The Duchess of Cambridge made a sparkling appearance at a dazzling banquet at the Governor-General of Jamaica's residence, King's House, this evening.
It is by far the most formal event of the tour, and undoubtedly one of the most glittering Kate has attended as a member of the royal family overseas. William and Kate were welcomed by Governor-General Patrick Allen and his wife Patricia.
Both couples met yesterday after the Cambridges landed in Jamaica. The foursome exchanged pleasantries and Prince William Platinum Jubilee Medals to the Chief of Defence Staff, The Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of the Fire Brigade, the Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services and the Chief Medical Officer of Health in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are at the Governor General’s residence this evening for a reception and dinner, where Prince William is expected to make a speech addressing the issue of slavery. Kate is wearing @jennypackham and diamonds loaned by the Queen #RoyalVisitJamaica pic.twitter.com/SCQL1rXeNd
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) March 24, 2022
Carly from Kate Middleton Style noted Lady Allen wore a La Femme gown.
Here is the video of the above image at Kings House, Kingston, Jamaica#RoyalVisitJamaica pic.twitter.com/T2o3wpCQdi
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 24, 2022
In addition to serving as the office of the Governor-General of Jamaica. King's House is also the venue for state and ceremonial functions, including the swearing in of Ministers of Government and Judges of the High Court.
Tonight's engagement marks William and Kate's final night in Jamaica. After a military related engagement in the morning they will travel to the Bahamas - the final destination of the royal tour.
The Duchess mingles with guests.
Posing for official photos with Governor-General and Lady Allen.
Today was a very busy day beginning with a meeting with the Prime Minister and his wife this morning. PM Holness made headlines globally when he declared Jamaica's intention to remove the monarch as Head of State at the beginning of the meeting. The PM told the royals: "There are issues here, which as you know, are unresolved, but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, to be out front and center and to be addressed as best we can. But Jamaica is, as you would see, is a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we're moving on and we intend to fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent, developed, prosperous country."
Prince William echoed his father's words tonight by expressing his "profound sorrow", adding "slavery was abhorrent and it should never have happened".
William said "I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history". He continued: While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude".
BREAKING: Prince William says Britain’s role in slavery was “abhorrent” and he express his “profound sorrow”.
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 24, 2022
He does not address the issue of reparations but he repeats his father’s words that it was an “appalling atrocity” and that “slavery forever stains our history.”
WATCH👇 pic.twitter.com/bzUQerdzhc
Speaking about the Queen, in the year of her Platinum Jubilee, William added: "It is no secret that the Queen has a deep affection for Jamaica, forged on her very first visit here with my grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1953," he said. "And, likewise, I have been touched to hear today from Jamaicans, young and old, about their affection for The Queen. She may be my actual grandmother, but everyone counts her as their grandmother, too. And I'm ok with that!"
The formality of the evening reminded me of several of the Queen's appearances in Jamaica over the years. Below, the monarch, in 2002, at King's House (where William and Kate are tonight) in a pale blue sequin and pearl Stuart Parvin gown and the Russian Fringe Diamond Tiara.
A crowd of 20,000 greeted the Queen and Prince Philip during their 1953 visit.
During the Queen's last visit to the country in 2002, she remarked: "The warmth of the people of Jamaica has always been much in evidence during our visits here. It is the same generosity of the Jamaican spirit which provides you as Parliament and Government with the energy and the will to serve and to lead."
William concluded in his speech: "Already in our short time here, Catherine and I are delighted to have felt what Bob Marley described so many years ago – the spirit of 'one love' that Jamaica has given to the world and which makes this country so special."
William conitnued: "Catherine and I only wish we had more time to spend with you all in Jamaica. There is so much more to learn. I hope this will be one of many visits. And next time we'd love to bring our children too. Governor-General, thank you again for hosting us all tonight. I hope you all have a happy evening. And 'one love'."
Now, to Kate's look tonight.
I think we can all agree, Kate was gorgeous in green tonight... The Duchess was every inch the future Queen in a sweeping green Jenny Packham gown, her Royal Family Order, GCVO and stunning jewels on loan from the Queen.
The Ruffle Off-The-Shoulder gown features Packham's signature embellishment, a defined waist and full skirt.
As we've seen throughout the tour, Kate's paid homage to her host countries by incorporating national colours into her looks. Below, the Jamaica flag.
