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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Russell Myers & Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton dazzles in green gown and diamonds from Queen at glittering state dinner

The Duchess of Cambridge looked dazzling in green as she and Prince William attended the second evening reception of their Caribbean tour.

Kate opted for a stunning Jenny Packham off the shoulder ruffle gown for the glittering state dinner at the house of Jamaica's Governor General in Kingston.

She paired the dress with emerald and diamond earrings and a bracelet loaned from the Queen, as well as her Royal Family Order and GVCO Star - although there was no tiara. She also wore her hair in a chic updo.

William, who gave a speech expressing his “profound sorrow” over the stain of slavery on Britain, also looked suave in black tie.

As they arrived and were greeted by the Governor General Patrick Allen, William told them they had a "brilliant day" in Jamaica.

Kate, with the wife of Jamaica's Governor General, wore a gown by Jenny Packham (PA)
Kate, with the wife of Jamaica's Governor General (PA)

Kate added that she also had a "fantastic day" and said "thank you for having us back again".

The couple also walked down a set of stairs in the Governor General's house that the Queen and Prince Philip walked down in when they visited Jamaica in 1953 - recreating that moment.

During his speech, William said he “strongly agreed” with his father Prince Charles’s previous declaration that Britain is forever stained by its role in the global slave trade.

He said: “Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened."

William and Kate pose with Patrick Allen, Governor General of Jamaica, and his wife Patricia (PA)
The royal couple chat to Jamaica's Prime Minster and Governor General (PA)

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Meanwhile, those at the dinner, sat down to a menu that included roasted pumpkin and potato soup, pimento-smoked sea bass and suzette fanned crepes.

Earlier in the day, Kate looked gorgeous in another outfit - a white trouser suit by McQueen - as she and William met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who made clear his country's intention to break away from the British monarchy.

Kate's jewellery was on loan from the Queen (PA)

The royal couple were welcomed to Jamaica House in Kingston by Mr Holness and his wife Juliet, and introduced to cabinet members including Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister for Legal Affairs, Robert Morgan, Minister without Portfolio, Floyd Green, Minister without Portfolio, Office of the Prime Minister and Audrey Sewell, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister.

It is the second evening reception Kate has attended on the tour (PA)
Kate styled her hair in a chic updo (PA)

After signing the visitors’ book in the lobby, William and Kate were taken inside for a private meeting with Mr Holness, who told the couple: “We are very very happy to have you and I hope you will have seen the warm welcome of the people.

“Jamaica is a very free and liberal country and the people are very expressive and I’m certain that you will have seen the spectrum of expression yesterday.

“There are issues here which are, as you would know, unresolved, but your presence gives an opportunity for these issues to be placed in context, put front and centre and to be addressed as best we can.

A close up of Kate's earrings that were borrowed from the Queen (PA)

“But Jamaica is, as you can see, a country that is very proud of its history, very proud of what we have achieved and we are moving on and we intend to attain, in short order, our developing goals and to fulfil our true ambitions… as an independent, developed, prosperous country.”

After they toured a teacher training college and also meet doctors and nurses at a local hospital, before meeting members of the Jamaican Defence Force.

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