Duchess of Cambridge’s tour-drobe diary 2014: The Duchess of Cambridge’s royal tour dresses, casual wear and accessories
See all of Duchess of Cambridge’s outfits, hats, shoes and accessories on the royal tour of Australia and New Zealand
6/04
Outfit 1 – in transit in Australia
The first glimpse of the royal tour party was an unintended one – as William, Kate, Prince George and their entourage changed planes in Sydney.
Kate was wearing a smart grey Max Mara wrap dress as she carried her son through the airport’s transit area.
It was the same outfit she wore last year to show off her baby bump for the first time.
The stretchy jersey would have made it a comparatively comfortable travelling outfit while still allowing her to remain smart.
She teamed it with nude heels which meant she looked ready for business even after a long flight. She may not have needed to dress up to try to secure a first class upgrade, but with Australian TV cameras managing to get through to the transit area she will have been glad she looked ready to face the world.
6/04
Outfit 2 – arriving in Wellington
Kate’s first outfit for her first royal tour three years ago was a cracker.
She stepped off the plane in Canada wearing a navy lace Erdem dress looking elegant and acknowledging her hosts – Erdem Moralioglu was born in Montreal.
And her pink kimono-style orchid pattern Jenny Packham dress for her first engagement in Singapore was also an enviable look.
But stepping off the plane this time around we weren’t so sure about her choice.
While the pillarbox red was a strong colour to enliven a grey day in New Zealand and one she has looked good in before, the overall look was a little too reminiscent of an air hostess.
The double-breasted coat is the Russian Great Coat by Catherine Walker - a designer she wore twice on her visit to Canada and the USA two years ago and also a favourite with the late Princess Diana.
Kate almost regretted wearing a flared dress under the flared coat as there was a bit of a breeze coming down the steps.
It is not the first time Kate has had a bit of a Marilyn Monroe moment.
Kate is no stranger to pillbox hats but we can’t help feeling in this case the Seaford style Gina Foster headpiece contributed to the air stewardess feel.
The Duchess of Cambridge would never have been allowed on the flight deck with her hair down though, and definitely shows the benefits of having your own hairdresser when you are flying halfway across the world.
Kate wore her Kiki McDonough Grace diamond stud earrings.
For the later Maori welcome Kate was carrying a brown suede Emmy clutch and matching heels.
Her key piece of jewellery, though was the silver fern brooch loaned by the Queen.
The emblem of New Zealand, it was a Christmas present to the Queen during her 1953-54 tour of the Commonwealth.
It is one of a number of items loaned to Kate for this tour.
09/04
Outfit 3 – a playdate in Wellington
After a day relaxing at a luxury lodge to recover from their jet lag, the royals were back on duty at a specially arranged playgroup.
It was Prince George’s first official public engagement, and the eight-month-old future king stole the show.
He also showed his mum isn’t the only one who can get shoppers to get their wallets out, as the £75 smocked dungarees by Rachel Riley he was wearing quickly sold out in small sizes.
But Kate was very much dressed the part too.
She wore a black and white dress in a nod to New Zealand’s traditional colours, and the print on her knee-length frock had a hint of the Maori symbols seen in the tattoos at the official welcome on day one.
Kate’s outfit was by American designer Tory Burch – the Paulina dress from the Resort 2014 collection.
It has elegant detailing in the slightly frilled sleeves and skirt hem, front pleats – and that belt effect Kate is so fond of.
Kate wore her hair down - giving Prince George plenty to play with when he was away from the toys.
Fortunately he didn’t grab onto her Annoushka drop pearl earrings.
And Kate was probably the most well-heeled mum there in more ways than one: her shoes were black suede Jimmy Choo Vikki pumps, which retail at £375.
10/04
Outfit 4 – wreath-laying and aviation centre visit in Blenheim
Kate was soberly dressed for a sombre occasion on day four of the tour as she and William laid a wreath at a war memorial in Blenheim.
The coat dress was a bespoke version of the McQueen Utility Coat Dress.
And while it is (or was) available in powder blue and black for £2,435, Kate’s is in a military style blue reminiscent of an RAF uniform. She teamed it with navy suede accessories in the form of her Stuart Weitzman Muse clutch and heels.
She wore a poppy pin on her chest in memory of those who died.
The dress coat, with its oversize pockets, concealed buttons and buckle belt, was a classic style for Kate.
To add to the sober, military smart effect her hair was pulled back into a ponytail – although there was unmilitary style embellishment in the way her hair was woven around it and pinned in place.
