Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge disembark the Royal train as they arrive at Manchester Victoria station on their final stop of the day for a visit to FareShare in Manchester on December 7, 2020. - FareShare redistributes surplus food from food businesses to 11,000 charities and community groups including school breakfast clubs, community centres, homeless shelters and food banks.
During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Let us rewind to last night here. Now Wills is pointing for interest! These two left Scotland to go back to England and did it in overcoats and, again, a great sweater that does NOT match Kate's mask. Informative Caption tells us that "Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge disembark the Royal train as they arrive at Manchester Victoria station on their final stop of the day for a visit to FareShare in Manchester. FareShare redistributes surplus food from food businesses to 11,000 charities and community groups including school breakfast clubs, community centres, homeless shelters and food banks. During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year." That is a GREAT cause!
Britain's Prince William (C), Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine (C left), Duchess of Cambridge pose for a photograph with members of Manchester Inspirational Voices at Old Smithfields Market in Manchester on their final stop of the day for a visit to FareShare in Manchester on December 7, 2020. - FareShare redistributes surplus food from food businesses to 11,000 charities and community groups including school breakfast clubs, community centres, homeless shelters and food banks.
During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Geoff Pugh / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
They also met with "members of Manchester Inspirational Voices at Old Smithfields Market in Manchester " at this event, and I really hope no one was singing at this event given that singing is a good way to spread the 'rona! But I -- once again -- am not in charge of this. What I am in charge of is pointing out that if you look at this photo the right way, that Christmas tree actually looks like a FANTASTIC wig that Wills has plonked on his head.
Wills and Kate
Britain's Prince William (C), Duke of Cambridge gives a speech alongside Britain's Catherine (R), Duchess of Cambridge after meeting staff at a food bank at Old Smithfields Market in Manchester on their final stop of the day during a visit to FareShare in Manchester on December 7, 2020. - FareShare redistributes surplus food from food businesses to 11,000 charities and community groups including school breakfast clubs, community centres, homeless shelters and food banks.
During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Geoff Pugh / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ben Birchall/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11367609c)
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Bath Spa train station, ahead of a visit to a care home in the city to pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, on the final day of a three-day tour across the country.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Bath Spa train station, Bath, UK - 08 Dec 2020
William's ensemble for this tour is basically his good overcoat and a rotation of scarves; Kate, on the other hand, gets to bring ALL her festive coats out. (This one is McQueen, of course.) I actually wondered yesterday if she'd bring out that plaid skirt that she wore in 2018, and as you can see, the answer is WHY YES.
Kate
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Grover/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11369486c)
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visits Cleeve Court Residential Care. The Duke and Duchess will pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit Cleeve Court Residential Care, Cleeve Green, Twerton, Bath, UK - 08 Dec 2020
Obviously I pulled this photo because the crown hovering over Kate's head is brilliant and makes me laugh. Indeed.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Grover/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11369486w)
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit Cleeve Court Residential Care. The Duke and Duchess will pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit Cleeve Court Residential Care, Cleeve Green, Twerton, Bath, UK - 08 Dec 2020
Informative Caption explains that Wills and Kate "visit Cleeve Court Residential Care [to] pay tribute to the efforts of care home staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," and also to wave at some old folks from a distance. (I love all the stories about Camilla and Kate and Sophie volunteering for the chat lines, where you are paired up with a senior citizen and you call them to keep them company; it is such a good idea. I know that the local senior center in my town has a similar program, and yours might, too, if you want to do something like that. My local senior center is also VERY into Zoom Bingo, judging from their mailings.)
Wearing protective face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meet NHS (National Health Service) staff during a visit to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, west of London to pass on their thanks on behalf of the nation for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of engagements on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
"Wearing protective face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meet NHS (National Health Service) staff during a visit to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, west of London, to pass on their thanks on behalf of the nation for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic," Informative Caption says. (A) In covering this trip, I've realized that I am very undereducated in the geography of the UK, because I feel like they're taking a very all-over-the-place route; (b) this hospital is VERY dramatic looking!
Wills and Kate
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Childs/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11369885i)
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meet NHS staff at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meet NHS staff, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Berkshire, UK - 08 Dec 2020
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tim Rooke/Shutterstock (11349379bq)
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit Cardiff Castle, Wales, UK - 08 Dec 2020
During this engagement, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will meet local university students and hear about some of the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health.
