The event wraps up William and Kate's successful mini tour of New York. The whirlwind trip saw the couple meet a variety of public figures and stars including President Obama and Hillary Clinton, and Beyoncé and Jay Z at their first NBA game last night. Causes close to their heart such as conservation and mental health featured on the agenda too.
Their Royal Highnesses received a warm welcome upon arrival.
The much publicised event received quite a large amount of coverage in recent weeks. With academy award-winning actor Tom Hanks expected to give the toast and Sting to perform, however, it was announced yesterday both had cancelled and were replaced by Seth Meyers and Renee Fleming.
Prince William is patron of the fundraising campaign. The event will support scholarships and bursaries for students from under-privileged communities, new student sports facilities in St Andrews, investment in the university's media and science faculties and a lectureship in American Literature at the university.
There is something very 'Cinderella' about this photo :)
A look inside the museum.
More on the campaign from St Andrews:
St Andrews’ 600th Anniversary Campaign has a simple goal: to ensure our university’s future. We may be 600 years old, but our endowment currently stands at only £50m, a figure dwarfed by universities like Oxford and Cambridge, which rank just above us in the league tables. We’ve come a very long way on very little, but growing our endowment is no longer just an aspiration, it’s a necessity.
We may be small, but we think big. Our Campaign aims to secure a total of £100m. This would allow us to invest in our big ideas immediately, realise our grand plans without delay, and unlock our true potential. Giving to St Andrews is your opportunity to invest in an historic institution, with far-reaching returns.'
The university has already raised a total of £52 million in gifts and pledges from alumni, parents and good friends of the university.
William and Kate mingled with guests.
St Andrews is consistently ranked among the UK's top ten universities and has an international reputation for delivering high-quality teaching, research and student satisfaction. The campaign will run until 2016 and aims to secure £100 million to support a range of projects and aspirational new developments.
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| St Andrews |
Of course, the university holds a very special place in William and Kate's hearts. The couple first met there and fell in love as first year students and both graduated in 2005; William with an honours degree in Geography and Kate with an honours degree in History of Art. Studying there afforded them the opportunity to enjoy the early years of their relationship and the completion of their studies in relative privacy.
The couple have been eager to lend their support to the University and kicked off the 600th anniversary campaign in March 2011 - one of their first joint engagements before the royal wedding.
In November 2012, Their Royal Highnesses attended a black-tie fundraiser in aid of the campaign. The Duchess repeated her much-loved Temperley London 'Amoret' gown for the event.
A look at an invitation for the dinner.
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| St Andrews |
More from the Mail Online:
'Meanwhile, big business will be represented by the chief executives of Citigroup, Cartier and Bank of America. William’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, who is currently working at an auction house in New York, is also expected to attend the 600th anniversary dinner.
Some attendees had paid a staggering $10,000 each to attend the event, which will close with a charity auction. The money will fund scholarships and bursaries for St Andrews students from under-privileged communities, as well as new sports and media facilities at the university.'
Kate with Princess Eugenie.
Guests dined on potato and leek soup, smoked haddock fishcake with crispy leeks and Scotch lamb pie for starters. Dinner consisted of a duo of mushroom-crusted tenderloin of Angus beef and cedar plank Scottish salmon with ale reduction. The meal was completed with a desert of sticky tofffee pudding or warm molten cake with vanilla-honey poached pears.
Kate listened to Prince William's speech, during which he said "I don't need to tell you how much St Andrews means to Catherine and me.".
Kate's choice of gown tonight needs no introduction.
The Duchess repeated her ink blue off the shoulder Jenny Packham. Below we see Kate wearing it in October 2013 for the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala and in February 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery.
The gown is described this way.
'Simply stunning in ink-tinged silk, this floor-grazing gown from Jenny Packham is the ultimate in evening elegance. It features a wrapped front, V-neckline, gathered short sleeves, black velvet sash, hidden back zip, tailored bodice and full skirt.'
The silk tulle gown is from the designer's Autumn/Winter 2013/2014 Collection and is still available at StyleBop reduced from £3,125 to £1,597.
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| StyleBop |
To say there was a surge of disappointment on social media when it was announced Kate had chosen the dress again would be an understatement. I have to say I was a little disappointed myself; the gown is beautiful, there's no doubt about that, however, this was the glitzy event of the trip and a wonderful opportunity to choose something by a US designer such as Marchesa or Oscar de la Renta. We hadn't anticipated a repeat for this dinner Kate looked beautiful though and the look echoed the colour of St Andrews. What do you think?
Kate did change the look up with a stunning pair of diamond and emerald earrings and a matching bracelet which added a WOW factor. Palace aides revealed they were a "private gift". The Duchess wore her hair in an elegant updo which further complimented the look.
A closer look at the earrings.
The Duchess wore her very stylish Jimmy Choo Cosmic Pumps.
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| Jimmy Choo |
You can watch a video here.
Prince William gallantly held Kate's hand as they left the Met - a fitting end to a great trip.
William and Kate fly home tonight and will no doubt be immensely pleased with how the trip went and eager to get to Bucklebury to see Prince George.
I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to read and comment over the trip. I appreciate your support and enjoy your comments enormously!
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