Official Visit to Sweden and Norway, January-February 2018

Official visit to Sweden and Norway,

30 January - 2 February 2018

29 January 2018 - Arriving at the British Ambassador's residence in Stockholm ahead of the start of the tour.
Mulberry double-breasted cerise coat (Expressen article - in Swedish - here).

 30 January 2018 - Attending a bandy hockey event at Vasaparken, an outdoor ice-skating venue in the centre of Stockholm, to learn more about the sport and its popularity in Sweden.
New hat: "Rain" faux fur-trimmed chunky-knit wool beanie by New York City-based accessories designer Eugenia Kim; "167 Button" white gold earrings by Asprey, debuted in February 2017; new sweater: Övik folk knit sweater in uncle blue wool by Swedish brand Fjällräven; new scarf: cashmere fine cable snood in bordeaux by Brora; new coat: "Toddingwall" shearling trench coat by Burberry; new gloves: black suede faux fur trim thermal gloves by John Lewis; black skinny jeans; new boots: black "Torino" waterproof suede, shell and leather ankle boots by Sorel (Daily Mail article here).

 30 January 2018 - Attending a welcome luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Palace, with approximately fifteen members of the Swedish Royal Court, including Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel.
Then,  accompanied by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, visiting the Nobel Museum, to meet a number of Nobel Laureates and hear more from the Museum's curator about science in Sweden and the Nobel Laureate system.
Visiting ArkDes, Sweden’s national centre for architecture and design, to attend an event celebrating architectural collaboration and the best of Swedish design, from the most iconic and global furniture brands, to up-and-coming homeware designers with new takes on sustainable furnishings.
New coat and matching dress: bespoke pieces by Catherine Walker; new handbag: black small classic grain "Mini Seaton" by Mulberry; "Vallnord" alpaca fur hat in black by Peruvian Connection, first worn on Christmas Day 2017; Kiki McDonough special edition green tourmaline, green amethyst and diamond earrings, debuted in India in April 2016 and thought to have been a present to celebrate the birth of Princess Charlotte; Tod's black suede pumps; "Halfnhalf" stretch rider boots in black suede by Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley; new collar and cuffs set: faux fur lapel collar in black and faux fur cuffs in black, both by Troy London; new gloves: unidentified black suede gloves (Daily Mail article here).

30 January 2018 - Attending a black tie dinner at the Residence of the British Ambassador, attended by members of the Swedish Royal Family, and representatives from government and popular culture, including Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, and actors Stellan Skarsgård and Alicia Vikander.
New gown: Winterbourne floral print "Stephanie" silk satin dress by Erdem (from the A/W 2017 collection); 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 and three-row pearl bracelet with pearl and diamond spacers and clasp, part of the Birthright Collection by Nigel Milne, originally belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales, both first worn in July 2017;  "Gianvito 105" pumps in bordeaux suede by Gianvito Rossi; new bag: "Celeste" crystal-embellished vino (bordeaux) suede clutch by Jimmy Choo (Daily Mail article here).

31 January 2018 - Accompanied by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, visiting the world famous Karolinska Institutet, which accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research conducted in Sweden. The visit will provide an opportunity to meet with leading scientific researchers and practitioners and also to hear about the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) programme run by the National Association for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill Health (NASP). YAM is a programme run for 14 – 16 year olds promoting increased knowledge about mental health through dialogue and role-play, and now operates internationally, including in the UK.
Later, visiting Matteusskolan, a comprehensive school in the heart of the city centre, to join children who have taken part in the YAM programme during one of their mental health activity sessions and speak to the mentors who run the training.
In the afternoon, accompanied by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, visiting one of Sweden's leading department stores, NK, to open an interactive exhibition of UK design, fashion and brands that operate in Sweden, then a private tea at Haga Palace, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel's official residence.
New coat: bespoke double-breasted houndstooth coat by Catherine Walker; new dress: bespoke bouclé-tweed wool-mix dress by Alexander McQueen; "Art Nouvelle" calfskin small flap bag with enamel handle by Chanel (from the A/W 2015 collection); Tod's burgundy leather fringe buckle detail pumps; chocolate merino wool "Imogen" gloves by Cornelia James; new earrings: baroque pearl earrings with gold wire by in2design, a US brand with Swedish ties (Daily Mail article here).

