Night Wills and dazzling Kate took centre stage
The Royal Family gave a glimpse of life after Megxit last night as William and Kate hosted their first joint reception at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared in fine spirits as they welcomed African heads of state at the event, which marked another stepping stone in William’s preparation for the throne.
Kate – who dazzled in a £ 410 sequinned red dress by Needle and Thread – and William gave little indication of the family crisis unfolding around them as they greeted leaders, ministers and businessmen from 21 African nations.
The duke did mention his brother briefly as he talked about his relationship with the continent.
‘My grandmother is sorry not to be here this evening, but she has asked me to pass on her warmest wishes to you all,’ William said.
‘The African continent holds a very special place in my heart. It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died.
‘And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee. Throughout my life, I have been lucky enough to spend time in many other parts of Africa. I’m also honoured to be the patron of the Royal African Society.
‘And as Catherine and I have said to several of you here tonight, we hope to have the chance to visit many more countries in the future and share our mutual love of your continent with our children.’
William and Kate were joined by the Princess Royal and the earl and Countess of Wessex at the reception for delegates attending the UK-Africa Investment Summit in Greenwich. It was the Cambridges’ first public appearance since a deal was announced by Buckingham Palace on harry and Meghan’s future.
William and Kate received a line of visiting heads of state and their partners in the Music Room.
During a group photograph, Prime Minister Boris Johnson jokingly told everyone to ‘Say Brexit’ as the photographer prepared to take the picture. The royals then joined a reception with the leaders in the Green Drawing Room before joining other guests in the Picture Gallery, where the Duke of Cambridge gave his speech.
Guests included UK government members, UK and African business figures and representatives from key multilateral agencies.
earlier in the day, harry held private meetings in Greenwich with Moroccan prime minister Saadeddine el Othmani, Malawi’s president Peter Mutharika and Mozambique’s president Filipe Nyusi at the request of the Government.
William held meetings at Buckingham Palace with Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo and Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame.
It emerged that the Prince of Wales had hosted Nigeria’s president Muhammaddu Buhari at Dumfries house in Scotland on Sunday.
The day-long summit was held to highlight the strength of the relationship between Britain and African nations, promoting investment opportunities across the continent and showing the UK’s commitment to supporting economic development in Africa, including through the creation of jobs and partnerships.
‘Very special place in my heart’