The Cambridge family enjoyed a relaxing weekend in Chester and were spotted boarding a train for London on Sunday before George started another week of school yesterday and William and Kate prepared for a week of duties. A reader very kindly shared news William and Kate attended a charity lunch function at royal haunt Berry Bros. & Rudd earlier today (UPDATE: The Court Circular reflects it was for The Royal Foundation).
Tonight's event is the first of four public engagements for the Duchess this week and her first gala of the season.
Ahead of the gala, Kensington Palace said "Earlier this year Her Royal Highness, who is Patron of the AFNCCF, visited the centre's Early Years Parenting Unit to learn more about their work with families who have children under five years old. This visit marked the Duchess' continued desire to draw attention to child mental health issues and the importance that early intervention, and working with the whole family, can make to those in vulnerable situations." The Anna Freud Centre is one of the Heads Together charity partners.
A short video from Victoria Murphy.
A short video from Victoria Murphy.
Kate chats to young people helped by @AFNCCF at their Gala Dinner pic.twitter.com/jSRLlZ7Bo1— Victoria Murphy (@QueenVicMirror) November 7, 2017
The event celebrates the new £39 million Centre of Excellence currently under construction on Rodney Street in Islington. Service users and supporters of the Centre were invited to hear more about the new site which will, for the first time, bring under one roof the very best science, education and mental health support for children and families struggling to cope with profound mental ill health. At the heart of the campus will be a new site for the pioneering Family School. These new facilities will allow them to increase their ability to help vulnerable children who have been excluded from mainstream education and face a bleak future without the dedicated support.
The projected completion date for the project is early 2019.
A concept model of the centre was on display tonight.
The Duchess attended a reception to hear more about the work of the centre from those who are closely invovled with the charity, including families who have benefitted from the work of the organisation.
Kate mingling with young guests.
More from People:
Kate Silverton - broadcaster and child mental health campaigner - was compére.
Candles for the evening were provided by Jo Malone, reportedly a favourite of Kate's. The lime, basil and mandarin scented candle shown below is available at Nordstrom.
The Duchess attended a reception to hear more about the work of the centre from those who are closely invovled with the charity, including families who have benefitted from the work of the organisation.
Kate mingling with young guests.
More from People:
“She knew exactly what these mums were talking about — about children not sleeping and how stressful it is to try and bring up small children,” Peter Fonagy, chief executive of the charity, told PEOPLE at the time. “All the mums said how much she talked to them as just another mum.”
Kate Silverton - broadcaster and child mental health campaigner - was compére.
Candles for the evening were provided by Jo Malone, reportedly a favourite of Kate's. The lime, basil and mandarin scented candle shown below is available at Nordstrom.
The Orangery was a splendid choice of venue.
At Kensington Palace in 1704, Queen Anne had an elaborate greenhouse built in the style of an elegant palace to protect her citrus trees from the harsh frosts of winter. She also recognised that The Orangery’s beautiful garden setting and graceful architecture made it a perfect venue for fashionable court entertaining away from the hubbub of Whitehall. It was at this time that the notion of dining etiquette evolved. In the late 17th century, nobles suffering from ennui in the royal courts of France devised complex social customs to amuse themselves and gradually they made their way to English high society. As the 18th century rolled on, protocol began to rule every action at the dining table.
When The Orangery was built, meals for the upper classes were still very carnivorous affairs with few vegetables eaten and fruit still viewed with suspicion. It is reported that in 1705 Queen Anne ate a meal consisting entirely of pigeon, sirloin of beef, venison, chyne of mutton, turkey, snipes, ducks and partridge.
Today, Queen Anne's vision continues. The Orangery remains a treasured escape from the city. Approached through tranquil gardens, it retains the grand Corinthian columns, soaring ceilings and sweeping arches that so enchanted the courtiers. It is a highly coveted spot for evening functions with a number of royal events held there each year. For anyone visiting London, it is a stunning place to enjoy Afternoon Tea. Guests are treated to a selection of afternoon tea sandwiches; Egg mayonnaise and cress, smoked salmon and cream cheese, Coronation chicken, roast ham and English mustard sandwich, cucumber and fresh mint. Orange-scented and currant scones served with Cornish clotted cream, English strawberry jam and an assortment of tea pastries. It is served with a range of loose teas or coffee.
