Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Kate dresses for Wimbledon of yesteryear as she wears vintage tennis style to watch from Royal box (but it is by Alexander McQueen, of course)


  • Previously wore £1,100 cable knit dress on tour of Canada in July last year
  • Dress is from design house's 2006 collection and was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker six years ago
By Deborah Arthurs

When it comes to her appearance, no one could ever accuse the Duchess of Cambridge of failing to make the proper effort.
Always impeccably turned out, Kate has an undeniable flair for fashion and frequently dresses as the occasion demands, whether it be top-to-toe red for Canada day, or a green coat for St Patrick's Day.
So it is no surprise that Kate looked to have referenced tennis style from 1920 with her outfit choice today. Arriving with William just in time to watch Roger Federer take on Youzhny on Centre Court this afternoon, she wore a cream pleated cable knit dress by Alexander McQueen that looked as if it could have come straight from a Wimbledon kit list from the roaring Twenties.
After Federer dispatched with his Russian rival in straight sets, the royals were in for a far tenser match as British hope Andy Murray took on Spain's David Ferrer.
Inevitably the Scotsman lost the first set but turned it around to win the next three and march in to the semi-finals where he will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

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Tennis ace: Kate wore a cream knit Alexander McQueen dress for her appearance in the Royal box
Tennis ace: Kate wore a cream knit Alexander McQueen dress for her appearance in the Royal box
Tennis ace: Kate wore a cream knit Alexander McQueen dress for her appearance in the Royal box. It was a dress she has worn before - but this time the style was well-pitched for the sporting event
Worried: Kate looks downcast as Ferrer holds his serve to take the first game 40-0
Murray mania: Kate looked worried today as Spain's David Ferrer held his serve to take the first game 40-0
Tense: The strain of the Murray match is getting to Kate, and she gasps as the action hots up
Close call! Kate looks to be willing the British player on
Tense: The strain of the Murray match soon got too much for Kate, and she gasped as the two battled it out ont he court

Feeling the pressure: As Murray battled it out in the second set, Kate looked increasingly strained
Feeling the pressure: As Murray struggled to gain a lead on his opponent, Kate looked increasingly strained
Still grim-faced, she applauds as Murray takes a point back from his rival
Still grim-faced, she applauds as Murray, who lost five points in quick succession in the first set, takes a point back from his rival 
She accessorised the designer dress with a pair of £165 navy blue suede court shoes from LK Bennett.
It was a dress she has worn before - exactly a year ago today - when she made a trip to Prince Edward Island during her tour of Canada in 2011.
It is the first Wimbledon appearance of the year for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The royal pair's visit comes after Carole and Michael Middleton were guests in the Royal box yesterday, and Pippa and James Middleton sat alongside Felicity Kendal and her son Jake in the prestigious seats last Friday.
Good company: The duchess sat in the row in front of Anthony and Jane Henman, parents of former British tennis player Tim Henman
Good company: The duchess sat in the row in front of Anthony and Jane Henman, parents of former British tennis player Tim Henman

Game on: Just like the Middleton family, Kate and William are keen tennis fans and attended the tournament last year too
Game on: Just like the Middleton family, Kate and William are keen tennis fans and attended the tournament last year too - when Kate took part in a Mexican wave
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited last week, meeting Andy Roddick and Tim Henman. It was Charles's first visit to the championship since 1970.
Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat on the front row of the Royal Box - William next to Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Club, and Kate next to his wife, Gill.
They watched intently as Federer took on Youzhny, occasionally whispering to each other, and making conversation with Mr and Mrs Brook.
The match was delayed after just 24 minutes as drizzle hit SW19, and then again in the fourth set around 7pm with Andy Murray leading two sets to one.
Also on the front row of the Royal Box today were tennis couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
Other guests were television sports presenter Des Lynam with his partner, Rosemary Diamond, with veteran broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson and wife Mary.
Royal guests: The pair arrived to watch Federer take on Youzhny on Centre Court today
Royal guests: The pair arrived at lunchtime to watch Swiss Federer take on Russian player Youzhny on Centre Court
The knitted dress was a wise choice given the chill in the air today
The knitted dress was a wise choice given the chill in the air today
Wool dressed: The knitted outfit was a wise choice given the chill in the air today
England manager Roy Hodgson, recently returned from the Euro 2012 tournament, and his wife Sheila were also in the box.
After his match, Federer revealed he had met William and Kate.
'I met Kate for the first time. William I've met before after Australia,' he said.
'They were very nice, very friendly. I was very happy to meet them.
'Royals coming out, I think it's inspiring. It's great for the event. It's great for Wimbledon. It's great for the club. It's great for the players.
'It's nice to see that the Royal Box is always full, as well. It's never empty for us. And if it is, you know they're going to come back shortly.
'They're not here just to drink champagne and tea in the back. They really do come for the tennis.

'We feel that on Centre Court, and I do feel that. That's probably one of the reasons why I play well on Centre Court.'

