With cocktail parties and extravagant state dinners currently on pause, it's been a while since we've seen the royals dolled up like they used to be.
With Prince William and particularly Kate Middleton focusing on smaller, more local engagements, such as visiting a historic London bakery or helping to plant a children's garden, we've seen them more dressed down than ever.
So it's not just us taking a more relaxed approach to "business casual"!
But Kate Middleton's most recent appearance was a decidedly more glamorous one as she took part in a video promo to launch the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
We're thrilled to announce Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge @KensingtonRoyal, Patron of @NHM_London, will reveal this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year at our first virtual awards ceremony, livestreamed 13 October, 20.00 BST: https://t.co/DErYnYe58q #WPY56 pic.twitter.com/CCisxcuwLO
— Wildlife Photographer of the Year (@NHM_WPY) October 12, 2020
With tonight's ceremony the competitions 56th, the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the world's longest-running and most prestigious annual wildlife photography competition.
Filmed in the newly reopened Natural History Museum in London, Kate was clearly overjoyed to be launching the competition. "It is so wonderful to be back at the reopened Natural History Museum where we can all enjoy its treasures once again", she said.
The Grand Title winner will be announced by Kate in a virtual awards ceremony tonight.
For the grand occasion, Kate brought out one of her favourite wardrobe staples: the structured black blazer. She also pulled no punches by pulling out one of her most luxurious pieces, choosing an Alexander McQueen crepe tuxedo jacket with satin lapels.
The 'Leaf' blazer features peaked satin lapels and distinctive angular pockets, and impressively padded shoulders that elevate the blazer from something you throw on to a statement piece in and of itself.
The waist is neatly tailored in, creating an hourglass silhouette. Though we can't see it in the video, it's lined in a shockingly vivid blue, making it even more striking.
McQueen is one of Kate's favourite labels and she has revisited her pieces by the luxury fashion house time and time again. Indeed, it was Sarah Burton – creative director of Alexander McQueen – who designed the Duchess's iconic wedding dress.
She paired it with a simple black boat-necked top, tucked into the matching Alexander McQueen tuxedo trousers accented with a black crocodile patterned belt.
Kate added to the glamorous look by choosing a pair of Pearl Rope Drop Earrings by Accessorize. The budget-friendly option perfectly complemented her sleek look, and added a touch of feminine elegance to the otherwise sharp look.
Her hair was worn in a full and glossy curly blow dry, the bouncy curls framing her face perfectly and the slightly blonde highlights adding a warmth to her look.
In place of her usual subtle eyeliner and eyeshadow, Middleton went full glam with beauty, wearing a dark brown smokey eye with lashing of eyeliner. She also wore a peachy blush and subtle contouring, all finished off with a swipe of dewy highlighter.
