The Duchess of Cambridge sure does have the golden touch, and we don’t mean the adoration she inspires in everyone who meets her. Once again, Kate has prompted a royal buying spree.
During a visit to Liverpool on Tuesday, she wore a brown wool coat by British retailer Hobbs, which sold out within hours, although the chain declined to say how many it had in stock at the time. But fear not, you may still be able to get your hands on the £182, or $285, “Unlimited Celeste Flared Coat.” While earlier it was listed as not in stock, the website now says that more are due in this week. Hobbs even ships to the U.S. for an extra £20, or $31.
The knee-length chestnut brown coat features a leather belt around the waist, as well as around the wrists. Under it, she wore a black turtleneck dress, black tights and high black suede heels.
"We are delighted to see our designers getting recognition for their creative talent and the Hobbs brand credentials," said chairman Iain MacRitchie. "With the U.K.'s strength and depth of contemporary British designer fashion it is fantastic to see this important industry increasingly getting a worldwide profile."
The newlywed was left celebrating Valentine’s Day alone, while her husband William is on duty in the Falklands as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. But she was not left without flowers, thanks to 8-year-old Jaqson Johnston-Lynch, who presented her with a bouquet and a cupcake.
Kate’s visit to the northern city was her second major solo appearance in a week. Last Wednesday, she attended the opening of the Lucian Freud exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, of which she is a patron.
While in Liverpool she visited a children’s hospital and a non-alcoholic bar, part of the Action on Addiction project, another of her charities. While at the bar, she drank a smoothie named after her called The Duchess.
Rachel Elbaum is a London-based writer and unashamed royals watcher.
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