 31 January 2018 - Attending an event at the Fotografiska Gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition by UK photographer Nick Veasey and which at night boasts glittering views over Stockholm. The event will be a celebration of contemporary culture with guests representing the worlds of music, film, television, theatre, tech, dance, art and sport.
New coat: "Antonia" coat by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt; faux fur lapel collar in black and faux fur cuffs in black, both by Troy London; new dress: "Christina" blue silk and velvet bell-sleeve dress by Erdem; ankle strap suede "d'Orsay" pumps by Gianvito Rossi, debuted in Paris in March 2017; new earrings: "Celeste Aspen" diamond and white gold earrings by Robinson Pelham, part of the brand's "Oxygen" collection; black wool gloves, most likely her Cornelia James pair (Daily Mail article here).

 1 February 2018 - After a short briefing on the Swedish Armed Forces' operational capabilities from from Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, departure for Norway and arrival at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in the late morning, then welcome luncheon at the Royal Palace with  King Harald, Queen Sonja, the Crown Prince and Princess and other members of the Royal Family.
New coat: cornflower blue coat by Catherine Walker; new dress: "Marlene" maternity cocktail dress with lace bodice and velvet accents by Seraphine; Tod's black suede pumps; black suede Mulberry "Bayswater" clutch; sapphire and diamond earrings; black "Beatrice" merino wool gloves by Cornelia James (Daily Mail article here).

 

 1 February 2018 - Later in the afternoon, visiting the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park within the Palace Gardens, which opened last year in the name of Princess Ingrid Alexandra to mark the 25th anniversary of The King's reign. The sculptures, of which there are now four, are designed by and for children, through cartoon competitions in schools across the country. Then, accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, attending an event held at MESH, a co-working space for entrepreneurs and start-up companies to grow their businesses and thrive in a creative environment.  
Same coat, dress and earrings as earlier in the day; "Sumac" luxury alpaca fur hat in chocolate brown by Lacorine; "Clementine" short merino wool gloves with faux fur trim in chocolate by Cornelia James; brown suede "Muse" clutch by Stuart Weitzman at Russell & Bromley; new boots: brown suede "Halfnhalf" stretch knee-high boots by Stuart Weitzman at Russell & Bromley (Daily Mail article here).

1 February 2018 - Attending an official dinner hosted by the King and Queen at the Royal Palace.

New gown: bespoke blush pink gown with crystal flower embellishments by Alexander McQueen; new bag: "Celeste" ballet pink suede and crystal pavé frame clutch bag with cube clasp by Jimmy Choo (the same style carried in the vino colourway in Stockholm); diamond drop earrings and diamond Edinburgh Wedding Gift bracelet, both on loan from the Queen; "Cabrina" platinum lamé pumps by Oscar de la Renta (Daily Mail article here).

2 February 2018 - Visiting the Hartvig Nissen School, the second-oldest gymnasium in Oslo and the location for the hugely successful Norwegian TV series 'Skam', which highlights teenagers and the challenges young people can experience growing up, such as identity issues, bullying, relationships, sexual assault, and eating disorders. Then, a private lunch at Skaugum, the official residence of the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway.
New coat: Dolce & Gabbana wool crepe double-breasted coat; new dress: lace shift dress by Norwegian brand byTiMo; Tod's black suede pumps; black suede Mulberry "Bayswater" clutch; black "Beatrice" merino wool gloves by Cornelia James; "Empress" white gold and diamond drop earrings by Mappin & Webb (Daily Mail article here).

 2 February 2018 - Visiting the Holmenkollen ski jump and ski museum to watch a demonstration from some of Norway's top under-18 ski jumpers, before meeting them at the top of the ski jump. Then attending an event organised by the Norwegian Ski Federation, involving a number of outdoor activities for local nursery children.
New jacket: "Duana" two-tone quilted shell down jacket by Norwegian brand Kjus; black ski trousers; unidentified woolen sweater; black suede faux fur trim thermal gloves by John Lewis; black "Torino" waterproof suede, shell and leather ankle boots by Sorel; new hat: "Jasmin" beanie by Barts (Daily Mail article here).

