Femail fashion verdict

ALL hail the daring Duchess! When Kate stepped out for last night’s banquet, her look was markedly different to her normal classic, rather conservative style.

Why? Perhaps it has something to do with the presence of Queen Letizia of Spain – a style icon in her own country (and across much of Europe) thanks to her eye-catching bright dresses, perfect figure and her penchant for skyhigh stilettos.

Letizia had already been photographed in two different outfits that day – a daffodil yellow suit and dress by Felipe Varela and a burgundy trench by Burberry (one of Kate’s favourite designers).

Then came the culmination: an-offthe-shoulder red embellished gown by Spanish designer Loewe (and a huge diamond tiara) for the evening’s banquet in which she looked utterly stunning.

No wonder Kate chose something a little more bold than normal.

Gone were those floaty Temperley or Erdem evening dresses she normally wears, to be replaced with a plunging bespoke dress by US label Marchesa, likely to cost around £3,000.

The brand is well known for its eyecatching designs – and is often worn by the A-list on the red carpet as a way to attract attention.

Certainly, this dress showed far more cleavage than is normal for the Duchess, but avoided looking tasteless thanks to its full skirt, classy lace and long sleeves.

She paired it with lashings of diamonds: namely Princess Diana’s signature Lover’s Knot tiara (which Diana said gave her headaches as it was so heavy), teamed with a necklace belonging to the Queen – the Bandeau necklace, a V-shaped diamond and ruby floral bandeau collar ending in a diamond drop pendant.

Happily her style gambit worked. Let’s hope she sticks with her daring new look!