Hello, hello and happy almost end of summer. Who would have thought that Labor Day would come so soon? We begin with the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales attended church services on Sunday. The couple joined the King and Queen in Crathie ChurchBalmoral local parish church in Scotland.
Several mainstream media stories say Prince George also attended the service with his parents. Hello information Other royals in attendance included “the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, James, Earl of Wessex, and Sir Tim Laurence.” More information on the links between the royal family and the church can be found at This post on the church site.
It was to this church that Queen Victoria went in 1848 on her arrival at Balmoral Castle. Thus began the custom, which continues to this day, of members of the royal family and their guests worshipping with local inhabitants in the parish church. Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone of the present church in 1893 and the new church was completed and opened in 1895. Funds for the new building were raised by subscriptions and donations from parishioners and members of the public. A donation of £2000 was made by Queen Victoria’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Louise, who raised the money at a bazaar held in the grounds of Balmoral Castle.
The photographs were very limited. Hello It has photos, just like the Daily Mail. Below is a Sunday post on social media from Mail.
King Charles and Kate Middleton were spotted together in public for the first time since Trooping the Colour as they attended Sunday service at Crathie Kirk with their family, after both battled cancer diagnoses. https://t.co/8JqBhpDnMu image.twitter.com/fdWlklNkKV
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) August 25, 2024
The princess appeared to be wearing an outfit almost identical to the one she wore when she attended church at Crathie Kirk last August. Her coat looks like Holland Cooper’s. Marlborough Long Trench Coat (£849, approximately $1120 at current exchange rates).
She also brought back the Hicks and Brown Suffolk Fedora Hat ($155) seen last year.
The Princess’s earrings appear to be in the Dina style (no longer available) from Sézaneshown here when used on a previous occasion.
Now for part two of today’s post, a look at ways to create your own replicas or ask a seamstress or tailor to make one for you. The original suggestion for this post came from a comment Nancy left at the end of May and it’s been fun putting it together.
We’ll start with one of the most well-received dresses the Princess of Wales has ever worn, the one-shoulder Alexander McQueen design that debuted at the 2019 BAFTAs. One way to replicate the look is via Butterick’s Pattern B5987 (Prices started at $5.20 when I ordered) a search on Etsy). The pattern also offers it various sellers on eBay (Prices vary.) In the montage below, on the right, I show the original McQueen dress that served as the basis for the princess’s look.
Roland Mouret’s off-the-shoulder ‘Nansen’ gown worn to a gala at Kensington Palace has long been a favourite of many. McCall’s Pattern M786 ($15.36) offers a great way to create your own version of the style.
The link above is to purchase the pattern from Joann. It is also available On Amazon ($9.25), as well as on Etsy ($7.95) and from a variety of vendors on eBay (prices vary).
If you are very brave and not intimidated by an intricate design, Vogue 1982 offers the chance to opt for the style of the cape-effect dress Jenny Packham wore to the state dinner in November 2022. I say “brave” because I have been sewing since childhood, and I imagine the cape element can be an intricate part of the design. The pattern is available from a number of retailers. eBay Sellers and also of Etsy Sellers.
This Wedding guest dress pattern ($3.12 on sale, normally $12.50) from La Verart Design It’s a digital download that seems an acceptable alternative to Jenny Packham’s much-loved teal dress, first worn at Team GB’s 2012 pre-Olympic gala.
For those interested in making their own version of the Dress by Roland Mouret ($1300) used at the premiere of Top Gun, the Emma dress pattern ($1400) is an option.
Creating a basic dress with embellished fabrics (sequins, beads, crystals, oh my!) can be so much fun. McCall’s 8038 offers a starting point with a scooped neckline and clean lines. It’s priced at just $6.50. on EtsyIt’s $15.36 in Joannand $19.95 On Amazon.
He Suzannah London The shirt dress worn to an outdoor gathering at Sandringham was a popular look. Vogue Pattern 1783 ($22.40 in Joann$11.16 on Etsy) provides a good starting point for copying that style, although you will need to remove some of the volume from the sleeves as shown in the pattern.
We know how much the princess loves a fit and flare silhouette. McCall’s 7313 offers the chance to recreate that style. The pattern is available for just $4 on eBayfrom $6.50 on Etsyand is also offered in Amazon ($9.77).
Other fit and flare patterns with potential: New Look 6567 (from $6.95) on Etsy$8.99 On Amazon$12.95 at Walmart) and Simplicity 9176 ($8.48) On Amazonfor only $9.99 on eBayfrom $5.86 on Etsy).
The princess also appreciates a classic tube silhouette, and Butterick 6849 offers it in two basic designs. It’s available for $7.95 on Etsystarts at $2.50 on eBayIt is $12.27 On Amazonand sells for $15.36 in Joann.
McCall’s 8268 is a vintage pattern that offers both a sheath style and fitted and flared designs; I found it for $7 on Etsy and $11.99 on eBayMcCall’s 7085 also offers a basic style with princess seams. It costs just $7.99. on Etsystarts at $7.50 on eBayand is priced at $9.56 on Amazon.
Two more possibilities come through EtsyOn the left, a Tube dress pattern ($3.50) available via digital download from the seller Witeson patternsOn the right, the Women’s dress pattern ($8.12) from SewCADIt does not copy a specific dress, but rather has design elements seen in many of the Princess’s coat dresses and regular dresses.
I’ll end the post with two oldies but goodies, the first is the Butterick pattern that replicates the princess’s wedding dress. It’s available at various sellers on Etsy; Also offered On Amazon.
And the second is the Butterick Pattern ($12.99 at eBay, $10 on Etsy) for a dress very similar to the McQueen dress worn by Pippa Middleton Matthews at her sister’s wedding. The pattern is also available from various eBay sellers.
One word of caution if you buy patterns through eBay and Etsy: make sure the patterns include the sizes you want and are complete. If they are antique or vintage, it is best to buy patterns that are described as “uncut.”
