Kate Middleton Glitters in 2 Metallic Looks

Elise Solé
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, glitters in an Erdem metallic dress in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, glitters in an Erdem metallic dress in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tiaras aside, Kate Middleton is known for her casual style — she wears jeans to the grocery store and Lululemon leggings on errand runs — but on Monday, the duchess reminded everyone why she’s royalty, with a sparkly metallic dress.

While celebrating the U.K. India Year of Culture 2017, an event to celebrate ties between the two nations, Middleton wore an Erdem metallic lace dress with sheer sleeves and button cuffs. She topped the look with pearl drop earrings by Indian designer Anita Dongre, a designer she became a fan of following a trip to India last April. She also perfectly matched her $690 Oscar de la Renta platinum lamé Cabrina pumps to the glittering dress.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina in London. (Photo: Reuters)
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Ronald McDonald House Evelina in London. (Photo: Reuters)

Less than 24 hours later, she visited the Ronald McDonald House children’s hospital in London and continued to show her love for shiny clothes, although in a much more subtle way. The royal stepped out in blue tweed skirt suit and matching blazer by Rebecca Taylor, each with a hint of sparkle running through the distressed thread. While the skirt is sold out, the jacket is currently on sale for $199.

Middleton is a longtime fan of metallic, crowned a top trend at Sunday’s Academy Awards after Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel, Dakota Johnson, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone debuted glittery gowns.

During a 2011 royal tour that included a stop in Los Angeles, Calif., Middleton hit the red carpet carrying a Jimmy Choo Ubai clutch that complemented her lavender gown. In 2012, she wrapped herself in a metallic blue coat to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, and while pregnant with Prince George in 2013, she covered her bump with a Tory Burch coat woven with metallic yarn. Other notable mentions: strappy Jimmy Choo metallic heels, which the duchess wore to a London concert; a sparkly Jenny Packham gown, worn at two gala dinners; and a gold metallic pillow that Middleton leaned against while entertaining former first lady Michelle Obama at Kensington Palace in 2016.

Unsurprisingly, the Erdem dress — which retails for around $2,800 — is sold out online, although it’s unclear if the shortage is due to the infamous Kate Effect, defined as a massive boost in sales after the duchess is photographed wearing any given item. Most recently, the brand Issa, which shot to fame after Middleton wore its royal blue dress to announce her 2010 engagement to Prince William, shut down completely due to supply-and-demand issues.

However, Middleton’s metallic green halter top, which she paired with yellow hot pants and roller skates in 2008, is most likely still at large.

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