It has been a busy 24 hours for William and Kate as the Jubilee Tour departed Kota Kinabalu and headed to the Solomon Islands. For the couple’s departure Kate brought back a dress from many years ago, it dates back to at least 2002.  Kate also wore her Pied a Terre Imperia shoes.

Via Marny

Kate wore the piece to a party at St. Andrews in 2002, and again in 2005 for dinner with Prince William at Archipelago, a photo of that instance can be seen here; Kate also wore her Imperia wedges.

Our thanks to WKW Facebook friend Elizabeth for remembering the dress and sharing info about earlier instances of Kate wearing it along with Julie, as well as Patricia for pointing out the Araline.

Then it was back in the air for the couple and on to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, located on Gaudalcanal Island.  When they arrived William and Kate were welcomed with traditional orchid garlands, the Duchess in a Jonathan Saunders dress.

James Whatling/Corbis

And treated to a traditional “fearsome warrior dance” at the airport.

Rebecca English/The Daily Mail Twitter Feed

Richard Palmer’s story in the Express explains this tradition:

Father Henry Teho, an Anglican priest and tribal elder wearing a traditional mat skirt made from grass, tree bark, and pandanus leaves explained: “When you used to come to the Solomon Islands it was a challenge that we’ll kill you and eat you but now it’s just a challenge saying you are from a different culture.

Below, Father Henry as photographed by Simon Perry of People magazine.

Simon Perry, People Magazine Twitter

Here we see Kate watching William as he expects an honor guard comprised of the local police force, the Solomons have no military.

Rebecca English/The Daily Mail Twitter Feed

In the photo above by Rebecca English you can see Kate’s Jane Taylor hat. In this photo from Simon Perry you can see the back of Kate’s dress.

Simon Perry/People Magazine Twitter

Then it was time for a bigger welcome as the Duke & Duchess were driven through town in an open vehicle decorated like a traditional war canoe.

James Whatling/Corbis/Splash

Crowds were enormous, estimates range from 50,000 to 70,000 as seen in this photo by CNN’s Max Foster.

Max Foster/CNN Twitter

The final destination was the Church of Melanesia cathedral in Honiara for a thanksgiving service honoring the Queen, you can see some of the 10000+ crowd at the service.

Georgina Brewer/ITV News Twitter

Max Foster of CNN shared this picture outside the Cathedral.

Max Foster/CNN

The couple were also given traditional floral headdresses as seen in this picture from MrsRegalEyes on Twitter.

MrsRegalEyes Twitter Feed

Kate chose a UK designer we have long hoped she would wear, Scotland’s Jonathan Saunders.  The Evelyn dress is a forest green/aqua/white print, made of a cotton/viscose blend. It is lined in cupro bemberg, considered one of the finest lining materials made, although it can be difficult to find and the mark of a finely crafted garment.

Jonathan Saunders 'Evelyn' Dress at Net-a-Porter

The dress remains available at available at Net-a-Porter in a few sizes, it sells for $1490. It can also be found at several other upscale reailers, including Matches Fashion and Fashions2Us where it is shown for $596/£382. We appreciate HRH Duchess Kate for the headsup on the specific dress!

Kate accessorized with her LK Bennet Sledge pumps in the off-white color, as well as the UFO clutch we have seen her carry. (UFO = Unidentified Fashion Object)

Splash News

Kate then needed to change once again, this time for a reception hosted by Governor-General Frank Kabui, we thank MrsRegalEyes on Twitter for this photo. (Does it look to anyone else  like William is checking his watch?)

MrsRegalEyes Twitter Feed

Below, a scene from the Governor General’s banquet as shared by Georgina Brewer of ITV, the function was held outdoors as is the tradition.

Georgina Brewer/ITV Twitter Feed

Here we have another look at the lushly colored floral dress.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Press Association

This was not the dress Kate planned to wear, a story in the Daily Mail from Rebecca English reveals she planned to wear a frock purchased in London for the occasion.

She made the switch just half an hour before the banquet when she walked into her room at the hotel in Honiara and discovered that the government had left her a strapless dress with a bright pink and orange batik design.

‘She tried it on, she loved it and she is wearing it,” said a royal aide. The dress came from a shop called Island Print.

The material is hand dyed batik, a closer look reveals the motifs include flowers, fish, vines and other designs.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Press Association

It turns out William’s shirt was also a gift, but not a surprise, back to Rebecca’s story:

The Duke was clearly taken with his new blue shirt. In a formal visit on the Governor-General, Sir Frank Kabui, the Duke told him: ‘I have my shirt on. What do you think? Looks OK?’

…the brand represents the romance and escapism that is the mood of the Pacific by utilizing traditional motifs, such as sea life, flora and fauna patterns in print designs…

Tav Pacific NZ Facebook

Tav Pacific NZ Resortwear

Catherine Zoraida Spread Your Wings Bracelet

Serretta Red Sponge Coral Earrings

The earrings are described this way:

These stunning red sponge coral earrings by Serretta are a gorgeous statement piece. The lipstick red sponge coral Earrings are accented with a rolled gold chain tassle.

They are £36, about $60 at today’s exchange rates and available here.

Chris Jackson/Getty/Press Association

A very busy day with three very different looks.

Tomorrow’s schedule is even busier:

• Their Royal Highnesses begin the day with a call on Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office.
• The Duke and Duchess travel to a cultural village in Honiara, the couple will view performances by the nine provinces that make up the nation.
• The Duke and Duchess will go separate ways, the only time they are scheduled to do so during the Tour: William will be awarding six Duke of Edinburgh gold awards while Kate attends a reception for Solomon Island women’s groups.
• The couple will then travel to a Coast Watchers memorial in Honiara, they’ll lay a ceremonial wreath and meet veterans of the Coast Watch.
• Kate and William then attend a lunch reception hosted by the Prime Minister in aid of Solomon Islands charities, including representatives of the Diamond Jubilee Trust.
• Kate and William fly to Marau, “The welcome ceremony has been developed entirely by the local people and promises to be a very special and memorable moment for Their Royal Highnesses in such a remote and beautiful location…”
• The Royal couple will proceed by boat to the island of Marapa, where they will first visit a village before traveling on a traditional war canoe the short distance between Marapa and Tavanipupu.
• Upon arriving on Tavanipupu William and Kate will be met with a musical and dance welcome, they will spend the night at the private resort.

NOTE: Post has been corrected to remove erroneous Mulberry bag reference, a moronic mistake on my part.