Prince George's new teacher seems to have been inspired by Kate. Photos / Getty Images
Prince George's new teacher seems to have been inspired by Kate. Photos / Getty Images
All eyes were on Thomas's Battersea as the heir to the British throne arrived for his first day at school.
And there to meet Prince George and the Duke of Cambridge at the gates was the lower school's headmistress Helen Haslem - and her appearance turned a few heads.
From a $450 dress to perfectly manicured nails, the teacher looked impeccable as she welcomed the young royal to Thomas's by crouching down to his level for a warm handshake, and then holding his hand as she accompanied him inside.
But what really caught the attention of onlookers was that there was something undeniably familiar about her look: Haslem seemed to have taken some inspiration from the Duchess of Cambridge herself, reports the Daily Mail.
The teacher would have known all the eyes of the world would be on her and yet she absolutely could not steal the show - a situation Kate must often find herself in too. So Haslem headed straight for one of the Duchess' favourite high street shops, LK Bennett.
Kate wore this Alexander McQueen wool dress in 2014. Photo / Getty Images
Her $450 rose-coloured Amana dress from the retailer is very similar to the sorts of outfits Kate likes to wear, including an Alexander McQueen frock she donned on the Royal tour of Australia in 2014.
Leading stylist Nicole Kerr thinks Haslem got it just right. "My first impression was that she had made a real effort, not least because at $450 this is a very expensive dress for a teacher to wear to work," she says.
"Choosing LK Bennett was her way of offering a subtle compliment to the Duchess. She clearly knew that this was her moment to shine but in a very understated way so as not to detract from Prince George.
"Equally it's an unusual style and colour for a teacher of young children to wear - all it would have taken to spoil her efforts was one set of sticky fingers on the pale colour, or a gust of wind whipping up the fit and flare skirt."
George's new teacher Helen, Haslem wore a pink L.K. Bennett dress. Photo / Getty Images
Clearly covetous of Kate's style, Haslem also chose $232 "Simone" scalloped pumps from another of the duchess' go-to high street brands, Hobbs, to go with her dress. After all, topple-inducing heels would have been a risky strategy for her moment in front of the world's media.
And, as Kerr points out, "they are stylish but practical for running around after young children and being on her feet all day and also meant she didn't have to stoop lower than needed to greet Prince George".
Meanwhile Haslem's highlighted blonde "up-do" is probably part DIY, part professional, according to hair and make-up artist Amanda Clarke. She explains: "It looks as though she may have had her hair washed and blow-dried the day before, then on the big day it was slightly back-combed and twisted into a low bun.
"It's a great shape at the crown and the back, but I can't spot any hair pins and the sides look very natural, which makes me think she may have put it up herself as it's a style that's very easy to achieve at home."
Make-up artist Virna Baillie says Haslem's cosmetics make her look soft and approachable to the children in her charge.
"Everything about her look is natural and fresh," she says. "She has complemented her features with pastel eyeshadow and a soft rose pink lip colour. Although the look is understated, I wouldn't be at all surprised if she was professionally groomed for her big day in front of the cameras."
Prince George's new teacher seems to have been inspired by Kate. Photos / Getty Images
There were also no ink-stained fingers for this teacher. Instead, her nails, like everything else, were perfectly prepped and a vital detail of her appearance.
"Her French manicure is almost certainly a professional job and makes her nails look pretty and neat," says Baillie. "They add to her professional look."
Completing her simple yet stylish look, Haslem's watch appears to be a basic Rolex design, according to Tamara Hamed, a director at luxury Mayfair retailers Watch Collectors.
"It's difficult to tell without seeing the face of the watch but it looks like a stainless steel Rolex on an oyster-style bracelet," she says.
"The price would depend on the year the watch was made, but I'd expect it to have cost $5418 to $7224, maybe a bit less. It's a very popular Rolex design as it's more affordable and not too bling or crazy.
"It's stylish and simple, which is what a lot of professional women, particularly teachers, are looking for in a luxury watch."
