Kate Middleton dazzles in emerald gown and diamond earrings at state dinner in Jamaica
Kate Middleton turned heads as she stepped out for a state dinner in an emerald gown made by British fashion designer Jenny Peckham on the fifth day of her Caribbean tour with Prince William.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, sported a glitter tulle piece paired with diamonds lent by the Queen as she and the Duke embarked on their first visit to Jamaica. Kate also donned her Royal Family Order and the GCVO Star. The dress is reportedly a bespoke version of Packham's $5,000 'Wonder Glitter Tulle Gown'. The Duchess completed her look with matching earrings studded with emeralds and diamonds, as well as a bracelet from the Queen to mark the occasion.
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According to the Daily Mail, Kate is a fan of the UK fashion label, which is also admired by American celebrities Angelina Jolie and Taylor Swift. Last September, the Duchess was garbed in a dazzling gold dress by the brand for the 'No Time To Die' premiere. Prince William, 39, adopted a suave look in black tie as he arrived with his wife at a dinner organized by the Governor-General at King's House, his Kingston residence. Earlier in the day, Kate was spotted in a $1,800 white jacket with matching $760 trousers as she joined her husband at Prime Minister Andrew Holness's office. She paired the outfit with her heels.
Prince William received a warm round of applause after a seven-minute address in which he expressed "sorrow" for Jamaica. He and Kate met with Jamaican leaders in the mansion's cocktail room and bonded with opposition leader Mike Golding, whose party has asked the Royal Family to further apologize for slavery and shell out millions in reparations.
Kate and Golding revealed that they had both studied at St Andrew's, although the Duchess' alma mater was in Scotland and the politician's was in the US. Kate told him that she "loved" her time there as the pair chatted amicably. William was interacting with VIPs in the room when he learned how England soccer ace Raheem Sterling had done charitable work to help inner-city kids in Kingston. The Duke responded by saying that he had a "soft spot for Raheem."
As the royal couple walked along the verandah at the dining room greeting guests, Kate was heard saying, "It was great I wish I could stay longer. We were tempted by the beaches. Amazing scenery." She added, "Next time we have to come back with the children." Meanwhile, the Duchess told another group, "The country is beautiful. We just scratched the surface. It's been so short."
The Cambridges also recreated a photograph taken of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the staircase from their 1954 visit. William took his seat in the ballroom at the top table. Sitting next to him was Kate, accompanied by Governor-General Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Holness, and their wives. The group then dispersed for a four-course meal of creamy roasted pumpkin and potatoes, sea bass, garden salad, and Suzette-fanned crepe plus Jamaican Petit Fours, the Daily Mail reported.