The Duchess brought back the much loved Diane von Furstenburg Zarita Gown she wore for the 2014 Royal Variety Performance when she was expecting Charlotte. Kate wore it again a short time later for a friends wedding.
The black dress is fitted through the bodice, waist and thigh, and the piece opens to a sweeping fluted hem. The delicate gown, crafted from sheer lace features a v-back and is fitted with a slim band around the waist that flatters the silhouette, making it a perfect choice for the early months of pregnancy.
The shorter version is available in limited sizes with 50% off (reduced to $174) at Matches in black, navy and nude. It's also available with up to 60% reduced at Nordstrom Rack in several colours.
For those hoping to Repli-Kate the look, the incredibly similar Adrianna Pappell Scalloped Lace Gown remains available at Dillard's. It features the same scalloped v-back and floor sweeping hem as Kate's.
Kate added the Queen's sparkling diamond pendant earrings to the look. Her Majesty's Jewel Vault reports: "This pair of diamond pendant earrings includes a pendant of separate stones hanging within a diamond frame. These appeared at the 2012 State Opening of Parliament, but have no publicly known provenance as of yet."
Kate also accessorised with a new shimmering bracelet.
The amazing Her Majesty's Jewel Vault revealed it is in fact on loan from the Queen. "The wide diamond bracelet features multiple diamond quatrefoil motifs, the four-lobed design popular in architecture, art, heraldry, and elsewhere. Each quatrefoil outline is filled with five individual diamonds." The provenance of the piece is unknown and it's hardly been worn. Below, we see the Queen wearing it at the 2010 State Opening of Parliament (with thanks to Taunya for her comment alerting us to the blog post from HMJV).
The Duchess carried her black Prada clutch.
And wore her Buckley Poppy. The piece is now sold out.
If searching for a poppy yourself, Kate's Closet suggests The Poppy Collection Medium Brooch Gold Tone as a very close match. It's available at The Poppy Shop for £14.99.
I loved the Zarita gown when Kate wore it in 2014 and thought it a perfect choice for tonight's gala too. It makes sense for Kate to give her best maternity looks another outing. I loved the addition of the Queen's sparkling earrings and the dazzling new bracelet. What do you think of the look? Do you like how Kate styled it tonight?
Tomorrow, The Duchess of Cambridge will attend the Place2Be School Leaders Forum on Mental Health.
The black dress is fitted through the bodice, waist and thigh, and the piece opens to a sweeping fluted hem. The delicate gown, crafted from sheer lace features a v-back and is fitted with a slim band around the waist that flatters the silhouette, making it a perfect choice for the early months of pregnancy.
 |
| DVF |
The shorter version is available in limited sizes with 50% off (reduced to $174) at Matches in black, navy and nude. It's also available with up to 60% reduced at Nordstrom Rack in several colours.
 |
| Matches |
For those hoping to Repli-Kate the look, the incredibly similar Adrianna Pappell Scalloped Lace Gown remains available at Dillard's. It features the same scalloped v-back and floor sweeping hem as Kate's.
 |
| Dillard's |
Kate added the Queen's sparkling diamond pendant earrings to the look. Her Majesty's Jewel Vault reports: "This pair of diamond pendant earrings includes a pendant of separate stones hanging within a diamond frame. These appeared at the 2012 State Opening of Parliament, but have no publicly known provenance as of yet."
Kate also accessorised with a new shimmering bracelet.
The amazing Her Majesty's Jewel Vault revealed it is in fact on loan from the Queen. "The wide diamond bracelet features multiple diamond quatrefoil motifs, the four-lobed design popular in architecture, art, heraldry, and elsewhere. Each quatrefoil outline is filled with five individual diamonds." The provenance of the piece is unknown and it's hardly been worn. Below, we see the Queen wearing it at the 2010 State Opening of Parliament (with thanks to Taunya for her comment alerting us to the blog post from HMJV).
The Duchess carried her black Prada clutch.
And wore her Buckley Poppy. The piece is now sold out.
If searching for a poppy yourself, Kate's Closet suggests The Poppy Collection Medium Brooch Gold Tone as a very close match. It's available at The Poppy Shop for £14.99.
Tomorrow, The Duchess of Cambridge will attend the Place2Be School Leaders Forum on Mental Health.
