The Princess of poise CALM KAT E KEEPS IT SERENE

It was a tough US tour, but the royal couple proved their worth – no matter what was thrown at them

- Judy Kean

The dress may have been rented, but the Princess of Wales owned the red carpet.

Actually, in keeping with the theme of the sustainability-promoting Earthshot Prize, the carpet was green. But there was no doubting the star attraction at the event was Princess Kate, who along with husband Prince William, capped off a whirlwind three-day trip to the US with a triumphant appearance at a star-studded ceremony to present awards they established to promote saving the planet.

Watching the pair as they greeted dignitaries and praised winners, you’d never know the intense pressure they’d been under since arriving in the country. What was meant to be a straightforward visit in support of causes the couple feel strongly about ended up being beset with controversy.

William and Kate, both 40, were on their way to Boston when a scandal unfolded at home. William’s godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, 83, resigned from her position as a Lady of the Household (she had previously been one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting) amid allegations of racist conduct. Susan had repeatedly asked Ngozi Fulani, a black charity worker, “where do you really came from?” during a reception at Buckingham Palace to support a campaign against domestic violence. Ngozi later said despite telling Susan she was British, she felt like she was being interrogated, and the exchange with the older woman felt like “a violation”.

The incident immediately dominated headlines in the US, as well as the UK, with people pointing to claims made by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in their Oprah Winfrey interview last year about racism in the royal family.