Kate Middleton finally wears her hair up with Jenny Packham gown

[Laurent]

Obviously this isn't a good shot of her Jenny Packham gown, but I just posted because she finally went for a new do and wore her hair up. I think it looks great this way, though I don't love the bodice of that dress.

Prince William and Kate Celebrate British Olympic Delegation at Glam Gala

By Simon Perry

Friday May 11, 2012 03:15 PM EDT


Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Chris Jackson/Getty

Let the (glamour) games begin!

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William kicked off the London 2012 Olympic celebrations Friday during a gala at The Royal Albert Hall, hosted by the British Olympic Association.

Kate, 30, donned a teal Jenny Packham floor-length gown and wore her hair up at the event – called Our Greatest Team Rises – which raises money to back Great Britain's team at this year's Games.

Kate and William (and his brother Prince Harry) are ambassadors to the British Olympic delegation and the British Paralympics squad.

"It's wonderful they're ambassadors for Team GB. They bring a lot of attention. It's a real inspiration for the athletes to know that they have them and the country behind them," said guest Melanie Chisholm (a.k.a. Sporty Spice), who also expressed her excitement about meeting her country's newest royal.

"I'm a big fan of William and Kate," Chisholm told PEOPLE. "I met William with the other Spice Girls when he was quite a young guy, but I've yet to meet his lovely wife."

Five-time gold medal-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave escorted Kate into dinner, which included free-range chicken, lightly smoked ham-hock terrine, slowly braised British beef on spring cabbage and pancetta, and bitter chocolate mousse on shortbread, accompanied by passion fruit yogurt and freeze-dried mango and coconut.

"Having their support behind us is incredibly important," Redgrave said on his way into the event.

British tennis player Annabel Croft agreed: "They bring excitement and glamor to the evening," she told PEOPLE. "It's really special."

In March, Kate showed her off hockey skills at a surprise visit to the Olympic complex in east London.

Kate Middleton, Prince William Celebrate London Olympics 2012 : People.com

Sexy! Kate Middleton Wears Low-Cut, Lace-Back Gown and Braided Updo

Celebrity Style
May 11, 2012 AT 3:40PM
By Ariana Finlayson

It's a statement-making day in royal fashion history: Kate Middleton has stepped outside of her style and beauty comfort zone!

In London Friday, the Duchess worked the red carpet at the BOA Olympic Concert dress in an emerald Jenny Packham pleated gown. The design, which featured a low-cut neckline and a sheer, lace back, is accented with a crystal-adorned ribbon that cinched the royal's tiny waist.

She paired the breathtaking dress with her favorite four-inch, $750 Jimmy Choo "Vamp" platform glitter sandals and a matching Jenny Packham bespoke clutch.

The racier-than-normal number wasn't the only new look for the 30-year-old fashion icon, who arrived at the event hand-in-hand with her husband Prince William. Her glossy brunette hair, which is normally styled in her signature bouncy blowout, was pulled back in an elaborate braided chignon that ensured the dress' completely sheer back was on full display.


Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at 'Our Greatest Team Rises -BOA Olympic Concert' at the Royal Albert Hall on May 11, 2012 in London, England.
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-...#ixzz1ub0sJduu

[Sylkyn]

Oh I love her hair up like that, and I adore the dress. That color is simply gorgeous and I think the lace is divine.

[Laurent]

Ah, finally found some decent full-length shots.

The braidy bunch: Duchess lets her hair down at Olympics dinner with an 'updo'

The Duchess dazzled in a sweeping teal gown, with a plunging neckline at the front and a sheer lace bodice visible at the back


Hair apparent: Kate's updo
Getty

Kate Middleton really let her down at a star-studded gala dinner tonight - by pinning her hair up.

The Duchess dazzled in a sweeping teal gown, with a plunging neckline at the front and a sheer lace bodice visible at the back.

Due to the intricate detail on the dress, by one of her favourite designers Jenny Packham, she had to plait her usual flowing locks.

At the Our Greatest Team Rises event, celebrating the country's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, she accessorised with a clutch bag and drop earrings and Jimmy Choo vamp shoes.

Kate was accompanied by husband William in a smart dinner suit and black tie to the Royal Albert Hall in London as banks of photographers shouted for their attention.

The Duke joked in a speech later at the gala that "there were London pigeons with more athletic prowess" than him but said he "simply can't wait for the Games to begin.


Banks of photographers: Kate steps on to the red carpet
Getty


Greeting: Kate and William arrive at the Royal Albert Hall

They were greeted by Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, before attending a pre-dinner reception to meet gold medal winners and Team GB ambassadors, including Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis.

Sir Steve said: "Over the last few years they've been top of the world's publicity so having their support really makes a big difference."

He added that he visited the Olympic Park last week and was impressed by the experience.

