Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge steps out in purple lace D&G; dress

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Kate opted for a high-end £1,850 lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana
Joined President Xi and Madam Peng Liyuan on a visit to Lancaster House
Wore hair in bouncy curls and matched her clutch and shoes to dress
See the latest news on the Duchess of Cambridge's style

By Bianca London for MailOnline and Luisa Metcalfe For Mailonline

Published: 05:15 EST, 21 October 2015 | Updated: 10:07 EST, 21 October 2015

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She may have made a dazzling debut at her first state banquet on Tuesday night, but there was no rest for the Duchess of Cambridge.

The 33-year-old joined President Xi and Madam Peng Liyuan on a visit to Lancaster House on Wednesday morning - and pulled out all the stops in the sartorial stakes.

Whilst she has a reputation for being thrifty, Kate, who usually favours the high street, opted for a high-end £1,850 purple lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

The Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in £1,850 plum lace dress by Dolce and Gabbana as she and Prince William joined President Xi and Madam Peng Liyuan on a visit to Lancaster House

The Guipure lace dress highlighted the mother-of-two's trim frame and she accessorised her look with a matching clutch and court shoes.

Kate, who wore her hair in its signature bouncy curls, joined the couple, as well as her husband, for an event called Creative Collaborations: UK & China, which involved meeting a range of UK and Chinese companies working in creative collaboration.

The foursome also met with British TV, film and theatre actors, including watching exhibitions and demonstrations by Poldark, BBC Earth, Sherlock, and the Society of London Theatre with Jackie Chan in attendance.

The event celebrates cultural collaboration, existing and future, between the UK and China. Afterwards, President Xi will meet with the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at No.10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting.

A cheery Kate greets Peng Liyuan as they attend the Creative Collaborations event at Lancaster House in London, as part of the Chinese state visit to the UK

If she was feeling tired from the state banquet last night, a cheery Kate certainly didn't show it as she turned out to welcome the President of China and his wife on day two of their tour

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The Duchess of Cambridge is renowned for her love of the British high street but for her royal engagements this week she's upped the ante and has gone high end.

At her first state banquet last night Kate looked ravishing in a bespoke red gown by one of her favorite labels Jenny Packham and today, at a visit to London's Lancaster House with the Chinese president and his wife, the Duchess opted for Dolce & Gabbana.

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Kate wore her glossy brunette locks in their trademark bouncy curls and didn't let the rain dampen her spirits

This is the first time that Kate has opted for the Italian label - and the design duo have long hoped to dress the royal style icon

In an interview back in 2013, D&G said of Kate: 'She has class. If she asked us, of course we'd design something for her'

The group also met with Hong Kong actor, martial artist, and stuntman Jackie Chan at the event

The Duchess of Cambridge, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, talk with Kung-Fu star Jackie Chan as they attend a Creative Collaborations: UK & China event

Kate was in high spirits as she and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a BAFTA presentation at Lancaster House

The Guipure lace dress highlighted the mother-of-two's trim frame and she accessorised her look with a matching clutch and court shoes

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with the President of China g and his wife at Lancaster House in London on the second day of their State Visit

The Duke and Duchess didn't let a little rain ruin their fun-filled day out with the Chinese President and his wife

This is the first time that Kate has opted for the Italian label - and the design duo have long hoped to dress the royal style icon.

Indeed, in an interview with The Telegraph back in 2013, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said: 'She dresses "just right", as we'd say in Italy. Nothing too exciting, no excesses. Which is what is called for, in a princess.

'She has class. If she asked us, of course we'd design something for her, but you know, I think it's brilliant the way she wears only English labels. That's an important message to send out.'

Kate's husband, Prince William, seemingly coordinated his outfit with his wife's, teaming his blue suit with a bold purple tie for the occasion.

The couple didn't let the rain dampen their spirits as they joined China's President and his wife for the second day in a row.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from right, is accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, right, and Prince William, left, and Duchess of Cambridge, applaud an actors performance at Lancaster House in London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Lord Puttnam say goodbye to the President of China, Xi Jinping, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at Lancaster House in London, where they were attending an event celebrating the cultural collaboration, existing and future, between the UK and China

Kate's husband, Prince William, seemingly coordinated his outfit with his wife's, teaming his blue suit with a bold purple tie

The Duchess showcased her natural beauty as she posed beside a BAFTA award during a UK-China Creative Collaborations Summit

China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, and Kate, catch up as they stand under umbrellas at Lancaster House in London

Kate joined the couple, as well as her husband, to meet a range of UK and Chinese companies working in creative collaboration

Whilst she has a reputation for being thrifty, Kate opted for a high-end £1,850 purple lace dress on Wednesday

Kate usually favours the high street but splurged on a high-end £1,850 purple lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana

On Tuesday night, the Duchess of Cambridge chose a stunning, appropriate and memorable gown for her first state banquet at Buckingham Palace and only one designer would do - Jenny Packham.

The floor-sweeping dress, made in a stunning red in honour of the Queen's guests Chinese president Xi Jinping and his glamorous wife Peng Liyuan - combined a fitted round bodice with a round neck and cap sleeves with a long romantic skirt and was also simple enough to offset the stunning diamonds given and lent by the Queen.

Kate, 33, wore Jenny Packham when she left hospital with both Prince Charlotte and George and turned to the designer for key pieces in her royal tour wardrobe in Australia and New Zealand, in a relationship the British dressmaker has described as 'collaborative'.

Jenny Packham confirmed to FEMAIL that they designed the bespoke dress for the occasion. Similar looks retail on their website for £2,600.