Full tour press release available here.

Official Visit to Poland and Germany, July 2017

Official visit to Poland and Germany,

17-21 July 2017

 17 July 2017 - Arrival in Warsaw and official welcome to Poland by President Duda and the First Lady at the Presidential Palace. Visit to the to the Warsaw Rising Museum, dedicated to the uprising of 1944 which saw the Polish resistance Home Army attempt to liberate Warsaw from German occupation and is remembered as the largest single military effort by any European resistance movement during World War II.

Later, joining young Polish entrepreneurs in the Warsaw Spire building on a visit to The Heart, an international hub and business incubator with impressive panoramic views of Poland's capital which is home to a range of exciting new business start-ups. The event marks the beginning of a 'Warsaw-London bridge' initiative that aims to help small Polish businesses access London’s unique opportunities for scaling up to become global players.

New coat: Alexander McQueen ivory wool and silk-blend twill peplum coat (with matching belt); Jenny Packham "Casa" clutch in red, debuted in Canada in September 2016; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch; new jewellery: ruby (?) and diamond pendant, earrings and ring, possibly by G. Collins & Sons; "Gianvito 105" suede pumps in praline by Gianvito Rossi (Daily Mail article here).

17 July 2017 - Attending a Queen's Birthday Party hosted by the British Ambassador, Jonathan Knott, in the Orangery in Łazienki Park, the largest park in Warsaw.

New dress: white midi-length cocktail dress with architectural black detailing by Polish designer Gosia Baczynska "Eugenia" silver-tone faux pearl and crystal ear cuffs by Balenciaga and what is most likely the matching necklace, debuted in Paris in March; ankle strap suede "d'Orsay" pumps by Gianvito Rossi, also debuted during the Paris visit; black satin clutch with crystal-embellished clasp by Prada, first seen in India in April 2016 (Daily Mail article here).

18 July 2017 - Visiting the former Nazi Germany Concentration Camp, Stutthof, and meeting a group of five former prisoners. Stutthof was the first camp set up outside German borders, in September 1939, and one of the last camps liberated by the Allies.

Engagements in Gdańsk, inlcuding a visit to a street party which will provide a chance to sample Goldwasser - a Gdańsk liqueur, and traditional Polish pierogi, while watching amber craftsmen at work, and listening to local musicians and artists.

Visiting the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre, of which the Prince of Wales is Patron. During the seventeenth century there was a large English-speaking community based in Gdańsk, which made the city an important destination for travelling English players. The Shakespeare Theatre opened in 2014, and is home to the city’s annual Shakespeare Festival, attended by theatre-lovers from around the world. The visit to the theatre will include a small reception for Poles from the world of arts, culture and media. 

Visiting the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk’s shipyards, the birth-place of the Solidarity movement (Solidarność) in Poland. The visit will include a tour of the museum and meeting with founding members of Solidarity. On departure, the Duke and Duchess will walk through the iconic shipyard gates, a key symbol of the protests during the 1980s, before laying a wreath at the foot of the Solidarity Monument. 

New top and skirt: "Imari" cotton blend faille midi-length skirt in Hurst Rose print and matching top, both by Erdem; new bag: beige textured woven leather clutch bag by Etui Bags; "NearlyNude" ankle strap sandals by Stuart Weitzman; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch; new earrings and pendant: part of a matching set in yellow gold filigree and milky amber, the native gemstone of Poland and a typical product of Gdańsk, which is known as the City of Amber (Daily Mail article here).

 19 July 2017 - Departing Warsaw en route to Berlin, where the Duke and Duchess will have a private meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Visiting the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s most famous landmark and a symbol of German unification, and the Holocaust Memorial and information centre.

Visiting Strassenkinder. a charity based in the eastern district of Marzahn which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including homeless children, and meeting individuals from the Robert Enke Foundation. Set up in memory of the footballer, the organisation raises awareness of mental health issues, particularly in sport.

Meeting with President Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.

