Glorious 16-page photo souvenir of KATE & WILLIAM’S triumphant tour
FROM the moment the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stood on the steps of their RAF Voyager at an airbase in Rawalpindi, they didn’t put a foot wrong. Last week’s tour of Pakistan, a country with which Prince William’s mother Diana forged such a strong relationship, has been widely acknowledged as a triumph for the couple. It’s the tour where they came of age. Became truly regal. Where they perfected the mix of diplomacy, friendship, style, grandeur and local knowledge that is the unique strength of these tours, when they go to plan.
Nobody could underestimate the challenges of a country with the political, logistical and security complexities of Pakistan, but the couple appeared to be thoroughly relaxed throughout – even when their plane had to abort several landings in severe turbulence on Thursday.
In this, their ninth tour as a couple, the Duchess’s style also came of age. Sometimes the nods to national costume and motifs can scream ‘Disneyworld cliché’, but she wore the modest dress of the region as if it came naturally to her, rather than as a costume cooked up by an overresearched Kensington Palace stylist.
Her first appearance in Catherine Walker’s long-sleeved cowl-backed gown and slim trousers set the tone. Graded shades of turquoise glimmering brilliantly against the dark night sky, the dress was gently shaped to her body, allowing her more of a defined Western waist than is totally traditional, yet was clearly inspired by local culture.
The traditionally modest clothing of Pakistan might have been tricky to navigate for a woman used to making the most of her long limbs and slim body. But the loose shapes, that could have come across as a touch frumpy, instead looked gracious and elegant.
Kate may also have discovered that there is something both protective and reassuring in wearing more coveredup dress, which would have been cool and unrestrictive in the still warm daytime temperatures.
Royal tours are an opportunity to show off the brilliance of British designers, and high street favourites such as Mint Velvet and New Look were squeezed in among highend star pieces.
Jenny Packham is one of Kate’s favourites for a bigticket occasion. And the bottle green sequinned gown she chose for a reception at the Pakistan National Monument was sophisticated and darkly glamorous, and made me think she should wear more of those deep jewel colours.
The Catherine Walker Nehru-collared coat will no doubt be recycled for any number of engagements at home, though probably not paired with white trousers.
Ultimately real style is staying true to yourself while paying attention to the company you are going to keep. Kate achieved that brilliantly, with a simple palette of blue, white and green, teamed with her trusty nude shoes and clutch bags. And, of course, the ministrations of her faithful hairdresser, Amanda Cook Tucker, who along with wielding the blowdryer to battle the humidity on those honey-toned locks, will have kept up a stream of jolly down-time chatter.
But our Duchess of Cambridge’s greatest accessory, and the one that made all the difference, was her smile. What a smile. Joyful and genuine.