Kate Middleton Opted for Head-to-Toe Glam at Her Latest Royal Appearance

Kate Middleton’s style is hardly boring, but the Duchess of Cambridge certainly has a preferred color scheme. Middleton typically sticks to cooler colors: blues, greens, the occasional muted yellow ... On Monday, the mother of three broke free from her sartorial comfort zone in favor of a rarely worn hue: red.

While hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace in honor of the U.K.-Africa Investment Summit, Middleton arrived in a glittering red midi gown by Needle & Thread with sheer beaded sleeves and a tulle skirt. The Duchess complemented the dramatic dress with a matching gold-accented clutch and cherry red pumps. Her signature blowout appeared as bouncy as ever.

Prince William stood by her side in a navy suit and a plum-colored tie.

During the reception, William reminded the crowd of his special relationship with Africa.

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“The African continent holds a very special place in my heart,” William explained. “It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died. And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee.”