Frank Sinatra may be New York City’s King of the Hill, but Kate Middleton is the world’s duchess of fashion. She is crossing the pond to the five boroughs for the first time this December, just soon enough to crowd into Radio City Music Hall for an escape from the winter’s nip. Her cohort—a.k.a. the Duke of Cambridge and their 16-month-old—will be in tow, but everyone knows that all eyes will be on Catherine and her baby bump.
After weeks of avoiding the style scene thanks to bouts of severe morning sickness, Ms. Middleton has emerged a butterfly, forgoing motherly hemlines for a more in vogue look. From an icy Jenny Packham gown to a Temperley little black dress, her daring maternity selections—possibly advised by personal assistant Natasha Archer—have been defying expectations.
However, by the time December rolls around, Ms. Middleton will be 17 weeks pregnant, and though she might not opt for sweatpants like us mere mortals, she may tend more toward comfort than edge. She does have an affinity for practicality; one of her shameless repeats is a cute, warm Orla Kiely coat that she debuted in 2012. In fact, she has been commended for all of her elegant winter-wear as of late, and layers may come in handy if another polar vortex hits Manhattan this holiday season.
No matter what her near-majesty throws on, hopefully she will have a visit fit for a royal. Her purpose for the cross-Atlantic haul is stately, of course: she and her husband will be launching their new charity, United for Wildlife. But it would be a shame if Ms. Middleton were locked up in meetings for the three days that she is in town; after all, it may be her final vacation before the birth of her second child, due in April. May she find her way to Broadway for a heartwarming hit like A Gentleman’s Guide and Lincoln Center for The Nutcracker. May she meander at Union Square Holiday Market, discovering the perfect souvenir hand puppet for Prince George. May she even work her way to Brooklyn, where everyone’s too hipster to worry about who she is. Most of all, may she love NYC.
Meanwhile, the paparazzi is gearing up to see what haute couture she will choose for her Big Apple premiere. Remember, Kate: if you can make it here with the fashion police, you’ll make it anywhere.