Duchess of Cambridge stuns in coral pink Emilia Wickstead to host Royal Garden Party
The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Alexandra on Wednesday 18 May as she hosted the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Kate, 40, took a leaf out of the Queen’s book, by wearing a vibrant, almost-neon shade of coral pink. She wore a stunning coat dress that hugged her toned figure and cinched in her waist with a belt detail.
The duchess stood in for the Queen to host the Garden Party after the palace revealed earlier this month that Her Majesty would miss the annual events due to her health.
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The long-sleeved coral coat dress by New Zealand-born, London-based designer Emilia Wickstead featured a tailored lapel detailing and hit at the duchess’ sweet spot: just below the knee.
The eponymous designer is on the roster of the duchess’ go-to brands for public events such as this one. She last wore one of Wickstead’s elegant designs whilst on the royal tour of the Caribbean in March this year, opting for a bright Bahamas blue dress as her and Prince William landed on the island nation.
In fact, the duchess is such a fan of the designer’s fit-and-flare shape that she has worn the exact same style coat dress on two previous occasions.
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She wore a pale blue version in 2017 on a visit to Luxembourg (reworn to attend the royal Easter service earlier this year), and a dark, forest green iteration on a visit to Ireland in 2012 (and reworn for the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Mons Barracks in March this year).
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Kate opted for sustainability with her accessories, rewearing a hat by Jane Taylor for the occasion, choosing her nude Gianvito Rossi suede court heels, and selecting a coordinating vintage Josef vintage beaded clutch bag with Point de Beauvais embroidery for the day out in London.
The duchess’ brunette hair was swept back into a signature low-bun, allowing for her Kiki McDonough Morganite cushion drop earrings (also previously worn) to shine through.
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The duchess was joined by her uncle-in-law and the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Wessex, who wore a white floral dress, and accessorised with a white ha tfor the summer occasion. The royal trio were also joined on the steps by Princess Alexandra, one of the Queen’s first cousins.
The Queen, who turned 96 in April, usually welcomes over 30,000 guests every year to four Garden Parties over the course of the summer, three at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
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Garden Parties are a way for the Queen to speak to a broad range of people and celebrate those who have made a positive impact in their community and have distinguished themselves in public service.
However, this year Her Majesty is being represented by senior members of the Royal Family after withdrawing from certain public engagements amid ongoing 'mobility issues'.
The Queen pulled out of the State Opening of Parliament last week due to her health, and Prince Charles made the Queen’s speech for the first time. Princess Anne and Prince Charles both hosted a Garden Party each on behalf of their mother, the Queen, last week.
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The Queen was able to make it to the Royal Horse Show in Windsor on Sunday, for a special Platinum Jubilee performance, and to the opening of the new Elizabeth line on Tuesday.
The Garden Party requires the royal hosts to be on their feet for over an hour as they greet the hundreds of guests gathered on the Buckingham Palace lawn, so is more challenging physically.
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