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Kate Middleton stuns in vibrant red Eponine coat at 'Hold Still' launch as book tops bestseller list on day 1

A keen photographer herself, the duchess had started a campaign during the first phase of lockdown where she urged the public to send in pictures that captured the true colors of lockdown

BY ALAKANANDA BANDYOPADHYAY

UPDATED MAY 8, 2021

Kate Middleton flaunts a red coat from London boutique Eponine's 2018 Autumn/Winter collection (Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge has dropped one sartorial bombshell after the other ever since she has been in the limelight, but a recent appearance in a vibrant red coat from Eponine has everyone floored. The duchess, Kate Middleton, sashayed with fiery boldness as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery on Friday, May 7, to meet photographers who have been featured in her book 'Hold Still' that currently sits in the bestseller list from its very first day. But it was the stunning 39-year-old who stole the show and not just with her fondness of photography.

A keen photographer herself, the duchess had started a campaign a year ago during the first phase of lockdown where she urged the public to send in pictures that captured the true colors of lockdown. Out of the 31,000 entrants who participated, 100 "poignant and personal" portraits made it to the new book titled 'Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020', which released on May 7.

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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery in central London to mark the publication of the 'Hold Still' book on May 7, 2021, in London, England (Getty Images)

The Duchess arrived at the central London gallery in her car and stunned the crowd of spectators in her bespoke red coat from Eponine — a London boutique which is an apparent favorite of the mother-of-three. All price on application only, Eponine has clad the duchess before in a $2300 coat and a top and skirt costing $1700 from the brand back in 2016. This time, however, the duchess styled her unmissable red coat with simple brown accessories that included a new $400 micro-handbag from DeMellier and a pleated tan midi skirt.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, gestures as she speaks during a visit to the Royal London Hospital Whitechapel on May 7, 2021, in London, England. During the visit, The Duchess heard about how the hospital uses art to benefit its staff and patients, before meeting a small group of hospital staff and hearing about their experiences over the past year (Getty Images)

The Duchess took time to announce her new project in partnership with the worldwide movement Book Fairies as she kept cozy in all the warm fuzziness of her elegant coat. The designer label Eponine was launched by Jet Shenkman in 2011 and focuses on artisanal crafts highlighting the work of global communities. Kate's coat has been dubbed a custom design from the boutique's Autumn and Winter 2018 collection and that makes it off the market. But nothing takes away from the ethereal experience of witnessing the Duchess as she stepped out of her car, cutting a striking figure in the red coat she has never be seen wearing in public before.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge views a photo of Captain Tom Moore alongside Curator Magda Keaney during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery in central London to mark the publication of the 'Hold Still' book on May 7, 2021, in London, England (Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is shown the artwork on display by Director of Vital Arts for Barts Health NHS Trust, Catsou Roberts, during a visit to the Royal London Hospital Whitechapel on May 7, 2021, in London, England (Getty Images)

The mandarin collar and pretty button detailing on the coat sharpened the overall aesthetic of the outfit further. Her DeMellier bag has been described as a "perfectly proportioned statement piece" which can fit handbag essentials including most phones, keys and even a smaller purse. The duchess chose to style her long, brunette locks into the signature bouncy blow dry she is so fondly noted for. The star-studded attendance at the event included Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery, and entrants Lotti Sofia, Niaz Maleknia and Claudia Burton.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks to 'Hold Still' entrants during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery in central London to mark the publication of the 'Hold Still' book on May 7, 2021, in London, England (Getty Images)

Cullinan has confirmed that the final 100 Hold Still images that sit in the pages of the Duchess's new book will become a part of the Gallery’s national Collection as well. The Duchess herself spent the evening talking to the entrants about the story behind the photographs they sent in and also treating herself to other photographs from the Gallery’s Collection featuring the evolution of the art via key moments in England's social history.