Official visit to Belgium
for the 100th anniversary of Passchendaele,
30-31 July 2017
30 July 2017 - Attending the Last Post ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial alongside the King and Queen of the Belgians, two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the gate and representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. Later, visiting the Market Square in Ypres for an event that will tell the story of the four years of war on the Salient with performances and music set to a backdrop of light projections onto the historic Cloth Hall.
Bespoke Alexander McQueen fit and flare coat, first worn to Princess Charlotte's christening in July 2015; "Marisabel" hat by Sylvia Fletcher for John Lock & Co. in a bespoke colour, debuted at Trooping the Colour in 2015; plain iron pouch by Anne Grand-Clement; "Eugenia" silver-tone faux pearl and crystal ear cuffs by Balenciaga and what is likely the matching pearl brooch, first seen at Trooping the Colour in 2014; new shoes: possibly the Emmy London "Rebecca" in cinder grey kid suede or the Gianvito Rossi "Gianvito 105" in lapis goat leather (Daily Mail article here).
31 July 2017 - Attending commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Tyne Cot Cemetery to mark the centenary of the first day of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres, with the Prince of Wales and the King and Queen of the Belgians.
New coat: "Melrose" coatdress in dusty pink Venetian wool with hand-appliqué taupe corded lace by Catherine Walker; "Fleur" straw beret by Jane Taylor, first worn in Belgium in August 2014 to a First World War centenary commemoration, re-trimmed with an organdy ribbon; Collingwood pearl and diamond earrings, a wedding present to Diana, Princess of Wales, from Collingwood Jewelers and part of the late Princess's private jewelry collection; "new" brooch: pearl and diamond leaf brooch on loan from the Queen; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch; "Raso" peach satin box clutch by Prada; new shoes: Gianvito Rossi praline suede pumps in the 3.5″-90mm heel version (Daily Mail article here).