Video: A rare glimpse of Kate and Wills in the audience at Wimbledon

 


That's entertainment: The young looked to be enjoying the game between Roger Federer and Mikhail Youzhny today
That's entertainment: The young looked to be enjoying the game between Roger Federer and Mikhail Youzhny today
Best seats in the house: The two sat in the same seats as Kate's mother Carole sat in yesterday, and Pippa and James last week
Best seats in the house: The two sat in the same seats as Kate's mother Carole sat in yesterday, and Pippa and James last week
Tense: Kate bites her llip as she watches the Murray match
Yikes: A close call causes a sharp intake of breath
Thrilling: the Duchess chews her lip with nerves and a close call causes a sharp intake of breath

Close game: Kate reacts as she watches a particularly tense moment in the match
Sharing a joke with her neighbour in the Royal box
Close game: Kate reacts as she watches a particularly tense moment in the match and smiles broadly a little later
Enjoying the match: Federer commented after his game how much the presence of the Royals lifts the atmosphere on Centre Court
Enjoying the match: Federer commented after his game how much the presence of the Royals lifts the atmosphere on Centre Court

Good times: The royal two appeared to be having a great day in SW19
Good times: The royal two appeared to be having a great day in SW19

Greetings: William chats to Steffi Graf, just one among a number of former tennis pros in the Royal box today
Greetings: William chats to Steffi Graf, just one among a number of former tennis pros in the Royal box today

Steffi and William greeted one another warmly before enjoying the match
The two greeted one another warmly before enjoying the match
Champs: Tennis sweethearts Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff enjoy the warm up
Champs: Tennis sweethearts Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff enjoy the warm up

Memory lane: Sporty Agassi and his wife are used to being on the other side of the royal box
Memory lane: Sporty Agassi and his wife are used to being on the other side of the royal box



HAVEN'T WE SEEN THAT DRESS SOMEWHERE BEFORE?

The £1,1000 Alexander McQueen cable knit dress comes from the British design house's 2006 collection - when the late founder Alexander McQueen was still at the helm.
Sarah Jessica Parker wore the style the year it was shown on the catwalk, while Kate caused a stir in the fashion world when she wore it a full six years afterwards.
It was exactly a year ago today that she wore the McQueen garment - on a visit to Prince Edward Island last year during the tour of Canada she embarked upon with William just a few months after the Royal Wedding.
A familiar style: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker wore a navy version of the dress in 2006
A familiar style: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker wore a navy version of the dress in 2006
A familiar style: Kate wore the dress exactly a year ago today - with the same navy suede LK Bennett pumps she is wearing today - while actress Sarah Jessica Parker wore a navy version of the dress in 2006



KATE'S STYLE INSPIRATION?
Vintage: Did Kate take style tips from tennis stars of yesteryear including French player Suzanne Lenglen, in action at Wimbledon in 1924
Vintage: Did Kate take style tips from tennis stars of yesteryear including French player Suzanne Lenglen, in action at Wimbledon in 1924

Snap! Twenties tennis players wore the same pleats and tie-neck that Kate is sporting today
Snap! Twenties tennis players wore the same pleats as Kate's, and their jumpers tied at the neck reflect Kate's neck tie today


WHAT THE OTHER ROYALS WERE UP TO TODAY...

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may have made the most high profile appearance of the day, but this was by far a day off for the rest of the senior Royals.
Lately it seems as though not a day goes by without an engagement for the Queen, who at 86 seems to be working harder than ever before.
The Queen and Prince Philip were in Scotland where they attended a Glasgow Cathedral service as part of the ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Smiling despite the rain: The Queen leaves Glasgow Cathedral with Revd Dr Laurence Whitley after attending a service of thanksgiving to mark her Diamond Jubilee
Smiling despite the rain: The Queen leaves Glasgow Cathedral with Revd Dr Laurence Whitley after attending a service of thanksgiving to mark her Diamond Jubilee

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh in Glasgow this afternoon
The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh in Glasgow this afternoon
The two enjoyed a performance from the Glasgow Youth Choir - including among their number former X Factor singer, Gamu.
As for Camilla and Charles, the two are currently enjoying a four day tour of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles to celebrate Charles' 60 years as Duke of Cornwall.
The two made an appearance in Newquay today where they paid a visit to the local Air Ambulance facilities.
The Cornish WI were on hand to provide refreshments - which Camilla enjoyed with great gusto.
Paying tribute: The Duchess of Cornwall today paid a visit to the Cornish Air Ambulance centre as part of a tour celebrating 60 years of Prince Charles holding the title of Duke of Cornwall
Paying tribute: The Duchess of Cornwall today paid a visit to the Cornish Air Ambulance centre as part of a tour celebrating 60 years of Prince Charles holding the title of Duke of Cornwall

vTime for tea: The duchess has cake with the the local WI on her visit to the Air Ambulance facilities
Time for tea: The duchess has cake with the the local WI on her visit to the Air Ambulance facilities


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