She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to dressing for the occasion, and today the Duchess of Cambridge got it right again as she attended a memorial service for victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The pregnant mother-of-two, 35, looked understated but elegant in a black coat with silver buttons, thought to be custom made to accommodate her growing bump, and a simple black hat as she joined William and Harry at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Kate teamed her ensemble with a pair of black suede block-heeled shoes that have been her go to of late, as a sturdy footwear option during her pregnancy.
The blaze at the 24-storey tower in June killed 71 people and injured a further 70, while making hundreds homeless and is believed to have been started by a faulty fridge-freezer before spreading rapidly.
More than 1,500 people are thought to be attending today, around half of which are bereaved families and survivors while the other half includes members of the wider community, volunteers and first responders.
And earlier this week, Kate presented volunteers and community workers with a letter from herself, William and Harry praising their efforts, as well as comforting survivors and doling out Christmas presents to young people and mothers affected by the blaze.
The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant in a custom-made black coat with silver-buttons as she attended the Grenfell Tower Memorial Service at St Paul’s Cathedral this morning
Kate teamed her ensemble with a simple black hat and wore gloves to ward off the winter chill
Kate visited the Rugby Portobello Trust at its community centre in North Kensington, which has been a key institution for survivors of the blaze, helping to distribute much-needed donated funds to families who lost everything in the fire.
The Duchess sympathised with the plight of the community and praised the work of the trust, telling a group of youngsters in a music therapy workshop: ‘It’s amazing for all of you to have this support, particularly at such a difficult, such a tragic time.’
During the hour-long visit, Kate also met privately with families who had loved-ones in the fire that struck in June this year.
And she presented a letter from herself, William and Harry, which praised the community for working ‘tirelessly’ in ‘the aftermath of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower’.
It added: ‘Every member of your team – from cooks to youth workers, fundraisers to teachers and army of volunteers – has dedicated themselves to supporting the community.’
The letter, which was in a frame, ended: ‘We know how crucial your efforts have been at a time of overwhelming grief and sadness.’
Leone Buncombe, from Kensington, who works on the centre’s new homes team, said: ‘It’s really just nice to have that appreciation.
‘Obviously we’ve been working hard because it’s just the right thing to do. ‘We’re part of the community so we’re making sure that we’re staying and helping those that need the support.’
She added: ‘She was reiterating the face that, from everyone she spoke to, the concept that she really got across from everyone was about family.
‘When people walk through the doors, regardless of their situation, it’s about making sure they feel they are part of something. And however we can help them.’
