Kate Middleton, 36, was all smiles as she walked in to the party, shrugging off recent rumours of a feud with sister-in-law Meghan Markle, 37. The Duchess of Cambridge looked festive in a £1085 tartan skirt by Emilia Wickstead. She paired this with a cashmere cardigan, £209, from Brora and a pair of black suede boots. Mum-Of-Three Kate added a festive sparkle with her favourite Mappin & Webb Empress earrings, £3750.
Kate wore her hair in loose waves over her shoulders, a slight side parting adding bounce to the style.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are hosting the Christmas party for the families of RAF personnel serving in Cyprus over the festive period.
William and Kate welcomed partners and children whose loved ones from RAF Coningsby or RAF Marham are deployed on the Mediterranean island state.
Tomorrow, the couple will fly to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to meet military personnel – including some whose relatives are invited to the royal Christmas party – families living on the base, wider station personnel and members of the local community.
Kensington Palace said the duke and duchess wished to deliver a message of support to deployed personnel and to acknowledge and honour the fact many are away from their families at this time of the year.
During the festive period there will be 11,000 sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines deployed on operations. Service personnel have been sent on 30 operations in 35 countries across the globe from Somalia and South Sudan to Kuwait and Ukraine.
William is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire which is home to Typhoon squadrons which deploy to Cyprus and fly operations in support of Op Shader, the UK’s contribution to the ongoing campaign against Isis.
They work alongside 31 Squadron, a Tornado GR4 unit based at Raf Marham in Norfolk, which is also involved with the campaign.
The Christmas party in London is a family event featuring stalls where children can decorate stockings or snow globes, make crackers and create Christmas party kits.
There is also be a photo booth and a post box so guests can take pictures and send messages to their loved ones in Cyprus.
RAF Akrotiri is the home of the Cyprus Operations Support Unit which provides joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK’s strategic interests.
The Duchess of Cambridge made her first public appearance since rumours of a rift with Meghan Markle surfaced, reaching fever pitch this weekend.
Prince William and Prince Harry’s wives are reported to have had a “ghastly row” last Christmas which has escalated in to a full blown feud, according to reports in the Mail on Sunday this weekend.
Discussions about relations between the pair, and how Meghan has slotted in to the Royal Family since her wedding in May, continue – with Good Morning Britain hosting a royal expert and a fan of Meghan Markle to share their opinions this morning.
Tom Bower, unauthorised biographer of Prince Charles, explained he thought Meghan was attempting to emulate one wildly popular royal – but that this was misguided. He said: “The problem is in my view that she is trying to be Diana, she’s trying to adopt the new role, and the tragedy of the story is it’ll end in the same way unless someone steps in from the Palace and says ‘look this is the way it’s done here.’”