YPRES, BELGIUM - JULY 30: Poppies are dropped during the Last Post ceremony, which has taken place every night since 1928, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on July 30, 2017 in Ypres, Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joined by two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the Gate, alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. The commemorations mark the centenary of Passchendaele - The Third Battle of Ypres. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)
This is quite beautiful, and I am starting with it for that reason, and also because its Informative Caption is quite good (thanks to Getty photog Chris Jackson; I should have known they were going to this when I saw on his Insta that he was off to Belgium): "Poppies are dropped during the Last Post ceremony, which has taken place every night since 1928, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on July 30, 2017 in Ypres, Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joined by two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the Gate, alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. The commemorations mark the centenary of Passchendaele - The Third Battle of Ypres." That is such a moving and beautiful (and long!) tradition.
Wills and Kate attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate during Passchendaele 100
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the the King and Queen of Belgium, attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate during Passchendaele 100. Featuring: William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate
Where: Ypres, Belgium
When: 30 Jul 2017
Credit: John Rainford/WENN.com
We'll get to Kate in a moment, but I must sidebar for a very shallow change of subject and note that Wills is looking VERY FIT lately. I feel like he's finally figured out how to deal with his hair. One of you noted last week that you felt like his hotness was having a renaissance, and I must agree.
Mathilde and Philippe at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate during Passchendaele 100
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the the King and Queen of Belgium, attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate during Passchendaele 100. Featuring: Philippe of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Where: Ypres, Belgium
When: 30 Jul 2017
Credit: John Rainford/WENN.com
Obviously, as King and Queen of Belgium, Philippe and Mathilde were present. Mathilde looks fine, but I feel honor-bound to note for the 10000000th time that she is only 44 and I feel like this dress was made for someone thirty years older than she is.
Kate and Mathilde
The Duchess of Cambridge with Queen Mathilde of Belgium arriving at the Menin Gate in Ypres ahead of this evening's commemoration. (Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)
Having said that: Mathilde takes the Hat Sweepstakes EASILY, and her shoes are lovely. Kate's shoes are also good, I think. A pleasant but not totally boring neutral.
Kate and her clutch
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the the King and Queen of Belgium, attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate during Passchendaele 100. Featuring: Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, Kate
Where: Ypres, Belgium
When: 30 Jul 2017
Credit: John Rainford/WENN.com
YPRES, BELGIUM - JULY 30: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Last Post ceremony, which has taken place every night since 1928, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on July 30, 2017 in Ypres, Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joined by two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the Gate, alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. The commemorations mark the centenary of Passchendaele - The Third Battle of Ypres. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)
I cannot help but present to you so many angles on this hat, which is wacky in a way that I do not think is inappropriate but that I do think is...unattractive. It look like a different inaninmate object from every angle. Here, it's like an upside-down fedora, drooping in the heat.
Kate and her hat.
YPRES, BELGIUM - JULY 30: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Last Post ceremony, which has taken place every night since 1928, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on July 30, 2017 in Ypres, Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joined by two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the Gate, alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. The commemorations mark the centenary of Passchendaele - The Third Battle of Ypres. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)
Here it's like a chip bowl. I always imagine Wills making, like, A STARTLED SOUND when she comes out wearing this one. "No, no, I just...uh...remembered something surprising. You look great! Besides, everyone will be looking at your earrings. What? Wait. No. Nevermind. We're gonna be late!"
Wills and Kate in Belgium
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge escorts his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge as they leave a ceremony marking the centenary of the battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest of World War I during the Last Post ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, in Ypres Western Flanders on July 30, 2017. The battle of Passchendaele, also called the third battle of Ypres, took place between July 31 and November 6, 1917 in Passendale, West Flanders. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)
This is a rather good chignon. She is wearing a hairnet with it, which she's been doing often lately, but it's a very subtle one. Hairnets are very retro, especially with a hat. Is Kate going to bring back the hairnet?!