I just realized why I was so geographically confused: I have been writing this post out of chronological order. I was truly all turned around. (This is what happens when all these events are embargoed, which is wise for crowd control, but messed me up. Well, enjoy taking a confusing journey with me!) This was actually the opening event of the day, when Wills and Kate popped over (up to? Down to? Where is anyone?) Cardiff Castle, which is ALSO dramatic looking and met "local university students [to] hear about some of the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health." This scarf is fun -- it's also Emilia Wickstead and matches the skirt.
Kate in a Tree
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves after visiting Cardiff Castle in Cardiff in south Wales, on December 8, 2020, on the final day of her engagements with Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on their tour of the UK. - During their trip, their Royal Highnesses hope to pay tribute to individuals, organisations and initiatives across the country that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities this year. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Now it is, at long last, Kate's turn to be stuck in flora on a royal engagement.
Wills and Kate
Mandatory Credit: Photo by PA/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11360021g)
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Cardiff Castle to meet local university students and hear about some of the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit Cardiff Castle, Wales, UK - 08 Dec 2020
Their Royal Highnesses will join students from Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales at Christmas at the Castle, a festival of Christmas activities and attractions hosted by the Castle throughout December.
The Duke and Duchess will hear how the students have been supported with their mental health by their universities and student unions during this challenging year, before joining a group as they unwrap their Secret Santa gifts to one another. During the visit, there will be a performance by Samba Galez, Wales' longest running Samba Band, who have been supported during the pandemic through the UK Government's Culture Recovery Fund.
Informative Caption did NOT criticize Wills and Kate for their insufficiently toasted marshmallows but I will.
Queen Elizabeth II
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II reacts as she waits to thank local volunteers and key workers for the work they are doing during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on December 8, 2020 - The Queen and members of the royal family gave thanks to local volunteers and key workers for their work in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas at Windsor Castle in what was also the final stop for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their tour of England, Wales and Scotland. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / various sources / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Informative Caption tells us that "The Queen and members of the royal family gave thanks to local volunteers and key workers for their work in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas at Windsor Castle in what was also the final stop for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their tour of England, Wales and Scotland," and I'm telling you that this woman is THRILLED to see other humans in person FINALLY!! She looks festive and she is READY to see some PEOPLE!
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Glyn Kirk/WPA Pool/Shutterstock (11375352f)
Queen Elizabeth II (R) talks with Prince William, Prince William, (2L) and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, as they wait to thank local volunteers and key workers for the work they are doing during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on December 8, 2020 - The Queen and members of the royal family gave thanks to local volunteers and key workers for their work in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas at Windsor Castle in what was also the final stop for the Duke and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge on their tour of England, Wales and Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth II thanks key workers at Windsor Castle, UK - 08 Dec 2020
"What's that, Granny? No, we haven't seen The Undoing yet. No, no, it's on the list. I promise."
The Queen and Chaz and Camz
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) talks with Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (C) and Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they wait to thank local volunteers and key workers for the work they are doing during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on December 8, 2020 - The Queen and members of the royal family gave thanks to local volunteers and key workers for their work in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas at Windsor Castle in what was also the final stop for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their tour of England, Wales and Scotland. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
"No, I think Emerald Fennell is doing a great job! That show is a CORKER, don't you think? Say, have you learned to make bread yet? I have not."
The Wessexes and Cambridges
Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (L), Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex (2L), Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (2R) and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, wait as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (unseen) thanks local volunteers and key workers for the work they are doing during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on December 8, 2020 - The Queen and members of the royal family gave thanks to local volunteers and key workers for their work in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic and over Christmas at Windsor Castle in what was also the final stop for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their tour of England, Wales and Scotland. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / various sources / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Truly, Kate's coat wardrobe has had a lovely few days back out and about. I am sure she changed into this dark green number -- also lovely -- so that the Queen was the only one in red. Very appropriate. Also present, but lurking out of frame of all the photos I could get: Princess Anne, who looked both sensible and slightly annoyed, just as you would hope. (You can see her in the video I embedded on the main page of this post.) Happy Christmas indeed.
