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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen's supportive gesture to Kate Middleton ahead of landmark royal tour event

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended one of the most important engagements of their Caribbean tour last night.

The pair were at a glittering state dinner at the house of Jamaica's Governor-General in Kingston, where politicians and other dignitaries were invited.

The black-tie event not only called on Prince William and Kate to wear some of their finest clothes, it also saw William make a landmark speech, where he addressed slavery.

In the speech, William said he “strongly agreed” with his father Prince Charles’s previous declaration that Britain is forever stained by its role in the global slave trade.

He said: “Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened."

Kate in emerald and diamond jewellery loaned from the Queen at an event in Jamaica last night (Getty Images)

And knowing what an important night it would be for the couple, it seems the Queen made a supportive gesture to Kate.

She loaned her some dazzling emerald and diamond jewellery to pair with his gorgeous green gown.

The earrings and bracelet come from the Queen's Emerald Tassel Parure collection, which Her Majesty has been pictured in on several occasions.

The Queen wearing the same earrings in 2011 (Getty Images)

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The full set comprises earrings, a bracelet and a necklace - although Kate did not wear the necklace last night.

The origins of the pieces have never been confirmed but they are thought to hail from the United Arab Emirates.

Last night Kate paired the jewellery with a stunning Jenny Packham off the shoulder ruffle gown as well as her Royal Family Order and GVCO Star - although there was no tiara.

William and Kate pose with Patrick Allen, Governor General of Jamaica, and his wife Patricia (PA)

Meanwhile, earlier today, William and Kate echoed the Queen and Prince Philip as they attended their final engagement in Jamaica today on day six of their Caribbean tour.

The couple were at a passing out parade of the Jamaican Defence Force, where William inspected service personnel from across the Caribbean who have recently completed the Caribbean Military Academy’s Officer Training Programme.

Kate looked elegant in a white lace McQueen dress with matching white heels and a hat by milliner Philip Treacy as she sat in the stands with dignitaries to watch the parade.

William and Kate ride in a Land Rover that once carried the Queen and Prince Philip when they visited Jamaica in 1953 (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

William, who inspected the officers before joining Kate in the stands, wore the topical dress of the Blues and Royals for the event.

When the event was over, they travelled away in the same open-top Land Rover that transported William's grandparents in Jamaica in 1953.

It echoed the scene when the Queen and her late husband were greeted by thousands of cheering schoolchildren on the Caribbean island 68 years ago as part of Her Majesty's Coronation tour.

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