Kate Middleton shines at state banquet with Elton John, Mick Jagger and Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron was spotted giving a cheeky wink to Kate Middleton as they sat together at a star-studded banquet.
They were in the company of luminaries such as Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John at the soiree hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle.
During the meal, Macron and the Princess of Wales were seen toasting glasses, with the French President playfully winking at her amidst the musical elite.
Rolling Stones' lead singer Mick was joined by his fiancée Melanie Hamrick, while the 'Crocodile Rock' singer Sir Elton was accompanied by his husband David Furnish for the extravagant Royal celebration.
Sir Elton, famed for hosting his own annual white-tie and tiara charity ball, was among the 160 guests who gathered at the King's Royal white-tie event in honour of French president Macron and his wife Brigitte. Both musicians have homes in France, and Sir Elton also has a residence in nearby Old Windsor, reports the Mirror.
Sir Elton is well-known for performing 'Candle In The Wind', reworded as 'Goodbye England's Rose', at the funeral of the King's first wife Diana, Princess of Wales. He shares a close bond with the Duke of Sussex – Charles's youngest son, with whom the King has a strained relationship.
The illustrious guest list for the glittering state banquet hosted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales boasted names such as Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, former England goalkeeper and current Paris Saint-Germain player Mary Earps, acclaimed authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks, renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
During the opulent feast, King Charles was seated between President Macron and France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Princess Kate marked her return to state dinners after nearly two years, placing her next to President Macron and Christophe Leribault of the Musee D'Orsay.
Meanwhile, the Queen Consort enjoyed the company of Mrs Macron and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, while the Prince of Wales, William, found a spot adjacent to First Lady Brigitte Macron.
Rock icon Sir Mick Jagger, endearingly labelled "Sir Michael Jagger" on his white place card, mingled with Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Alice Rufo, a senior official from the French defence ministry.
Breaking protocol due to his vision impairment, Sir Elton John chose to sit beside his husband instead of being separated, as is traditional at such gatherings, with the Duchess of Gloucester by his other side. Suffering from serious vision problems following an eye infection, Sir Elton has faced new challenges.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer engaged in conversation with football sensation Mary Earps.
The 'First Dates' frontman Fred Sirieix, brought his charming presence to the scene, while pop icon Mika found himself in distinguished company beside the Duchess of Edinburgh.
In anticipation of a grand State Banquet at Windsor, William and Kate teased their regal attire on social media, captioning an image with: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."
For the first time, Kate donned her Royal Family order from King Charles and accessorised with a lily of the valley embroidered evening clutch. She engaged in conversation with President Macron whilst waiting for the banquet to commence and had art history scholar Christophe Leribault, chair of the Musee D'Orsay, on her other side, echoing her university studies in the subject.
Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as well as Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were among the Royal attendees at the dinner.
Queen Camilla dazzled in an ivory silk and crepe gown by Fiona Clare, topped with a sapphire tiara once owned by the late Queen, completing her ensemble with the Legion d'Honneur's French sash, Garter Star, and the King's family order.
The banquet featured a menu crafted by renowned French chef Raymond Blanc, beginning with succulent summer vegetables fresh from the Gardens of Le Manoir, dressed with Sage, Raw Tomato, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
The subsequent dish presented was a Supreme of Rhug Estate Chicken paired with Norfolk Asparagus and Tarragon Cream, succeeded by an Iced Blackcurrant Parfait resting on a Blackcurrant-soaked Sponge accompanied by Elderflower Jelly for pudding. Buckingham Palace hailed the culinary partnership as embodying "in the spirit of the Entente Cordial".
Continuing a tradition initiated by the King, a unique cocktail was concocted for the event, dubbed L'entente. It's a blend of British gin and lemon curd with a dash of French pastis, adorned with dried French cornflowers and English roses.
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