Kate has certainly pulled out the big guns for her two outings. Last night she opted for a custom-made Jenny Packham gown

The foursome also met with British TV, film and theatre actors, including watching exhibitions and demonstrations by Poldark, BBC Earth, Sherlock

Kate, 33, chats with Peng Liyuan at Lancaster House as the group make their way inside

The dress featured many of the details Kate likes, including a slim-fitting waist with a belt and tailored top. The vibrant shade, which is also one of her favourites, referenced the national colour of China.

It also set off Kate's jewellery from the Lotus Flower Tiara perched in her elegant up-do, to the diamond bracelets on both wrists.

Jenny Packham has earned her place as the Duchess's designer of choice and the businesswoman has provided a glimpse into what it means to be the brains behind the woman with one of the world's most closely-watched wardrobes.

Packham's policy is not to discuss clients but she admits it can be difficult not to. Asked by WWD if she works directly with the duchess, Packham said, 'Absolutely. It’s always quite a collaboration.'

She also noted that the Duchess has a great sense of style and a British one.

The Duchess of Cambridge stands to toast Chinese President Xi Jinping, showing off her stunning bespoke Jenny Packham gown

The Duchess of Cambridge wears the sparkling and lightweight tiara at the glittering state dinner at Buckingham Palace

Four-and-a-half years after she became an HRH, Kate made her first appearance at what is considered a staple royal duty - dining in the opulent palace ballroom with 170 guests in honour of a visiting president.

It was also the Duke of Cambridge's first state banquet in the UK.

Kate joined the Royal Procession into the Ballroom, following behind William who walked with Caroline Welby - the wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Kate walked alongside Wang Huning, one of the Communist Party of China's top leaders.

She was seated in the most prominent position for a female member of the royal family after the Queen - on the President's right while the monarch, as is custom, sat on Mr Xi's left.

As the wife of the second in line to throne, Kate takes William's status when she accompanies him, so outranks blood princesses such as the Princess Royal, who was also present.

On Kate's right sat Mr Huning.

The Queen gives a speech in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace, these are customarily done before the food is served

Kate shows off her bespoke Jenny Packham and diamonds loaned by the Queen as she stands next to President Xi Jinping and

The Duchess appeared to join the First Lady in adopting a more informal appearance and eschewing traditional evening gloves.

Kate was expected to wear the Order of Elizabeth, which the Queen was believed to have awarded her, but there was no sign of the miniature portrait attached to a yellow ribbon.

The mother-of-two wore the Lotus Flower tiara once owned by the Queen Mother and a favourite of Princess Margaret for her first state banquet at Buckingham Palace,

Although only the third time she's worn a tiara, this is the second time the mother-of-two has showcased this stunning headpiece, indicating that like the Queen's late sister, this will become her tiara of choice for official dinners.

The Duchess wore a pair of chandelier diamond earrings loaned from Her Majesty as well as two eye-popping bracelets.

One art deco-style bracelet was fashioned into a bracelet from Queen Mary's choker while another dazzling bangle was one of Prince Philip's wedding gifts to the Queen, designed by Bond Street jeweller Philip Antrobus brilliants from a tiara belonging to Princess Andrew of Greece, the Duke of Edinburgh's mother, placed in a platinum setting.

Meanwhile, Ms Peng delivered on her reputation for glamour and style, thanks to her close relationship with Chinese designer Ma Ke, in a shantung silk midnight blue dress with a high neck and white belt.

Her Majesty opted for her signature state banquet look, going for a white gown, white evening gloves, her Order of the Garter sash and - in an unusual choice - the Modern Sapphire Tiara with matching necklace.

The Duchess of Cambridge is radiant in red, as she arrives at the state banquet

Prince William was resplendent in white tie next to his wife, radiant in red, and wearing a tiara for the third time

Prince William was resplendent in white tie by Kate's side as they arrived for the glittering sit-down dinner, which was hosted by the Queen in the palace's grand ballroom.

It was held in honour of Chinese president Xi Jinping and welcomed 170 guests including Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

According to protocol, female members of the royal family must dress in evening gowns for state banquets and wear tiaras - often loaned to them by the Queen.

They must also wear the Elizabeth II Family Order - a jewel encased image of the Queen on a chartreuse yellow ribbon which royal women wear pinned to their left shoulder. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex have all been given the personal order.

Meanwhile it is also the Duke of Cambridge's first Palace banquet - despite William turning 33 this year. The Duke's father Charles was 20 at his first state banquet in the London residence, but William has been wary of signing up too early to the more restrictive life of a full-time royal.

The Cambridges' decision to attend demonstrates the diplomatic importance of the Chinese state visit.

They did attend a state dinner in Singapore during their Jubilee tour in 2012, but it was a tiara-free affair.

Kate's widely anticipated inaugural banquet in the UK comes six months after the birth of her second child Princess Charlotte.

Kate is seen in the back of a chauffeur-driven Bentley arriving at Buckingham Palace for the state dinner with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

Kate was pictured in the Papyrus Tiara - also known as the Lotus Flower Tiara - which belonged to Princess Margaret at the Queen's annual diplomatic reception at the Palace in 2013

Guests including the Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other politicians and dignitaries dined around a grand horseshoe shaped table, extravagantly decorated with large floral displays and priceless dinner sets, beneath the palace ballroom's six impressive chandeliers.

The dress code, which was outlined on the invitations, states 'Evening Dress (White Tie), Decorations, Full Ceremonial Evening Dress for Serving Officers, or National Dress'.

It is intended as guidance, so guests are aware of what others will be wearing, and on occasion, some have worn black-tie instead.

Guests are traditionally received before the banquet by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, shaking their hands and exchanging a few words of greeting.