Then come the outfits: Kate’s wardrobe set to be the best of British for royal tour
THE Duchess of Cambridge looked as chic as ever as she arrived in New Zealand today to begin a tour of the country with Princes William and George.
At Sydney Airport the Duchess sported a grey MaxMara dress which she first wore when she was three months pregnant with Prince George.
She then made a quick change into a double-breasted red Catherine Walker dress and coat, with matching Gina Foster pillbox hat, looking every inch the Princess as she disembarked the plane in Wellington.
She also wore a diamond and platinum silver fern brooch lent to her by the Queen.
Although Kate, 32, is a fan of British fashion, she is also expected to promote New Zealand's fashion industry by wearing clothes by its leading designers, including London-based Emilia Wickstead and New York-based Rebecca Taylor whose outfits she has worn before.
They liked what they saw and we've been emailing back and forth with her staff
Others designers who have been in touch with the Royal Household include Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, and World, according to New Zealand newspapers, although there was no confirmation from Kensington Palace.
She is also expected to wear jewellery recommended by Ms Taylor and made by her sister Victoria and her business partner Kirstin O'Brien at Wellington-based Tory & Ko jewellers.
The firm has sold the Duchess four pieces, including two pairs of earrings from its Pretty Collection after consulting with palace officials.
"They liked what they saw and we've been emailing back and forth with her staff. They were very specific in their choices," Ms O'Brien told New Zealand's largest Sunday newspaper, The Sunday Star Times.
Kate's fashion choices echo those from her tour around Canada and the US with Prince William in 2011, where she supported both British and local designers.
During the trip the Duchess showcased a mixture of Canadian designers, such as Erdem Moraliogu, and Canadian-based label Smythe, as well as some of her favourite British fashion including Jenny Packham and Alice Temperley.