Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton)

[Persephone G.]

Well. This is unexpected and shocking news.

And, Katie Nicholl is... ugh. I wish she would find a new occupation.

 

[Boomer]

Wow- Kate is 5'10"? Impressive- a big plus for fashion!! B)

 

[SweetHomeNC]

The engagement portraits by Mario Testino
from Belga.be

 

[sethii]

Wow, photoshop much? His smile is so forced haha! She looks good in them.

 

[Persephone G.]

The second photo is lovely, but the lighting from the window only enhances William's ever growing bald patch that is right on top of his head.

I like Kate's white dress in the first photo. It's safe. And boring.

 

[alicia753]

love the second pic

 

[Ashcottmanor]

The first photo is typical, nice dress on Kate. The second photo I really like, they look happy for once! But I agree that this dress for her is safe and boring. If she is going to pick such a plain color then she should at least have some embellishment or something on it. Oh boy, I'm not expecting great things from her.

BTW, how they keep showing off her ring looks so forced...ya we know she got Diana's ring, we've all seen it before. Let's move on people. Plus, maybe it's just me but imo Kate's fingers are a bit plump so the ring looks small on her. For her hand shape, a smaller and rounder stone would have looked better. Diana had nice long, thin, fingers so it looked massive on her hand and it fit properly. It just looks awkward on Kate's finger. Ok those are my 2 cents.

 

[VogueElle Addict]

I love the second one!

 

[MiuMiuLove]

Bigger and without watermarks. I LOVE the second one! Kate looks so much like Princess Mary of Denmark in these photos...or maybe it's just the brown hair and similar noses...


The Forum Opiniones de la Realeza

 

[lvstratus]

what a lovely pic! and she seem very elegant there!

 

[JillianS]

BTW, how they keep showing off her ring looks so forced...ya we know she got Diana's ring, we've all seen it before. Let's move on people. .

That's very typical of engagement photos. You're supposed to show off the ring.

I think they look lovely.

 

[Paws]

^I agree. No matter what ring she has, it would have been shown off in the same way.

I also think that her dress looks lovely. I really nice cut.

 

[Paris71]

I like both photos and my favourite is the second one... They look so sweet !!!
I think Mario Testino was a great choice !!

 

[sethii]

This article really made me laugh

Royal wedding: Kate Middleton fashion fever hits NY

By Sima Kotecha
US reporter, Newsbeat

Kate Middleton's fashion choices are likely to closely followed and imitated, experts say

It used to be Michelle Obama, but now women across America are looking to another fashion icon for inspiration - Kate Middleton.
Ever since her engagement to Prince William last month, US media have delved into her wardrobe with magazines and newspapers printing pictures of the future British royal in a portfolio of outfits.
In New York, where fashion is a necessity rather than an option, her feather hats, knee length dresses, and fitted tweed coats have already sparked interest. Ask locals to describe the Middleton look, and the words "beautiful", "elegant", and "sophisticated" are frequently among the responses.
But it's not just what she wears that is creating inspiration in this part of the world. Her hairstyle - chocolate, wavy, tumbling - is also starting to be emulated.
At Cutler Hair Salon on 57th Street, stylist Kelsy Osterman says dozens of women have been coming in and asking for a Kate Middleton cut.
'Tremendously sexy' "People get really inspired by all these big beautiful photos of her and I think the one thing they can try to obtain of that beautiful look is the hair," she said. "There could have been 20 women in a day that ask for it."

MacKenzie Doughtery, 24, already has deep brown hair, but wanted a cut that would mirror Ms Middleton's after the man she is dating told her that it was tremendously sexy.
"I love Kate Middleton's style appeal," she said. "She's going to be royalty which is exciting, and the hairstyle is user-friendly and good for a busy girl who's always on the run."
Twelve blocks south from Cutler Hair Salon is another business seeing a boom because of the bride-to-be. The Natural Sapphire Company operates on the 20th floor of an office building. A transparent bullet proof screen welcomes visitors as they enter.
It has the air of an office in overdrive, with staff scurrying around answering phones and typing away on computers. CEO Michael Arnstein said the Middleton-effect - specifically demand for jewellery modelled on her sapphire engagement ring - was leaving him exhausted.
"I've had four hours sleep," he said. "We're being pushed to the limits. We need more staff, we need more stones, more setters, we need more jewellers. It's fantastic but we just can't meet the demand. Kate Middleton has just created this massive market for us and its overwhelming".

