What Will the Duchess of Cambridge Wear in New York?

The Duchess of Cambridge in Diane von Furstenberg. Photo By Yui Mok/PA Wire/Press Association Image

By Nina Jones

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hit New York next week, it’s likely that much of the buzz will be around what Kate — who is around five months’ pregnant with the couple’s second child — chooses to wear over the three-day trip. During the visit, Kate’s engagements run from the worthy — a visit to a child development center — to the glam, as in an event celebrating British talent in the creative industries and a dinner for the 600th anniversary of St. Andrews University, the Cambridges’ alma mater, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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But no matter how high-octane the occasion, Kate is unlikely to opt for directional maternity looks, à la Kim Kardashian at the Met Ball. During her last pregnancy, the duchess stuck to a wardrobe of simple, flattering designs — many of which weren’t even maternitywear. They included swingy, A-line coats by Alexander McQueen and Mulberry, an Emilia Wickstead Empire-line dress, Erdem shift dresses and Max Mara wrap dresses. And during the early stages of her second pregnancy, Kate has worn similarly unfussy pieces, such as a Temperley London black cobweb knit dress, which she donned for a London gala, and a black Diane Von Furstenberg gown with lace sleeves, which she wore last month to London’s Royal Variety Performance fund-raiser. Meanwhile, a powder-blue Jenny Packham gown was the choice for an awards ceremony in October.

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Another factor that’s likely to influence the duchess’ wardrobe? During royal tours, she’s tended to make a diplomatic nod to the host country with some rather literal sartorial choices. On a trip to Canada, she wore a red hat with a maple-leaf motif, while, in Singapore, she wore a Jenny Packham dress embroidered with orchids, the country’s national flower. Also during the Singapore visit, she wore a dress by Prabal Gurung, who was born in the country. So, it’s likely that along with a dash of red, white and blue, some U.S. designers may well feature in Kate’s New York costume changes. Hello, Ralph Lauren?

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