The Button Chronicles

I did a post several days ago. It’s partly prepping for PoW and partly the fact that she is now feeling more confident and self-assured and that is being reflected in her dress and hair choices.

I think this is a permanent shift, because Sophie is being handed the “fashion” baton.

https://twitter.com/RoyalReporter/status/1365035015306948612

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/royals/countess-wessex-british-fashion-style-muse-angelina-jolie-always/

https://style.nine.com.au/latest/sophie-countess-of-wessex-british-fashion-council-london-fashion-week/eb9dfe4a-d791-4bab-b5d6-2baf2de2d286

I can’t tell you how much I love this. I’ve been longing for years for a more “professional” Kate and now it’s finally happening. And Sophie as the “fashion” royal is simply icing on the cake.

Oh, I’ll follow the pr. The Cambridges do a ton of it, but it’s a lot less dramatic than what the Harkles do.

But the fashion always follows the pr. Kate is very reliable that way. She’ll bring out the baby blues and flowy floral skirts when she’s doing nurturing “Mother Kate” pr and go back to coat dresses and pumps when she’s being “Queen Kate.” 

The question is which one will she adopt in 2021? Last year she started with “sporty Kate” in suede hats and boots. Then she did motherly dresses when Covid started, and the dresses turned into pantsuits and coats when the crisis deepened. 

This one.

https://whatkatewore.com/2012/12/16/kate-in-green-mcqueen-gown-for-awards-appearance/

No fear of that with Louise and James, imo. In a way it’s harder to sell them as “normal” since they do carriage rides around Windsor and stuff like that. 

I think the Cambridge kids will always be seen as the “middle class’ royals because that’s part of Kate’s brand. It’s just that they will necessarily be seen as “special” in a way the other royal children aren’t. Kate is aware of that, which is why we had George in shorts for so long. It also explains Nanny Maria, the monogrammed bathrobe, the fancy carriage and other such royal accoutrements. They have to be seen as approachable, but they also have to keep the mystique alive. That has always been the royal tightrope. 

In a way, yes. Sophie is already doing the feminist work Meghan was supposed to be doing, and the Wessexes are getting the “fab four” position the Harkles were supposed to get. 

However, it will become clear that the Sussexes would not have been able to carry out a supportive role at all. They just don’t have the personalities for it. 

I’ve had the same thought, not literally of course. But I do expect them to try to deflect the negativity towards Queen Cam by highlighting Kate’s ascension to PoW.

Charles will not be skipped. No way.

Now I'm really curious how this plan would have work if harkles were still around. They don't have that kind of family loving image, we haven't seen archie at all.

Do you think that they were planning to have that family image for the harkles in their pre-covid plan?

I doubt it. I think Sophie and Edward don’t want them too.

However, I think they will be featured more, which I know is a bit contradictory. However, I think the Wessexes will be used as a foil for Will and Kate. As the Cambridges become more royal, the Wessexes will be portrayed as the more “normal” members of the family.

I like them. They’re not overly fancy and very versatile. I think they are a good choice for her. I have no idea if they are comfortable or not. They probably are, given how often she wears them.

Tenth wedding anniversary, Louis starts nursery school, Pippa has a baby, and the Queen turns 95. This should be a huge year for the Cambridges, particularly for Kate who has been not-so-stealthily transitioning into her Princess of Wales persona through a focus on Queen-like coats.

https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a34891545/kate-middleton-coats-royal-train-tour-photos/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9041369/Kate-Middletons-93-000-coat-ure-Duchess-rainbow-designer-delights-adds-to.html

Ambitious projects of national importance.

https://www.npg.org.uk/hold-still/hold-still-gallery/

https://people.com/royals/kate-middletons-emotional-chat-with-nurse-who-took-iconic-photograph-for-the-royals-picture-project/

And a couple of overt passing-of-the-torch moments from HM.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a34907656/cambridges-pose-with-queen-and-prince-charles/

The People magazine article on the upcoming year features the Cambridges’ Christmas card which was very casual and intimate. However, I feel that card is a bit misleading. The post-Balmoral Cambridges pivoted towards formality in their UK tour and they supersize their national and international profiles through the Earthshot and Hold Still projects. I think they will carry that to the next year and we will see a lot more coats and (hopefully!) some major royal bling in the next year as they grow into their POW roles. The kids are also getting a starring role now, not surprising given that they are older and Covid and Brexit make this a critical time for the monarchy and the country. It’s all hands on deck for the Windsors right now.

I don’t think that was the original plan, btw. I think the plan was to slowly transition Kate into a motherly supporting role through the Early Years project with Cam getting a more high-profile role. I bet Kate thought she’d spend 2020 cuddling kids in loose floral dresses. However, Covid, The Crown and Brexit put an end to that, and the Norfolk housewife skirts evolved into a 1940s homefront look, then into professional suits, and finally into Queen-like coats. Duchess Catherine in 2020 is one of the most fascinating fashion stories I’ve seen in decades.  I’m impressed by how quickly and efficiently they shifted focus, and I’m hoping to write a post about it soon.

I’m also looking forward to seeing how they position Sophie (and maybe Louise!). Going by the visual so far, she will be a major player. I wonder if they will give her the motherly supporting role Kate was supposed to play. Hmmmm.

My predictions for 2021 are more coats, more British brands, and more soothing patriotic blue. Also lots of patriotic-lite events related to national landmarks or commemorations. I feel 2021 will be used to create a new post-Brexit UK brand and the Cambridges will be a big part of that effort. I bet they are trying to plan at least two tours for them. However, that’s going to depend on the vaccine rollout.

We should get some kind of meaningful accessory like the tiara-like headbands too, and I’m hoping for a piece of royal jewelry, hopefully something from the Queen Mum or Queen Alexandra (who I feel Kate feels affinity for). I’d love to see some Alexandra-like pearls. Maybe a return of the diamond-and-pearl necklace? I also feel like we’ll get a lot of McQueen, some of it recycled (maybe the green dress I love will finally make a triumphant return), and perhaps some Launer? I’m also wondering if the florals will be swapped for plaids and tweeds, as a nod to national unity and patriotism. We saw a lot of plaid during the UK tour.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a24122924/kate-middleton-diamond-pearl-necklace-queen-alexandra/

There will likely be a lot of “family” press, as they strive to put up a united front. The Cambridges and the Wessexes seem to be the forefront of that pr drive. They’ll have lots of opportunities to play happy families this year. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9077177/William-Kate-mingle-Edward-Sophies-family-group-nine.html

Anyhow, here are some fun Hello! magazine predictions. It’s going to be a great year for royal-watching. Enjoy!