Kate in Day Birger and Lock & Co (hat)
You have seen this coat before, at Zara and Mike's wedding. I didn't like it that much then, and somehow I like it less now. I DO love that she's wearing a little golden shamrock, as they are in Ireland.
Kate in Day Birger and Lock & Co (hat)
I did appreciate the hat she wore with this last time -- especially it's wacky underside -- but this one looks like an under-cooked pinwheel cookie perched on top of her head. (ALL the hats in that linked photo are insane, actually.)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge in Northern Ireland'
This is Hillsborough Castle, in Northern Ireland, and obviously it's WAAAAAY HIDEOUS.
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge in Northern Ireland'
How heinous the riotous garden, how wretched the historic water feature!
Kate in Day Birger and Lock & Co (hat)
Kate has a habit of touching her hair -- we all have those nervous tics -- and she was touching this bun (which I actually really like) A LOT at this event, which makes me think it was perhaps on the verge of coming undone and therefore bringing great shame to the Cambridges.
Kate in Day Birger and Lock & Co (hat)
And, as ever, this event looks mildly claustrophobic to me. So many people want to look at you, talk to you, get your attention, take a photo of you, and they're all inching closer and closer to you throughout the afternoon -- just naturally, as part of a normal human desire to get a better look at the pastry perched on your noggin.
HAND CLUTCHING
It's SO intense, in fact, that hand-clutching was required. This does make me feel better about everything.
Kate in Day Birger and Lock & Co (hat)
All that said, I do LOVE the wee tiny little bow at the back of this hat. Something about it is so charming and unexpected.
Wills and Kate Sign Book of Condolence For Orlando Shootings Victims
This was in London this morning, at the American Embassy. The KP Twitter noted that the flag behind them was given to Hillary Clinton in 2012 by the Kaleidoscope Trust, which "works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people internationally." There is more information on it here, but, in short, it is "a huge American flag with the full text of [Clinton's] speech on gay rights to the United Nations sewn into it." Here is the quote from the artist, Sam Glassman: "I like using great civil rights speeches and combining them with the iconic symbol of a flag in order to reclaim the symbol for everybody. I was excited to make a flag with Secretary Clinton's recent LGBT speech. As a statesperson from the USA, we use her country's flag, but with an equal portion of ever expanding night sky. It is a map with 193 stars for the number of countries in the world. At present, there are 78 named stars in shadow for the 78 remaining countries having poor to terrible gay rights laws. Shirt sleeves and the night sky are common to everyone. Combining meticulous labor, great optimism and much conversation will move us all to embracing the basic human fairness that is owed to every person at their birth. I am glad to help in an effort such as this and thank Kaleidoscope Trust for giving me the opportunity to do it."
Wills and Kate Sign Book of Condolence For Orlando Shootings Victims
This is Matthew Barzun, US Ambassador to London. I know -- believe me -- that Kate's dress is the least important fact that moment, but I do like it.
Harry at Royal Ascot
And here, I shall make yet another huge tonal pivot to the soothing ginger beard of Prince Harry and his NON-YELLOW WAISTCOAT. (At least he's wearing a yellow boutonniere.) Your top hat brings me some measure of shallow comfort, Harry.
Prince Harry
EVERYONE'S doing a little hand-clutching these days, it seems.
Camilla at Royal Ascot
Speaking of things that are comforting, Camilla - as ever - looks like she's writing dishy 80s romance novels. All kidding aside, I LOVE this hat on her. It's like Kate's Trooping the Colour hat on steroids. She looks great in this pink.
Princess Beatrice at Royal Ascot
Bea looks great here. I need to know more about her shoes.
Queen Elizabeth and Phil
Her Maj clearly agrees, what with the thumbs up and all. It makes me happy to see that Philip (and Harry's) flower matches her coat.
Princess Anne
Speaking of people who are never happier than in horsey pursuits. (Additionally, I enjoy this red lip on Anne. Very saucy.)
Sophie Wessex in Emilia Wickstead
Sophie, of course, is continuing her tradition of wearing something vaguely quilted to Ascot. I've decided that, out of frame, her shoes are ABSURD. Just for fun.