By Rebecca English


Effortless elegance: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a full-length cream gown that was split to the thigh for a meeting at the Thirty Club at Claridge's in London last night

The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at a 'secret' engagement in London last night in a show-stopping cream dress.

Although her private dinner was meant to be under the radar Kate was anything but, in a stunning floor-skimming gown slit to the thigh.

The dress, believed to be a design by Roland Mouret, had a demure high neckline, was teamed with crystal-studded Jimmy Choo Vamp sandals that revealed crimson-painted toenails.

White out: The showstopping gown is believed to be a 2009 creation by designer Roland Mouret

The Duchess carried a diamante clutch bag that matched her shoes and sported a pair of chandelier-style diamond earrings.

Kate was accompanying her husband, Prince William, to one of the most elite dining clubs in the country.

The royal couple were at Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair for a meeting of the Thirty Club, whose members are some of the most powerful men and women in advertising and the media.

Founded in 1905 for the ‘betterment of advertising’, its monthly dinners are a chance for the movers and shakers of the industry to meet, discuss issues of the day and sometimes even seal deals.


Back in the spotlight: The royal couple looked relaxed and happy as they stepped on to the red carpet

Supportive: Kate was accompanying husband Prince William, who was a guest speaker at last night's event

The man with the keys to entry is Bartle Bogle Hegarty's Nigel Bogle but it also attracts big media players including Michael Grade, Lord Puttnam and Stephen Carter.

Rupert Murdoch is believed to have attended one dinner, although clearly in light of recent events was not present yesterday.

Their meetings feature a guest speaker – in this case Prince William - who was following in the footsteps of many other senior royals who have made address including his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, his grand-father Prince Philip and aunt Princess Anne.

The Duchess was accompanying him, palace sources said, for support.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said William had decided to attend in honour of the Queen’s jubilee and his own 30th birthday next month.

‘The Duke has been invited for around nine years now and thought that it was right to accept the invitation this year because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

'It also seemed rather apt as it his 30th birthday next month,’ they said.

‘Other senior members of the Royal Family also suggested that it was an interesting event to attend.’

They declined to say what issues his speech would be tackling, however, as it was ‘a private occasion’ and the engagement was not publicised in advance.


Dazzling: The Duchess teamed her simple gown with a beaded clutch, platform heels and diamond earrings

Designer accessories: Jimmy Choo was the label behind both the sparkly beaded bag and the silver crackled leather shoes, which retail for £484

The Thirty Club was named after its 30 founder members - ten senior figures from the advertising industry, those who advertise and the media. Today it still has 30 full members on roughly the same line, but has expanded its number of include some associate members.

Some refer to Thirty Club members as ‘peacocks’ and their dinners as a ‘great flurry of feathers’.

Apparently a great deal of meaning is written into the table plans and the further you sit away from ‘the top table’, the less influential you are considered – although clearly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had little to worry about there.



source:dailymail