WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE & GLOBAL HEALTH WORK

KATE SPENDS THE DAY LEARNING ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE & GLOBAL HEALTH WORK

Kate took part in two healthcare-related engagements in London today (27th February 2018). The first took place at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), a medical charity that champions the provision of high-quality women’s healthcare in the UK and beyond.

The charity is dedicated to encouraging the study and advancing the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology through a mixture graduate education and training, reports and the publication of clinical guidelines.

At the college, Kate learned about the organisation’s global health programmes to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates worldwide.

She watched a demonstration of keyhole surgery and attended a roundtable discussion on tackling the stigma around women’s mental health.

Kate departing from the RCOG:

The second visit took place at St. Thomas’ Hospital

Here, Kate spent time visiting children on a nurse-led children’s ward.

She also joined a roundtable discussion with a range of different nurses across the spectrum of the profession.

At the end of her visit, Kate helped to officially launch Nursing Now, a new campaign designed to raise the profile and status of nursing and nurses worldwide.

The campaign aims to improve perceptions of nurses, enhance their influence and maximise their contributions to ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to health and healthcare.  – International Council of Nurses

Kate marked the launch with a speech.

"I would like to congratulate and thank all nurses everywhere on what you achieve on a daily basis. The difference you make should not go unrecognised – Duchess of Cambridge

Today’s visits were designed to give Kate a deeper understanding of topics related to women’s healthcare and global health work.  This is an area Kate is keen to champion.

Before today’s visit, Kensington Palace announced that Kate has become Patron of both the Nursing Now campaign and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:

The Duchess has seen first-hand the impact of front-line medical professionals during visits to hospitals and hospices, and through her work in support of children’s mental health and early intervention.  The Duchess’ patronages at RCOG and Nursing Now provide an opportunity to shine a light on these vital professions, both in the UK and internationally – Kensington Palace

These two organisations are Kates 15th and 16th patronages. Richard Palmer (Royal Correspondent of the Daily Express) explains like William and Harry, Kate’s strategy is to focus on a small number of charities, intending to make a difference (in contrast to the older royals, who tend to lend their names to a wider group of patronages).

Kate is the second Patron of the RCOG in the organisation’s 89-year history.  The Duchess has followed in the footsteps of the Queen Mother.

When Kate and Sophie met fashion royalty!

When Kate and Sophie met fashion royalty! Duchess of Cambridge dons Erdem AGAIN to host stars at a glittering Buckingham Palace reception with the Countess of Wessex

There was glamour in abundance at Buckingham Palace tonight as two of the Royal family’s best-dressed ladies hosted a reception to celebrate a new creative initiative, the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange.

The Duchess of Cambridge, still stylish at seven months pregnant in a patterned guipere lace ensemble from Erdem, was accompanied by the Burberry-clad Countess of Wessex, wife of the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, to launch the exchange.

The British label has emerged as Kate's new favourite designer despite a string of recent Erdem ensembles, including a blue velvet number worn in Stockholm, dividing opinion among the fashion crowd.

Guests attending the London Fashion Week-timed reception included American Vogue’s Dame Anna Wintour and her new British counterpart Edward Enninful, designer Stella McCartney, and supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Prince Andrew's eldest daughter Princess Beatrice also attended tonight's glitzy event, following Kate's lead in a dress by Erdem which she paired with vertiginous heels as she chatted to guests in the palace's opulent Music Room.

Look lovely in lace like the Duchess wearing Erdem

When fashion royalty meets actual royalty the style stakes are especially high. But the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t disappoint at the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange event at Buckingham Palace during London Fashion Week where she met with Anna Wintour.

Championing British fashion, Kate sported an Erdem lace dress in a chic monochrome colourway teamed with pointed heels. We’re loving the pretty floral design, which is complimented perfectly with the scalloped edged flounced cuffs and peplum hem; meanwhile the fit and flare silhouette and three-quarter length sleeves flatter the figure.

Whilst Kate’s dress is custom to accommodate her bump, you can buy the ready-to-wear version from the Erdem website by following the link on the right.

