It was a red carpet full of Hollywood A-listers but it was Kate Middleton who stole the spotlight on the No Time To Die premiere last night.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, was at her glamorous best in a custom gold Jenny Packham gown as she joined husband Prince William, 39, and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in a rare joint engagement at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Kate outshone even the stars in the glittering frock, created to look like liquid metal, from one of her favoured British fashion designers – with style experts and royal watchers united in their love of Kate’s look and declaring it their ‘favourite’ the royal has ever worn.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Laura Kay, Makeup Artist and Founder of Laura Kay London, explained the Duchess eschewed her typically ‘composed’ make-up look in favour of all out glamour, dubbing it her ‘Bond girl moment’, while Tom Smith, Celebrity Hairdresser and Brand Consultant, says that Kate has chosen a hairstyle suitable for a ‘future Queen’.
Social media users were similarly effusive, praising the ‘stunning’ duchess and her ‘showstopping’ appearance.
Style experts and royal watchers were united in their love of Kate’s look, with several declaring it their ‘favourite’ the royal has ever worn. Laura Kay, makeup artist, explained she eschewed her typically ‘composed’ style in favour of all out glamour including shimmering gloss, bronze contouring, fake eyelashes and defined eyebrows
Ornate: Meanwhile Tom Smith, Celebrity Hairdresser and Brand Consultant, says that Kate has chosen a style suitable for a ‘future Queen’ by ditching her bouncy blow dry for a more elaborate up-do (left). Right, William and Kate on the red carpet
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose on the red carpet with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, upon their arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall
The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in gold as she met James Bond actor Daniel Craig on the red carpet ahead of the film premiere yesterday evening
Both Kate and actress Lashana Lynch looked resplendent as they chatted ahead of the long-awaited James Bond film at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday night
Special moment: William, Kate, Charles and Camilla stood for the national anthem ahead of the film premiere last night
Impressive: The crowd turned to watch the royals, who were lit by spotlight, ahead of the film being shown
Laura said: ‘Kate steals the show! She looks like a Greek goddess and is channelling her inner Princess. This is a dramatic look for Kate who is usually reserved and composed. Although she is known to go glam for special occasions, this is undeniably her Bond girl moment.’
Mother-of-three Kate dazzled at the event in a custom Jenny Packham embellished gown – which is usually priced at £2,800. Featuring cape sleeve detailing and structured shoulders.
She teamed her dress with bespoke £290 Onitaa earrings – which were made in Pakistan by the South Asian luxury couture label and Aquazzura £555 leather pumps.
Looking effortlessly elegant, Kate’s dress had a bespoke 1970s-style cape attached and the royal beauty completed the look with gold earrings and shoes, with her hair coiled on top of her head.
Kate dazzled at the premiere for the new James Bond film No Time To Die last night as she paid a touching tribute to Princess Diana with her shimmering outfit (left, Diana at the A View to Kill premiere in 1985, and right, the Duchess last night)
What an entrance! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured together) and the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended the glittering world premiere of the new James Bond film No Time To Die this evening
Stunning! Kate commanded attention in a shimmering custom gown by favoured British fashion designer Jenny Packham, which featured dazzling golden embellishments, cape sleeves and structured shoulders
Mother-of-three Kate dazzled at the event in a custom Jenny Packham embellished gown – which is usually priced at £2,800. Featuring cape sleeve detailing and structured shoulders
Laura explained that to match her dazzling outfit, the royal has ‘moved away from her signature make-up look’- ditching her flushed rosy cheeks and matte pink lip in favour of a more bronzed and dewey look
Her look certainly made an impression on royal fans, with hoards of ‘star struck’ social media users insisting Kate was looking ‘absolutely stunning’ and hailing her a ‘class act’.
‘Kate Middleton can do no wrong’, wrote one user. ‘Absolutely stunning in that gold Jenny Packham gown #007’.
‘In other news: can we talk about Kate Middleton’s dress last night?! Wowza!! Star-struck She looked stunning at the Bond premiere’, commented a second.
Laura explained that to match her dazzling outfit, the royal has ‘moved away from her signature make-up look’- ditching her flushed rosy cheeks and matte pink lip in favour of a more bronzed and dewey look.
‘She is glowing, her skin looks dewy and complexion is flawless. She looks fresh from the spa and may have prepared the evening with a hydrating facial and massage as she looks so relaxed and confident in her skin.
Double date night! The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales stand together when at the event
Heir to the throne Charles is patron of the British Film Institute, while his son William (pictured with Kate) is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta)
William and Kate appeared in high spirits as they walked the red carpet ahead of the No Time To Die world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a sweet moment on the red carpet ahead of the long-awaited premiere yesterday evening in London
‘She has embraced golden bronze and brown hues to match her outfit. Her brows are bushier like we see with Cara Delevingne, or perhaps it is a clever nod to ancient history when women used to express their power and wealth by showcasing their eye-brows.
