The fairytale princess: Kate glitters in glamorous gold at opulent state dinner in Malaysia
- Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests of honour at dinner thrown by rulers of Malaysia
- Kate dazzles in a floor-length Alexander McQueen embroidered white and gold gown
By REBECCA ENGLISH ROYAL CORRESPONDENT IN KUALA LUMPUR
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Glittering in gold, the Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a stunning gown tonight as she attended a lavish dinner thrown by the rulers of Malaysia.
She and her husband, Prince William, were guests at the opulent Istana Negara Palace in Kuala Lumpur at the start of a four day visit to the country.
In line with religious protocol Kate kept the tops of her arms covered and wore a floor length dress.
Every inch the fairytale princess: William and Kate arrive at an official dinner given by His Majesty The Agong at his official residence
Guests of honour: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sign a visitors book before entering the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur
The Duchess of Cambridge signs the visitors' book, left, before the couple were led into the heavily-brocaded Seri Mahkota Hall or audience room
VIP line-up: The Royal couple stood out because they towered over their Malaysian hosts. Kate's exquisitely embroidered white Alexander McQueen dress featured the Malaysian flower, hibiscus, in gold detail
But she still stood out - not just because of her exquisitely embroidered white Alexander McQueen dress, which featured the Malaysian flower, hibiscus, in gold detail - but because she towered over her hosts in four inch satin heels.
The couple were guests of His Majesty The Agong, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul, Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah, and his wife Her Majesty The Queen, Raja Persaisuri Agong, Tuanku Haminah binti Hamidun.
The king's title literally translates as He Who Is Made Lord, Paramount Ruler or His Conqueror Majesty The Supreme Lord of the Federation.
The couple were first invited to sign a visitor's book before walking into heavily brocaded Seri Mahkota Hall or audience room.
As they waited for their hosts to arrive William and Kate chatted with the Prime Minister and his wife.
Glittering: Kate's golden gown shimmers as she arrives at the lavish dinner
Kate spoke admiringly of the opulent palace, saying:'It is beautiful, those chandeliers are wonderful. It's amazing.'
Asked about her speech today the Duchess said:'I was so nervous and I am very glad that it over with.
'There was an amazing atmosphere.'
She also referred to a stunning display of fruit offered to them earlier in the day.
'We certainly didn't expect that, it was a real shock to us!' She laughed.
Admiring the ladies' outfits, William joked: 'I've got my heels on tonight.'
He then told the minister: 'I'm tired. It's the jet lag that is hardest.
'We go on from here to the Solomon Islands and then Tuvalu, have you ever been there? Me neither. Tuvalu is one of the smallest and most remote places on earth.
'We hope to do some fishing and snorkelling. - am very interested in the coral and whale sharks. I have dived with them before and although they are huge, they are very docile creatures - not like jaws!'
When the King and Queen arrived, Kate elegantly offered each of them a low curtsey.
William proceeded to chat with the King while Kate stooped as she exchanged pleasantries with his wife.
After a few minutes polite chat they moved on to another room where they posed for a group photograph and the Duke and Duchess received gifts.
For William there was a gold encrusted Malay warrior's sword known as a kris.
For Kate there was a pair of black lace peep toe shoes by the Malaysian equivalent of Jimmy Choo called Lewre with a glittering diamante clutch bag and a Batik dress.
There was also a collage of photographs of the elderly King and Queen.
The 400 other guests walked into the Deuan Santapan Negara or Royal Banqueting Hall ahead of them, the circular tables laid our around a dais upon which a table for the royal party was laid out.
The rectangular table was covered with garlands of English flowers - roses, crysanthenums and daisies.
The meal was described as a 'fushion' of English and Asian cuisine. No alcohol was served although guests were offered sweet fruit juices and water.
The royal party's arrival was heralded by a procession of men and women in traditional Malay costumes and music.
And as they took their seats dancers bearing flowers and parasols began to move gracefully in front of the stage.
The Duke and Duchess will spend the next two days in Kuala Lumpur before moving onto Borneo for the next stage of their Diamond Jubilee tour.
The couple were the guests of His Majesty The Agong, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah, and his wife Her Majesty The Queen, Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Haminah binti Hamidun.
The king's title literally translates as He Who Is Made Lord, Paramount Ruler or His Conqueror Majesty The Supreme Lord of the Federation.
His wife is known as the Queen Lady Consort.
Malaysia has had a constitutional monarchy since it gained independence in 1957 - and it is one of just a handful in the world which is elected.
After a few minutes polite chat William and Kate moved to another room where they received gifts, including a gold encrusted Malay warrior's sword known as a kris
For Kate there was a pair of black lace peep toe shoes, left, by the Malaysian equivalent of Jimmy Choo with a glittering diamante clutch bag and a Batik dress, right
Royalty meets royalty: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit with His Majesty The Agong and his wife at the Malaysian leader's official residence, the Istana Negara
Pictorial tribute: Britain's own Monarch was also honoured in a series of photographs which highlighted the friendship between Queen and Malaysia's King
In Malaysia's constitutional monarchy, the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is largely ceremonial, although he does appoint the Prime Minister from among elected members of Parliament,
The current Agong, aged 83, has ruled since December 2011 after he was elected by the Conference of Rulers, the second time he has taken the throne.
He is the first ruler to hold the position twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office.
His Istana Negara palace at Jalan Duta only finished last year.
Earlier in the day, the Royal couple visited a hospice in Kuala Lumpur where the Duchess gave her first speech on foreign soil - about the importance of palliative care.
When the King and Queen arrived, Kate elegantly offered each of them a low curtsey. William proceeded to chat with the King while Kate stooped as she exchanged pleasantries with his wife
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second from right, and his wife Rosmah Mansor during a luncheon in Putrajaya
Earlier in the day, William and Kate found themselves confronted with a huge platter of local fruits (left) during a luncheon in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Pictured (right) is the Duke and Duchess with the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second from left, and his wife Rosmah Mansor
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202731/Duke-Duchess-Cambridge-Malaysia-Kate-Middleton-looks-inch-princess-lavish-dinner.html#ixzz26MsKF8zF
