The Princess of Wales delivered a masterclass in diplomatic dressing at yesterday’s State Banquet held in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at Windsor Castle.
Not only did Kate, 43, put on a stunning display in a dramatic, dark red silk crepe gown, but she further embellished her ensemble with accessories steeped in sentimental meaning.
For her first State Banquet in over 18 months following her cancer diagnosis, Kate dazzled in a dress by Sarah Burton for Givenchy. The elegant silhouette featured gathered detailing and a flowing, caped back.
The mother-of-three completed her look with a nod to tradition and state symbolism, wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara, a favourite once worn by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The Royal Family has passed the heirloom down through generations, from Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth II, to Princess Diana, and the future queen, Kate.
Buckingham Palace staff kept the dazzling diamond and pearl Lover’s Knot tiara in a safe after Diana’s 1997 death before handing it to Kate.
The tiara, which Diana said was so heavy it gave her headaches, was made by Royal jewellers Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family’s possession.
It was a copy of a tiara owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who married the first Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of King George III, in 1818.
The Princess of Wales made a special nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana with her jewels at yesterday’s State Banquet.
Elsewhere yesterday, Kate added the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order and the rosette of the Grand Officier of the L’ordre Nationale du Mérite, a French honour bestowed during the Macrons’ state visit.
Kate received the late Queen’s highest mark of approval, a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, in 2019.
The late monarch awarded the Royal Victorian Order personally for services to the sovereign.
The Queen likely bestowed the prestigious honour on her granddaughter-in-law in recognition of her work as a member of the monarchy.
She has supported her causes, such as the early years development of children, travelled the Commonwealth on behalf of the late monarch and helped to raise awareness about mental health alongside her husband.
Yesterday, Kate further honoured her late grandmother-in-law with her lavish drop earrings, which the late monarch had gifted to her.
Her earrings weren’t the only element with a link to Queen Elizabeth II, because Kate also donned the Royal Family Orders of both her and King Charles.
Kate’s final nod to Elizabeth appeared on her clutch bag, which was subtly embroidered with a lily of the valley, the late monarch’s favourite flower.
The mother-of-three donned the Lover’s Knot Tiara, a favourite once worn by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana
The Princess of Wales dazzled in a deep crimson dress designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy as she stepped out for the State Banquet held in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron smiled as he made a toast with Kate during yesterday’s State Banquet
Lily of the valley featured in Elizabeth’s coronation bouquet, and held a special meaning and associations since.
Yesterday, Kate was the belle of the ball at Windsor Castle at a ‘white tie and tiaras’ dinner, after sporting an elegant pale pink outfit by Dior and a hat by English milliner Jess Collett during the day.
In the spirit of the Entente Cordial, the Royal Household has collaborated with Chef Raymond Blanc OBE, an Ambassador for The King’s Foundation, to create a First Course and Dessert for the menu.
Guests dined on a selection of pre-dinner canapes, Assiette de Légumes d’Été, Vinaigrette de Tomates Crues, Huile d’Olive Vierge, and a selection of tender summer vegetables from the gardens of Le Manoir with sage, raw tomato and Extra Virgin Olive Oil dressing.
Also on the menu were Suprême de Poulet Fermier à l’Argenteuil, Supreme of Rhug Estate Chicken with Norfolk Asparagus and Tarragon Cream, Le Cassis and to wash it all down: Iced Blackcurrant Parfait on a Blackcurrant-soaked Sponge with Elderflower Jelly and Café et Petit Fours.
After dinner, guests were served Taylor’s 1977 Vintage Port and a 1948 Grande Champagne Cognac by Frapin & Co, selected to reflect the years of The President’s and His Majesty’s birth in 1977 and 1948 respectively.
A cocktail has also been created for the occasion, called L’entente, combining British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, garnished with dried French cornflowers and English roses.
Hand-picked, seasonal flowers, including roses and herbs from the gardens at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as flowers and lavender from The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, were arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces taken from the Grand Service.
