Kate steals Meghan’s style! Duchess of Cambridge wears suit trousers in public for the FIRST time – just like the wide-legged ones loved by her sister-in-law
Duchess, 36, is visiting RAF Akrotiri to meet service personnel with William
Stepped off plane wearing black wide-legged trousers and a khaki blazer
Kate has worn skinny jeans on engagements but has never been seen in trousers
She recycled a Smythe blazer previously worn on her two visits to Canada
They’re said to be at loggerheads behind the scenes, but it looks as if her sister-in-law Meghan’s style influence is rubbing off on the Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate, 36, arrived in Cyprus this afternoon to visit RAF personnel, wearing a very Meghan-like ensemble of black wide-legged trousers, teamed with a white silk top and recycled khaki blazer from Canadian brand Smythe.
While the Duchess of Cambridge has previously worn dark skinny jeans and jeggings on royal engagements, this is believed to be the first time she’s ever donned black suit trousers during an official royal engagement.
Meanwhile, her sister-in-law Meghan, 37, has made the style a staple of her royal wardrobe, regularly wearing trouser suits on official engagements.
And the wide-legged style is her particular favourite, worn on multiple occasions since she took up royal duties a year ago.
Indeed, smart trousers have become something of a trademark for Meghan with the Duchess opting for a suit on evening occasions when other royals would have turned up in a dress.
However, it wasn’t a complete departure from her usual fashion for Kate today as she once again showed her thrifty side by recycling an old blazer.
Canadian brand Smythe is also popular with Meghan, although Kate has been wearing the label since long before her sister-in-law came on the scene.
The Duchess donned her trusty khaki jacket with gold buttons by Smythe, which she previously wore on the royal tour of Canada in 2016.
She looked perfectly co-ordinated, matching her khaki suede clutch bag and heels to her blazer as they touched down at RAF Akrotiri on the government’s Voyager aircraft, which is used by the Royal Family and ministers, after making the five-hour flight from the UK.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Cyprus for a whirlwind visit to bring festive cheer to RAF personnel who will be away from their families this Christmas.
‘Your work is done without fanfare’: Prince William thanks British troops for sacrifices they make over Christmas as he and Kate visit RAF base in Cyprus to deliver presents given to them by their families
During today’s visit, William gave a speech thanking RAF personnel who will be away from their families this Christmas, saying their work is done ‘without fanfare’.
William said: ‘All of this work is done without fanfare. You don’t seek praise for your contribution. It’s not about credit or recognition – for you, it’s just about service. But as we approach Christmas, Catherine and I feel strongly that praise for your work and recognition of your sacrifices is exactly what is due to you all.
‘From my time in uniform, we both know a bit of what it feels like to balance your work commitments with your family life. You all put duty first. And so do your families, some of whom we had the chance to meet yesterday at a party at Kensington Palace.
‘We know this isn’t easy for you or for your wives, husbands, children, and friends back in the UK. On behalf of everyone back home, we would like to say thank you.
‘Thank you for your commitment and thank you for your sacrifices. We are in your debt and Catherine and I feel very lucky to be able to spend time with you today.’
The couple’s special ‘Royal Mail’ flight was loaded with gifts and cards for staff from their families.
Many had been given to them yesterday at a party they threw at Kensington Palace for the wives, husbands, children and parents of men and women from RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham, who will be spending Christmas away from home.
On arriving at the base the couple had a short private briefing before going to a hangar to meet with some of the servicemen and women on the base.
They started with a group of RAF support personnel including Tina Hays, from RAF Marham, who has a son aged 12.
She told Kate: ‘I’ve been in the military for 15 years and have had several overseas deployments. But I find that the older they get, the worse it is. It’s very difficult to be away at Christmas but we try to work it around holidays and things like that. ‘
She said afterwards that the couple ‘really sympathised’ with how difficult it was.
Corporal Karl Noakes, 33, also from RAF Marham, said he had been sent pictures of his daughter Alysia, two, at yesterday’s Christmas party at the palace.
He said: ‘It’s a tough one. I’ve been away lots of times and it’s never easy but it’s very different now I am a dad. My little girl is now asking for me when we speak and even playing her mother off against me when he is playing up.
‘It’s difficult all round. I’m complete lost in admiration for what my wife, Nicole, does when I’m not they, especially work Christmas coming up. ‘
Corporal Noakes, who won’t return to his family until February, praised the duke and duchess for organising yesterday’s party, saying: ‘It meant so much to everyone. My daughter had so much fun but was shattered last night. I think they really understand what it is like for all of us.’
