It was brilliant to see Kate at a regular engagement again. Once more, it was to highlight one of the causes closest to their hearts - mental health, especially in the face of bereavement and traumatic events. They also paid a private visit to the teacher of the dance class that was so horridly interrupted, who was injured trying to protect the girls.
I loved Kate’s outfit. Brown is a good autumnal shade and appropriate for condolences some time after the event. I also pair brown with burgundy on occasion, so I enjoyed seeing the polka dot dress underneath. Nice to see re wears re vamped, too.
Like you, I’m hoping this will be the first of more!
So great to see her out again so soon after the her meeting with Liz Hatton. I know that not everyone likes her penchant for matching clothing colors with William (and the kids) but I think it's charming in an old-fashioned way that works for them.
As for the engagement ring, it may be something as simple as it's just not comfortable right now. Several years into my marriage I stopped wearing any rings (including my wedding ring) because they just weren't comfortable and I couldn't stand having rings on my fingers. It didn't mean that I wasn't committed to my marriage. It could also be that these rings mean more to her than the engagement ring, which many people may still see as Diana's ring. She's said repeatedly that she's focusing on things that provide comfort and meaning in her life and she may feel like she wore "The Ring" for years because the public expected it and now she's doing what is most meaningful to her.
Hear hear! I think the percentage of women who stop wearing rings after babies is much higher than we acknowledge culturally, and it has nothing to do with commitment.
Yep, so true! I love my engagement ring, but I stopped wearing it when I started having babies because it would accidentally scratch them when I was manoeuvring my arms around them to breastfeed at night. I'm still v v v much in love with my husband, but my engagement ring just isn't practical to wear right now.
As others have said, I think Kate's engagement ring is beautiful but very bold and ostentatious, and probably something she's more likely to wear for formal occasions, rather than these incredibly sensitive and emotional types of semi private visits to people experiencing grief and trauma.
I have often wondered just what Kate thought about being gifted Diana's engagement ring. I understand William's motivation - he wanted some part of his mother to be a part of this life-altering moment. But it's a rather gaudy ring - more of a cocktail-type ring than an engagement ring - and, more than anything, represents a total disaster of a marriage. Personally, I would not have been thrilled to be presented with the engagement ring from my in-laws' failed union. So I'm wondering if Kate might have stopped wearing it while she was undergoing chemotherapy - just wanting to simplify things as much as possible - and then decided, "You know what? I'm kind of over this thing!" Perhaps she will occasionally wear it (heck, she might go back to wearing it full-time - what do I know?), but I think the other bands on her finger represent far more to her and trying to fit FIVE bands on a finger is a bit much. I'd be perfectly happy to never see it again. At least we can assume that, unlike another daughter-in-law we know, she's not going to pawn it!!
I was absolutely delighted to see her at this surprise engagement. It was an excellent choice of event and her kindness and empathy were heartwarmingly evident. The Princess could wear a proverbial bin bag and I would approve. Nevertheless, I must say that I thought her outfit was beautiful, the colour glorious and she can wear as many pussy bow scarves as she chooses and I would approve. I found the colour coordination of the couple to be touching and charming. To me, it says “we are a unit and we are in this together”. I too find the lack of her engagement ring to be puzzling, but I’m fine with it. Catherine can wear whatever accessories she likes. If I were in her role, I would wear pieces from the royal vault almost exclusively. I would rarely choose costume or high street pieces. But that’s my taste, not Catherine’s, and I’m fine with that too. No complaints at all, just happiness to see her doing what she used to do, looking happy and relaxed. After almost a year of not seeing her regularly, this unexpected appearance was the best early Christmas gift ever.
Catherine just comes across as so relatable and caring. You cannot fake that. I’m not very articulate-you know she’s the Princess of Wales, but she doesn’t place herself on a pedestal. She is regal when necessary (Coronation!), but knows how to tailor her behavior and clothing for the occasion.
I also think an unannounced engagement like this is great, as it takes her health into consideration.
I agree Jane, I am just happy to see Kate, not really zooming in on what she is wearing unless it's something spectacular. Just glad to see her. As far as the engagement ring goes, the Diana ring really is "big" and I imagine it's annoying when she's not doing the VERY big events. The two times she's appeared this week it's been for private, poignant, meetings. I somehow think during that type of meeting wearing simple rings, rings with more immediate "family" meaning, would be her new style. Somehow I think this health battle has changed her, I think she's doubled down on what's most important in her life. And somehow I think those personal rings have more meaning in that fight than the "world famous" engagement ring. Just my thoughts.
I think that while Kate was touched at the meaning behind William giving her his mother’s ring, it’s been a mixed blessing. The ring suited Diana’s larger frame and matched her eyes beautifully. It photographed well, which mattered a lot in the increasingly media saturated world during Diana’s lifetime.
As Kate is so slim now, the ring may be uncomfortable to wear, as Jane mentioned.
