The girl with the golden touch: Poised Kate is centre of attention as she recycles Jubilee lunch outfit for her first Palace garden party
- Duchess of Cambridge wore same pink Emilia Wickstead dress she debuted at event two weeks ago
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Notching up another landmark in her life as a royal, crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of Kate as she mingled with poise and elegance at her first Buckingham Palace garden party.
And for the auspicious occasion, clever Kate demonstrated her thrifty side by giving a second outing to the £1,200 Emilia Wickstead dress she wore for the Royal Sovereign's lunch in honour of the Queen's Jubilee at Windsor Castle two weeks ago.
Then, eyebrows were raised after so-called 'High Street Kate', notorious for her love of affordable clothing, chose a current season designer item costing more than the average monthly salary.
Second wear: The Duchess of Cambridge chooses the same £1,200 Emilia Wickstead dress she wore for the Queen's Jubilee lunch two weeks ago
Pretty in pink: Kate just tweaked her accessories, choosing her nude LK Bennett pumps over the pink satin pumps she wore last time
Perfect match: Kate paired the pink pleated dress with a pretty Jane Corbett hat trimmed with lace and pearl earrings
All smiles: Kate and the Duchess of Cornwall share a laugh at the party
But with this second appearance, Kate has silenced her critics - and proved that she is a thoroughly sensible royal who is so much more than a mere clothes horse.
She joined the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and the Queen for tea and cakes with 8,000 guests within the grounds of the royal residence as the family prepares for this weekend's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Kate attended the event without her husband, the Duke of Cambridge, who instead remained at RAF Valley on Anglesey where he is a search and rescue pilot.
It was the second Palace garden party of the year and guests from all walks of life enjoyed another warm day after the unseasonably hot weather of recent days.
The band struck up the National Anthem as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh appeared at the top of the steps and a hush fell over the assembled crowd.
Then applause broke out as the couple, along with Charles, Camilla and Kate, made their way towards their waiting guests, who were invited after nominations by institutions, charities and businesses.
Relaxed: Kate looked utterly at ease at the party, which she attended with William, as well as the Queen, Prince Philip and Camilla, chatting animatedly to guests
In demand: A line of delighted guests queued up to meet the Duchess in the Palace grounds
Centre of attention: The Duchess is surrounded by guests at the garden party before she was introduced
Where's Kate? The Duchess is swamped by guests keen to talk to her
Hundreds of guests gather at the palace gardens for the special event celebrating the Diamond Jubilee
An audience with... Kate entertains the troops at the party today
Happy family: The Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and the Prince of Wales arrive at the garden party
The Queen looks pretty in lilac as she arrives at the garden party with her husband Prince Philip who is holding an umbrella just in case it rains
Prince Charles (top left) and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge in pink walk to meet guests at the Buckingham Palace garden party
Prince Charles shares a joke with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall... but the Duke of Cambridge was no where to be seen
The Queen hosted the garden party for 8,000 guests within the grounds of the royal residence as the family prepares for this weekend's Diamond Jubilee celebrations
The Duchess of Cambridge charms the garden party guests as others gather to catch a glimpse of her
The Queen meets guests during holding her trade-mark handbag... but what's in it?
Welcome to my humble home: The Queen opens Buckingham Palace gardens to guests a number of times throughout the year
A yeoman stands with guests dressed up in their finest hats and frocks especially to meet the Queen
AND HOW IT LOOKED TWO WEEKS AGO...
Pretty in pink: Kate wore a simple pleated dress as she joined Prince William for the Queen's celebratory lunch at Windsor Castle
Girl talk: The Duchess of Cambridge chatted to Charlene, Princess of Monaco, who was boasting a stylish new hair cut
EMILIA WICKSTEAD: THE GO-TO DESIGNER FOR HIGH SOCIETY
Society favourite: Designer Emilia Wickstead with loyal client Samantha Cameron
British based, New Zealand-born designer Emilia Wickstead has fast become one of the go-to designers for London's high society.
In business just three years, Ms Wickstead has already dressed a number of royals - not least Kate, who wore an emerald Emilia Wickstead coat dress for a St Patrick's Day appearance earlier this year.
Kate has been spotted various times visiting the atelier in London's Belgravia, and is said to be a great fan of the brand.
Privately, Ms Wickstead is said to be delighted the Kate has shown interest in her collection.
Ms Wickstead also dressed a number of VIP guests invited to last year's Royal Wedding, including Kate's cousin Lucy, Anya Hindmarch, Georgina Cadbury, Lady Kitty Spencer, Emma Parker Bowles and India Hicks, who was a bridesmaid to Princess Diana.
But Emilia's client base is not restricted to the upper echelons royalty.
Ms Wickstead can also count Dannii Minogue and Samantha Cameron as trusted customers, both of whom have worn her designs on many occasions.
Most recently, Samantha Cameron wore multiple pieces from Wickstead's collection on a visit to the U.S. in March.
The designer's spring/summer 2012 collection, a pretty collection in candybox hues, was described by Wickstead herself as being a 'mixture of sophistication and playfulness - fashionable women who entertain'.
Perfectly suited for the Duchess's central role today.
'We are happy, delighted and excited to see Kate in one of our designs, a spokesman for Emilia Wickstead said after the Sovereign's lunch. 'She looked lovely.'
DEBORAH ARTHURS
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