The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated British talent in New York on Tuesday afternoon, with the pair attending the Creativity is GREAT Reception followed by Prince William attending the Innovation is GREAT reception. The Creativity is GREAT reception, hosted by NeueHouse, focused on the wealth of British talent in the film, fashion, music & art industries based in New York.
The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, smiled as she joined her husband at the event wearing a simple black dress by maternity label Serpahine, with heels and a gold hooped necklace.
The royal couple met with British actor Sir Patrick Stewart and Hollywood heavyweight, Harvey Weinstein at the event, as well as Marchesa designer partner Georgina Chapman and author Imogen Lloyd-Webber.
Sir Patrick later told reporters: "I have met many members of the Royal family before but what a personable, pleasant and, may I say, attractive couple. Prince William told me he had never been to New York before which, I must say, surprised me greatly. I was even more surprised that the Duchess hasn't been."
William serves as President for BAFTA, while Kate is a patron for The Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery, making this an important event for the two in their whistle-stop tour of New York City. Later in the afternoon, William left his wife Kate, who is expecting their second baby next April, to rest as he attended the Innovation is GREAT Reception with the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio.
The reception was hosted by Shutterstock at The Empire State Building, a place that Kate expressed a desire to visit earlier this week.
A royal source said: "The Duchess has told us that if she is feeling up to it she would like to join her husband at the Empire State Building on Tuesday." However the pouring rain and tiring schedule appeared to keep the Duchess away. Following a visit to the observation deck on the 86th floor, the Duke was greeted by the Mayor of New York to attend the technology-themed reception.
The event brought together entrepreneurs from the UK and US and culminated in the GREAT Tech Awards, which William presented.The two events were held in association with the UK Government's GREAT campaign, which aims to promote the UK internationally as a place to visit, study and do business.