What was supposed to be a happy occasion on December 25th turned slightly solemn with news that Prince Philip had been rushed to the hospital on Friday, after complaining of chest pains. The Royal Family, who had gathered at the Queen’s estate in Sandringham, kept a low profile in the midst of all the media hoopla over the health of the 90 year-old Duke of Edinburgh. We later learned that he had a blockage in his arteries and therefor had to get a stent placed to open it up. Thus, he was absent from all the festivities, leaving a void in the royal clan come Christmas morning.  Immediate family members visited the Duke, who is said to be in good spirits, after morning church services.

For weeks leading up to her first Christmas as a Royal, many had speculated that the pressure was on the Duchess of Cambridge to strictly adhere to traditions of dress and etiquette while in the presence of the Queen.  Of course Kate did not disappoint.  We saw her twice on Christmas morning, both times dressed in a coat.

For the first of two trips to St. Mary’s on Christmas morning with members of the Royal Family, Kate wore a fitted gray A-line coat with her favorite Aquatalia Rumba boots.  The ensemble was a bit more casual than what we would later see her in.

For the official church service and meet-and-greet with citizens and admirers, Kate opted for an aubergine colored coat with black suede pumps and panty hose for the occasion.  The wine colored coat – with a hidden placket, a long slit in the back that revealed a matching silk lining inside the coat and slanted front pockets – is said to be the handiwork of an independent dressmaker.

“The Duchess is keen to use independent British dressmakers, whose skills and craftsmanship she admires,” said a royal spokesperson.

After perusing countless seasons of her work, I stumbled a cropped jacket from British designer Emilia Wickstead, with a similar collar to the coat Kate wore.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the Duchess commissioned Ms. Wickstead for this coat since many of her designs align with Kate’s style aesthetic.

Kate debuted new earrings by go-to jewelry Kiki McDonough.  The green amethyst drop earrings, originally identified by My Small Obsessions and Thea L., are encircled by white pave diamonds and set in 18ct gold.  Though Kate’s exact earrings are currently available for sale, the citrine version are currently in stock at Matches for $2,469.

Kate stood out from the other royals with her long dark locks, which were topped with a trilby hat from milliner Jane Corbett.  The back detailing really made this hat standout as one of my favorites.  With a slightly lighter color piping the rim and a bow and ruffle adorning the back, this hat set off Kate’s simple look.

Vera C. alerted us to a pair of black suede pumps that resembled what Kate wore with yesterday with the aubergine/burgundy wine colored coat.  The Stuart Weitzman Madison pumps were almost a dead ringer but the straighness of the heel delineated from Kate’s.

Others suggested the L.K. Benett Palermo pumps, which also have a low platform and a modest block heel.  At last we learned that Kate commissioned those particular heels from Jaime Mascaro, the same designer who handcrafted the bow clutch she carried to the Sun Military Awards.  The Daily Mail reports that the shoe brand will be releasing Kate’s shoe in the near future.

According to its website:

MASCARO was founded in Ferreries ( Menorca) in 1918 as a workshop making handmade ballet slippers. In the 50’ s the second generation of the firm, under the direction of Jaime Mascaro, changed the workshop from producing handmade shoes to a factory of quality designer shoes, thus iniciating a process of expansion which culminated in the opening of various stores of their own  in the 80’s.

At the end of the 90’s Lina and Ursula Mascaro, already the  third generation, took over and consolidated the prestigious “quality and design” as their principal trademarks and expanded to new international markets with a range of own stores which  continues to grow.