Kate, Francois Hollande, Mathilde
Kate's in McQueen -- just now confirmed by them, but the truth was outed in some excellent detecting from What Kate Wore (which also has, as always, great details about the event; Wills gave a speech) -- as she is wont to be for Fancy Events of State. As you guys know, I am ALL ABOUT MCQUEEN and I generally love this sort of floofy skirt (a technical design term), but this ensemble is kind of the Sedate Cousin to My Favorite White McQueen Ever and whilst one MUST BE sedate at a service about, you know, war and destruction and tragedy, and the aforementioned would be VERY WRONG for this event, this particular one still feels kinda wah waaaaaaaah in comparison.
But Mathilde looks great. You know she rolled out of bed this morning and was like, "Kate's coming. Everyone's going to be writing about her. You better bring your A game this morning, Mathilde." Mischief managed.
Wills, Kate, Francois Hollande, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe
This is the line up for, as Getty puts it, "the ceremony at the Cointe Inter-allied Memorial, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I in Liege." (King Felipe of Spain was ALSO there -- I saw his tall personage wandering in the back of another photo, but I don't know where they stuck him.) This photo makes me laugh. Wills is asking Kate if she remembered to turn off her curling iron, M. Hollande is angrily yanking up his socks, and Mathilde and Philippe are checking to see if her hat gets ESPN.
Wills and Kate ENGRAGED
In case you're wondering what photo will be used by the tabloids when they decide these two are in a massive row about something and are on the edge of splitting up...
Wills and Kate
...completely ignoring the fact that directly afterward, they were laughing about how William has been forced ONCE AGAIN to sit inside a plant of some sort.
Additionally, I do like Kate's hat. (It's Jane Taylor, and you can totally just go and order one today if you need a hat.) (I also just mistyped that as, "I do like Kate's hate," and I probably do. Tell me who you hate, Kate, and I will hate them too.)
BUT. I feel like the seam on that bodice is confusing and weird, like she's got flaps there she can deploy if she decides that she really wants to flash everyone in the middle of a serious speech about the horrors of war. I am uncomfortable having so many notes about a McQueen coat, as I eventually plan to marry one, but here we are.
Kate Middleton and Prince William
So, when these two arrived, Mathilde and King Phillipe greeted them, and Kate curtsied and Wills bowed, the tail end of which is happening here -- apparently, this is because (a) they're on their turf and (b) it's polite and (c) obvs, King and Queen outrank Duke and Duchess (or even Prince and Lady Married to the Prince) and (d) even if you don't technically have to do it, NOT doing it would probably be a Whole Thing and who has time? But I always thought that you only curtsied to your own monarch, so what I'm saying is, this is also a time of learning.
I also totally just pulled this photo so you could see the side of her dress. Sorry so many digressions. I've had four cups of coffee today.
Kate's Back
Someone on Twitter -- I am sorry, I didn't catch who it was, and if it was YOU, tell me and let me give you the credit* -- noted that she thought the weights sewn into the skirt here were possibly making it hang weird, and I am inclined to agree.
*It was Fug National Jen!
Ceremony Commemorating 100th Anniversary First World War
I DO think the whole shebang is prettier now that I can tell the seaming at the waist doesn't run all the way around. Kate, when you hold your purse in front of yourself the way you are wont to do, sometimes we cannot tell if you are wearing two pieces or one and how the hell am I supposed to go about my business if that vital question is hanging over my head?
Prince Harry
I'll just leave this here for you.
Prince Harry
Royals photographers CANNOT resist the lure of the Famous Face Amid The Blur of the Crowd. (I cannot blame them; I ALWAYS download that picture.)
Prince Harry
"After this do is over, remind me to tell you how best to use your berets to enchant the ladies. Or dudes, whichever you prefer. Regardless: the beret is potent, child, and it must be used wisely."