Duchess Kate to follow in Duchess of Cornwall's footsteps as she hands out prestigious award – best photos

The Duchess of Cambridge will be following in the footsteps of several royal ladies on Wednesday as she awards the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design.

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The award is given in order to recognise the cultural and trade role that British design has played during the reign of the Queen. The award has been presented by a wide variety of women within the royal family, with Her Majesty handing out the inaugural award back in 2018 to designer Richard Quinn, whose designs have been worn by celebs like Amal Clooney in the past.

In 2019, the Duchess of Cornwall handed out the award, while it was presented by Princess Anne in 2020, and last year was the turn of Sophie Wessex.

WATCH: Duchess Kate speaks to designers at the British Fashion Council

The Duchess made her way to London's Design Museum for the ceremony, that will be hosted by the British Fashion Council.

Kate looked incredibly glamorous as she arrived, stunning in a gorgeous dress from Canadian designer Edeline Lee.

At the event, she met with designers who had benefited from funds from the British Fashion Council Foundation’s designer initiatives; NEWGEN,  Fashion Trust and BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion fund and BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund.

The funds provide up-and-coming designers financial support, as well as mentoring as they build their brands.

The Duchess handed the award to designer Saul Nash, who appeared to be a popular choice among the audience.

Speaking after getting the award, Saul said: "It's always such an honour and quite surreal to have it presented by the Duchess herself. I feel truly honoured.

"I grew up in London and after my sixth form college I went to study performance. I never set out to be a fashion designer, it kind of evolved. I have always wanted to create sportswear and challenge pre-conceived notions around sportswear. I don't really like to dress to occasions, I wear what I like to wear when I like to wear it. It’s about self-liberation.

"My job as a designer is to propose new questions. A lot of those dancers are my friends, they have been in previous seasons. I am very collaborative."

In a speech, the royal said: "It is an absolute honour to be here today. I've heard so many inspiring stories about Britain's creativity and seeing such incredible work from many talented designers, well done and congratulations."

At the conclusion of the event, guests were treated to an immersive fashion show with dancers wearing some of Saul's designs.