Kate sparkles on Variety night

SPARKLING in a gem-studded gown, the Duchess of Cambridge looked every inch the fairytale princess yesterday as she joined the stars at the Royal Variety performance.

Despite she and Prince William being delayed by the Oxford Street terror scare, Kate dazzled in the glittering Jeremy Packham dress, which was festooned with with crystals and sequins sewn into a floral motif. The eye-catching design featured a scoop neck and showed off the royal’s growing baby bump. The Duchess, who is four months pregnant, wore an ice blue slip underneath the sparkling overdress and entered the London Palladium in a pair of silver heels.

She accessorised the look with a shining clutch bag and wore her hair in loose ringlets. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last attended the annual performance, which is held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, in 2014 when the Duchess was pregnant with Princess Charlotte.

Artists including Louis Tomlinson, Paloma Faith and Seal are among those who took to the stage in front of up to 2,000 people. The evening was hosted by comedienne Miranda Hart.