Glitzy Welcome For Royal Couple In California

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been welcomed to LA by fellow Brits David Beckham and Stephen Fry.

At the glitzy reception hosted at the British Consul General's residence, Kate wore a green dress by American designer Diane von Furstenberg - her fourth outfit of the day.

William and Kate joined around 200 guests at the drinks and canape event at the residence, where they will stay during their trip to the US.

Beckham, who was a guest at the couple's wedding and knows William through their work on England's 2018 World Cup bid, was without his wife Victoria who is due to give birth in the next few days.

To say California is ready to welcome William and Kate would be an understatement.

Royalty usurps even movie stardom here. A-listers are queuing up to rub shoulders with the Duke and Duchess.

Jennifer Lopez and Tom Hanks are thought to be among those who will meet the couple at one of their numerous engagements.

William and Kate started the trip at a UK Trade and Industry Reception - a clear nod to the fact that this visit has a purpose - to promote Britain in America.

The highlights of their time in the US will be a charity polo match in Santa Barbara and a Bafta black-tie reception promoting British film talent.

But the most powerful by-product of all this will be complete affirmation of William and Kate's superstar status.

The resounding image held by Americans is the couple's splendid fairytale wedding that captivated the world.

Having them here in the flesh so soon after that is causing a huge stir, in a place that is itself synonymous with celebrity.