Sources all seem to agree that when the initial plans were made, the usual state dinner would be a banquet celebrating island culture, with all - including William and Kate- wearing clothing designed and made in the Solomons. William was eager, discussions ensued about color (green, with coconut trees, flowers, and a map of the Islands on it) and his measurements were provided. Kate preferred to wear a summer dress of her own. However, when the royal couple arrived at their hotel in the Solomons, they found a blue floral shirt for William and a red batik sundress for Kate. Apparently assuming these were gifts from the Islands, the couple wore them. Unfortunately, it was shortly disclosed that both items were not traditional Solomon Island clothing made there, but instead resortwear from a company that designs and makes such in the Cook Islands and which is sold throughout the Pacific. They were apparently sent by the firm's designer as a gift welcoming the couple to the Pacific and somehow (again, stories differ as to how) got mixed in with their luggage, which was late in arriving. Islanders were upset , and local Solomon Island designers were angered that instead of receiving the economic boon that follows a Kate-worn dress, the business instead went to the Cook Islands company, who were receiving orders from Dubai to the US to Ireland.to India for the $250 (US) dress.
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