Radiating Disney fairytale style, Catherine stepped out at last night's Malaysian State Dinner in a stunning cream and gold embroidered gown, referencing local South East Asian motifs and princessly medieval themes.

The London-based design house, also responsible, of course, for Kate's wedding gown, embellished the floor-length cream silk creation with a floral design that nodded to the Malaysian national flower, the hibiscus.

Following local protocol, the dress covered the 30-year-old's upper arms - but plunged into a low-cut bodice. Combined with four-inch gold heels, Kate towered over her local hosts at the opulent dinner.

It was a look that may have marched from the cutting room of an early Snow White production. Neither thoroughly modern nor strictly traditional, the design was given lift with a sheer overlay and energy from the fresh white bodice.

It is not the first time that she has worn McQueen, headed up by Sarah Burton, while on tour. She last year chose a similar lavender dress by the designer for her North American trip.

Just three days into the royal tour of Asia and the South Pacific, the designer gown is the seventh outfit that the Duchess has worn so far. She is travelling with her own hairdresser and is said to have packed 30 different outfits for the nine-day trip.

Less form-fitting dresses have suggested that she might be trying to disguise the early days of pregnancy - though the intense local heat may have a part to play in the choices.

Certainly, the knee-length frocks by Jenny Packham and Singapore-born Prabal Gurung, as well as a dove grey pleated dress worn in Singapore, all revealed a hint of a baby bump.

And while Kate may have wanted to reach for a drink following the nerves that almost got the better of her at a speech she delivered earlier in the day - she said she was "very glad that it is over with" - she once again drank soft drinks at the dinner.

But before onlookers' tongues wag as to the water in Kate's glass - another sure sign to some that a baby is on the way - the country's Islamic rule puts paid to any gossip: all guests sipped on strictly non-alcoholic water and fruit juices throughout the night.

Alexander McQueen staff kept the wedding dress top secret until the big day - could the design house, with its latest flowing creation for Kate be keeping yet another state secret safe?