Plum perfection! Duchess of Cambridge opts for a stylish peplum two-piece as she steps out for a mental health conference in London

  • Kate wore Oscar de la Renta as she stepped out for a mental health conference
  • The Duchess, 34, joined William for the Guild of Health Writers event
  • Conference is being supported the Heads Together campign

By Unity Blott For Mailonline

Published: 13:46 EST, 6 February 2017 | Updated: 14:29 EST, 6 February 2017

The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in an Oscar de la Renta creation as she stepped out for a conference in London on Monday night.

Kate, 34, opted for a peplum jacket and matching skirt from the luxury label at the Guild of Health Writers event, which focuses on mental health, with William, 34.

The Anxiety Epidemic conference is being supported by the Heads Together initiative, an umbrella campaign spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess along with Prince Harry.

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Kate, 34, wore a purple Oscar de la Renta outfit as she stepped out in London on Monday

Kate, 34, wore a purple Oscar de la Renta outfit as she stepped out in London on Monday

It aims to change the national conversation on mental well-being to a positive one and is the charity of the year for the 2017 London Marathon.

The conference, held at at Chandos House, will have a number of guest speakers including Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, which is one of the eight Heads Together charity partners.

William and Kate met with members of the Guild of Health writers tonight and heard from a Heads Together runner, and the Duke gave a short speech where he thanked everyone supporting the initiative.

'You may be wondering why Catherine, Harry and I got involved in this topic in the first place,' he said. 'Mental health is traditionally not a mainstream subject, after all.

'For me personally, it was a gradual awakening over many years through work I've been privileged to witness with vulnerable young people – the homeless, the unemployed, those who are unable to fulfil their potential. 

 The Duchess wore her hair in loose waves, adding a touch of glamour with a pair of pointed courts and diamond drop earrings

 The Duchess wore her hair in loose waves, adding a touch of glamour with a pair of pointed courts and diamond drop earrings

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It’s been a busy day for the Duchess of Cambridge, first visiting a school in London recycling her red Luisa Spagnoli skirt suit, before heading to the Guild of Health Writers Conference with Heads Together at Chandos House this evening.

Kate opted for another skirt suit for her second engagement, this time by Oscar de la Renta in magenta. We love the cute peplum jacket combined with the flattering fit and flare skirt; meanwhile the color pop hue injects some fun into this tailored look.

Part of the autumn/winter 2015 collection, it looks like the Duchess may have had this ensemble for a while, despite never having been pictured in it.

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Quick change: The Duchess' purple ensemble was her second outfit on a busy day of engagements, while William appeared to be wearing the same navy suit that he wore earlier

Quick change: The Duchess' purple ensemble was her second outfit on a busy day of engagements, while William appeared to be wearing the same navy suit that he wore earlier

The Duchess dazzled in the peplum jacket and flared skirt from the designer's 2015 collection
She was joined by William

The Duchess dazzled in the peplum jacket and flared skirt from the designer's 2015 collection. The Anxiety Epidemic conference is being supported by Heads Together

'It was their openness about their mental health, their anxiety issues, their honesty about not coping, that made me realise that poor mental health was a major issue in our society, much greater than anyone cared to admit.'

He added: 'It was an issue that needed addressing if we were to attempt to solve many other problems that trouble us.'

William announced they would be running a campaign over the coming months 'to get people from all walks of life to record videos recounting what it feels like to open up to someone else.' 

The videos are intended to 'inspire people across this country, whatever their background, to talk up, and to tell another person if they feel like they can't cope.' 

Important cause: William and Kate are expected to meet members of the Guild of Health writers and hear from a Heads Together runner, and the Duke will give a short speech

Important cause: William and Kate are expected to meet members of the Guild of Health writers and hear from a Heads Together runner, and the Duke will give a short speech

The Duchess' purple ensemble was her second outfit on a busy day of engagements, while her husband appeared to be wearing the same navy suit that he wore at an assembly for primary school pupils earlier in the day.

The engagements are on a landmark day for the royal family, as the Queen becomes the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee - marking her 65-year-long reign.

There are no grand festivities planned to mark the head of state's milestone and the Queen is not due to be out and about on official engagements. 

Earlier, the couple attended an assembly with primary school pupils to mark the start of Children's Mental Health Week. 

The conference, held at at Chandos House, will have a number of guest speakers including Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, which is one of the Heads Together charity partners

The conference, held at at Chandos House, will have a number of guest speakers including Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, which is one of the Heads Together charity partners

Kate, who is patron of charity Place2Be which organised the 'Big Assembly', was joined by William for the visit to Mitchell Brook Primary School in north west London.

They presented a 'Kindness Cup' to the child who has 'has shown exceptional kindness in their school community and beyond' and meet staff and pupils.

Kate wore a strikingly similar outfit, a red peplum jacket and pencil skirt show off her slender legs, which she highlighted with a pair of heeled black court shoes.

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