‘Kate has applied a bronze cream highlighter to contour the length of her face, contouring the top of her forehand, below her chin, jawline, as well as cheekbones and temples, to sculpt and add dimension. She finishes of her look with a tint of rose cream on her cheekbones for extra oomph.
Her brows take centre stage and perhaps inspired by her sister-in-law Meghan Markle who is known for her defined brows on the red carpet.
‘Kate appears to have used a soft pencil to build up her brows to achieve a lamination effect and brushed with a powder to add extra dimension’, said Laura.
Kate has also opted for a heavier eye look, including fake lashes – which the make-up artists says ‘totally transforms her look’ – while her choice of lip colour is subtle but glamorous.
‘She has opted for a deep smokey brown eyeshadow which is applied all over her eyelid as well as strategically smudged underneath, to create a smouldering effect. It is much more daring than what we are use to.’
‘Her lipstick choice is perfect for a formal evening event and it doesn’t over shadow her looks and she chooses a rich yet natural lip colour in gloss to add shimmer.
‘This makeup look brings Kate to the forefront of trends as the whole world is watching her.
Sharing a laugh! Kate Middleton chats with 007 star Daniel Craig when attending the world premiere of the new James Bond film No Time To Die this evening
Two dapper gentleman together! Prince William was all smiles as he met the 007 actor at the glittering premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Greetings! Prince Charles and British actor Daniel shared a hand shake when meeting one another at this evening’s outing
Chatting with one another: The Duchess of Cornwall appeared in deep concentration as she talked with the leading star of the No Time To Die film
The Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she meets other guests at the No Time To Die world premiere at Royal Albert Hall
The world premiere will benefit charities supporting serving and former members of the three intelligence agencies – the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ – as well as charities supporting past and present members of the UK Special Forces. Pictured, Kate meeting the stars of the movie
Looking good! The Duchess of Cambridge appeared just as impressed with Daniel Craig’s pink suit as he was with her show-stopping gown
Chatting away: Lashana Lynch and Kate also appeared deep in conversation with the former putting on an animated display
Shaking hands: Prince William and Cuban star Ana de Armas shook hands at the star-studded event at the Royal Albert Hall
Next up, the Prince of Wales: After chatting to his son, Ana struck up conversation with heir to the throne Prince Charles
Something funny? Performers Finneas and Billie Eilish were seen smiling as they chatted to doting father-of-three William
‘I would say Kate is pushing the boundaries and she knows only she has the power to pull this off. I suspect we will see Kate experiment with more looks in the future as she embraces her role as the Duchess of Cambridge’.’
Meanwhile Tom Smith, Celebrity Hairdresser and Brand Consultant, says that Kate has chosen a style suitable for a ‘future Queen’ by ditching her bouncy blow dry for a more elaborate up-do .
‘This is Kate at her most glamorous – it is rare that we see her with such an ornate up-do and it certainly makes a statement’, he said.
‘Her, statuesque look is enhanced with her hair piled up into soft curls giving her an even more elegant and regal look than normal. This is absolutely the look of our future Queen and she wears it magnificently.
‘There is a softness about the style, with almost a fluffiness to the finish which gives a warmer impression rather than a super slick look which can come off as hard or severe.
A smiling Duchess of Cambridge is presented with a gorgeous bouquet of pink flowers by a group of children at the premiere
Meeting the stars! The Duchess of Cambridge meets No Time To Die performers Finneas and Billie Eilish at the glamorous occasion
Performers Finneas and Billie Eilish are all smiles as they meet the Prince of Wales at the lavish event this evening in London
A number of Bond premieres have taken place at the Royal Albert Hall, including 2015’s Spectre where William and Kate and the Duke of Sussex were in attendance. Pictured, Kate at the event
He says that by moving her parting to the side, rather than in the centre, the Duchess has drawn attention to the detailing of her ornate hairstyle and suspects Kate used extensions to give the look more volume.
‘Particularly with her usual natural centre parting which she usually wears down the middle and can sometimes look harsh, instead with this style, she has opted for a side parting that is brushed over to soften the style at the front.
‘This is done in a deliberate attempt to draw the focal point towards the detailing at the back of the head.
‘The hair is woven into curls and twists with no distinctive pins or securing points which gives a weightless and effortless look to what is a highly detailed ‘crown’ of hair.
‘She surely would have had added hair in the form of extensions or hair pieces to give this level of volume and glamour but these would have likely been temporarily attached specifically for this event. She has also added subtle golden highlights to her hair which you can get a hint of in the curls and this shimmers beautifully in the light’.’