William and Kate chatted happily about the party. ‘There was a lot of chocolates and marshmallow consumed yesterday. The kids were running wild!’ the prince said.
‘It was lovely to see them having so much fun,’ Kate added.
‘A very merry Christmas to you all,’ said William, ‘although it feels too early to say it…but we are not going to see you. So put it on ice until the day!’
Scott Stewart, 33, from RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria spoke to William and Kate as they visited an aircraft hanger on the base shortly after arriving.
The dad of three told the royals how he was looking forward to seeing his children, aged six, three and just 26 weeks when he returns home in two weeks.
Scott, a Communications specialist with No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, said: “Having William and Kate here is a massive boost for everyone here.
“As a former serviceman himself he spoke to us about how he understands it’s hard being away from our families.
“Kate said how she thought time means so much especially in the early years so it great to have them recognise the sacrifices that we are all making here.
“I’m lucky enough to be going home for Christmas but many people won’t be.
“Everyone misses their families and friends but we’re all getting on with the job in hand and luckily I can FaceTime my children before they go to school and before bedtime and it’s the little things like that that are really important for keeping focussed out here.”
No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing is an Expeditionary Air Wing of the Royal Air Force It is currently based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and is tasked with conducting operations against the Islamic State terror organisation in Iraq and Syria.
Another soldier from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment called Jesse (wouldn’t give surname) said it was “important” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the time to travel to the base.
He said: “We’ve just come back from three months in Afghanistan where we were stationed in Kabul and now we are waiting to go home again in two weeks.
“To meet the future King of England is a huge deal for a lot of people here and it’s really appreciated.
“William said everyone back home appreciates what we do and as a former serviceman himself you get the feeling he really understands.”
Around 450 soldiers and 150 family members made the move to the Mediterranean from their base in Chester, and will stay in Cyprus for another year of a two year posting.
RAF Akrotiri is the home of the Cyprus Operations Support Unit which provides joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK’s strategic interests.
Although they are visiting an RAF base in William’s role as Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the couple’s two days of engagements have been designed as a way of recognising all the 7,500 military personnel currently serving overseas or away from home.
An aide said the prince had been very keen to do something for the RAF community for some time.
Yesterday he and Kate enjoyed a fake snowball fight at the party in the palace’s temporary Orangery cafe, played games and helped the the children make Christmas cards and treats.
The event was supported by The Royal British Legion in recognition of the sacrifices serving personnel and their families make year round, and especially when they are separated during the festive period.
The palace’s orangery café had been turned into a winter wonderland, with a fake snow machine, decorations including giant crackers and even a real life Father Christmas.
There was also a photo booth and a post box so that guests could take pictures and send messages to their loved ones in Cyprus.
Among the families there were Barrie and Ann Macdonald from Manchester who are looking after their grandson Harry, five, in Coningsby while his mum, Claire – their daughter – and dad Paul, both wing commanders, are away in Afghanistan and Cyprus respectively.
Kate paid tribute to the couple for moving in to look after Harry, whose father will not be home until January and mother until February. ‘So you are looking after Harry, are you? It’s amazing that families pull together like this,’ she said.
In a speech the duchess also spoke about life as a service wife with a husband posted abroad.
She recalled being left at home when William was serving as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, not least when he spent six weeks in the Falklands in February and March 2012.
She said: ‘William and I just wanted to pass on our huge gratitude to all of you here today. Not only are we grateful for you coming here to join our party, but also for the sacrifices you make on a daily basis on behalf of the nation.’
‘As someone whose husband has served, I know how hard it feels when a loved one leaves home to do the job they’ve trained for. When William served in the Falklands or went search and rescue, I remember how it felt.
‘But I can’t imagine how it feels when your loved ones are away on active service over Christmas or at those special family moments. ‘The absence of people you love must be especially hard at this time of year.
‘William and I, however, hope that today shows, in some small way, how much you are all valued. ‘We should never forget our military families and all the service you do for us all.’
William is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, which is home to Typhoon squadrons which deploy to Cyprus and fly operations in support of Op Shader, the UK’s contribution to the ongoing campaign against Islamic State.
They work alongside 31 Squadron, a Tornado GR4 unit based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, which is also involved with the campaign.
Source: DAILMAIL MAILONLINE
