9 Oct 2012

Solomons royal dress row engulfs US consular agent

9:47 am on 9 October 2012

The Malaita Ma'asina Forum in Solomon Islands has called for the the United States consular agent to Solomon Islands, Keithie Saunders, to be fired.

Government House had accused Mrs Saunders of replacing Solomon Islands costumes with Cook Islands designed ones for Prince William and his wife, Kate to wear at an island feast hosted by the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui.

Keithie Saunders says she received the clothing from the designer during the Pacific Islands Forum summit in August, and agreed to give it to the royal couple as a gift from the Cook Islands.

She has since apologised.

The Malaita Ma'asina Forum, Charles Dausabea, says the US consular agent had broken protocols and she should be stripped of the post for it.