And we suspect her diamond and sapphire earrings, reset from a pair worn by Princess Diana, would not be allowed in the officers’ mess either.
This was the first outing of this Royal Tour for a piece by McQueen, the fashion house behind Kate’s wedding dress and a regular ever since. We suspect it won’t be the last.
10/04
Outfit 5 – state reception in Wellington
After giving McQueen a debut on this tour in the morning, Kate went to another style staple of her wardrobe for the day’s evening event.
Jenny Packham has been behind some of Kate’s most memorable dresses, and this bespoke number was another to add to the list.
While Kate wore the Queen’s silver fern brooch for her arrival in New Zealand, this time she had the silver fern embroidered on her dress in a statement shoulder embellishment.
She and William were at a state reception in Wellington for the unveiling of a portrait of the Queen – wearing a blue not a million miles away from the coat dress Kate had worn earlier in the day.
Wearing black ticked a couple of boxes for Kate: it allowed a respectful nod to New Zealand’s country colours, and wasn’t so showy it upstaged the Queen. (It also did a favour to headline writers, who were able to make All Black references to the Kiwi rugby team.)
Close-ups of the silver fern detailing showed the workmanship which had gone into the one-off design.
After wearing her Jimmy Choo Vikki shoes for the playdate the previous day, Kate appeared to go for a slightly bigger platform with her Jimmy Choo Cosmic heels – also in black suede.
The Duchess accessorised with her diamond bracelet, believed to have been part of a wedding present from her father-in-law Prince Charles, and matching earrings.
She carried a black clutch – and this close up also shows the detailing on the waist of the dress.
11/04
Outfit 6 – visiting a RNZAF base in Auckland
Day five of the tour was a more dressed down day for the royal couple as they visited Air Force personnel then had a go on Americas Cup yachts in Auckland.
Kate went for a tried and trusted formula in the form of her Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges, skinny navy jeans, a nautical striped top and a blazer.
It was another example of Kate choosing a military style look on this visit, with the navy Zara blazer double breasted with brassy buttons.
This time her hair was fully down, with stud ears hiding underneath it.
11/04
Outfit 6 and a 1/2 – on the water in Auckland
Kate ditched the blazer as she and William got competitive, crewing yachts in a race in Auckland harbour.
It gave onlookers a clearer sight of her Me+Em Breton top with its nautical stripes, which retails for £48 and quickly sold out.
Kate also whipped out her Ray Ban sunglasses to keep the sun and the wind out of her eyes.
It was serious when it came to racing though, with her hair up in a ponytail through a New Zealand cap as she helmed the yacht to two victories over her husband.
Kate also switched her shoes, ditching the wedges in favour of the Sebago Balas boatshoes she also wore on the royal tour of Canada in 2011.
And she pulled on a Musto BR1 men’s sailing jacket too.
The earrings she wore for her day out were her Kiki McDonough diamond Grace studs and her sunglasses made a handy headband.
12/04
Outfit 7 – a hospice visit, wreath-laying and velodrome opening
With Jenny Packham and McQueen already ticked off the list, Kate’s outfit on Saturday saw us marking off another square on our tour designers bingo card.
Since her first royal tour to Canada three years ago Montreal-born designer Erdem has been a regular choice for Kate on engagements, and he made his first appearance of this tour on a busy day of duties in Hamilton and Cambridge.
William was not too sure about the emerald green colour, saying it was too bright.
But the shade is not too dissimilar to the Diane Von Furstenburg dress Kate wore for a reception in Canada.
And a green coat will surely always be a good investment for the Duchess as she likes to wear green for her St Patrick’s Day duties.
The full length contrast silver zip, and similar zips on the cuffs, added to the stitched detailing make the Allie coat a very interesting piece – but then it should be for its price tag upwards of $3,000 – and the sheath-style silhouette was very different to the flared styles she has worn earlier in the trip.
Kate was again wearing her commemorative poppy pin, as she later rejoined Prince William as the royals paid their respects at the war memorial in Cambridge.
Her earrings were drop diamond-set emeralds.
The detail on the waist of the coat could be seen as she chatted with cyclists at the opening of the Avantidrome later.
The major shame about Kate’s coat was we did not get a good look at her green Suzannah dress underneath.
The Budding Heart Tea Dress is a seriously cute look and sells for £475. If we were being offered the Erdem coat or the Suzannah tea dress in a goody bag, we’d go for that one – although it would fetch a lot less on eBay.
The British label seems to be a new one for Kate for a public engagement, though with sister Pippa already a fan according to WhatKateWore.com, not to mention Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, it would have come with plenty of recommendations.
