Hello, Hello, I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful weekend! January is turning out to be a busier than anticipated month on the royal engagement front, meaning we haven't had the opportunity to continue with our end of year polls as promptly as usual. Tonight we're focusing solely on them, asking you to vote for Kate's Best Coat and Gown of 2017!


Best Coat of 2017

The Duchess has one enviable coat collection in an assortment of hues and styles. Last year she debuted a stylish selection of new pieces and brought back previously seen favourites. Kate's first appearance of 2017 was Sunday Service at Sandringham. The Duchess wrapped up in her forest green Sportmax Long Belted Coat. Made of virgin green wool, the coat is from the Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection.


For the Iraq Afghanistan Service of Dedication and Memorial Unveiling in March, the Duchess wore her Michael Kors indigo twill jacquard swing coat with a full skirt and front flap pockets. It marked the first time Kate wore the elegant piece.


Kate's gorgeous dark green Catherine Walker military-style coat with velvet trim did double duty; taking the Duchess from a St Patrick's Day parade to a meeting with President Hollande in Paris.


For a Rugby match in Paris, Kate sported her red Carolina Herrera coat. The double-breasted red coat features a peter pan collar and is made of a double-faced wool and a cashmere mix blend.


Following the terror attacks which took place in Westminster, William, Kate and Harry attended a service of hope at Westminster Abbey. The Duchess wore her M Missoni Long Snake Stitch Coat. Made in Italy, the coat features front button closure and patch pockets. It is described: "Silver metallic threads shimmer within the monochromatic hues defining a textured A-line coat that's visually shaped with an angled zigzag pattern."


On Easter Sunday, the Cambridges joined the Queen and members of the Royal family for service at Windsor. Kate looked chic in her bespoke cream Catherine Walker coat for the occasion. The coat features a princess silhouette and front flap pockets.


In May, the Duchess visited Luxembourg wearing a pale blue Emilia Wickstead coat. The full-skirted garment bore notable resemblance to previous bespoke creations by Ms Wickstead. The light blue colour - one of the colours of the Luxembourg flag - was seen as a nice nod to the country.


The Duchess sported her Christopher Kane silk satin coat for the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace. The piece features four panels per side and self-belt.


For the Cambridges arrival in Berlin, the Duchess wore a beautiful cornflower blue Catherine Walker design.


For commemorations, marking the centenary of the first day of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres, the Duchess looked particularly regal in the Alexander McQueen cream coatdress first worn for Princess Charlotte's christening. The fit-and-flare design features wide-winged lapels and a fitted, tailored bodice.


For their second day in Belgium, Kate opted for the Catherine Walker Melrose coatdress. The delicate dusty pink Venetian wool coatdress features hand applique taupe corded lace spreading up from the hem and cuff. The piece is an excellent example of how well the brand achieves understated elegance with timeless designs adorned with beautiful details.


We saw a peek of Kate wearing her much loved Hobbs London Celeste coat as she and William arrived for Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.

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Kate struck gold with the beautiful black velvet Catherine Walker coat she selected for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November. Jet, glass and silver Swarovski buttons lend a further dimension to the eye-catching structured piece.


On Remembrance Sunday, the Duchess chose the Dolce & Gabbana Crossover Button Coat.


The Duchess brought back her �600 Goat Redgrave Coat in November. The nude A-line shaped coat features side seam diagonal welt pockets. It's described as "classic and sophisticated".


For an 'Away Day' in Birmingham, Duchess Kate wore her GOAT Washington Coat.


In December, Kate was photographed at King's Cross Station wearing the ZARA Checked Coat.


In Manchester, Kate sported the L.K. Bennett Delli Check Coat. The piece is cut from a fine houndstooth weave in virgin wool. It features a crew neckline, a concealed button-down front and military flap pockets and a flared skirt.


Kate brought back one of her most popular maternity pieces in December; the Seraphine Marina Maternity Coat she debuted during a trip to New York in 2014 when she was expecting Princess Charlotte.


At the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service, Kate wore the Carolina Herrera Double Breasted Double-Faced Wool Coat. The navy coat features distinctive gold buttons, a pleated skirt, raised collar and two flap pockets.


And on Christmas Day, Kate was appropriately festive in the red and green Miu Miu Velvet-trimmed double-breasted tartan wool-blend peacoat.


With over twenty options in this poll, I'm very excited to see which one wins the 'Best Coat Award' this year. Glancing through the entries, it's very interesting to note the increasing dominance of Catherine Walker in Kate's wardrobe. As Kate's role develops I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the fashion relationship grow significantly. Like Diana, Kate has come to rely on the brand for elegant, timeless pieces perfect for the varied occasions attended by the royals. The black velvet Catherine Walker worn for the Festival of Remembrance is exquisite.

Kate's Best Coat of 2017





















 
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Vote for Kate's Best Gown of 2017

Next, we have one of the most fun polls of the year: Kate's Best Gown! The BAFTAs offered a glittering night filled with Hollywood's stars. When it came to choosing a designer to create a gown for the night, Kate turned to McQueen. The black gown features a Bardot neckline, adorned with a violet print and a tiered skirt.


What does a Duchess wear for a gala dinner in Paris? Kate chose an icy blue Jenny Packham gown. As we've come to expect from Packham, the garment was a shimmering creation with intricate embellishment and sheer detail.


It was a green lace Temperley London gown for the National Portrait Gala dinner in March. The long sleeve gown features sheer sleeves with a floral pattern, a bow belt to accentuate the waist and a scooped out back. It's a classic Temperley silhouette.


Kate looked every inch the future Queen in a bespoke pink Marchesa gown for the Spanish State banquet. It features distinctive flared cuffs, a plunging neckline and a v-neckline at the back. It was interesting to see Kate branching out and choosing a new designer for an evening gown.


Kate brought back her DVF Zarita Gown for the Anna Freud Centre Gala Dinner.


Next, it's Kate's Jenny Packham 'Elsa' gown worn for the Royal Variety Performance. The piece features ornate embellishment and sequin detail.


Happy Voting!

Kate's Best Gown of 2017






 
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I'm sitting here enjoying every moment of The Coronation, a superb programme marking the 65th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. It's so insightful and fascinating to hear the Queen recalling her memories, very frankly and with plenty of humour. Host Alastair Bruce remarked on the coronation: "It's such a ballet, everyone knows precisely where to go." To which HM replied: "Well they jolly well should have done after the number of rehearsals we had." :) I thoroughly enjoyed the historical information, seeing the jewels, and hearing memories from those involved in the Coronation. The star of the show was undoubtedly Her Majesty though. It's a historic piece of television and will be referenced for generations. If you haven't had the opportunity to see it I'm sure it will emerge soon; it's well worth a watch and will be of immense interest to any royalist. Charlie Proctor shared this clip of the Queen mischievously jostling with the Crown.


We'll see you on Tuesday when William and Kate have a day of engagements in Coventry.