We've sold hundreds and hundreds of sapphires. Within hours of the engagement we were just inundated with orders”
​

End Quote Michael Arnstein National Sapphire Company
Ms Middleton's ring consists of a large sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, and once belonged to William's mother, Princess Diana. Prince William said he gave it to his fiancee because "it was right to put the two together".
Selling sapphires The design seems to have been revived more than 25 years after the Princess of Wales wore it. A style that fashion-conscious women in Manhattan may have considered quite orthodox now seems to be experiencing a resurgence.
"This time of year before Christmas, we're usually selling anywhere from three to 10 rings a day and now we're selling 50 to 75 rings a day," Mr Arnstein said. "We've sold hundreds and hundreds of sapphires. Within hours of the engagement we were just inundated with orders."
The rings range in price from $1,000 (£635.80) to more than $100,000, depending on the size of the stone.

Ms Middleton's engagement ring, once worn by Princess Diana, has also sparked interest
As for Ms Doughtery, she has no plans to invest in a ring but she hopes her new hairstyle will bring her plenty of luck.
"Oh I love it, it looks amazing!" she cried. "Hopefully now I'll find my prince!"
So will these Kate inspired trends last - or are they a passing fancy of Americans ahead of the big day in April?
American Vogue's European Editor Hamish Bowles believes Ms Middleton could have an enduring impact in Manhattan, and beyond.
"I think she's extremely elegant and that idea of being manicured and groomed and effectively pulled together actually resonates with New York women," he says.
"There is a classicism in her choices that projects fashion but not outrageously so. I think what's remarkable is that so early in the process she has found an identity of her own and that is something that will enhance her authenticity.
"This is someone we are going to be deeply compelled by for a long time to come."

bbc

 

[LifeNatureLove]

The 2nd picture of the Testino set is the best I've seen her look.
sethiithanks for posting that article, I needed the laugh That article is pretty stereotypical- good hair will get you the prince. Oy vey.
I just don't get the fascination surrounding her, especially in America. I haven't heard anyone say, "I'm cutting my hair like Kate Middleton because it's so sexy"
But maybe I'm just hanging out with the wrong people

 

[daniellat]

Fascination about her hasnt reach my group of friends yet either. We have commented on the ring though, its really pretty but how come she didnt have her nails done?

 

[Ashcottmanor]

That's very typical of engagement photos. You're supposed to show off the ring.

I think they look lovely.

I know, but like I said it looks forced. It should be in a more natural way.

 

[Ashcottmanor]

Behind William & Kate's Official Engagement Photos

5 Comments
By Christine Fenno Posted Dec 12th 2010 09:01AM



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There's more than one side to this generation of royals. They're formal. They're fun-loving. And in a two-hour shoot, renowned photographer Mario Testino has captured them beautifully.

In two newly released portraits of Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton (make that Miss Catherine Middleton, according to the royal family), the couple, both 28, look genuinely in love.

Mario Testino, 56, was a favorite photographer of William's late mother, Princess Diana. Among his royal assignments, he took official photos of William (for his 21st birthday) and Prince Harry (for his 20th birthday), according to the U.K.'s Guardian. The fashion photographer has also snapped iconic images of Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley, Emma Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Claudia Schiffer.

"They are in their prime and brimming with happiness," Testino said of the future King of England and his bride-to-be. "I have never felt so much joy as when I see them together."

The most suprising bit of behind-the-scenes info to come out of the photo shoot? Middleton reportedly did her own makeup, with Testino's artist on hand merely for touchups.

The formal portrait of the pair was taken in a chamber linked to Prince Charles' official residence (Clarence House), according to People. com. Middleton posed in a white Reiss dress and Links earrings, placing her left hand prominently on her prince's arm to display Princess Diana's famous sapphire ring, given as an engagement ring from William to Kate.

A more casual photo of the couple embracing -- and both wearing jeans -- was taken in the Cornwall Room of St. James Palace.

Testino was hand-picked to shoot the highly anticipated photos by William himself. "Prince William has worked with Mario Testino on many occasions before, and so the couple decided that he was the right choice for such an important portrait," said a Clarence House spokeswoman.
popeater

 

[sweetcandy]

She looks beautiful in both photos.

 

[Erin]

I just want to chime in and say the photos are beautiful - Kate looks lovely.