Kate, Queen, Celebrate Prince Philip's 93rd Birthday
It's rare that anyone steals the spotlight from the Duchess of Cambridge. Since marrying Prince William just a few years ago everyone wants a glimpse of her. No matter where she goes, what she does, the British people clamor to have a moment with their future queen.
But today all eyes were on another member of the royal family. The queen's beloved husband celebrated his 93rd birthday with 8,000 Brits all excited to share the day with him. Just a year ago the queen was delivering her birthday card to her husband in the hospital where Philip was recovering from an abdominal condition.
Prince Philip couldn't have looked better today. And the royal family made sure it was truly a special day for the patriarch. Prince Andrew, his daughter Princess Eugenie and Princess Anne all there to support the queen and Prince Philip.
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The queen dressed for the occasion in a pale blue jacquard coat and dress by one of her favorite designers Stewart Parvin, and a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat. Kate was decked out a blush lace Alexander McQueen dress. Kate, ever conscious of her appearance, recycled the dress from an earlier appearance but still looked stunning. The guests were all craning their necks to catch a glimpse.
While the duke toured lines of guests on his own, the queen and Kate chatted with guests.
Kate, 32, had been due to attend a Red Cross Garden Party on Thursday with her father-in-law, Prince Charles. But a last-minute change of plan meant Kate joined the festivities today after the queen invited her to attend.
For many, an invitation to a Garden party is a highlight of their life. The queen's staff prepares thousands of cakes and canapes for their guests. Traditional British fare is the order of the day - watercress sandwiches, mouthwatering tarts, and desserts galore to satisfy the sweetest tooth.
After playing the national anthem, guests thought that perhaps there might be a special birthday tribute to Prince Philip but ushers instructed guests to refrain from giving birthday wishes. Prince Philip as usual didn't people to make a fuss over him.
Kate started the day at the National Maritime Museum supporting Britain's team launch for an America's Cup bid with Sir Ben Ainslie. Many credit Ainslie with changing the fortune for the US team in the Americas Cup earlier this year. The US team enlisted Ainslie's help as their tactician. Kate is a keen sailor herself.
The Olympic legend welcomed the duchess to Greenwich this morning, Kate in a nautically inspired dress by Jaeger. Ainslie later offered to take Prince George out in a dinghy when he's a bit older. "The Duchess was very keen but not for a couple of years yet- when he's about seven or eight," he said.