The gown was complemented by the Queen's haw-dropping Emerald Tassel Suite.
The Court Jeweller (a fountain of invaluable royal jewel information) notes the Queen first wore them in 1989 during a State Visit from the United Arab Emirates.
The suite includes a necklace, earrings and bracelet in striking tassel motifs. Below, the Queen wearing the suite during a Winfield House event with Barack and Michelle Obama in 2011.
A closer look at the jewels on HM.
If I'm not mistaken, tonight marked the first occasion the Duchess wore her Royal Family Order and GCVO overseas.
And indeed the first time since the 2019 Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace.
It is understood Kate receieved the RFO in 2017. The Order is awarded by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom to female members of the Royal family as they typically do not wear the commemorative medals men do. The order is a personal memento rather than a State decoration. The badge of the order consists of a portrait of the Sovereign set in diamonds, which is suspended from a ribbon. The ribbon of each Royal Family Order changes with each monarch.
Royal Family Orders originated in Britain during George IV's reign. His order was rather ornate in appearance, and the frame that surrounded his portrait was of diamond oak leaves and acorns. The badge was suspended from a white silk bow. Below we see an image of the order which originally belonged to George IV's sister Charlotte, Queen of Württemberg, circa 1820 - 1830. Charlotte willed it to Princess Victoria, later Queen Victoria, who left it to the Crown.
.jpg)
In April 2019, to coincide with William and Kate's eighth wedding anniversary, the Queen appointed her granddaughter-in-law Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order for services to the Sovereign. The Royal Victorian Order was established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognised personal service to the monarch. More on the history of the order: "Prior to the close of the 19th century, most general honours within the British Empire were bestowed by the sovereign on the advice of her British ministers, who sometimes forwarded advice from ministers of the Crown in the Dominions and colonies (appointments to the then most senior orders of chivalry, the Most Noble Order of the Garter and the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, had been made on ministerial advice since the 18th century and were not restored to the personal gift of the sovereign until 1946 and 1947, respectively. Queen Victoria thus established on 21 April 1896 the Royal Victorian Order as a junior and personal order of knighthood that allowed her to bestow directly to an empire-wide community honours for personal services. The organisation was founded a year preceding Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, so as to give the Queen time to complete a list of first inductees. The order's official day was made 20 June of each year, marking the anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne."
The Duchess completed the look with a pair of green velvet pumps.
If you're just joining us, please click here to catch up on the day's earlier engagements.
Tomorrow, William and Kate will attend a military engagement in Jamaica, before arriving in the Bahamas about 4.30 p.m. local time and meeting with the Prime Minister for 5 pm.
Dearest Charlotte, I hope you are getting some sleep!
ReplyDeleteRachel, that's very kind of you :)
DeleteShe looks absolutely lovely!!!💚 And the Duke looks absolutely handsome!! Wow!!! Handsome couple! I hope they have a wonderful evening.
ReplyDeleteShe looks gorgeous. William looks nervous and who can blame him; what do you say when you've been told it's the end? If it's to be farewell to Jamaica from the English monarchy then who better to say it than these two, with grace and elegance?
ReplyDeleteThese 2 are truly very special & a Huge Asset to the Crown!! I agree with all you said Valerie!
DeleteBecca USA
Stunning and a handsome Prince on her arm. Love her in green. She is wearing the Queens tassel earrings and looks like the matching bracelet. Wonder if she's wearing the ring as well. 🤔... S. ☺
ReplyDeleteWhat??? New jewelry? I'm excited!!!!
DeleteThank you for posting all the details this week. It has been wonderful to see her outfits. This gown is stunning. I can imagine they are so tired. Sure you are as well. Great job
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting all the details this week. It has been wonderful to see her outfits. This gown is stunning. I can imagine they are so tired. Sure you are as well. Great job
ReplyDeleteWow! Just stunning! What a beautiful gown. I love her hair like this. This tour has not disappointed, that’s for sure.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, thank you for all your hard work with these posts!! I appreciate you so much for doing this!! You’re the best!!
Ooh this dress looks a lot like Scarlett O'Hara's green Twelve Oaks dress!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
I just…how is that exciting?? That her look reminds you (and so many) of a look from a movie that celebrated the antebellum south is horrific ESPECIALLY on the night that her husband was making comments in the history of slavery. Her team really missed them mark so many times on this tour, and this was one of the worst offenses.
