At a glittering charity gala dinner in India, Prince William admitted to the gathered Bollywood and local celebrities to some relief at finally being able to be tour their country with his wife.
“When Catherine and I were married, India was the first place on Catherine’s list that she told me that she wanted to visit,” William told the 200 VIP guests at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
“Two children and five years later, we have finally made it – and we are both honoured to be here.
“It seems fitting that Catherine and I start our journey from here, a short distance from the place marked by the famous Gateway of India, where so many people, including my great-great-grandfather, have arrived.
“My family has a long and proud connection with India, and although our relationship has evolved, my family’s high regard for India – the largest country in the Commonwealth – remains unchanged.”
Kate dazzled the crowd in a cobalt blue Jenny Packham gown with beading added in India.
She accessorised the dress with chandelier drop earrings by Indian jeweller Amrapli. The duchess, whose charitable work is often overshadowed by interest in her wardrobe, again had the country guessing what and who she might wear on her first full day in the country’s most populated city.
In the end Kate, chose to play it safe and stick with some of her favourite UK designers, who added an Indian flare to the dresses.
Of course, their trip has not been all black-tie affairs. Earlier that same day the couple took time on their first day to play a game of cricket, where Kate, 34, batted and fielded in a tunic-inspired dress, by Mumbai’s Anita Dongre, and a pair of sky-high wedges.
They also laid a wreath at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to honour those who died in the 2008 attacks there.
The duke and duchess, who are travelling without their children, later chatted with hotel staff, including chef Raghu Deora, 41, one of the survivors of the attack.
Kensington Palace says the duke and duchess had been informed on their arrival in Mumbai about the explosion and fire at a Hindu temple in Kerala, and sent their thoughts to all who were assisting the victims.
