Late evening on the 14th of October 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton) landed at the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city.
The couple will be in the country until the 18th of October, touring Pakistan at the request of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
A little preview of the tour itinerary from the Palace’s official press release:
Whilst The Duke and Duchess’s programme will pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan, it will largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation. From the modern leafy capital Islamabad, to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West, the visit will span over 1000km, and will take in Pakistan’s rich culture, its diverse communities, and its beautiful landscapes.
Royal.UK
Upon their arrival, dignitaries including Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi met William and Kate from the plane.
Two young children in traditional Pakistani outfits greeted the royal couple and presented Kate with a bunch of flowers.
Kate’s outfit:
The Duchess wore a custom made outfit by Catherine Walker & Co., a design atelier based in Chelsea, London. If you look closely, you’ll spot that she’s wearing a pair of trousers under the long dress/tunic.
This is a traditional outfit known as a ‘shalwar kameez‘. It’s worn across some regions in South and Central Asia, including Pakistan. This lovely lady on Twitter describes Kate’s ensemble as having a “western twist”. I thought that was an apt way to describe the look!
Kate’s shalwar kameez features a long tunic-dress in a blue ombre fabric. It has draping detail across the front and back and covered buttons along the sleeves. Kate’s wearing tailored trousers underneath.
Prince Diana wore a similar look (in a similar colour) when she visited Pakistan in 1996. That outfit was also by Catherine Walker.
A few people on Twitter asked why Kate chose the aqua/blue colour for her arrival outfit. (Often, she’ll wear a colour that has significance, for example, a national colour.) Of course, it might be a reference to the outfit worn by Princess Diana during her visit to the country, pictured above.
It could be a nod to the Pakistan Air Force who operates the airbase where William and Kate’s plane landed. The organisation’s emblem, flag and official colours include a similar sky blue colour.
Or…. maybe, Catherine Walker & Co. took delivery of this nice blue fabric on the day Kate visited, and she liked it? Haha!
Kate wore/carried two accessories from Pakistani brand Zeen. She wore a pair of Beaded Chandelier earrings that cost only $10 USD (around £8 GBP).
And the brand’s Cream Gleam clutch, which retails for around $29 (£23).
Zeen is a womenswear line from Cambridge, a Pakistani company with a 40+ year history. You might remember that she wore this pair of earrings by Zeen a few weeks ago during a visit to the Aga Khan Centre in London?
Finally, Kate finished the look with her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps in nude leather. Rupert Sanderson is a British luxury shoe designer.
The Duchess owns the Malory style in blue suede too.
Your verdict:
As always, I love to hear from you guys. Do you like the colour and the ombre print? What about the Diana link? Are you pleased she wore a British designer or were you hoping for a piece from a Pakistani designer? Let me know in the comments below.
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Loved the outfit and the colour,Kate looks stunning!
KATE IS GORGEOUS AND CLASSY
So beautiful the colour is gorgeous
Another smashing outfit. Beautiful color, demure and classy. I rarely dislike anything the Duchess wears. Thank you for the lovely post.
Same!
I think Kate looks lovely, as always. She has such an amazing sense of fashion combined with the perfect balance of proportion, accents which create each and every time a harmonious result. The color is beautiful on her. She brightens up my day every time she steps out in a new or recycled outfit which she accessorizes just right to make it look new again. I have quite a few of her actual outfits and others which are “replikated”, can’t never go wrong putting an outfit together that is Kate’s.
Thank you for keeping up this website, it’s a delight!
Classy and beautiful, Kate never disappoints! You go girl!
Starting with the photo of them coming down the plane. She looks like a vision, the multi toned dress… the multi toned material… what is there not to like.
Love the info about the earrings. Where are they sold? Her clothes are lovely except the matronly flower pattern dresses.
Catherine looks lovely. The colour with her complexion and hair colour is spot on. She is gradually maturing into her position and her confidence is growing . The Duke and Duchess remind me of king George VI and Queen Elizabeth. As Prince Philip is to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cornwall is proving herself to the Prince of Wales. The Royal family is in very stable hands.
Welcome in Pakistan …. Kate looking stunning
This outfit in traditional dress is stunning. The Duchess looks beautiful. The draping of the neckline front and back gives added interest, the buttons on the sleeves finish the look off perfectly. The colour is gorgeous. The flow and fall of the dress on movement is spot on. The clutch I love! Beautifully done.
this beautiful outfit by Catherine Walker of London
So splendid, a Royal monarchy in the hands of a furutre Queen so marvelous, so splendid
She is knocking it out of the ball park with her choices so far…simple lines, gorgeous fabrics and the draping of collars or addition of scarves is just plain “WOW”! Some of her very best looks. Top marks Kate!
The Duchess of Cambridge is absolutely stunning in this atherine Walker design! The way she presents herself says it all about elegance and class!