DeleteThis anon 21:28. That so many people are praising the Scarlet O Hara vibe is horrifying to me. Given the context of what had gone on during the tour. This was a major misstep for someone who’s so often praised for their diplomatic dressing. It’s frivolous and expensive and utterly tone deaf to wear while a sensitive diplomatic speech about slavery is occurring. I’m really at a loss.
DeleteGorgeous can not wait to have all the details!
ReplyDeleteFinally, Kate looking like her regal self! Her instant glow against the green really is outstanding. I have missed her bouncy, beautiful hair that is the envy of every woman. It appears she had a very serious hair straightening process prior to the trip. Not a frizz in sight. AND William is looking very handsome this evening if not a little nervous.
ReplyDeleteI actually gasped. Not the first time she's stunned me with her amazing style. Absolutely gorgeous! That green is perfection. And I love the updo.
ReplyDeleteOh my, she always dazzles, but I believe this look is perfection! The dress, color, sparkling crystals on the gown, gorgeous jewelry, and beautiful hairstyle. What a vision.
ReplyDeleteStunning. She's every bit the future queen.
ReplyDeleteEvery Bit!! Absolutely Stunning!! xoxo
DeleteBecca USA
And Charlotte, you're the best as always!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, you have certainly been busy! Thank you for the incredible dedication to all the details that make this blog so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteKate looks beautiful tonight. I often don’t care for her updos, but she nailed this style!!! I think it looks best when it is higher like tonight, if that makes sense. Her makeup is gorgeous and the earrings are a really nice length & showy. I will be curious to see how William’s speech is received. I’m sure it’s not enough for many, but hopefully a start. I’m not familiar with how reparations work and who makes that decision, but I’m sure I’ll learn more about that in the future. Sue
Agreed! Charlotte has been rocking each post with amazing details and she must be posting at 4:00 or 5:00am London time. Crazy. But loving it!
DeleteKate is gorgeous and The Queen’s emeralds are perfect! I love these moments when she truly shines as a princess.
ReplyDeleteCatherine is a vision in this spectacular, very feminine green gown, elegant up do and what looks like some of the Queen's emeralds dangling from her ears. And a glowing tan certainly helps make her skin look luminous and healthy. This is perhaps be my favourite look ever!
ReplyDeleteI can only say, WOW!! THANK YOU CHARLOTTE.
ReplyDeleteOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS FROM HEAD TO TOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree! Zofia
DeleteStunning! Love every detail of her styling tonight. Interesting, she didn't carry a clutch. Thanks for sharing she choose the green velvet heels (which make sense). Fabulous. She does have other emerald earrings but so excited to see something different. They are stunning.
ReplyDeleteEveryone at the event looked beautiful. Jamaica should feel proud - I've never been but look forward to visiting one day.
Happy to hear Wills speech. Is it only me that wishes he would button his jacket when standing?
It's not just you. Every time I see William in his tux, I want to call his staff and plead to have someone tell him to keep his jacket buttoned! William needs sartorial advice from his father, too.
DeleteYou are so right about the jacket being buttoned. I'm so surprised every time I see it that someone isn't coaching him on that.
DeleteCharlotte, It’s very late in the States which means it’s very early in the UK: well done you! I hope you have time to rest today.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous gown and she wears it well. Glamorous indeed. Lady Allen’s dress is classic and a wonderful rich shade too.
William seems to have risen to the delicate diplomatic challenge this evening. A fine ending to the royal role in Jamaica.
Karen in Virginia
Wow, just wow! Catherine is absolutely stunning and her husband isn't bad, either :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous woman. The two of them just dazzle with charm and glamour.
ReplyDeleteI love the hair bun so much...and the dress is Just wouah !!
ReplyDeleteKate looks beautiful and elegant. I like the updo, the jewelry and the color of the gown. Gorgeous shade of green. I want to love this look so much, but the ruffles are too fussy and distracting for me.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, as usual your attention to detail and historical background is amazing. I enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteStunning! Incredible posting all during the tour - so thank you! Side note - in the picture of the Queen signing a book with President Obama - the pin the queen is wearing was a gift from Barack and Michelle Obama years earlier (green pin) and I assume the Queen chose the emerald tassel suite of jewels to match the pin. Kate's dress is perfection IMO!
ReplyDeleteGreat look! And I'm pretty sure Scarlett O'Hara will love it too :-)!