Kate seems to have travelled to New Zealand very well stocked with black heels – these are her Episode Angel shoes.
She carried her black Mulberry clutch. (Wonder what she keeps in it? We’re guessing lippy, a comb and a mirror for starters.)
13/04
Outfit 8 – Palm Sunday service
Emilia Wickstead had two key claims to being in Kate’s tour wardrobe:
The designer is already a favourite
Kate likes to reference designers with links to her hosts, and while Wickstead may be based in London, she was born in New Zealand
Not to mention the fact her dresses are beautiful but practical – perfect for the Duchess’s official engagements.
And she duly picked a dress by the designer for a Palm Sunday service in Dunedin.
It was a new version of an old favourite, with the Duchess opting for a variation on the pink dress she wore twice in May 2012, first for a Windsor Castle lunch and then at a garden party soon afterwards.
This time she chose aquamarine – not her most frequent shade of blue but one that definitely works. And the long sleeves, boat neckline and pleated skirt look just as elegant as they did two years ago.
This time around Kate accessorised with moss green Emmy Shoes heels and a matching clutch – and there was another outing for the Queen’s silver fern brooch.
With a trip to church it was another hat day for Kate, with a bespoke headpiece from Jane Taylor. The decoration is reminiscent both of New Zealand’s silver fern and of a palm frond.
Kate’s earrings were her drop green amethyst pair from Kiki McDonough.
13/04
Outfit 9 – meeting the All Blacks
Kate dressed down for her second engagement of the day – an encounter with the All Blacks at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Duchess wore a cosy-looking pastel Jonathan Saunders cotton sweater as she helped coach a children’s Rippa Rugby team.
Kate let her hair down (with no sign of hat hair) and wore a pair of her favoured blue skinny jeans teamed with her grey suede Mint Velvet trainers.
The Waffle Knit sweater, also listed as Egg Knit, is blush pink with cream trim and turquoise detail at the cuffs and waist. The cream and turquoise are also delicately threaded through the weave.
Kate wore a Jonathan Saunders dress on the last royal tour, a strikingly bold print Evelyn dress, for her arrival in the Solomon Islands.
13/04
Outfit 10 – a vineyard tour
After all that running around (mainly other people, admittedly) it was another change for Kate as she and William were given a tour of Amisfield Winery.
The trip included a wine-tasting, with the Duchess admitting she was enjoying being able to drink again after having Prince George.
It gave her navy double-breasted Zara jacket another outing (see outfit 6), with those familiar Stuart Weitzmann Corkswoon wedges (also outfit 6, plus many more before) her choice for the vineyard walk.
The blue gingham shirt added to the relaxed, outdoor feel. It is thought to be Gap’s Fitted Boyfriend Shirt, which costs £29.95.
And Kate had stuck with her Kiki McDonough earrings throughout the day – although we like the additional accessory containing red wine too…
13/04
Outfit 10 and 1/2 – a highspeed boat trip
Arriving at the Shotover River, Kate was wearing her outfit from the Winery tour.
But with a trip in a highspeed boat in the offing a few changes were required…
Kate switched back to her Mint Velvet grey suede trainers she had worn for the rugby coaching (see outfit 9) and she had her Ray Ban sunglasses out again (outfit 6 and a half).
She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and added the heavyduty Musto jacket she had worn on the water in Auckland (outfit 6 and a half).
This time around though she also wore a rather special accessory – in the form of a personalised lifejacket.
14/04
Outfit 11 – earthquake memorial, cricket and an air force base in Christchurch
The Duchess of Cambridge had her first real royal repeat of the tour on a visit to Christchurch.
Kate dug out the pillar box red Luisa Spagnoli suit she wore for her second public engagement after she and William announced they were getting married.
The couple visited St Andrew’s University, where they got together as students, in February 2011. On the same day she, William and Prince Harry visited New Zealand’s High Commission in London to sign the book of condolence for victims of the Christchurch earthquake, which had struck three days earlier.
And she wore a reworked version of the outfit as she and William visited Christchurch on day seven of their tour, both recalling that visit and representing Christchurch’s regional colours in the red and black of Canterbury.
Kate wore the suit very differently from its first public outing, with the black polo neck and gloves not required to keep out a Scottish winter chill, and her dark tights and boots swapped for flesh-coloured tights and Episode Angel black suede heels.
She stuck with the high-heeled look even when they joined in a cricket event to mark Christchurch being one of the host cities for the 2015 Cricket World Cup - bringing a whole new meaning to cricket spikes.
