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Duchess Of Cambridge: Kate Is Every Inch The Princess As She Sparkles In A Stunning Blue Gown At Charity Gala

By Sara Hunter Smith
Published on: 06:44 PST, Apr 10, 2016

The Duchess of Cambridge has dazzled the celebrity guests at a charity ball in Mumbai by arriving dressed in a fabulous blue gown, reports the Daily Mail. Arriving with the Duke of Cambridge, who was looking dapper in black tie, Kate wore a dress and “exquisite matching cape” by British designer Jenny Packham. Packham is a well-known favorite of Kate’s. In a nod to the royal couple’s host country, the extensive beading for the “cobalt blue” ensemble was completed in India.

The dress and cape, which the Duchess “draped over her shoulders,” was completed by “bold drop earrings, from luxury Indian jewelers Amrapali. The bodice was embroidered with ornate silver beading matched with a full gathered skirt which trailed along the floor.” The dress was custom-made for Kate’s trip to India.

Although the Duchess of Cambridge was still on the first day of the six-day royal tour, she was already in her third outfit. To match the formal evening, Kate’s hair looked appropriately chic in a classic French twist up-do. She accessorized her outfit with a blue clutch, beaded to match the dress and cape.

The gala, held in honor of the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, was organized by the charity British Asian Trust and The British high Commission. The gala is being held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where the Duke and Duchess are staying during their trip to India. As well as the guests of honor several of Mumbai’s most important celebrities attended the event. Bollywood stars, sports heroes, and local dignitaries shared the red carpet with the royal couple.

Unusually for the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posed on the red carpet for a few minutes while the paparazzi went crazy photographing them. Kate and William didn’t look out of place on the carpet, and the Duchess shone every bit as bright as the most famous Bollywood actresses.

According to The Mirror, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William “will be entertained tonight by an explosion of Bollywood dancing and music…the reception and dinner will raise funds for three charities – Magic Bus, Doorstep, and India’s Childline, which support vulnerable children in Mumbai and across India.”

Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, who as the British High Commissioner is the Queen’s official representative in India, spoke about the importance of the Duke and Duchess mingling with the Indian glitterati during their visit.

“Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate India’s notable contribution to cinema and to meet some of Mumbai’s most influential people in film, sport and business.”

During Prince William’s speech at the gala, he mentioned how the Duchess was always very keen to visit India. Although the royal couple have only just begun their official tour, Kate has already made quite a splash.

The gorgeous blue gown the Duchess of Cambridge chose for this evening’s charity event could not have been more suited to the glamorous, ostentatious Bollywood fashion which is a potpourri of Indian styles. Sonny Takhar, a record company executive and member of the British Asian Trust, said that “it would be remiss of [the Duke and Duchess] to go to India and not experience Bollywood culture because it’s such an important part of the cultural fabric of the country.”

The Duchess of Cambridge looked remarkably refreshed considering the busy day she has had. As previously reported by Inquisitr, Kate and Prince William visited a memorial to the 2008 terrorist bombings at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, then met children at the famed cricket ground the Oval Maidan. After a few turns at the crease, the Duke and Duchess had a bus tour of Mumbai, then toured the slums talking to craftspeople and charities working for the poor.

[Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images]

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