Meghan and Kate's First Royal Ascots
The Duchess of Sussex made her Royal Ascot debut yesterday - but there were some striking differences between her first time at the annual races and that of her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge. Here's how the two appearances compared...
The timing
The most obvious difference in Meghan and Kate's Ascot debuts is in how long they waited to attend after their weddings. The Duchess of Sussex made her appearance exactly one month after tying the knot to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Cambridge, however, made her first appearance in 2016 (to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday), five years after marrying Prince William.
It's believed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were invited every year since their wedding in 2011, but Kate politely declined because she and her husband were focused on raising their children, according to Hello!'s royal correspondent Emily Nash.
"William and Kate's focus was on his job and the children for a while, but they've stepped up their royal duties in the past couple of years," Nash said.
The dresses
Both sisters-in-law wore white. Meghan once again entrusted Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy to create her frock - a white shirt dress with floral embroidery at the waist. She accessorised with a thin black belt, pumps and a Givenchy clutch.
Kate went for a lace ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana, which she paired with nude pumps and an L.K. Bennett basket clutch, which added a summery touch to her regal look.
The hats
Like many royal gatherings, Royal Ascot yields an impressive display of headwear. Both duchesses were sure to dress fittingly for the occasion. Meghan wore a headpiece by Philip Treacy, another one of her go-to brands, featuring a curved black-and-white design and what appear to be leather ribbon accents.
Kate went for a cream Jane Taylor headpiece adorned with ribbons, feathers, and a white rose.
The Duchess of Cambridge unfortunately missed this year's event since she's on maternity leave, but we can't wait to see both stylish Royals celebrate the event together in future years.
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