Kate Middleton made her first formal public appearance since her pregnancy was announced at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in London, where she presented two awards.
The Duchess of Cambridge walked out in an Alexander McQueen green dress matched with a striking smile as she presented chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Sebastian Coe with the Lifetime Achievement award.
She stayed on the stage throughout Sebastian Coe’s speech and was then on hand to present the Sports Personality of the Year award on to Bradley Wiggins.
Runner-up was Team GB heptathlete Jessica Ennis, who won gold in the 2012 Games, and in third place was tennis star Andy Murray, who also won gold at the London Olympics.
Kate Middleton’s decision to honor the engagement after being forced to cancel her last four public appearances is a sign that the 30-year-old is slowly recovering after spending several days in hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum earlier this month.
Aides said the duchess, a Team GB Ambassador, was keen to attend to pay tribute to the achievements of British sportsmen and women in a remarkable year for British sport.
Kate Middleton made her first formal public appearance since her pregnancy was announced at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in London, where she presented two awards
A fortnight after she fell ill with a crippling form of morning sickness, the Duchess finally made her first formal public appearance.
But sources close to Kate Middleton, less than 12 weeks pregnant, stressed that she would only attend the evening-long event at London’s ExCel for around 45 minutes before returning home to Kensington Palace, where she continues to recuperate.
Doctors have warned her that the condition can recur at any time in the first few months of pregnancy – and sometimes even beyond.
“While the Duchess does not feel ready to attend a four-hour engagement, she is keen to show her support to the UK’s sportsmen and women at this prestigious event which caps a momentous year for British sport,” said a senior royal source.
Kate Middleton attended the event alone as her husband, Prince William, has been forced to return to their rented farmhouse in Anglesey, North Wales, as he is due on duty as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot.
But the fact that the prince felt confident enough to leave her suggests that he, too, is encouraged by her recovery.
Prince William will return to London in time for Christmas but aides have yet to announce whether they plan to join the Royal Family at Sandringham, in line with tradition.
While it would be extremely unusual for the future king and his wife to miss the annual celebrations on the Queen’s Norfolk estate – including the traditional visit to church on Christmas morning – sources have indicated that Kate Middleton is “seriously” considering remaining in Berkshire with her family so she can recover in peace and be closer to hospital if she takes a turn for the worse.
Her decision will be announced in the next day or so.
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A host of high-end designers from Alexander McQueen and Prada to Victoria Beckham and Louis Vuitton have contributed to Children In Need by each designing an adorable and oh-so-chic Pudsey bear.
The 2012 Designer Pudsey Collection, which was the brainchild of Love magazine editor Katie Grand, also features stylish creations from Balenciaga, Burberry, Versace, Paul Smith and Gucci.
The adorable bears will be auctioned at Christie’s auction house on November 15 with every single penny going towards the worthwhile cause.
The iconic yellow and red Pudsey has been recreated in an array of different fabrics from suede to Swarovski crystals.
From Gucci’s equestrian Pudsey, to Burberry’s English Gentleman’s Pudsey each bear is completely unique, reflects the designer’s trademark style and gives fans an insight into trends for 2013.
Anya Hindmarch, Paul Smith and Selfridges have also created 10 inch limited edition Designer Pudsey’s, which will be sold exclusively in Selfridges from 24 October 2012.
Designer Pudsey Collection 2012
“I was honored to curate this fantastic collection, and have had such fun working with the designers on all of their amazing designs, BBC Children in Need is an incredibly worthwhile cause, and one which myself and all of the designers involved in the collection are privileged to support” said Katie Grand.
“Selfridges is delighted to support such a purposeful and creative project. It is wonderful to see such remarkable talent helping this most worthy of causes,” added Alannah Weston, Creative Director, Selfridges and Co.
“We are absolutely elated to have such prestigious designers turn Pudsey into a fashion icon once again.
“And to have Selfridges exhibit this one-off collection, allows everyone to view a piece of fashion history. A truly inspirational fundraising initiative,” said Sarah Monteith, Director of Marketing and Fundraising, BBC Children in Need.
