A helicopter whisks Duchess Kate to pottery factory and children's center
SHOW CAPTION
Kate has been on a crafting streak, and today she continued it with a visit to a pottery factory where she painted a bit, and learned more about the process that brings about Emma Bridgewater crockery. The Princess flew from London in the Queen's helicopter to visit the Stoke-on-Trent factory today.
Kate was promoting the collection she helped facilitate and, apparently, even collaborated on, although the extent of her involvement is not entirely defined. We already saw the pottery last month when Kate inspected it at EACH Capital Appeal launch in Norfolk.
Today appropriately marks the day you may pre-order your own piece of the collection (here). This Ladybug Line will benefit EACH's Nook Appeal, a project near and dear to Kate's heart. Kate tried her hand at painting Ladybirds on pottery. I believe that Ladybirds are one and the same as Lady Bugs.
Kate's Range Rover whisked her back to her trusty helicopter, in which she then flew to Smethwick for her next event at Action for Children's Cape Hill centre, of which the Queen has been Patron for over 50 years. Kate removed her coat at Cape Hill and inspected art projects the children had made, participated in sing-alongs, and chatted with families.
The coat was on the only new piece today, but it gave the fashion community quite the run-around. The Palace announced the piece was Max Mara, but until a reader at Kate Middleton Style chimed in, we were stumped. Apparently, this coat is from SportsMax, an "urban" line under the luxury label's umbrella. Max Mara, yes. SportsMax...does that remind anyone of Sports Authority or OfficeMax? It just goes to show what a responsibility it is to name a company. We digress. This coat is gorgeous!
Kate recycled her Séraphine Florrie dress, which was great since it is so very flattering and we didn't get a fair shake the first time. She accessorized with her L.K. Bennett Frome clutch and Georgia Jimmy Choos we just saw on the 12th in Portsmouth. Of course, with such a lovely symphony of blues, she completed the ensemble with her sapphire and diamond drops.
Verdict: An obvious win. Kate looks beautiful in blue. According to the Duchess, it isn't her favorite color--that would be white---but, it has certainly been documented as her most frequently worn hue. Today she put together a blue ensemble that was quite literally picture perfect. I love this muted blue. Blue with a little grey blended in... And her hair. Could it be shinier or bouncier? The half&half style on Kate is so often just what she needs. It allows us to see all those tumblings, curling waves, but it keeps it off her face. Likely, it also hides her roots a little better, too, so it is a win, win.
Kate currently has nothing else on her calendar, and I wonder if we will be waiting until March to see her again? I suspect that Kate will not undertake engagements while William is in Asia so as not to battle for press coverage with him. That puts us in the second week of March before she might make another appearance, which is really pushing up against her maternity leave, for lack of a better word. As strange as it seems, I suspect we only have a few more engagements left before Baby Cambridge #2 makes his or her arrival.
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