ReplyDeleteSo incredibly beautiful, from top to toe. Her up do is my favourite ever, her gown is in my top 2, and her emerald jewels are an absolute showstopper! She looks just gorgeous tonight … and the Gentleman next to her looks pretty gorgeous as well 💕💕
ReplyDeleteThis is a true princess fairytale dress with the lovely diplomatic nod to the flag of Jamaica in emerald green. The dress is the incarnation of every little girl's princess dream. The whole look - dress, hairdo, make-up and jewellery- is glamourous from head to toe. It is never too late to start with such selfconfident and stunning looks. Maybe she was too shy in the past when she was a younger, new royal. Prince William's tuxedo is dapper but I do miss always the cummerbund at his waist. His tuxedo without a cummerbund looks undone to me. Or is it outdated to wear one?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDoes someone know (and could explain) why Kate is only wearing the star-shaped thingi (is it called badge?) of the order, but not the sash? I am not too savvy when it comes to order-wearing practices and rules, however, normally they do wear both, the sash and the badge thingi. Or am I mistaken? Any clear up is welcome :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the dress. I think it's Kate regalcy that make it looks great. She really is a beauty
ReplyDeleteWow, we were in full-on princess mode here, weren't we?
ReplyDeleteOver the years, Jenny Packham has designed for the Duchess a number of evening dresses that have the same general silhouette: full skirt and more-or-less cap sleeves. I've become a little bored by them, but I'm rather taken with this one. It's because of the delicious green color, the judiciously-placed embellishment on bodice and upper sleeves -- just enough, not too much -- and the off-the-shoulder neckline. I wasn't quite certain at first what to think of the -- tulle(?) net(?) -- embellishment at the shoulderline, because it's a little frou-frou and not a feature I would wear. However, I decided that it worked, since the rest of the dress is relatively restrained in design.
A dress like this doesn't need a lot of bling. I think the elegant earrings and bracelet represented just enough. I also like the sleek chignon, which showed off the Duchess's shoulders. All the way around, this was an impressive look.
This tour, inevitably, has raised a number of political issues relative to British colonial history, and some participants here have commented on them. I noticed some criticism of the Prime Minister's remarks, for example. I don't normally like to discuss political issues on sites that I pretty much reserve for fashion debates -- I engage in politics elsewhere -- but I did want to say that I thought the PM's remarks were not inapposite in the circumstances. The Commonwealth realms have been wrestling for years with their own histories and with independence issues, with their relationships to the UK and the British Crown. The very purpose of this tour is, as someone described it, to mount a charm offensive in order to strengthen Commonwealth ties. But that purpose in and of itself was naturally going to inspire some people to protest and others, like the PM, to be open about the issues Jamaica is facing. It's not only a public relations opportunity for the Crown and Commonwealth; it's one for Jamaican ambitions and hopes. I don't think anyone should be surprised or upset that some people in the Caribbean in general are seizing that opportunity to have a say on a few sore subjects or on their hopes for the future.
Stunning, this green looks amazing on her, the jewelry is worth looking twice too. Even William looks wow.
ReplyDeleteWow, she looks gorgeous. I love the color and that she is wearing the Queen’s jewels. Not a fan of the top ruffles or whatever.
ReplyDeleteSo proud of William and Kate, they have handled an awkward situation with dignity and grace.
I might be the only one who doesn’t like this dress. The fru-fru neckline is just not attractive. The dress would have been more elegant without it IMHO.
ReplyDeleteI love her hairstyle on this trip though. I think the updo suits her. It might have been a style decision because of the weather but I just love it.
I absolutely love this look. It might be my favorite evening yet.
ReplyDeleteWhile the hair and jewels are not my favorite look, I think she looks beyond outstanding in the dress and the color is sensational on her.
hmm thee duchess wore same outfit her mother in laws and she true diplomatic relation im good and green dress nut she look good and duke look nervously handsome
ReplyDeleteLove the dress, this shade of green is so warm and soft. The jewels a amazing. What a beautiful set.
ReplyDeleteNow that is how you wear a ballgown. The Duchess looks beautiful. The colour is a wonderful shade of green, suits her perfectly. The jewels are divine.
ReplyDeleteHooray she packed a Packham and it is gorgeous. Kate is perfection in this and complimented by stunning jewels, a princess in the making right here!
ReplyDeleteShe looks really beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThis gown is amazing!!
ReplyDeletea true queen
ReplyDelete