Kate channels Diana but Prince William steals the show in Pakistan
Kate Middleton may be the one to get the most attention for her royal tour wardrobe, but after their last engagement it’s Prince William’s everyone is talking about.
When it comes to her wardrobe, Kate Middleton has been taking heed of the country’s Islamic customs and culture. But the duchess is also taking inspiration from a fellow royal with close ties to Pakistan: her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Prince William’s mother spent time doing charity work in the country before her 1997 death, and was in a two-year relationship with British-Pakistani surgeon Hasnat Khan, a distant cousin of current prime minister and former cricket star Imran Khan.
Kate’s first outfit when she flew into Islamabad on Monday, a blue ombré dress, instantly drew comparisons to Diana’s arrival look.
Then on Tuesday, Kate wore two outfits echoing the late princess’s Pakistan wardrobe.
For a meeting with Prime Minister Khan — who frequently joined Diana on her own visits — the duchess wore another Catherine Walker design: a bright green tunic which she paired with white trousers from Maheen Khan, and a dupatta scarf by Bonanza Satrangi.
Diana also memorably wore green as a sign of respect for the country.
Later the same day, Kate’s embroidered Maheen Khan kurta in royal purple was also compared to one worn by her mother-in-law on her final trip to Pakistan in 1997.
Prince William steals the spotlight in Pakistan
When the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a stunning floor-length Jenny Packham gown on Tuesday evening in Pakistan – some thought perhaps it was the Duke of Cambridge who truely stole the “spotlight”.
Prince William donned a traditional green sherwani – a type of coat-like garment which is custom to the region.
His outfit is believed to be by Naushemian, a label founded by Pakistani designer Nauman Arfeen – and many are joking on Twitter overshadowed his wife’s stand-out look, calling William’s look a “fashion statement”.
Kate meanwhile, embodied the royal spirit in the head-to-toe sequinned, emerald green number. She wore the outfit to attend a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan in Islamabad.
On her feet, she wore what look like new Jimmy Choo Mimi 100 sandals. The shoes are still available to buy on the Jimmy Choo website for $1080.
I love it! Catherine's glittering but William is stealing the spotlight 😄
— biblio (@biblio8) October 15, 2019
Riiiight??!! Will out here making fashion statements. I see you Will!! 🙌🏽
— ★D. W.★ (@suthrngurl) October 15, 2019
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how good Prince William looks tonight? Love the outfit too! 💚 #RoyalVisitPakistan
— Respect the Duchess (@_kateinspires) October 15, 2019
Wow, William's outfit is something!#RoyaltourPakistan #PrinceWilliam #PrincessKate pic.twitter.com/0ghNJWWHPX
— Black Night (@TeresaW77903163) October 15, 2019
Kate also added a Pakistani nod to her look with a screen print chiffon dupatta by Satrangi, wore over one shoulder. The details were shared on Twitter. It retails for 1480 Pakistani rupees, according to the tweet.
The pair’s choice of green outfits is a diplomatic nod to the green flag of Pakistan.
She is! My office is in a mall above a Bonanza Satrangi store. I just popped down to buy one 🙈
It's from their latest collection. Retails for Rs.1480. pic.twitter.com/zSg0tZbAoc— Sarah Daud Janjua (@SarahDJanjua) October 15, 2019
The pair made a spectacular arrival in a rainbow-coloured rickshaw.
During the evening, they were joined by representatives from Pakistan’s creative arts and business communities.
The purpose of the event was for the couple to “to meet as many Pakistanis as possible...including children and young people, leaders from government, business and the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known cultural figures and sporting stars,” according to the couple’s spokesperson via People.
With additional reporting by Erin Donnelly and Francesca Spectar.
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