She is soon to give birth but the Duchess of Cambridge today showed that she is still the high street style queen.
Wearing a £169 Hobbs dalmatian-print coat, Kate performed her last solo engagement before her baby is born to launch the Royal Princess cruise ship at Southampton docks. She wore the coat over a cream thigh-length flapper dress and chose a hat from her favourite milliner Jane Taylor.
Amid blustery conditions, she said: “I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her.” She then pulled a lever to send the traditional bottle of champagne smashing against the ship’s hull.
She joined an illustrious list of Princess Cruises “godmothers”, including Princess Diana who named the original Royal Princess in 1984. Others include Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Baroness Thatcher.
As rain threatened, she sat opposite the £490 million ship in a grandstand with guests associated with charities linked with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry.
The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth, accompanied by the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, gave a military flavour to the start of the ceremonies. They lined Kate’s route to her seat after playing rousing tunes such as Pomp And Circumstance, sea shanties and a march called HMS Queen Elizabeth. Spectators were from Kate’s charity, the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices; Skill Force, which has William as its figurehead, and Harry’s organisation WellChild.
The Royal Princess, built near Venice, was also blessed in the ceremony. The 3,600-passenger ship features a glass-bottomed walkway which extends 28ft beyond the edge of the ship. It will set sail for its maiden voyage on Sunday.
On Saturday, Kate is expected to attend Trooping the Colour with other members of the Royal Family.
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