"There was a good buzz, there was a good atmosphere just generally walking around the park," he said.

Tonight's event, named Our Greatest Team Rises, features Gary Barlow, Will Young and Alfie Boe performing in honour of the sportsmen and women.

William and Kate took their seats in the audience alongside skeleton gold medallist Amy Williams and former sprint hurdler Colin Jackson.

Former Spice Girl Mel C who is "artist chair" of Party to 2012 - a series of official events celebrating the UK's Olympians - was also at the gala.


Supportive: Kate and William are Olympic ambassadors
Getty


Back view: The sheer lace design
Rex Features

Presenter Davina McCall and comic John Bishop were hosting the event, with a menu created by Michelin-starred chef Simon Hulstone.

William and Kate, along with Prince Harry, are ambassadors for Team GB and ParalympicsGB, and are playing an active role encouraging the public to support the country's athletes.

They will welcome the Olympic Torch relay to Buckingham Palace on July 26, the day before the Games' opening ceremony, and watch as three torchbearers carry the flame through the grounds of the palace.

The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece yesterday, as the final stages of the countdown for the London Games begin.

The Duke said in a speech that he could only imagine how it would feel to compete in the Games and told British competitors: "Glory awaits you".

He said: "For the athletes of Our Greatest Team, these Games mark the pinnacle of your sporting careers.

"I can only imagine it, competing at home in front of your countrymen and women, with the eyes of the entire world upon you. A dream come true.

"For all of us mere mortals, and I include my brother, who still drones on about beating Usain Bolt - which never counted because it was a false start - this is a lifetime opportunity.

"We will witness an exceptional moment in our island history. The mood in London will be electric, ecstatic and amazing. I simply can't wait."


Accessories: Kate wore drop earrings and Jimmy Choos
Getty


Catwalk to red carpet: The dress in the Jenny Packham SS12 collection and how it looks worn

He joked that he had been invited to take part in the Games, but said London 2012 chief Lord Coe did not have enough faith in him.

"Naturally I was asked to compete for Team GB in every sport, but sadly Lord Coe said there were London pigeons with more athletic prowess than me," he said.

"Anyway, to adapt a famous phrase from Sir Steve Redgrave, if you see me in a pair of Speedos by the swimming pool during the Olympics, shoot me!"

The Duke said that London should take "huge pride" in becoming the only city to host the Games three times.

He added: "The values celebrated by the Olympic and Paralympic Games - friendship, excellence, respect, equality, courage, determination, inspiration - resonate across every walk of life, and in every circumstance.

"These Games remind us of the power of the human spirit and human endeavour.

"You, our Olympians and Paralympians, will inspire people up and down this country, and far beyond its borders."

Kate Middleton in dress by Jenny Packham: Duchess of Cambridge dazzles in teal gown and 'updo' hair at Our Greatest Team Rises dinner - Mirror Online

[fgg]

it's very daring for her. i like it, she looks nice.

[Chalet]

She looks so lovely. The color is great, the cut and pleating. I would have
made those lacy sleeves more form fitting. Hair is perfection. Shoes - they seem so wrong. Bag - great.

I would have done pale sheer nail and toe polish. I can't deal with naked nails. And of course that eyeliner has to go.

[sputnik]

love it. i adore the dress and i like those shoes with it.

[gas_chick]

I really like this.

[Kathie_Moffett]

That's a superb dress and it looks perfect on her. Love the updo! Agree about her manicure, but her clothing and image are so conservative already that I like her dark pedi and with her hands, I would skip the pale neutrals and go for something a bit more intriguing, yet classy--"graphite" by Chanel, maybe? So sue me but I love the shoes! Again, they add a tiny, glamorous edge to her very classic look.

[Rusalka]

Gorgeous. Different for her and stunning. She really gets it.

[Chalet]

love it. i adore the dress and i like those shoes with it.

So you're sure about the shoes then?

[Bluebonnet]

She is just stunning in this.

[greysfang]

I prefer the slimmer skirt and color of the model's version.

[Novice]

With that dress she couldn't wear her hair down.

Btw I thought we were calling her Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge now? Or Catherine Cambridge....

[Laurent]

Btw I thought we were calling her Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge now? Or Catherine Cambridge....

I think of her as Kate Middleton and she's generally called that in the media here, so that's why I titled it that. If I were speaking to her personally, I'd certainly call her whatever the powers that be told me to, but since she's commonly called Kate Middleton, that's just what I call her because that's how I think to search for her.

Like greys, I think I also like the light green color of the model's dress a bit more too.

[sputnik]

i love the light green on the model but i think this colour is by far more flattering on kate than the light green would be.

So you're sure about the shoes then?

yes i am. i agree with kathie, they add at least the tiniest bit of funkiness to her very conservative and safe look. baby steps.