Magnifique! Dazzling Kate’s the belle of the ball in Paris as she opts for THREE costume changes in a matter of hours as she and William begin their two-day Brexit charm offensive
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a glittering gala dinner in Paris on Friday night
Princess Catherine opted for three different outfits throughout the day
The pair arrived in Paris this afternoon to meet President Francois Hollande at the Elysée
Prince William enjoyed bi-lateral talks with the French leader at start of their whirlwind 24-hour visit
This visit is the first time that William and Kate have visited Paris in an official capacity
Today is also the prince’s first official visit to the city since his mother died there twenty years ago in 1997
It was a whirlwind day for William and Kate. They started the day at a St. Patrick’s Day parade in London before taking a private jet to Paris to begin a two-day Brexit charm offensive.
The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in three outfits in just a matter of hours in the French capital. She kicked off her sartorial showcase at the Elysée Palace with a green Catherine Walker coat dress for a meeting with the French president.
A little while later she changed into a black Alexander McQueen gown complete with oversized pearls and Gianvito Rossi heels when she and William attended the British Embassy to launch Les Voisins – The Neighbours – a year-long celebration of UK-French links.
The pair, on their first official visit to the city since the death of William’s mother Princess Diana twenty years ago, finished the evening at the Ambassador’s residence next door where she dazzled in an ice-blue Jenny Packham dress.
After Prince William made headlines with his ‘dad dancing’ during a booze-fuelled lads’ skiing holiday last weekend, Kate ensured all eyes were on her as she stole the show in her range of sophisticated outfits.
But if he thought he could entirely put the embarrassment of his wild weekend behind him, William was sadly mistaken when a group of child performers sang Pharrell Williams’ song Happy – the tune the royal danced to in a club in Verbier.
However, the prince made it clear he and Kate intend to fly the flag for Britain and unity post Brexit during their visit as he told those who had gathered at the gala: ‘The connections between our nations run deep – ties of history, ties of values, ties of friendship and family. And ties born, above all, of the fact that our countries are neighbours.
‘This deep friendship between the United Kingdom and France, forged in sweat and blood, is one that will endure. This partnership will continue despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union.’
However Friday evening called for a quick change as Kate swapped her practical coat dress for old school glamour, slipping into a custom Alexander McQueen gown which she accessorised with oversized pearls and Gianvito Rossi heels as she rubbed shoulders with stars including Audrey Tatou and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas.
Kate then wore her Jenny Packham dress to attend a glittering gala dinner at the stunning official residence of the British Ambassador, Edward Llewellyn – Lord Llewellyn of Steep, David Cameron’s former chief of staff at Downing Street.
The pair kicked off a busy day of engagements with a St. Patrick’s celebration in London, and tonight they mixed with stars including actress Audrey Tatou, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, who lives in the city, and footballer Robert Pires.
Kate, 35, oozed Hollywood glamour with her hair worn in loose waves and teamed her designer gown with Gianvito Rossi heels, a chic leather belt and oversized pearl earrings.
On the menu last night was sole crown and Dublin Bay prawns, crayfish, braised leg of Welsh lamb with a seasonal vegetable garnish and roast potatoes with thyme, and an iced white and dark chocolate soufflé, butterscotch sauce with a pistachio and almond diamond shortbread.
Earlier in the day, the pair headed to the Elysée where they enjoyed bi-lateral talks with the French leader Francois Holland to kick off their whirlwind 24-hour visit after arriving on a private jet.
On Friday morning, the pair had been at a St Patrick’s Day parade in Hounslow, West London, and clearly Kate did not have time to change after her engagement this morning – arriving in Paris in the same coat she had sported hours earlier.
She wore the same green Catherine Walker outfit to meet President Hollande, but the only difference was that Kate had quickly taken her hair down en route to the city, suggesting that her personal hairdresser has accompanied her on the trip.
‘The British Royal Family are some of the most important diplomats we have,’ said an FCO source, ‘and will play a major part in what is being called our “soft diplomacy” efforts.’
Interestingly, William and Kate did not travel to Paris by Eurostar but flew in by private jet today, following an engagement in London this morning.
WILLIAM’S SPEECH…
‘The connections between our nations run deep – ties of history, ties of values, ties of friendship and family. And ties born, above all, of the fact that our countries are neighbours.
‘So much of our countries’ histories, culture and language are intertwined. Those ties of neighbours which run through our history are as powerful today as they have ever been.
‘Most fundamentally, our nations share a set of common values: democracy, free speech, the rule of law, among many others.
‘This deep friendship between the United Kingdom and France, forged in sweat and blood, is one that will endure.
‘This partnership will continue despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union. The depth of our friendship and the breadth of our cooperation will not change.’
WILLIAM’S PARTYING ON THE SWISS SLOPES ON BOYS’ SKI HOLIDAY…
Prince William skipped a major Commonwealth ceremony with the Queen to party with friends in the Swiss Alps where he was seen enjoying a boozy lunch with a glamorous Australian model.
Hours before other royals attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day, an occasion with deep personal resonance for the monarch, the 34-year-old was drinking and dancing in a club in the upmarket resort of Verbier.
Earlier in the day, William, who will one day follow his grandmother as head of the 52-strong ‘family of nations’, had been drinking beer on the slopes with friends, including high-spirited nightclub boss Guy Pelly and 24-year-old model Sophie Taylor.
During the jaunt, he was seen giving Ms Taylor a high five as they enjoyed a leisurely lunch on mountainside restaurant La Vache.
It is believed that William left his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their young children at home for the weekend jaunt, returning to England late yesterday afternoon.
The prince’s decision to miss such a key event in the royal calendar will revive criticism that the father of two is ‘workshy’ and failing to knuckle down to his royal role.
Ms Taylor works at the Farinet nightclub, the popular après-ski hangout where William and his friends were spotted until the early hours.
The stunning blonde has previously worked for Australian model agency Chadwick models and also posed topless for photographer Glen Krohn in Bali when she visited the island last year.
British Ambassador, Edward Llewellyn – Lord Llewellyn of Steep, David Cameron’s former chief of staff at Downing Street described the visit as ‘exciting and special’ and revealed that the embassy planned to launch at least one major initiative on the back of it.
He said: ‘This is a very exciting and special day. This is the first official visit by the royal couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Paris. This is a country they know well but their first visit is an important and significant moment.
‘I have been ambassador for four and half months and been very struck in that time by the deep affection in this country that there is for the Royal Family. I think that is very much evidence today when we see some of the French press coverage.’
Will and Kate enjoy a laugh with French President Hollande
Source: DAILYMAIL MAILONLINE
Tags: Kate Middleton, France, Paris, Visit, Royal Visit, Royals Visit, Kate Visit, William Visit, Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge
