The Duchess Of Cambridge Dazzles In McQueen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended this year’s Royal Variety Performance on behalf of the royal family. For the occasion, which benefits and celebrates elderly and ill performers, Kate commissioned Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton to create a black evening gown for her. The elegant design features a black lace floral overlay on top of a nude slip and a velvet trim around the neckline and waist.

Eagle-eyed royal style watchers have been quick to draw comparisons with the Temperley Amoret gown Kate wore to the War Horse premiere in 2012, and again in 2013 for an engagement at the Natural History Museum. The McQueen look – which she offset with Jimmy Choo’s Celeste clutch, Romy pumps and a pair of Erdem earrings – is emblematic of her long-standing collaboration with the house. Form-fitting yet conservative silhouettes embellished with discreet, feminine craftsmanship have become Kate’s calling card thanks to Burton’s team.

Monday evening’s London Palladium event marks the first time Kate has worn McQueen to a Royal Variety Performance. In 2014, she wore a black lace Diane von Fürstenberg dress, and in 2017, she plumped for an icy-blue beaded gown by Jenny Packham. Last year, the Cambridges handed the baton to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who represented the royals at the long-running televised theatrical celebration. Meghan chose a custom black and white Safiyaa dress for her Royal Variety Performance debut, which fell shortly after she announced her first pregnancy.