skirt look elegant. 

Her finished nude look comes from first..... well, a great pair of toned legs; and then from Satin Touch 20 Tights via Wolford. She also wears ultra light Naked 8 tights. 

Satin Touch 20 tights

Kate has well toned legs.

It's safe to say that HRH will not wear one of Lady Westwood's Jubilee frocks, but it would be a great look for the Duchess to wear for the celebration events. 

Which one of the dresses do you think Kate should wear? 

Which one would you want to wear?