My best prediction is that going forward “big blue” will be brought out during big royal occasions and it will be seen rarely during the day-to-day events. In time, it will become part of the royal regalia - tiara, orders, historically meaningful jewelry and became less associated as an engagement ring. I think this would be meaningful for William to preserve its place in royal history.
I have always thought the Diana ring was for public and special events and that it went into a vault in private- I can’t imagine doing much with it on and Kate likes to be outside and gardening. I have also gone through a period of just wanting nothing on my hands. She may only wear a simple band at home and now she just prefers a stack of simplicity. It does fit with her theme of doing more of what she loves and knowing what’s important. Maybe it’s not important for her to show that ring off as it is for her to be comfortable now. I wonder if we will only see it at the most high profile “jewelry” events now. It was so great seeing her and William together again.
You make a valid point in that the ring may be vaulted when they are in their down time. I wonder if that is the case now. Where these two engagements were more spontaneous, based on how she is feeling, that she didn’t want to get the ring out. Wimbledon and ToC were planned ahead so there was time.
Catherine's visit undoubtedly made a huge difference to those dealing with the aftermath of the attack. I have reflected on it in my poem this week because it's so crucial to keep making sure that people have the help and support they need after the news cycle moves on to the next story.
I wonder if her not wearing Diana's ring has more to do with comfort. After all she's been through, maybe she just wants to wear what she likes and what is comfortable for her. I'm sure Kate loves that William gave her his mother's ring and all that symbolizes, but if it was never really her style (and I'm not sure that ring is what she would have picked, if given a choice) maybe she has reached the point, where she is confident enough to say "I prefer a different ring". Going through cancer treatment and realizing life is truly short may have given her a new perspective on how she conducts her life, and wearing a ring that is expected by other people but a nuisance for her just might not be worth it anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if we still see her engagement ring on fancy occasions though. And maybe she will make appearances based on this new philosophy and only show up for the ones that mean the most to her.
It's wonderful to see Catherine out and about, especially at something so heartfelt. I understand also the need to stay away from fashion critiques. BUT... I love the Kiki McDonoughs too and would love to see them return! Catherine seems to have them in every stunning color and they she coordinates them so beautifully with her clothes. (And she is inspirational in her clothing choices, and brings so much joy.)
It was brilliant to see Kate at a regular engagement again. Once more, it was to highlight one of the causes closest to their hearts - mental health, especially in the face of bereavement and traumatic events. They also paid a private visit to the teacher of the dance class that was so horridly interrupted, who was injured trying to protect the girls.
I loved Kate’s outfit. Brown is a good autumnal shade and appropriate for condolences some time after the event. I also pair brown with burgundy on occasion, so I enjoyed seeing the polka dot dress underneath. Nice to see re wears re vamped, too.
Like you, I’m hoping this will be the first of more!
I always thought this coat was a deep burgundy but I think I have some color blindness 😀
She has a very similar coat in a dark red/burgundy (of course she does!) but this is her brown one.
So great to see her out again so soon after the her meeting with Liz Hatton. I know that not everyone likes her penchant for matching clothing colors with William (and the kids) but I think it's charming in an old-fashioned way that works for them.
As for the engagement ring, it may be something as simple as it's just not comfortable right now. Several years into my marriage I stopped wearing any rings (including my wedding ring) because they just weren't comfortable and I couldn't stand having rings on my fingers. It didn't mean that I wasn't committed to my marriage. It could also be that these rings mean more to her than the engagement ring, which many people may still see as Diana's ring. She's said repeatedly that she's focusing on things that provide comfort and meaning in her life and she may feel like she wore "The Ring" for years because the public expected it and now she's doing what is most meaningful to her.
Hear hear! I think the percentage of women who stop wearing rings after babies is much higher than we acknowledge culturally, and it has nothing to do with commitment.
Yep, so true! I love my engagement ring, but I stopped wearing it when I started having babies because it would accidentally scratch them when I was manoeuvring my arms around them to breastfeed at night. I'm still v v v much in love with my husband, but my engagement ring just isn't practical to wear right now.
As others have said, I think Kate's engagement ring is beautiful but very bold and ostentatious, and probably something she's more likely to wear for formal occasions, rather than these incredibly sensitive and emotional types of semi private visits to people experiencing grief and trauma.
I have often wondered just what Kate thought about being gifted Diana's engagement ring. I understand William's motivation - he wanted some part of his mother to be a part of this life-altering moment. But it's a rather gaudy ring - more of a cocktail-type ring than an engagement ring - and, more than anything, represents a total disaster of a marriage. Personally, I would not have been thrilled to be presented with the engagement ring from my in-laws' failed union. So I'm wondering if Kate might have stopped wearing it while she was undergoing chemotherapy - just wanting to simplify things as much as possible - and then decided, "You know what? I'm kind of over this thing!" Perhaps she will occasionally wear it (heck, she might go back to wearing it full-time - what do I know?), but I think the other bands on her finger represent far more to her and trying to fit FIVE bands on a finger is a bit much. I'd be perfectly happy to never see it again. At least we can assume that, unlike another daughter-in-law we know, she's not going to pawn it!!