New coat: bespoke cornflower blue coat by Catherine Walker (cornflower is one of the national flowers of Germany. This is partly due to the story that when Queen Louise of Prussia was fleeing Berlin and pursued by Napoleon's forces, she hid her children in a field of cornflowers and kept them quiet by weaving wreaths for them from the flowers. The flower thus became identified with Prussia, not least because it was the same color as the Prussian military uniform. After the unification of Germany in 1871, it went on to become a symbol of the country as a whole. It was also the favourite flower of Louise's son Kaiser Wilhelm I); new dress: cornflower blue lace dress with scalloped hem, most likely also by Catherine Walker; blue topaz and diamond drop earrings in white gold by Kiki McDonough; new necklace: "Eden" blue topaz and 18ct white gold flower necklace by Kiki McDonough; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch; new bag: "Vivien" clam satin clutch by Jimmy Choo; "Gianvito 105" suede pumps in praline by Gianvito Rossi (Daily Mail articles here and here).

 19 July 2017 - Attending a Queen’s Birthday Party held in the gardens of the British Ambassador’s residence. 

New dress: off-the-shoulder shirred cotton and silk-blend crinkled-chiffon maxi dress by Alexander McQueen; new earrings: red beaded drop earrings by Simone Rocha; new shoes: Prada wavy-strap sandals in Quarzo suede (Daily Mail article here).

 20 July 2017 - Visiting Heidelberg, the oldest university town in Germany, twinned with Cambridge since 1965. Stops included a visit to the German Cancer Research Center to meet researchers and visit the stem cell research lab and a walk through the central market square, where a British-German market offering local food and drink was set up.

New dress: bespoke Jenny Packham dress in a golden yellow brocade-like fabric; new earrings: pearl sun star button earrings by Oscar de la Renta; "Fleur" espadrille wedges by Monsoon; bespoke Alexander McQueen beige suede clutch; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch (Daily Mail article here).

 20 July 2017 - Taking part in a friendly rowing competition on the River Neckar, with rowers from both Cambridge and Heidelberg.

New top: blue and white Breton top by Hugo Boss; pearl sun star button earrings by Oscar de la Renta; Superga 'Cotu' sneakers in white canvas; Ray-Ban "Wayfarer" sunglasses; navy skinny jeans; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch (Daily Mail article here). 

20 July 2017 - Attending a reception for some of the most creative, innovative, and exciting new names in the world of art, culture, style, fashion and technology in the vintage mirrored hall of Clärchens Ballhaus, which opened in 1913 and is one of the last remaining old ballrooms in Berlin.

New dress: bird print dress by German-born designer Markus Lupfer, from the brand's pre-fall 2017 collection; new belt: unidentified metallic belt; "new" bracelet: three-strand pearl bracelet likely belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales; baroque pearl double-sided earrings in gold by Soru Jewellery; new bag: plain iron pouch by Anne Grand-Clement; Prada wavy-strap sandals in Quarzo suede (Daily Mail article here).

 21 July 2017 - Departing Berlin's Hauptbahnhof en route to Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city and home to its largest harbour. Visiting the Maritime Museum on the bank of the river Elbe to celebrate the joint UK-German year of science, which this year is focused on oceans. Then visiting the Elbphilharmonie, one of the biggest concert halls in the world and renowned for its advanced acoustics, opened in January 2017, to listen to a special performance by the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. The audience will be filled with children from all corners of the city, with the aim of inspiring a new generation to develop a passion for music and perhaps play at the venue in years to come.

Then travelling by boat down the River Elbe to the final destination of the tour: Airbus. The couple will tour the complex and meet apprentices, both German and English. The Duke and Duchess will then visit the final assembly line of an A320 aircraft and view the cockpit of a near-complete plane.

New dress: bespoke lavender crepe dress by Emilia Wickstead; new bag: brick red snakeskin clutch with gold-tone hardware by Anya Hindmarch; lavender amethyst pear and oval drop earrings by Kiki McDonough, debuted in Bhutan in April 2016; Ballon Blue de Cartier watch; "Gianvito 105" suede pumps in praline by Gianvito Rossi (Daily Mail article here).

The tour press release can be found here.