Kate Middleton impresses fashion fans with The Vampire’s Wife look in Dublin

A new brand for the Duchess of Cambridge has sparked style comparisons to Princess Beatrice

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at a reception hosted by British ambassador Robin Barnett at the Guinness Storehouse on March 3. Getty Images

For the visit, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a dress by The Vampire's Wife. Reuters

The duchess accessorised with Manolo Blahnik heels, a gold clutch and H&M earrings. AFP

The reception ended the first day of a three-day visit for the couple. EPA

To arrive in Ireland, the duchess wore a Catherine Walker coat over a dress by Alessandra Rich. Reuters

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony in the Garden of Remembrance during their visit to Dublin. Reuters

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet with Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, at the official presidential residence Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Reuters

The couple also met one of the president's dogs. Reuters

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, ring the Peace Bell during a meeting with Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina. Reuters

Later in the morning, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and partner Matthew Barrett at Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland. EPA

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Matthew Barrett at Government Buildings in Dublin. Reuters

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, signs the guestbook after a meeting with Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland. Reuters

The Duchess of Cambridge made very green wardrobe choices to arrive in Ireland. Reuters

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Matthew Barrett at Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland on March 3. Reuters

The Duchess of Cambridge is often lauded for her style, but rarely for taking a fashion risk. She is known for playing it stylishly safe, with a carefully selected handful of favourite designers. But on an official visit to Ireland, the royal has branched out and worn a statement piece by The Vampire's Wife, a favourite brand of the London style set.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar for a reception, and for the occasion, Catherine wore a green shimmering midi dress, with power shoulders and sheer, ruffled sleeves. The dress is the brand's Falconetti Emerald Metallic Silk Dress and is available to pre-order online for £1,595 (Dh7,506).

Although the engagement marked the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has publicly worn a dress by The Vampire's Wife, the brand has been chosen by royals in the past.

For Ellie Goulding's September 2019 wedding, Princess Beatrice wore a dress by the brand, which was remarkably similar to the duchess's Falconetti dress.

Princess Beatrice sported the Veneration design by the brand, crafted in a similar emerald silk metallic chiffon, with a tiered ruffled hem and sleeves. It is still available to buy online for £1,695.

When it came to her accessories, the Duchess of Cambridge mixed high and low-end pieces. She paired the designer dress with plush green velvet Manolo Blahnik pumps and a glittering gold Wilbur and Gussie clutch, which both retail at more than Dh1,000, and completed the look with H&M disc earrings.

Earlier in the day, the royals arrived in the Republic of Ireland's capital and were greeted by British ambassador Robin Barnett and his partner, Agnieszka Kepka, before making their way to Aras an Uachtarain, the residence and workplace of Irish president, Michael D Higgins. They later made their way to Irish Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

To arrive in the Emerald Isle, the royal stuck to a one thematic hue: green.

For her earlier engagements, the duchess wore a bespoke Catherine Walker coat over a patterned Alessandra Rich peplum dress.

She accessorised the look with an LK Bennett clutch and Emmy London heels, both green, with Asprey earrings.

It was announced on Monday, February 24 that the couple would take the official visit to "highlight the many strong links between the UK and Ireland."

They are on a three-day tour and will "learn about local organisations working to support and empower young people and projects which provide opportunities to help them develop important life skills". They will also "hear more about Ireland’s conservation initiatives and efforts to protect its environment, with a particular focus on sustainable farming and marine conservation".

It is expected that they will "meet a broad range of people, including the President, the Taoiseach and senior political leaders, children and young people, and those working in the creative arts, business and charity sectors".