But if the price tag is putting you off, fear not! Because we’ve rounded up some fab alternatives for less, including options from Alexis, Veronica Beard and Hope & Ivy- check them out in the carousel below!

Pregnant Kate appeared to be getting along famously with her guests as the trio chatted 

in the Music Room

The Duchess of Cambridge arrived with the Countess of Wessex - followed by Princess Beatrice - at The White Drawing Room to meet a line up including Anna Wintour and Livia Firth.

Kate extended a hand and greeted the fashion editor - who was not wearing her trademark sunglasses but was also in an Erdem dress with boots - warmly.

Also in the party was Daniel Halton, director of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, who was wearing an eye-catching headdress with the word Commonwealth spelt out.

Pregnant Duchess joins A-listers who have worn the stones Baftas 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge broke ranks with her fellow Bafta attendees last night by not wearing a black dress in support of the Time's Up movement, but it seems that Kate may have been showing her solidarity in a subtle but significant way.

Pregnant Kate, 36, was criticised on social media for not wearing a black outfit, but significantly she teamed her dark green Jenny Packham gown with a dazzling emerald and diamond jewellery set.

Last month, stars arrived en masse at the Golden Globes dressed in black to support Hollywood's backlash against sexual harassment, with many also accessorising with emeralds because of the significance of the stone as a symbol of 'hope, renewal and growth'.

Debra Messing, Zoe Kravitz and Catherine Zeta Jones were just some of the stars who wore the precious stone which was a talisman of Alexander the Great and Aristotle, who identified emeralds as a symbol of victory.

Although the Royal Family is meant to avoid political statements, royal watchers have also interpreted the black sash on Kate's dress as well as her matching shoes and clutch as a subtle nod to her backing for the Time's Up movement.

Of course, the Duchess made sure to pull out all the stops for her red carpet appearance with experts estimating her jewellery set cost at least a million.

Stephanie Lee of London-based jewellers Ntinga told Femail: 'The Duchess of Cambridge wore a stunning Columbian Emerald and diamond suite made up of four approximately 20-25ct Emeralds surrounded by a what appears to be cluster of marquise and round cut diamonds in a triple row drop collar.

 

'The matching earrings had been modified from a drop pair she had worn in 2014 to made a large cluster earring with an emerald set in the centre of diamonds and a matching cuff.

'We would have thought this suite would be valued within the seven figured price bracket.'  It was the most openly political Bafta night in its history, with all the female nominees urged to follow the example of last month's Golden Globes awards and wear all-black.

Several actresses brought feminist activists as their guests, including prominent gay rights campaigners, trades unionists and two women who were involved in the equal pay protests at Dagenham in the 1960s.

Royal protocol dictates that family members should not make political statements and this is believed to be the reason behind the Duchess' decision to shy away from a black gown. Some had speculated ahead of the event that she might choose a patterned black gown as a compromise.

Emulate Kate's evening look in a Jenny Packham gown

The Duchess of Cambridge made an appearance at the BAFTAs this weekend. As usual she was keeping up her fashion icon status by wearing British brand Jenny Packham and not for the first time. The designer is a go-to for Kate when attending big events and this elegant gown is another memorable look.

She stunned in a deep green maxi gown that billowed to the floor thanks to the empire waist design. It featured cap sleeves with a wrap over bodice that was simply finished with a black ribbon waistband. The flattering design of the dress is a signature for Jenny Packham with the Duchess previously wearing similar versions.

 

To finish her look, she chose a pair of Prada wave cut out pumps and the modern diamond and emerald demi-parure jewellery she debuted back in 2014.

This gown is a custom made creation, but shop the current Jenny Packham collection for yourself by clicking the link (right). Or if you're feeling inspired, recreate Kate's green look with a dress from the likes of Quiz, Kalita and Chi Chi London.

Others came to the Duchess' defence and pointed to the muted colour of her gown as being a subtle nod to the politically-charged dress code. The Duchess previously wore the stunning earrings during her official visit to New York in 2014, while pregnant with Princess Charlotte.

The earrings are adjustable and can either be worn as studs or drop earrings.The emerald is said to inspire 'an ongoing search for meaning, justice, compassion, and harmony' according to the experts at Crystal Vaults.