The Symbolic Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's LBD

The youngest member of the British royal family, Prince George, is in the international spotlight on his first official trip — a visit to Australia and New Zealand. But on Thursday his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, garnered much of the attention, because of the strong style statement she made with the help of her favorite designer.

For a state dinner in New Zealand, she sported a long-sleeved black dress embroidered on the shoulder with silver ferns, the nation's official emblem.

According to a legend of the Maoris, the indigenous people of New Zealand, the fern's silver back would glow in the dark, helping hunters and warriors find their way home at night. And the black color of Kate's dress has meaning too – New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, won the World Cup in 2011. (Her husband, Prince William, briefly spoke in Maori at the event as well, and the couple was greeted with traditional Maori dancers shortly after arriving in the country.)

The gown was custom-made by Jenny Packham, one of the Duchess of Cambridge's favorite designers, and a fellow Brit. Middleton wore a blue Jenny Packham dress with white polka dots when she left the hospital for the first time after giving birth to little George. She also wore a navy Jenny Packham gown and a diamond necklace borrowed from Queen Elizabeth to an event earlier this year. Packham, who was born in the English county of Hampshire, has other famous fans, including Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie.