Kate Wears Naeem Khan for Farewell to India & the 2016 Royal Tour

The Cambridges wrapped up their tour of India and Bhutan with a visually stunning backdrop – the Taj Mahal.

William and Kate arrived from Bhutan midday and stopped at their hotel for a change of clothing and bite to eat before heading to the monument. (Our post about the Bhutan departure and other tidbits is here.) There were signs and banners welcoming the royal party to Agra.

It was a brutally hot day, temperatures were around 107℉. There was much discussion about whether or not the Duke and Duchess would sit on ‘Diana’s bench,’ so called because it is where The Princess of Wales posed for photos during a 1992 tour.

Gordon Raynor reports in The Telegraph special efforts were made to keep the bench cool.

With the 41C (106F) heat reflecting up from the marble bench, workers kept dousing the bench in cold water in order to keep it as cool as possible for the couple.

Authorities said there was extra security in place because of the visit but the attraction remained open to the public.  Below, the royals make their way out to pose for photographs in the famous gardens.

Aides told media today’s visit to the remarkable structure and grounds was about “making new memories” for the couple.

Kate looked cool and comfortable despite the temperature.

Another view.

The Duchess wore a piece by Naeem Khan.

After posing for photographs the couple had a private tour.

From Gordon Rayner’s story in The Telegraph:

The couple were shown around by tour guide Rizwan Mohammed, 35, who said the Duchess had described the visit as the perfect way to celebrate the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary, which falls on April 29.

The Mail shares more reaction:

As they came out William was asked: ‘What has today’s visit meant to you?’ to which he replied ‘It’s a beautiful place, stunning designs in there.’

Kate added: ‘It’s been really incredible to learn about the romance of the building and really beautiful architecture.’Before leaving the couple signed the Taj Mahal guestbook.

Now to what Kate wore: her Naeem Khan frock is from the designer’s 2015 Resort collection.

It features traditional Mexican embroidery in china blue on white.

The dress is a basic sheath shape, with a fitted waist, short sleeves, and detailed embroidery. Kate’s dress has been customized; looking at the hem you see the addition of another tier of embroidery.

More from The Telegraph:

The Mumbai-born 57-year-old, who moved to New York aged 20 becoming an assistant to the famed fashion designer Halston, has a textile heritage, and still uses his father’s India based embroidery workshops.

The designer has an A-list clientele; customers include First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan and entertainers ranging from Taylor Swift to Jennifer Lopez to Katy Perry.  Mr. Khan is a gifted designer and knows his way around a party frock or two.

The Telegraph has his reaction to learning the Duchess wore one of his designs:

“This is my happiest morning. My son got married last night and The Duchess of Cambridge wears Naeem Khan in India. I am in Heaven.”

He said he had provided Kate’s team with three possibilities when they contacted him several months ago but wasn’t told for sure The Duchess would wear his designs.

A selection of Naeem Khan is carried at Neiman Marcus, as well as Saks and select other retailers.

Kate’s accessories were simple. She did not carry a purse, holding her foldable Ray-Ban sunglasses in her hands when not wearing them.

Her nude heels were a pair we saw throughout the tour, the LK Bennett Fern style in the brand’s ‘trench’ color. (The shoe is out of stock. If interested in being put on the retailer’s email list for updates on the style, you can do that by clicking here.)

The Duchess did wear the earrings we showed you yesterday, the pair purchased at a trinket shop after the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

A bigger view.

It was an outstanding look for the Duchess, fresh and flattering.

This tour has been a delight, filled with lots of pretty clothing and lots of educational experiences as well. It proved a great opportunity to learn more about a part of the world I don’t know well. Chatting with so many of you has made it especially fun. We have a number of wrap-up posts planned, including some polls asking for your favorites; I am intrigued to find out what you think when we get just a day or two away from the daily visual onslaught.

LINKAGE:

• The Express story is here, The Telegraph’s story about the visit is here & its story about Kate’s dress selection is here
• The Daily Mail’s story is here, The Mirror’s story is here,
• PopSugar’s photo gallery is here,