Kate opted for a dress by Saloni London for this evening’s pre-tour reception at Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess met young people from Bhutan and India in advance of their visits to those countries. 
Some of the guests were Indian entrepreneurs supported by the UK’s Trade and Investment Global Entrepreneur Programme. Tonight’s function gave the Duke and Duchess an opportunity to learn first-hand about the places they will be visiting, getting a sense of contemporary culture in both countries. They were also given some dietary input by one guest; more from The Daily Mirror:
Model Neelam Gill, whose family is originally from the Punjab, said: “For my generation [William and Kate] have always seemed cool and approachable and I felt they were just that in person. “It was really sweet seeing them as a couple.”
She added: “She told me that she loved Indian food so I told her that she’d be fine with the spices. But William told me that he struggles with the spices so I told him to watch out.”
Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal)
Many of those attending the event were students. Below, William is seen speaking with Chevening scholarship students; that program works to develop future leaders by offering scholarships and fellowships to study in the UK.
Kensington Palace
Moving to what Kate wore, the Saloni Mary Illusion Dot Dress in navy blue. 
The floor-length frock is a rayon/silk blend featuring a high ruffled neck, full-length sheer sleeves, a sheer/illusion plunging neckline incorporated into the bodice, an exaggerated keyhole opening on the back above the hidden zipper, and a satin (I think) sash-style belt.
Moda Operandi
A view from the back, with thanks to The Daily Mirror’s Victoria Murphy for so generously sharing her photos.
Victoria Murphy, The Mirror (@QueenVicMIrror)
In this image you can see that Kate added a modesty panel, or lining, to the top.
©NPA Rota/i-Images/Polaris
Below left, a better sense of the fabric’s texture and weight. On the right, another piece crafted of the same material.
Lyst.com/Saloni Facebook
Saloni says the dress will be available for pre-ordering on the company’s website very soon.
The brand was founded by Indian-born Saloni Lodha in 2007; more on the designer from Richard Palmer’s piece in The Express:
Ms Lodha, who moved to London in 2004 after a spell in Hong Kong, comes from a family of Marwaris, an Indian ethnic group that originates from Rajasthan. Her grandfather owned a fabric shop and all the women in her family only ever wore sarees.
She has described how her heritage has influenced her designs. “I always keep in mind my Indian heritage while designing but don’t translate it literally into our clothes,” she said.
“I think the way we as a brand celebrate bold colours and patterns is our way of bringing the spirit of India into the collections.”
We expected to see Kate wearing a new dress or two from this designer on the tour. The Duchess was first seen wearing the brand at a Fostering Network engagement in November of last year, the company’s Martine dress.
©Saloni/i-Images/Polaris/Nunn Syndication – Polaris
In addition to its own ecommerce site Saloni is carried at Matches Fashion and Net a Porter; there is also a small selection of pieces at The Outnet, the discount arm for Net-a-Porter. Below we show a few current-season pieces, the Molly Silk Shirtdress is on the left ($595) and the Jess Textured Crepe Dress ($595).
Matches Fashion
Kate accessorized with her Cassandra Goad Temple of Heaven earrings.
Cassandra Goad/i-Images
The Duchess wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory heels.
Rupert Sanderson/i-Images/Rupert Sanderson
One more photo showing Kate in the dress.
LINKAGE:
- Richard Palmer’s story in The Express is here, Rebecca English’s story in The Daily Mail is here, Victoria Murphy’s Daily Mirror story is here & Emma Spedding’s piece in The Telegraph is here
- PopSugar’s photo gallery is here and another is here, People magazine’s story is here.
Carol
Saturday 9th of April 2016
Pretty dress...look at it on the model. Skirt is a little more A-line than it appears to be on Kate, but I believe this is because she's walking, and/or wind is blowing toward her, in some of the photos where we're able to see it's full length.
I continue to wish the Duchess, or perhaps her stylist(!), would give more thought to details like hair and accessories for official engagements. Sometimes we see a real hit, but this, like so many, is a missed opportunity for a stunningly beautiful look.
Shihmom
Sunday 10th of April 2016
I agree... the dress is stunning on the model but kate looks like a matron as ever.
Lavender
Saturday 9th of April 2016
I have mixed feelings about this dress. I like everything about it except the front, which looks awful, with (and definitely without) the modesty panel – two broad stripes, giving the ‘illusion’ of, what exactly? I’m surprised so many women think having one’s breasts bobbing/moving about at both the front & side is attractive. I feel the best alteration would have been to keep the blue lining on the entire front with a vee or sweetheart neckline, as Kate does with other dresses. I’m sure too, that Diana had something very similar with a vee-necked lining underneath in a darker navy & looked very elegant (as Kate almost did). All in all, I think the intention was to appear similar to the Indian & Bhutanese dignitaries present who would be wearing longer hemlines, sleeves & modest necklines. It’s also a style I’d wear myself; I only ever wear long clothes & I am not a fan of clothing that shows off parts of the body that should remain private. Indeed, the wearing of them tells me a lot about that person’s personality. I am more broad-minded than most people but I am a fan of personal modesty. Did she appear overdressed? I don’t think so as there were plenty of silks on display, but I noticed that some of the Bhutanese students wore JEANS!!! I am not an ‘establishment’ loving person or ‘conservative’ in outlook, I cringe when women say they won’t wear the same dress twice to the same event, even 12 months later, but I definitely would not have worn jeans for such an occasion - in glitzy surroundings too! I expect Kate wore the earrings because they had an Indian-style design (and a Far Eastern sounding name, Temple of Heaven); had it been an evening occasion, the dress would be best with a loose, curly/waved bun & similar earrings but in sapphire, tanzanite or diamonds. I think the plain gold & plain gold hair was because it was a daytime occasion & she didn’t want to look overdressed.
moniquel
Tuesday 12th of April 2016
I totally agree.
Chauna
Friday 8th of April 2016
The dress isn't my favorite, but I do like the color. I'd really like to see it with a boat neckline and sleeveless.
These earrings aren't my favorite--where are the sapphires?
Susie Q
Friday 8th of April 2016
The long, lean silhouette is nice, and the rich blue color looks great on her. However, the overall look, with the suede pumps and the causal hair style is just b-o-r-i-n-g!
I'm a long term follower of Catherine and think she has a great classic, simple style that is very appealing. I've never really followed any other European royalty very closely until recently. The Crown Princess of Denmark is someone who has unbelievable style! She and Catherine have so many similarities in their overall style, but Mary has taken it to another level. So many outfits that Mary wears I wish we could see Catherine wear, in particular updo hairstyles, which Mary has definitely mastered! I'm really looking forward to this upcoming tour (in particular when the Cambridge's meet the King and Queen of Bhutan) and hope we get a chance to see Catherine in rich colors and designs that aren't her typical style. Lastly, has anyone noticed that Catherine's make up looks different? I can't figure out what it is, but she looks as of late.
Susie Q
Friday 8th of April 2016
I meant to add that this dress would work so much better if shortened to right below the knee. Nothing about this dress says evening wear, and the suede pumps, along with these earrings is confusing....
Mary
Friday 8th of April 2016
This certainly isn't my favourite dress. I find it a bit physically long and the colour raises scratchy ghosts that I would rather leave in the 80s where I loved them originally.
Speaking as someone who could be described as an old lady by the uncharitable, and matronly by the merely accurate, though, I have to say I burst out laughing any time anyone expresses the opinion that Kate looks matronly. When I stop laughing, I send up wishes that I should look so matronly!