Kate Middleton looked to have referenced tennis style from 1920 with her Wimbledon outfit choice today.
Arriving with Prince William just in time to watch Roger Federer take on Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court this afternoon, she wore a cream pleated cable knit dress by Alexander McQueen that looked as if it could have come straight from a Wimbledon kit list from the roaring Twenties.
Duchess of Cambridge accessorized the designer dress with a pair of $260 navy blue suede court shoes from LK Bennett.
It was a dress she has worn before – exactly a year ago today – when she made a trip to Prince Edward Island during her tour of Canada in 2011.
Kate Middleton looked to have referenced tennis style from 1920 with her Wimbledon outfit choice
It is a style that has also been worn previously by Sarah Jessica Parker. The Sex And The City actress wore a navy version of the dress in 2006, the year it was debuted by the British design house.
It is the first Wimbledon appearance of the year for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The royal pair’s visit comes after Carole and Michael Middleton were guests in the Royal box yesterday, and Pippa and James Middleton sat alongside Felicity Kendal and her son Jake in the prestigious seats last Friday.
Lady Gaga is understood to pay record price for a gown by her late friend Alexander McQueen.
Lady Gaga have set a new high for a McQueen, bidding £85,250 ($136,400) in a sale which saw her facing rival bids from institutions and couture collectors from around the world.
She was among bidders, from 21 countries, who paid almost half a million pounds for items from the personal collection of Daphne Guinness which was sold at Christie’s.
The lots went for four times the original estimate and the record price was for an ivory silk tulle empire line gown, entitled The Girl Who Lived In The Tree.
Another McQueen – a metallic silver mini-dress dating from 2008, the year before he committed suicide – also beat the previous record, fetching £79,250 ($126,800).
Daphne Guinness was auctioning items from her personal collection to raise funds for the Isabella Blow Foundation, which she set up in memory of her friend to support emerging fashion talent.
Lady Gaga is understood to pay record price for a gown by her late friend Alexander McQueen
The auction’s purpose was to launch and raise funds whilst supporting new and emerging talent in the sphere where art and fashion meet – a realm championed by Daphne Guinness.
With the help of Christie’s specialists, Daphne Guinness selected pieces to be auctioned from her personal wardrobe which embody her personal style, most of which were acquired by Daphne directly from the designers themselves.
Exceptional designs by the likes of McQueen, Chanel, Balenciaga, Gareth Pugh, Christopher Kane, Lanvin, Lacroix, Prada, Gucci, Alaia and others featured in the sale.
Fashionista Isabella Blow killed herself in 2007 by swallowing a bottle of weed killer, and her own extensive wardrobe – sold to settle debts on her estate – was bought in its entirety by Daphne Guinness to keep it intact.
Lady Gaga has spoken of her admiration for Daphne Guinness and Isabella Blow in the past.
She said in one interview: “Isabella and Daphne are two exceptional human beings, women, icons.
“Daphne, like Isabella, is a huge source of inspiration for me. I cherish them both. It is as if we are all cut from the same cloth.”
The top lot of the sale was a photograph of Daphne Guinness taken by Mario Testino for a 2008 British edition of Vogue magazine, which was sold for £133,250 ($213,200).
Avant-garde and quintessentially quirky British designer Alexander McQueen was found dead in his Mayfair apartment in February 2010, days before London Fashion Week.
His death shocked the fashion industry and he left a legacy behind him.
Daphne Guinness said: “This cause is close to my heart. I am genuinely touched by the response it has generated, and truly excited for the future of the Isabella Blow Foundation.
“I’m overwhelmed by how many bidders took part this evening and I’m particularly moved by Lady Gaga’s support for the foundation. I like her very much, and it’s lovely to see the nascent beginnings of something that may help other people.”
Christie’s confirmed that Lady Gaga was a bidder but was unable to provide further details of the items she purchased, but judging from Alexander McQueen’s stunning range of gowns, she left the auction with a one-of-a kind piece.
The whole collection went for £467,800 ($748,500), including buyer’s premium.
Other items on sale came from designers such as Chanel, Gareth Pugh, Lacroix, Prada and Gucci.
