Duke & Duchess of Cambridge make their Chelsea Flower Show debut

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their first visit to the Royal Chelsea Flower Show this evening as they joined the Queen and several other members of the royal family at the annual floral festival.

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A Kensington Palace spokesman said the couple's previous absences was mainly due to 'diary issues' but added: 'This year the diary has worked out fine and especially in the Queen's 90th year, Their Royal Highnesses were keen to join her.' 

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William and Kate were joined by Prince Harry at the National Chrysanthemum Society exhibit where on display was the new pink and green Rossano Charlotte bloom, named after their daughter, Princess Charlotte.

via @KensigntonRoyal

The pretty green tipped pink flower is on sale at Waitrose supermarket outlets, with half the profits going towards East Anglian Children's Hospice (EACH) - of which Kate is patron.

via KensingtonRoyal

The royal trio also made a humbling visit to the 5000 Poppies Garden at the show. I'm particular proud of this exhibit because it originates from my home city of Melbourne. The tribute features 320,000+ individually crocheted poppies and honours those who have served their country in wars and conflicts. You can read more about the impressive installation here.

Also in attendance at this evening's preview was the Countess of Wessex who was aptly dressed in an elegant Alexander McQueen floral ruffle dress.  Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice were also present and looked pretty in fit-and-flare silhouettes.

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I had a hunch the Duchess would repeat an outfit today, however I thought she might wear her Suzannah Green Budding Heart Silk Tea Dress.  Due to the cool temperatures this evening, Kate opted to wear her Catherine Walker grass-green coatdress.

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Kate first wore the coat for a visit to the National Arboretum in Canberra, Australia during the 2014 Royal Tour. Coincidentally, she did wear the Suzannah 'Budding Heart' tea dress under the coat in 2014, so there's a good chance she may have also worn it tonight!

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The coat is a bespoke piece that fuses design elements of the Catherine Walker 'Evelyn' coatdress and the 'Lara' coat.  Both are fabricated from Venetian wool and it is evident that the piece combines the zip scuba collar and bodice of the 'Lara' with the full skirt of the 'Evelyn' including the hand pick stitching and belt.

Catherine Walker 'Evelyn'

Catherine Walker 'Lara'

Kate accessorized with her new favorite combination of LK Bennett 'Fern' trench leather pumps and matching 'Nina' trench clutch.

She wore her KIKI 'Lauren' Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Leaf Earrings.

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As well as her Ballon Bleu de Cartier Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch.

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Earlier in the day, the Duchess sent a letter in support of Children’s Hospice Week which officially began today.

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