The designer behind Princess Kate’s green velvet dress at the Royal Variety Performance has shared how he and his team discovered the royal was wearing the stunning costume.
Co-founder at Talbot Runhof, Adrian Runhof, said Buckingham Palace only notified the company the future Queen would be wearing their gown half an hour before her appearance.
“Our name and our dress have been posted worldwide, so we are very thankful to her,” Mr Runhof told People magazine.
He continued: “We think she is great, we respect her, and it’s a great honour for us that she picked this dress, that she obviously liked it enough to buy it and select it for the event last night.”
The designer shared that Kate brought the dress ‘a few seasons ago’
|
PAMr Runhof explained the dress has been in their collection for multiple seasons and he believes Kate bought it through a department store.
He said: “I think she bought it a few seasons ago and found it in her wardrobe and thought, ‘Why don’t I wear this? It’s so beautiful’.”
The designer said the “secret” to their dresses is the way they fit, noting that there was a boost to Kate’s choice.
He explained: “The best thing is that it’s a wonderful stretch velvet, so it feels as comfortable as a pair of pyjamas.”
The future queen wore the stunning dress with her “blonde” hairstyle, which she addressed after causing a fan frenzy earlier this year.
The Princess of Wales explained her newly lightened hair resulted from natural sun exposure during her summer sailing holiday.
During a backstage encounter with actress Su Pollard at the Royal Variety Performance, Kate explained the transformation of her signature brunette locks.
When Ms Pollard complimented the royal’s noticeably lighter hairstyle, she responded: “It used to be brown, but it’s gone light in the sunshine.”
William and Kate were treated to an array of performances at the Royal Variety Performance
|
PAThe revelation came during the glittering gala at the Royal Albert Hall, where Kate appeared alongside her husband Prince William.
The future Queen accessorised with the Greville chandelier earrings, diamond pieces by Cartier that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
William accompanied his wife in traditional black tie attire for the rare formal evening engagement.
The Royal Variety Performance raises funds for entertainment industry professionals in need, with proceeds supporting the Royal Variety Charity’s mental health initiatives launched last year.
The princess wore the dress with Greville chandelier earrings
|
PAThis cause aligns closely with the Waleses’ longstanding advocacy for mental health support.
The show featured comedian Jason Manford as host and included an exclusive performance of Paddington The Musical.
The show included a 400-strong cast celebrating Les Misérables’ 40th anniversary and concluded with performers filling the aisles whilst confetti descended from the ceiling.
Following the performances, William and Kate went backstage to meet the participating acts, which included a special encounter with Paddington bear.