Duchess of Cambridge wows in silk Erdem gown as she and Prince William rub shoulders with Hollywood stars in Stockholm

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel
EPA
Robert Jobson30 January 2018

Prince William and Kate rubbed shoulders with Hollywood stars as they dined with the cream of Swedish society.

They Royal couple joined Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel and sat down with Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander and film star Stellan Skarsgård for a black-tie evening hosted by the British Ambassador.

Kate wore a coloured silk Erdem gown, decorated in florals.

Joined by Swedish politicians, businessmen and a television host, they dined on familiar Scottish smoked salmon and guinea fowl as they enjoyed the company of new-found friends.

Prince William and Kate talk to Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and his wife Ulla Lofven
AFP/Getty Images

William and Kate began the evening with a short meeting with the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven and his wife Ulla, telling them about their visit to the host country thus far.

William regaled them with details of his bandy hockey exploits, telling them he was proud to have scored a goal.

The Duchess, who laughed and patted him, insisted: "I let him win."

Rest: The Duchess of Cambridge tries out a chair as she visit the ArkDes museum in Sweden with Prince William
Getty Images

Earlier Prince William and Kate admitted to having Ikea furniture at home during a visit to the country's national museum of architecture and design in Stockholm.

Marcus Engman, the company's head of design, said they told him that they had some Ikea furniture for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

"I'm proud that we can suit everybody," he said. "That's what we want Ikea to be - for the many people of the world, both royalty and ordinary people."

Royals: The couple admitted they have Ikea furniture for their two children
Getty Images

Mr Engman was showing the couple round an exhibition of a competition for young Swedish designers which Ikea has been involved with since it began 20 years ago.

He said before meeting them: "It would be nice to know if they have any Ikea furniture. I know that the royals in Sweden have. Why would it not be possible for them?

Duchess: Kate grins as she sits in a chair at the museum
REUTERS

"There is a great variety. Our beds are really good, and affordable. You get a lot for your money there.

"We have worked together with (Queen) Silvia on a project for elderly living where we have developed things together called Silviabo."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tour of Sweden and Norway

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After their meeting he said they began by offering their condolences on the death of the firm's founder Ingvar Kamprad.

Mr Engman told them: “There have been sad days at Älmhult.”

He said they were very interested in both home furnishings and how the design process works at Ikea. “They also revealed that they have Ikea pieces for the children’s rooms.”

Tour: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden
PA

A royal source was unable to confirm what pieces the family has from Ikea, but said that it was “very plausible”.

During their tour of ArkDes, the duke tried out a rocking stool designed by Hemmo Honkonen, 29, which makes a musical whistle when moves back and forth, part of a project to combine his twin interests of furniture and musical instruments.

“Don’t break it!” said the duchess as he went to sit down.

Design: The couple visited the ArkDes museum
Getty Images

“It’s a great idea,” said the duke. “With percussion you could have a whole orchestra in someone’s house.”

The duchess also sat in an armchair by Rebecca Patrini, 29, and Joel Fjällstrőm, with wool covered arms and a seat of suede from a stag. “Very nice,” she said. “Very comfortable.”

The duke also sat on a stool by British designer Sophie Hardy, 33, originally from near Ludlow, Shropshire, but now living in Sweden.

Kieran Long, the museum’s British director who previously worked at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, said before the trip the couple had expressed a particular interest in seeing Swedish architecture.

He said: “Many architects consider Prince Charles to be a rather conservative force in architecture. But we have no idea what their opinions are.”

In a speech at the end of the visit he told the couple: “It is good to learn that a passion for cities and architecture runs in the family.”

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