There was another more subtle difference to Kate’s outfit, with her skirt hemline sitting on the knee rather than a couple of inches above. The Duchess’s hemlines were a subject of discussion before the tour, with reports the Queen was keen for to have a more regal look with more demure skirt lengths.
Kate’s 2011 St Andrew’s look was a skirt, though the pictures of her at the New Zealand High Commission suggested she may have changed into the sleeveless dress piece from the suit. Detailing at the top of the skirt Kate was wearing in Christchurch has raised suggestions it was created out of the dress.
Either way, the longer pencil style worked well for a busy day of engagements.
Kate gave her Annoushka pearl drop earrings another outing (see Outfit 3)
The Duchess again favoured a half up hairstyle, a practical choice but also with a lot of detail worked into it.
She carried her black Mulberry Bayswater clutch.
Here’s a close-up of the black Episode Angel heels – already worn as part of Outfit 7.
16/04
Outfit 12 – police college and New Zealand departure
Kate fitted in another Kiwi designer before she left New Zealand as she recycled her blue boucle Rebecca Taylor separates.
The Duchess had previously worn the jacket and skirt combination in April 2012 for an event marking the centenary of the race to the South Pole.
With rain again affecting the trip, Kate again had a clear brolly – a trick also favoured by the Queen as it still allows royal watchers who have braved the weather a glimpse of the visitors.
William and Kate visited the Royal New Zealand Police College and got to meet some police dog puppies.
Not surprisingly, Kate opted for her sapphire earrings – a frequent choice as she so often steps out in blue.
Kate’s hair was half up, and seemed more curled than it has been through most of the trip.
Although by the time of the couple’s walkabout in Wellington’s Civic Square she looked slightly less glossy – hardly surprising given the weather.
Her navy Prada heels also took a bit of a battering and ended up looking almost black in the rain.
The Duchess pulled her hair up into a ponytail for the family’s departure for Australia and those classic top of the stairway pictures.
That pause before boarding the flight to Sydney also allowed a closer look at her Muse clutch by Stuart Weitzman (also seen in Outfit 4).
We also got a clear view of her £3,800 Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch,believed to have been a Christmas or birthday gift.
16/04
Outfit 13 – arrival in Sydney
After the rain of New Zealand the royal tour arrived to sunshine in Australia – and Kate wore a vibrant yellow dress for the occasion.
The bespoke sheath dress was by Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic, who is based in London.
The Duchess has previously worn a lavender Peridot dress by the designer, for her arrival in Los Angeles on her first royal tour in 2011and again for a Royal Academy reception two years ago.
This outfit was similarly simple but elegant, although in a far bolder colour.
William may have thought Kate looked like a banana, but it was a great addition to her collection of yellow dresses.
The standard version of Ilincic’s Ryedale dress has white as the dominant colour with yellow flashes, a rounded neckline and flared sleeves but this version works even better.
The small split to reveal the flash of white is eye-catching withoutrisking the Duchess’s dignity in the way her pretty Jenny Packham Primrose Dress did at Calgary Airport three years ago.
There were outings for some extremely familiar accessories too.
Her Annoushka pearl earrings (see Outfit 3) set off the Duchess’s outfit and half up hair-do elegantly.
The necklace Kate is wearing is thought to be her Mappin and Webb Fortune piece.
There was also an appearance by her LK Bennett Natalie clutch – a veteran of two royal tours already.
And we were starting to worry Kate had left these at home! But after her nude LK Bennett Sledge pumps we have seen so often stayed in her suitcase in New Zealand, they were pressed straight into action in Australia.
17/04
Outfit 14 – visit to the Blue Mountains
William and Kate headed out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains on their second day in Australia to visit areas devastated in bush fires last November.
And there was a gentle nod to the region in Kate’s selection of a blue themed outfit.
Her Diane von Furstenberg itak batik print dress had a navy and black print on cream.
The cotton wrap Patrice dress, with three-quarter length sleeves and A-line flared skirt, trod the line well between smart and dressed down as the royals visited an area still recovering from a natural disaster.
Kate accessorised once again with her sapphire and diamond earrings (see Outfits 4 and 12) and the Mappin & Webb Fortune necklace she had worn with her yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress for her arrival in Sydney.
With a walkabout very much on the cards, Kate’s Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges got another outing (see Outfits 10 and 6).
And her matching Muse clutch bag (Outfits 12 and 4) was her trusty companion once again.
18/04
Outfit 15 – Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, a hospice visit and surf life-saving
Kate rekindled her 2012 royal tour love affair with broderie anglaiseas she gave her first speech of this trip.
