The Duke and Duchess attended the Tusk Conservation Awards in London this evening to recognise those who are working to preserve Africa’s precious wildlife and making a difference in communities across the continent.

The Duke has been royal patron of Tusk since 2005. The organisation has pioneered successful conservation action in Africa for almost thirty years, protecting wildlife, empowering communities and advancing the frontline in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

William presented three awards to some extraordinary people whose work might otherwise go unnoticed.

The three nominations for 2018 are Dickson Kaelo, Force Ngwire and Vincent Opyene.

Dickson Kaelo leads the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association. Its mission is to work with landowners and communities to sustainably conserve and manage wildlife and their habitat outside formal protected areas for the benefit of the people of Kenya.

Force Ngwire is a Malawian environmental activist who formed The Wood Carvers’ Association which has seen the planting of over eight million trees. He is also the Country Director of RIPPLE Africa where he manages environmental regeneration programmes, including fish conservation, tree planting, and fuel-efficient cook stove projects.

Vincent Opyene established the Natural Resource Conservation Network. Uganda is a major international transit hub for ivory, pangolins, and other illicit wildlife products. Thanks to NRCN and their partnership with government, up to four significant wildlife trackers are arrested each month. Vincent risks his life on a daily basis to combat wildlife trafficking and to bring criminals to justice.

Congratulations to Vincent who took out this year’s Tusk Award!

The Tusk winner receives a beautiful trophy, as well as a grant of £20,000. The two runners up each receive a grant of £7,500.

Congratulations also to Dr Pete Morkel, the winner of The Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, and to Julius Obwona, who received The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award.

William delivered a speech, praising the dedication of these unsung heroes and the bravery of rangers risking their lives, day and night, on conservation’s frontline.

The Duchess was back in her stunning teal Jenny Packham gown for this evening’s Tusk Trust Awards in London.

The gown is a customised version of the label’s ‘Aspen’ gown, featuring silk chiffon, an intricate lace back, an embellished waist and lacy cap sleeves.

It was previously worn to the Olympic Gala held before the start of the London Olympics in 2012.

At the time Kate first wore it, Jenny Packham described the dress: “The style combines an emerald lace bodice embellished with Swarovski crystals and a pleated skirt, ribbon waisted with a crystal and flower embellishment and matching bespoke clutch bag.”

The original gown sold for £2875 / $4620.

The Duchess also attended this event back in 2013, when she wore the sparkly Jenny Packham gown I featured in my story.

The Duchess carried the matching silk Jenny Packham clutch and opted for her sparkling champagne Jimmy Choo ‘Vamp’ sandals with a 5.5 inch heel once again also (originally $360 but now sold out). These shoes have been in Kate’s wardrobe since 2011.

The diamond chandelier earrings are one of Kate’s earliest loans from The Queen. She first wore them to a gala in 2011, and has worn them to many formal occasions since. Neither The Queen nor any other royal lady has worn these in public.

Kate completed her look with the same poppy brooch she wore to the V&A Museum last week. It is the British Legion poppy brooch, called the Women of The First World War Brooch, available at the poppyshop.org.uk for £29.99.

100 years on, The Royal British Legion have created this special brooch dedicated to the memory of the courageous women who served and lost their life as a direct result of the First World War. Each brooch comes with a certificate commemorating the life of a woman who lost her life as a direct result of the War.

I’m obsessed with this look! I love how all the pieces The Duchess is wearing are from her early royal wardrobe — a little throwback to her 2011/2012 days.