Kate Middleton Rocks a Printed Dress, Skips the Hat for Polo Match

Duchess of Cambridge chooses a silk Jenny Packham frock and (new!) strappy nude stilettos to watch hubby Prince William play polo in Santa Barbara today

By Ella Stewart Jul 09, 2011 8:51 PMTags
Duchess Catherine, Kate MiddletonChris Jackson/Getty Images

Day two of the royal invasion has begun!

Kate Middleton—aka Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge—and her husband, Prince William, choppered into Santa Barbara from Los Angeles for the Foundation Polo Challenge. While many of the lady guests there to greet them wore their finest hats and fascinators for the occasion, Kate opted to keep her head bare...

Her Royal Highness donned a figure-skimming, silver and marble-grey hand-painted chinoiserie silk dress by British designer Jenny Packham.

And—surprise!—these strappy nude stilettos are making their first appearance on this trip. (Kate's trusty L.K. Bennett patent nude pumps probably needed a break—she's worn them countless times in the last 10 days.) Way to mix it up, hon.

A small box clutch, wavy 'do and the gold "C" charm bracelet that her new mother-in-law, Camilla, gave to her round out her ensemble.

This is the second Jenny Packham piece Kate's rocked during her tour. She wore the designer's adorable and demure yellow short-sleeve dress in Calgary yesterday.

What do you think of Kate's polo wear?

PHOTOS: Fashion Spotlight: Kate Middleton