William & Kate Travel to the Blue Mountains to Boost Morale

Thursday, April 17, 2014

William & Kate Travel to the Blue Mountains to Boost Morale

Daily Mail/Getty Images

William and Kate travelled to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, to boost the morale of communities devastated by bush fires six months ago.

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Telegraph/Phil Noble/Getty Images

They visited Winmalee, a small community where in the space of a few hours 195 homes were destroyed in the worst bush fires in New South Wales for a decade. Overall, the fires killed two people and caused £52 million damage, destroying 248 properties.

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Daily Mail/Reuters

In a Guides hut , William and Kate chatted with about 200 members of the emergency services, charities and others who provided assistance during the fires.

Daily Mail/Getty Images

Then the couple planted a summer red eucalyptus tree and posed for a photo with Girl Guides.

Daily Mail/Getty Images

Next, it was off to Echo Point on Katoomba, a spot renowned for its stunning views of Australia’s Blue Mountains.

Daily Mail/AFP/Getty Images

The couple posed for pictures and were introduced to three Aboriginal Elders, representing the Indigenous landowners of Echo Point. They were presented with a possum cloak, made from seven pelts, for Prince George and a kangaroo skin one for themselves.

Daily Mail/Getty Images

Kate wore a navy blue, white, and black Ikat Batik print wrap dress from high-end designer, Diane von Furstenberg. The 'Patrice' dress retailed for $325 and sold out in eight minutes.

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Additional Details

'Cotton

Point collar, V-neck

Bracelet-length sleeves with button fastening

Cross-over wrap front with self-fastening waist tie

Concealed zip fastening at side

A-line skirt, side pockets

100% cotton.

Dry clean'

She paired the dress with £245 dark-blue suede Stuart Weitzman 'Corkswoon' wedges and carried a matching Stuart Weitzman 'muse' clutch in her hands.

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Stuart Weitzman

The Duchess kept her jewelry to a minimum and wore her sapphire and diamond drop earrings, her Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch and her Mappin and Webb necklace.