On a varied day of engagements, with the busy Sydney Royal Easter Show, emotional Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice visit and beach visit to watch surf life-saving, the Duchess picked an Australian designer in the form of Zimmermann - one of the labels we highlighted ahead of the tour.
Kate got the dress ahead of time, with it not due in shops until June – although the company is now trying to get the frock out faster to make sure they get the full benefit of the Kate Effect.
With elbow-length sleeves and a high neckline, it is a demure look. And surprise, surprise: there is detailing at the waist.
The Duchess is not the only one to have got her hands on it ahead of time, though, with actress Naomi Watts also pictured wearing it.
Kate wore her Annoushka pearl earrings once again (see Outfits 3, 11 and 13).
And there was another appearance of her LK Bennett Natalie clutch (see Outfit 13).
In the warm weather Kate went out without tights, wearing her open-toed Stuart Weitzman Minx Espadrilles, which she also packed for the 2012 royal tour of the far east and the south Pacific.
Although she almost came unstuck on the sand.
19/04
Outfit 16 – visiting a Brisbane air force base
The warmer weather in Australia is being reflected in Kate’s clothes, with lighter, brighter colours once again on display in Brisbane.
The Duchess wore another sheath style dress, this time by LK Bennett, as she and William visited an air force base in the city.
The Lassa Poppy print dress, which costs £245, was a vibrant choice in blue and white and a second bold print of this tour (see Outfit 14).
Kate is quite happy to join in anything with William, and seems to manage it whatever she is wearing (think the cricket in Outfit 11).
So it was no surprise to see her clambering into the cockpit of a Super Hornet fighter jet with her husband – even if he did warn her to be careful.
Kate wore her navy suede Alexander McQueen heels for her outing in the Sunshine State.
Kate had her hair half up once again, with the hair twisted round the fastening for a slick finish.
There was a new clutch for Kate for this outing, in the form of Australian brand Oroton’s Ordeion bag.
The vibrant blue embossed leather went well with Kate’s outfit, and looks to be a similar size and shape to her long-time favourite Natalie clutch.
Kate chose familiar jewellery to accessorise her outfit in the form of her diamond-set sapphire earrings (Outfits 4, 12 and 14) and her Mappin and Web Fortune necklace (Outfits 13 and 14).
19/04
Outfit 17 – watching rugby in Sydney
After a day of glad-handing in Brisbane, William and Kate took a break from official duties to enjoy a night out at the rugby.
Kate looked to be wearing her go-to dark skinny jeans, which she teamed with a grey sweater.
The patterned scarf is by Beulah, in the Fractured Blossom Dark print. It retails for £125.
Kate’s hair was still smartly styled and she wore her sapphire earrings.
20/04
Outfit 18 – Easter Sunday church service
Kate dressed up in her Sunday best for an Easter service at Sydney’s St Andrews Cathedral.
The Duchess wore an elegant bespoke dove grey Alexander McQueen dress coat.
Kate’s heels were cream Harper pumps from LK Bennett. Her Easter bonnet was also a bespoke design, created by Jane Taylor.
The small fascinator style headpiece was perched elegantly on her brow without obscuring too much of her face from those who had waited outside the cathedral to see the royals.
Kate wore her drop diamond earrings finished with a blue gemstone. Their creator has not been identified but the Duchess has been wearing them since at least 2012.
She once again went for a half-up hairstyle, with intricate detailing in the fastening. Her ‘do also meant her hat could sit securely throughout the service.
Kate carried her collection for the church service (we presume, anyway) in her McQueen clutch. While the original comes with a diamond skull clasp, Kate’s version has a more demure fastening.
20/04
Outfit 19 – a trip to the zoo
Kate had another throwback in Sydney, this time to the 2012 Far East tour, as she, William and George enjoyed a trip to the zoo.
In her second broderie anglaise number of this tour, the Duchess gave a second outing to the lemon yellow eyelet dress she wore to say goodbye to the Solomon Islands.
Designed by an independent dressmaker – which could in fact be the Palace seamstresses - it was a relaxed look which allowed Kate to get down to floor level with her little lad as he eyed up the bilby named after him.
The Duchess has tended to wear her hair loose for events involving children on this trip, as she did here, creating a more informal look.
There was still a glimpse to catch of her Kiki McDonough citrine teardrop earrings.
William West/AFP/Getty<img title="William and Kate watch an animal display at Sydney's Taronga Zoo" src="http://i2.wp.com/i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article3443310.ece/alternates/s510b/kateearrings.jpg?resize=510%2C341" alt="William and Kat