Kate Middleton dazzles in a coral coat dress as she hosts garden party at Buckingham Palace

THE Duchess of Cambridge wore a coral coat dress as she helped host yesterday’s garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Kate, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, stood in for the Queen, 96, who traditionally oversees four garden parties each summer.

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Kate Middleton dazzles in a coral coat dress as she hosts garden party at Buckingham Palace[/caption]

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Wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress, Kate smiled as she met guests on the lawn of Buckingham Palace[/caption]

She was forced to skip this year’s engagements because they usually require the monarch to spend at least an hour on her feet.

Wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress, Kate, 40, smiled as she met guests on the lawn of Buckingham Palace.

The flattering knee-length frock, which features long sleeves, a sharp collar and band at the waist, is a version of a sky blue design worn by the duchess on previous occasions.

Kate paired the dress with pink suede point toe pumps and a matching hat.

She finished off the look with a beaded clutch bag.

During the event, William met the family of Ian Molyneux, the Royal Navy officer shot in the head aboard HMS Astute in April 2011.

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Kate, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, stood in for the Queen[/caption]