The Duchess of Cambridge looked poised and calm as she delivered her first-ever speech on foreign ground. But the 30-year-old royal admitted to the Malaysian queen that she was glad to get through it without any mistakes.
"I was so nervous and I am very glad that it is over with. There was an amazing atmosphere," she told Raja Persaisuri Agong, Tuanku Haminah binti Hamidun of her speech at the Hospis Malaysia south of the capital.
Kate made the admission as she and William attended an official dinner at the Istana Negara palace, which was hosted by the queen and her 85-year-old husband, whose full title is Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul, Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah.
The brunette beauty looked gorgeous in a bespoke Alexander McQueen dress embroidered with golden Hibiscus flowers, the national bloom of Malaysia. When their hosts arrived, Kate gave a low curtsey.
The royal visitors were given gifts – William received a gold-encrusted Malay warrior sword, while his wife was presented a pair of black lace peep toe shoes by local designer Lewre and a glittering diamante clutch bag and a Batik dress.
William chatted to some of the 400 guests, telling one: "I'm tired. It's the jet lag that is hardest." He also spoke about what was coming next on the trip. He asked one guest: "We go on from here to the Solomon Islands and then Tuvalu, have you ever been there?"
The Prince continued: "Me neither. Tuvalu is one of the smallest and most remote places on earth. We hope to do some fishing and snorkelling.
"I am very interested in the coral and whale sharks. I have dived with them before and although they are huge, they are very docile creatures - not like jaws!"