The late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite flower was lily of the valley, which she held during her coronation (pictured)
Pictured: Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara at a banquet in 1983 in Auckland, New Zealand
+17
View gallery
Pictured: Queen Camilla and King Charles with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte at the State Banquet
+17
View gallery
King Charles and Queen Camilla kicked off President Macron’s state visit to the UK with a glitzy State Banquet at Windsor Castle yesterday evening
On the conclusion of the Banquet, flowers that cannot be reused were donated to Floral Angels, a charity based at the New Covent Garden Flower Market in London whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
The flowers are delivered to hospices, elderly care homes, shelters, and many other deserving beneficiaries within the local community.
Following the State Banquet, Their Majesties, The President and Mrs. Macron and guests moved to the Music Room for a performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
The Orchestra performed three pieces: Fackeltanz No.4, by Meyerbeer; Chanson de Matin, by Elgar; and Scylla et Glaucus, Act IV, Scene V: Airs de Demons, by Leclair.
The music for the special performance was arranged from the original scores by Welsh musician and composer, John Quirk.
The performance was conducted by Ryan Bancroft, Principal Conductor, BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
It comes as President Macron enjoyed a carriage procession through Windsor with the Royal Family yesterday afternoon.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled with him and his wife through the town and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle, just as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy did on his visit in 2008.
+17
View gallery
In the spirit of the Entente Cordial, the Royal Household collaborated with Chef Raymond Blanc OBE, an Ambassador for The King’s Foundation, to create a First Course and Dessert for the menu yesterday
+17
View gallery
King Charles III and Emmanuel Macron pictured travelling in a 1902 State Landau through Windsor on Tuesday
+17
View gallery
Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle yesterday
+17
View gallery
The Princess of Wales, pictured, was the image of glamour during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle
The King and Mr Macron waved from the 1902 State Landau to crowds gathered on the streets, followed by Camilla and Mrs Macron in the Semi-State Landau.
The processional route, lined through the town by the armed forces, took in Datchet Road, Thames Street High Street, Park Street, Cambridge Gate, George IV Gateway to the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
When the procession swept into the castle, an array of military units were in position waiting to take part in the ceremonial welcome.
Central was the guard of honour formed by two of the British Army’s oldest regiments: Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards with the state colours of the regiments.
Mr and Mrs Macron were joined by the King and Queen on a dais, with William and Kate stood nearby.
As the President and King stood waiting for their wives to join them, they shared a few words and Mr Macron warmly touched the King’s back.
The pomp and pageantry featured the Military Knights of Windsor by the castle’s sovereign’s entrance, a detachment of the Household Cavalry nearby and outside the equerries’ entrance was the King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
After the royal salute was given by the soldiers on parade and the French national anthem was played, Major Jake Sayers, captain of the guard of honour, spoke in French to President Macron.
+17
View gallery
Camilla, Charles and the Macrons pictured beaming at the ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on Tuesday
+17
View gallery
Emmanuel Macron and King Charles pictured inspecting the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle
He told the visiting head of state: ‘Your excellency, the guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards is present and ready for your inspection.’
The French leader was joined by the King as he walked past the guardsmen formed in two lines on the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, as the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played L’Entente Cordiale.
Earlier, William and Kate greeted the Macrons at about 11.30am and travelled with them to Windsor to meet the King and Queen Camilla for a carriage procession.
The Princess was wearing a Christian Dior jacket, a hat by Jess Collett, Princess Diana’s old earrings and a pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.
The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket from the 2024 collection. The piece was reimagined by Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri who was inspired by the original, which was first created in 1947 by Dior himself.
The King’s Colour Squadron formed a carpet welcome party at the airfield for the Macrons, and they were initially welcomed by Helene Duchene, the King’s Ambassador to France .
After meeting William and Kate, a series of dignitaries were presented to the French couple including Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.
Others included Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Northolt station commander Captain Jonathan Hough along with Kathryn Colvin, Special Representative of the Foreign Secretary.
+17
View gallery
Kate stunned in a Dior ensemble as she waited to welcome the Macrons to the UK on Tuesday afternoon
Also in the welcome party were members of the British Suite, including The Viscount Brookeborough, Lord-in-Waiting; and Dame Menna Rawlings, Ambassador at Paris.
After the Macrons travelled to Windsor with Kate and William, Charles and Camilla formally greeted their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in the town – with Windsor Castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.
The King was seen with a small burst blood vessel in his right eye, which made it look red. It is understood this happened by accident overnight, and is not related to his cancer treatment.
