Kate Styles A Green Princess Dress With Emeralds Borrowed From The Queen

She surprised style-watchers by packing a pink metallic dress from It-girl go-to The Vampire’s Wife for her royal tour of the Caribbean, but for a formal dinner hosted by Jamaica’s Governor General, the Duchess of Cambridge returned to a trusted favourite. The shimmering green princess gown Kate wore to the event at King’s House on Wednesday night was by Jenny Packham, a British designer the royal has worn time and again over the years.

The Duchess Of Cambridge’s Most Dazzling Loans From The Queen’s Jewellery Box

19 Photos
By Naomi Pike

View Gallery

The Duchess’s emerald earrings are from Her Majesty the Queen’s emerald tassel parure.

Samir Hussein

Kate’s cloud-like princess dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline with ruffle trim, and beading at the waist for a hint of sparkle. Sequins are something of a Packham signature (the Duchess previously lit up the Royal Albert Hall in top to toe gold sequins at the premiere of No Time to Die back in September), but no embellishment could compete with Kate’s jewellery: emerald pieces borrowed from the Queen’s collection.

Kate opted for an off-the-shoulder gown and an up-do, to let her jewellery – on loan from the Queen – shine.

Pool
It seems a lot of thought has gone into the accessories that went into the Duchess’s suitcases ahead of her and Prince William’s high-profile tour. Kate previously touched down in Belize wearing a blue lace skirt suit (also Jenny Packham) with a pair of sapphire drop earrings and a necklace refashioned from Princess Diana’s sapphire suite, a gift to Diana from Saudi Arabia’s royal family on the occasion of her 1981 wedding.

Renée Zellweger Revisits 11 Looks, From Bridget Jones’s Diary To Judy

Last night’s jewellery choice – earrings and a bracelet from the Queen’s emerald tassel parure – served as a sweet nod to Her Majesty, who celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year (and makes her debut on the cover of British Vogue in the April issue). Kate’s frequent appearances in the crown jewels over the years are a sign of the Queen’s affection for her grandson’s wife. In April last year, the Duchess memorably wore a four-strand pearl choker on loan from Her Majesty to the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.