Thursday, 17 April 2014

'William said I look like a banana!' The Duchess of Cambridge shines in a bright yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress

'William said I look like a banana!' The Duchess of Cambridge shines in a bright yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress but it seems not everyone is a fan   

  • The Duchess chose the sunny Roksanda Illincic dress for her debut appearance in Australia
  • Was wearing the £900 dress as she stepped off an Australian Air Force jet in Sydney this morning
  • Despite acclaim, the Duchess admitted that her husband isn't a big fan of the bright frock
  • According to a well-wisher, Prince William said it makes her look 'like a banana'
She's famous for her conservative sense of style but that didn't stop the Duchess of Cambridge from plumping for an unusually bright hue for her first day on Australian soil. 
Paying tribute to her Australian hosts, the Duchess' sunny £900 dress mirrored the gold of the Australian flag and was created by the London-based Serbian designer, Roksanda Ilincic.
But while the dress drew appreciative gasps from the waiting crowd, it seems not everyone was a fan of the bold ensemble. 'William said I look like a banana,' Kate confided to one well-wisher, Heather Easton, as the couple arrived at Sydney's iconic Royal Opera House.

Bright arrival: The Duchess of Cambridge steps off the Air Force jet in yellow, carrying Prince George, alongside the Duke

Bright arrival: The Duchess of Cambridge steps off the Air Force jet in yellow, carrying Prince George, alongside the Duke
Although the Ryedale wool-crepe dress failed to find favour with Prince William, the dress, which comes from the London-based Serbian fashion designer's S/S 2014 collection, did win the Duchess the approval of the fashion crowd.
And it also proved a hit with well wishers, among them Mrs Easton, who enjoyed a friendly conversation with the Duchess from her perch in the disabled section, and another with the Duke.
She told William that she had seen him as a baby in New Zealand when he took his first few steps at Government House, Wellington.
And she told him that she clearly remembered his mother and that she looked more beautiful in real life than in her photographs, to which the Duke replied: 'Thank you very much.'
As 32-year-old Kate first stepped off the plane in Sydney, she carried Prince George - the real star of the show - in her arms as the family made their way out of the aircraft to meet a line of waiting dignitaries, including the prime minister Tony Abbott.
Wake up: Kate peers down at a sleepy Prince George as she steps off the plane in her Roksanda Ilincic dress

Wake up: Kate peers down at a sleepy Prince George as she steps off the plane in her Roksanda Ilincic dress
Stunning: Kate admired her posy of flowers which were presented by Joscelyn Sweeney, 22, who has Down's Syndrome
Stunning: Kate admired her posy of flowers which were presented by Joscelyn Sweeney, 22, who has Down's Syndrome

Stunning: Kate admired her posy of flowers which were presented by Joscelyn Sweeney, 22, who has Down Syndrome, as she walked alongside the Duke and a squirming and grumpy looking Prince George

Standing among the soberly-dressed dignitaries, her yellow dress provided a welcome splash of colour - unsurprising as, according to Matches, a retailer that stocks the dress, it was inspired by the work of Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica and incorporates his trademark bold block colou
While you can pick up the dress off the peg, it comes in white with flashes of yellow - the reverse of the Duchess' dress - which indicates that the piece was made specifically for the visit. 
But with its square neckline and neatly tailored shape, the piece is a classic that retailers such as the Duchess of Cambridge's favourite high street name Zara have found easy to emulate.
It is not the first time the Duchess has worn yellow to a public occasion either. She previously wore a dustier shade of the colour for her arrival at Calgary International Airport in July 2011 as part of the Royal couple's Canadian tour.
Glowing mum: The 32-year-old stood out from the crowd as she introduced Prince George to Lynne Cosgrove, centre right, the wife of Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, far right

Glowing mum: The 32-year-old stood out from the crowd as she introduced Prince George to Lynne Cosgrove, centre right, the wife of Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, far right
Careful: William passes baby George back to his mother as her glossy hair is blown back in the wind

Careful: William passes baby George back to his mother as her glossy hair is blown back in the wind
During that visit, she paired her dress with shiny nude heels and repeated the trick for Sydney. The family touched down in the city for their long-awaited trip at 2.25pm, with the doors to their plane opening at 2.35pm sharp, for their 10 day tour of Australia, the second leg of their three-week tour Down Under.
Amongst the highlights of the trip are a visit to Uluru - Ayers Rock - watching life savers on Manly Bay and a visit to the world famous Taronga Zoo with George, where a Bilby Enclosure is being named after the little prince.
The wife of the second-in-line to the British throne and mother of a future king, has looked immaculate throughout the Royal tour of New Zealand.
On this showing, it seems her tour of Australia will prove just as stylish.
Not in the mood? Kate encourages her son to get in the meet and greet mood but he looks far from interested
Not in the mood? Kate encourages her son to get in the meet and greet mood but he looks far from interested
Just the two of us: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk down the stairs of the Sydney Opera House, while George is taken to the car by his nanny
Just the two of us: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk down the stairs of the Sydney Opera House, while George is taken to the car by his nanny
Joking around: The royal pair hold cricket bats presented to them in front of the Cricket World Cup during a reception at the Sydney Opera House
Joking around: The royal pair hold cricket bats presented to them in front of the Cricket World Cup during a reception at the Sydney Opera House
Performance: The pair watch an Aboriginal welcome performance during the reception at the Opera House before moving onto Admiralty House where they were reunited with Prince George
Performance: The pair watch an Aboriginal welcome performance during the reception at the Opera House before moving onto Admiralty House where they were reunited with Prince George
George waited with his nanny while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posed with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House
George waited with his nanny while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posed with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House
Smiles all around: Prince George looks delighted after he received a giant stuffed wombat gift from the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at Admiralty House, Sydney, during the tenth day of their official tour to New Zealand and Australia
Smiles all around: Prince George looks delighted after he received a giant stuffed wombat gift from the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at Admiralty House, Sydney, during the tenth day of their official tour to New Zealand and Australia
The newly married Royal Couple  went to North America and Canada on their first joint overseas tour
Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton as she arrives at Calgary Airport on July 7, 2011 in Yellowknife, Canada
Kate wore a dustier shade of the colour for her arrival at Calgary International Airport in July 2011 as part of the Royal couple's Canadian tour 

The dazzling Duchess: Kate's Royal Tour wardrobe so far

Outfit 1: Kate wears red Catherine Walker coat dress

Outfit two: American designer Tory Burch

Outfit 4: A blue bespoke version of an Alexander McQueen Utility Coat Dress

Outfit 4: A black Jenny Packham dress

A colourful array: Kate wears a red Catherine Walker coat dress, left, a black and white dress by American designer Tory Burch, second left, followed by a blue bespoke version of an Alexander McQueen utility coat dress, right, and a black Jenny Packham dress, far right
Outfit 5: The Duchess in a green Erdem coat

Outfit 6: A blue Emilia Wickstead skirt suit

Outfit 7: A casual denim and cream jumper outfit

Outfit 8: A navy Rebecca Taylor outfit

The Duchess in a green Erdem coat, left, a blue Emilia Wickstead skirt suit, second left, a casual denim and cream jumper outfit, right, and a navy Rebecca Taylor outfit, far right
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2605748/The-Duchess-Cambridge-makes-colourful-arrival-Australia-bright-yellow-gold-Roksanda-Ilincic-dress.html#ixzz2z61zodBZ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook