Duchess of Cambridge dazzles in daring dress at Warsaw party on Poland tour
THE Duchess of Cambridge feted Polish high society tonight in a daring dress by one of the country's top fashion designers at a garden party in Warsaw.
Kate dazzled in the sleeveless white number with a plunging neckline by Gosia Baczynska, who has been christened the "tsarina of the Polish fashion scene."
Her choice of a low-cut dress came just a week after she wore a dusty pink custom-made Marchesa gown with a similar neckline for a state banquet for the King and Queen of Spain.
Miss Baczynska, who is known for her bold designs, was the first Polish designer to feature in the Paris fashion week calendar.
William made a short speech to the 600 guests at the Queen's birthday party event, hosted by Britain's ambassador to Poland, Jonathan Knott.
The second in line to the throne was clapped and cheered by the crowd as he addressed them in faltering Polish to say: "Good evening, we hope you have a nice party."
Standing beside Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata, William also hailed the country's "courage, fortitude and bravery" in surviving centuries of assaults, and especially its "incredible bravery during the brutal Nazi occupation.
We in the United Kingdom value our links with Poland enormously
"We in the United Kingdom value our links with Poland enormously.
“We admire Poland as a remarkable example of courage, fortitude and resilience. You have survived centuries of assaults on your land, including partitions that were designed to wipe you off the map of Europe," he said.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet the President of Poland
He spoke of the modern links between the two countries.
"And Polish is now the second most spoken language in the United Kingdom, with a generation of young people growing up who feel both British and Polish.
"Such links – diplomatic, military, cultural – offer much promise and opportunity for the future," he said.
William read a message from the Queen which highlighted the close ties between Poland and Britain which stretch back 1000 years.
William and Kate met several leading Polish dignitaries at the party held at the Orangery in Warsaw's Lazienki Park.
The park was the residence of King Stanislaw, the last king of Poland.
Guests enjoyed English white wine and smoked salmon sandwiches served with mini union flags stuck into them.
They were also treated to a performance from the String Quartet of the National Polish Radio Sympathy Orchestra, led by UK raised Polish national Rafal Zambrzycki-Payne, a former BBC young musician of the year.