She\u2019s famous for her conservative sense of style but that didn\u2019t stop the Duchess of Cambridge from plumping for an unusually bright hue for her first day on Australian soil. \nPaying tribute to her Australian hosts, the Duchess\u2019 sunny \u00a3900 dress mirrored the gold of the Australian flag and was created by the London-based Serbian designer, Roksanda Ilincic.
\nBut while the dress drew appreciative gasps from the waiting crowd, it seems not everyone was a fan of the bold ensemble. \u2018William said I look like a banana,\u2019 Kate confided to one well-wisher, Heather Easton, as the couple arrived at Sydney\u2019s iconic Royal Opera House.
\nAlthough the Ryedale wool-crepe dress failed to find favour with Prince William, the dress, which comes from the London-based Serbian fashion designer\u2019s S\/S 2014 collection, did win the Duchess the approval of the fashion crowd.
\nAnd it also proved a hit with well wishers, among them Mrs Easton, who enjoyed a friendly conversation with the Duchess from her perch in the disabled section, and another with the Duke.
\nShe told William that she had seen him as a baby in New Zealand when he took his first few steps at Government House, Wellington.
\nAnd she told him that she clearly remembered his mother and that she looked more beautiful in real life than in her photographs, to which the Duke replied: \u2018Thank you very much.\u2019
\nAs 32-year-old Kate first stepped off the plane in Sydney, she carried Prince George – the real star of the show – in her arms as the family made their way out of the aircraft to meet a line of waiting dignitaries, including the prime minister Tony Abbott.
\nStanding among the soberly-dressed dignitaries, her yellow dress provided a welcome splash of colour – unsurprising as, according to Matches, a retailer that stocks the dress, it was inspired by the work of Brazilian artist H\u00e9lio Oiticica and incorporates his trademark bold block colours.
\nWhile you can pick up the dress off the peg, it comes in white with flashes of yellow – the reverse of the Duchess\u2019 dress – which indicates that the piece was made specifically for the visit.
\nBut with its square neckline and neatly tailored shape, the piece is a classic that retailers such as the Duchess of Cambridge\u2019s favourite high street name Zara have found easy to emulate.
\nIt is not the first time the Duchess has worn yellow to a public occasion either. She previously wore a dustier shade of the colour for her arrival at Calgary International Airport in July 2011 as part of the Royal couple\u2019s Canadian tour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"