Kate chose another bespoke piece by Jenny Packham for this morning’s solemn visit to the Kranji War Memorial. Below we see William and Kate as they leave their hotel to go to the Memorial.
Richard Palmer of the Daily Express reports “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had specifically asked to pay their respects to UK and Australian Z special unit heroes.” More from this story in the Express:
During the Second World War thousands of British and Commonwealth servicemen lost their lives in defence of Singapore and in the subsequent occupation by Japanese forces.
During World War II the cemetery site was a Japanese POW camp, there are now 4461 Commonwealth casualties buried here.
The Straits Times reports a crowd of about 500 people gathered despite the heat and remote location of the Memorial. Kate and William carried a wreath made of locally grown flowers.
From the Daily Mail:
The royal couple laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen and Prince Philip at the Kranji Memorial, situated on a tranquil sun-bathed hill high above the bustling city.
Here is a better look at the wreath and accompanying card, the pictures are by Rebecca English, she wrote the Mail’s story we quote from above.
You can see the traditional red poppies, the card reads “In Honor of the Glorious Dead Elizabeth R and Philip.” Below, the guest register signed by William and Kate.
After the ceremony Group Captain Coombes walked around the grounds with the Duke and Duchess, this picture is courtesy of WKW Facebook friends Sarah and Phil, they attended today’s event.
Kate and William spent time speaking with officers, veterans and other guests.
The pair spent a good amount of time walking about the Cemetery.
As William and Kate looked at some of the headstones, Kate carried a parasol to try and stave off some of the heat.
Kate’s dress featured a button front bodice, lace overlay on the bodice and sleeves, three quarter sleeves, and full, pleated skirt.
And a closer look at the front.
The information released by St. James’s Palace calls the color “duck egg blue,” that was a color actually used in the Spring 2011 Jenny Packham collection.
Kate’s dress worn to the charity polo match in California last year also came from the spring 2011 collection.
Kate wore her LK Bennett Sledge2 pumps, she did not carry a purse.
It was the couple’s last engagement in Singapore, they boarded a plane for the short flight to Malaysia. This afternoon Kate gives her first public speech outside Britain.
Next on the schedule:
- The pairâ€™s first engagement is a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister Datoâ€™ Sri Najib Tun Razak at Seri Perdanaat, his official residence. The lunch will include a musical performance by young people
- Following lunch Kate and William visit Hospis Malaysia, this is where the Duchess will give a short speech to patients and staff, â€œdrawing on her own growing experience of the hospice movement in the United Kingdom.â€
- Thursday evening the Duke & Duchess attend an official dinner given by His Majesty The Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara
The couple has arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Kate is still wearing the Packham dress, shown in this artistic Instagram photo byÂ syukri_aziz.
A WKW Facebook friend shared this picture from the airport.
William, Kate, the Prime Minister and his wife are seen in Seri Perdana’s “Blue Room,” just before today’s lunch.
We’ll be back with another post on the day’s events a bit later.