I must have missed something! Did Meghan try to pawn her engagement ring?
No, that was just a facetious comment - although I wouldn't put it past her.
I was absolutely delighted to see her at this surprise engagement. It was an excellent choice of event and her kindness and empathy were heartwarmingly evident. The Princess could wear a proverbial bin bag and I would approve. Nevertheless, I must say that I thought her outfit was beautiful, the colour glorious and she can wear as many pussy bow scarves as she chooses and I would approve. I found the colour coordination of the couple to be touching and charming. To me, it says “we are a unit and we are in this together”. I too find the lack of her engagement ring to be puzzling, but I’m fine with it. Catherine can wear whatever accessories she likes. If I were in her role, I would wear pieces from the royal vault almost exclusively. I would rarely choose costume or high street pieces. But that’s my taste, not Catherine’s, and I’m fine with that too. No complaints at all, just happiness to see her doing what she used to do, looking happy and relaxed. After almost a year of not seeing her regularly, this unexpected appearance was the best early Christmas gift ever.
Catherine just comes across as so relatable and caring. You cannot fake that. I’m not very articulate-you know she’s the Princess of Wales, but she doesn’t place herself on a pedestal. She is regal when necessary (Coronation!), but knows how to tailor her behavior and clothing for the occasion.
I also think an unannounced engagement like this is great, as it takes her health into consideration.
I agree Jane, I am just happy to see Kate, not really zooming in on what she is wearing unless it's something spectacular. Just glad to see her. As far as the engagement ring goes, the Diana ring really is "big" and I imagine it's annoying when she's not doing the VERY big events. The two times she's appeared this week it's been for private, poignant, meetings. I somehow think during that type of meeting wearing simple rings, rings with more immediate "family" meaning, would be her new style. Somehow I think this health battle has changed her, I think she's doubled down on what's most important in her life. And somehow I think those personal rings have more meaning in that fight than the "world famous" engagement ring. Just my thoughts.
I think that while Kate was touched at the meaning behind William giving her his mother’s ring, it’s been a mixed blessing. The ring suited Diana’s larger frame and matched her eyes beautifully. It photographed well, which mattered a lot in the increasingly media saturated world during Diana’s lifetime.
As Kate is so slim now, the ring may be uncomfortable to wear, as Jane mentioned.
My best prediction is that going forward “big blue” will be brought out during big royal occasions and it will be seen rarely during the day-to-day events. In time, it will become part of the royal regalia - tiara, orders, historically meaningful jewelry and became less associated as an engagement ring. I think this would be meaningful for William to preserve its place in royal history.
I have always thought the Diana ring was for public and special events and that it went into a vault in private- I can’t imagine doing much with it on and Kate likes to be outside and gardening. I have also gone through a period of just wanting nothing on my hands. She may only wear a simple band at home and now she just prefers a stack of simplicity. It does fit with her theme of doing more of what she loves and knowing what’s important. Maybe it’s not important for her to show that ring off as it is for her to be comfortable now. I wonder if we will only see it at the most high profile “jewelry” events now. It was so great seeing her and William together again.
You make a valid point in that the ring may be vaulted when they are in their down time. I wonder if that is the case now. Where these two engagements were more spontaneous, based on how she is feeling, that she didn’t want to get the ring out. Wimbledon and ToC were planned ahead so there was time.
I think it makes sense too bc it is a historic ring, not just a regular engagement ring. Just my thoughts! 😚
Seems like the reporters who said that she was not planning to return before the end of the year if at all was sucking it out of their thumb again.
Catherine's visit undoubtedly made a huge difference to those dealing with the aftermath of the attack. I have reflected on it in my poem this week because it's so crucial to keep making sure that people have the help and support they need after the news cycle moves on to the next story.
I wonder if her not wearing Diana's ring has more to do with comfort. After all she's been through, maybe she just wants to wear what she likes and what is comfortable for her. I'm sure Kate loves that William gave her his mother's ring and all that symbolizes, but if it was never really her style (and I'm not sure that ring is what she would have picked, if given a choice) maybe she has reached the point, where she is confident enough to say "I prefer a different ring". Going through cancer treatment and realizing life is truly short may have given her a new perspective on how she conducts her life, and wearing a ring that is expected by other people but a nuisance for her just might not be worth it anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if we still see her engagement ring on fancy occasions though. And maybe she will make appearances based on this new philosophy and only show up for the ones that mean the most to her.
All nicely said ladies, my sentiments exactly. 🥰
It's wonderful to see Catherine out and about, especially at something so heartfelt. I understand also the need to stay away from fashion critiques. BUT... I love the Kiki McDonoughs too and would love to see them return! Catherine seems to have them in every stunning color and they she coordinates them so beautifully with her clothes. (And she is inspirational in her clothing choices, and brings so much joy.)