By Kirsty Mccormack and Rebecca English


Feeling chilly? The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Royal Albert Hall wearing a rather short dress


It was a departure from her usual safe sartorial choices – but not from her usual shops.

The Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a black and cream lace mini-dress from Zara tonight for a pop concert organised by Take That’s Gary Barlow.

The hemline on the £69.99 high street dress was significantly higher than anything the 29-year-old has worn for a public engagement before.

Looking stylish: Kate chose to wear a new season Zara printed dress with a black Ralph Lauren jacket


While it showed off her shapely legs, it also appeared to make her slightly self-conscious, and she could be seen repeatedly tugging the dress down.

However, she added a touch of her characteristic conservative style with opaque black tights and matching heels, and completed her outfit with the classic black Ralph Lauren jacket she wore the day after her wedding.

On that occasion she also sported a Zara creation – a £49.99 cornflower blue dress which quickly sold out.

Kate and William were joined for last night’s concert at the Royal Albert Hall by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore an olive embroidered jacket and skirt by couturier Anna Valentine.

Windy evening: Kate tried her best to keep her dark hair in place as she made her way up the red carpet


They group was greeted by singer and X Factor judge Barlow, who is donating the profits from the evening to the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, of which Kate is a patron, and the Prince’s Trust.

Kate wore her brunette hair in a loose curl and tried her best to keep it in place as she made her way into the venue.

She stopped briefly to acknowledge the crowd with her husband.

The newlyweds were no doubt excited about watching Barlow perform and looking forward to a good night out.


Just the two of us: The newlyweds looked a little bit unsure about what to do when they first got out of the car


Boys in blue: Kate was met by her husband and the Prince of Wales when she got out of her car


Night out together: Prince William and his wife looked in good spirits as they prepared to watch Gary Barlow perform


With the in-laws: Kate and William made their way along the red carpet with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall

Ready for the camera: Once inside the Royal Albert Hall Kate posed for more photographs


The Prince of Wales wore a similar suit to that of his sons but opted for a matching tie instead, and his wife also dressed up wearing a bronze-coloured pleated skirt with an embroidered velvet jacket and black heels.

The Royals met with Barlow ahead of his performance and then made their way to the Royal box to enjoy the concert.

The singer is on good terms with the Royal family after he was asked to organise an event for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.


Nice to meet you: Gary Barlow spent time with the Royal couple before preparing himself for his solo performance


Height difference: Barlow looked fairly short as he posed with the Royal four


Backstage pass: Barlow chatted to the royals before they took their seats in the Royal Box


Ready for the show: The foursome made their way to the Royal box to watch the gig

Pop fans: The Royal couple appeared to be enjoying the festivities


The gig will also be a nerve-racking performance for X Factor finalist, Marcus Collins, who has been invited by his mentor to join him on stage.

Earlier today Barlow tweeted a photo of the Liverpudlian rehearsing, saying: '@MarcuscollinsUK sound checking for tonight's performance.'

Different looks: The 29-year-old look rather different tonight (L) compared to how she usually dresses


The post came a few hours after Barlow tweeted: 'For anyone coming to the Albert Hall tonight we have an extra special guest just confirmed.'

Perhaps he was referring to Collins or maybe he's got some other tricks up his sleeve.

Last night the father-of-three was joined by Jason Donovan, Lulu and former X Factor contestant Olly Murs as he entertained the crowd.

Going solo: Gary Barlow performed his first of two gigs at the Royal Albert Hall last night to raise funds for the Prince's Trust


Speaking to the Evening Standard after his performance, Barlow said: 'I loved it.

It's exactly the sort of night that's whetted my appetite for solo work.

'Not to make solo records again... but to do gigs for special occasions like this one for the Prince's Trust.'

The gigs are raising funds so that the Trust can invest £2.5million in helping five areas that were hit the hardest during the August riots in London, Manchester and Birmingham.


Ready for round two: Tonight the Take That singer will be joined by his X Factor hopeful Marcus Collins


Rising star: Gary welcomed his X Factor contestant Marcus Collins onstage

Boys club: He was also joined by Xtra Factor host Olly Murs, who he greeted with a warm hug


Kate is a patron for the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, so is course very involved in the work that it does and no doubt she's looking forward to tonight.

At the Princess Diana Memorial concert at Wembley back in 2007, she was spotted singing along to Take That's hit, Back For Good, as the band performed it.

The song obviously had personal meaning for her as it was just after her and William had reunited following a break from their relationship.




source:dailymail