William and Kate returned to work on Wednesday following the end of the official royal mourning period. The pair visited both north and south Wales to champion charities and showcase local community groups. Kate looked vibrant in a red coat by L.K. Bennett.
Kate Middleton’s recent choice to wear a bold hue during their visit to Wales is a delightful nod to the country’s national color, showcasing her thoughtful approach to fashion. It’s refreshing to see her in vibrant colors, especially after a period of predominantly wearing black following the passing of Queen Elizabeth on September 8. As a blogger, I can appreciate the desire to highlight her brighter outfits!
This visit marked the couple’s first trip to Wales since being bestowed the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales by King Charles just two weeks prior. William and Kate aimed to connect with different communities and learn about the vital work of key charities throughout the nation.
Their day began on Anglesey, an island in North Wales where they lived for three years from 2010 to 2013. This location holds special significance for the couple, as they spent the early years of their marriage there and brought their son, Prince George, home to Anglesey after his birth in 2013. It’s often noted that they felt they could “be themselves” on the island and enjoy a more normal lifestyle, making this return a meaningful experience for them.
The couple began the visit at the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station—the place William and Kate conducted their first ‘official’ joint engagement in February 2011, just a couple of months before they were due to get wed. I imagine this was by design!
Back in 2011, the princess-in-waiting christened a lifeboat wearing a Katherine Hooker coat and Aquatalia booties.
There was no smashing of champagne bottles today. Four-year-old Theo Crompton (see video below) presented the couple with a posy of flowers before they met with crew and volunteers from the lifeboat station.
Holyhead is one of the three oldest lifeboat stations on the Welsh coast and has a remarkable history of bravery, having received 70 awards for gallantry.
William and Kate walked to the nearby Holyhead Marine and Café Bar to meet locals and representatives of small businesses and organisations, including the Coastguard and Sea Cadets.
Then, it was time for the Prince and Princess to travel to down to Swansea in the south of Wales.
Here, the couple visited St Thomas Church, a re-developed church in Swansea that supports people in the local area and across the city and county.
The church has become a thriving community hub and home to a vast array of services, including a food bank, facilities for the homeless, a not-for-profit café and community training kitchen, and a surplus food distribution network. Swansea Baby Basics—a baby bank—is also located in the church.
Kate Middleton’s continued involvement with Baby Basics highlights her commitment to raising awareness for this vital charity that provides essential items for parents and families in need. Over the years, she has played a crucial role in mobilizing support, such as convincing nineteen British brands and retailers to donate over 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks across the country.
Her dedication was evident during her visits to various baby banks, including a notable appearance at Baby Basics in West Norfolk in August 2020 and another in London in June 2022, where she helped move boxes at Baby Basics Sheffield. For those unfamiliar, a baby bank offers free services, providing everything from baby clothes to prams and toys to families who are struggling.
During their recent visit to Swansea, William and Kate engaged with volunteers from local initiatives based in the church and met members of the public who gathered outside to see them. A press release from Kensington Palace noted the couple’s deep affection for Wales, emphasizing their commitment to the region.
Royal Editor Roya Nikkhah from The Sunday Times confirmed that the couple plans to visit Wales again before Christmas, which is exciting news for fans. For anyone interested, she mentioned that there are currently “no plans for a grand investiture like Prince William’s father had when he became Prince of Wales.”
Now, let’s delve into Kate’s outfit from this event!
Kate Middleton’s Outfit in Wales Today:
As I wrote at the top of the post, the Princess wore a bold red coat by L.K. Bennett. It’s named the Spencer coat.
She looked polished in the smart red coat. The coat has three statement elements: the oversized collar, the golden snaffle (hardware) on the pocket and the golden dome buttons along the front and cuffs. It’s a single-breasted design and features a tailored silhouette.
The coat is from L.K. Bennett’s Conscious collection. It’s made from recycled wool. The Princess has gravitated towards sustainable and slow brands of late. L.K. Bennett used responsible manufacturing processes to craft the coat. I am certain this will have factored into Kate’s decision-making.
You can buy the coat from LKBennett.com for £599.
L.K. Bennett Spencer Coat in Red
EXACT MATCH – Boss your work wardrobe wit this red L.K. Bennett coat. This showstopper will elevate your outfits this autumn/winter. It has timeless appeal but the gold detailing and oversized collar give it a modern twist. You’ll be wearing this coat for years. Pst….Take a cue from Kate and pair yours with a sleek black handbag.
It’s lovely to see Kate return to wearing L.K. Bennett. The Princess wore a lot by the British brand in the early years of her marriage.
Kate re-wore the black crewneck sweater from the PACT visit in February. We suspect it’s from Boden. The ribbing on the neckline is pretty similar. This is, of course, not confirmed.
Kate Middleton’s choice to wear Boden reflects her ongoing affinity for the brand, having worn several of their pieces over the years. The black cashmere sweater she sported is a chic and sophisticated addition to her wardrobe, showcasing Boden’s reputation for quality and style. Priced at $170 on bodenusa.com, it’s a classic staple, though it’s sold out on boden.co.uk (originally £115). However, shoppers can still find it available in charcoal grey and chinchilla brown.
Boden is well-regarded for its vibrant colors, striking prints, flattering fits, and excellent tailoring, making it a favorite among many style-conscious individuals, including Kate.
In addition to her cozy cashmere sweater, Kate repeated her wide-leg ‘Axon’ trousers by Roland Mouret. These trousers are known for their mock front pockets, side zip, and elegant pressed creases that enhance their tailored appearance. Together, this outfit demonstrates Kate’s ability to blend comfort with a polished look, perfect for her royal engagements.
Earlier this year, the trousers retailed for £786 / $864 at Atterley. Sadly, they’re sold out now. I thought this pair by Joseph was a good alternative for anybody wanting to copy Kate’s look.
I can’t say Roland Mouret is one of Kate’s go-to brands. But she has worn five dresses (and these trousers) by the designer, in public, during the last decade.
Kate brought back her Grace Han ‘Small Love Letter’ bag for her visit to Wales.
The elegant bag features an envelope closure, top handle, and is crafted from black leather with a detachable strap and gold-tone hardware. Grace Han offers this design in various sizes and colors.
Over the past two years, the Princess has been seen carrying the black bag to several engagements, often styled with red or dark outfits during autumn and winter.
Grace Han is a relatively new brand established in February 2019 in Knightsbridge, London, by founder and designer Grace Han, who grew up in Taiwan and has spent most of her life in London.
Vogue describes the bag as “sleek” and “compact yet capacious.” The Princess also re-wore her Russell and Bromley 100 Point Block Heel Court Shoes, which she debuted during a recent visit to ATC Pirbright.
The shoes feature a 10cm blade block heel and a sharply pointed toe. Russell & Bromley describe the style as “elevated“, and “an enhanced take on the classic court shoe”.
They’re made from black leather. RRP: £245 russellandbromley.co.uk.
Kate chose gold earrings from a Welsh brand for her visit to the country. They’re the Spells of Love Alia Hoops.
The Princess regularly wears the earrings for visits to the country.
The handcrafted hoops are made from 18k recycled gold plated brass. You can preorder at spellsoflove.co.uk for £79.
Finally, Kate wore her black belt, which we believe is from BA&SH.
We first spotted her wearing it in 2019. She’s worn it to a handful of public engagements since.