An American consulate worker in the Solomon Islands accused of smuggling clothes from a neighbouring Pacific Island nation into William and Kate's hotel room has been banned from official engagements for the "deceitful" act.
United States Consul agent to the Solomon Islands Keithie Saunders was blacklisted after the 2012 September Jubilee visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, when the royal couple wore Cook Islands' Tav label clothing to a state dinner instead of locally-made garments handpicked by the Governor-General.
Saunders left a Cook Islands goodie bag that included an eye-catching pink floral print dress in traditional Rarotongan design, in the Honiara hotel room. The act brought a strong rebuke from Governor General Sir Frank Kabui who barred Saunders from Government House.
The Tav range is owned and designed by Cook Island Kiwi Ellena Taviani.
Taviani told the Herald on Sunday that she gave the clothing to the royal couple as a welcoming gesture from the small island nation and was shocked to see them wearing the clothes at an official state function.
