Kate dazzles in dark red silk at state banquet return
The future queen joined the King, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales and some 160 guests including Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John in Windsor Castle's impressive St George's Hall.
Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor 🇫🇷🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/l07Jg4olOd
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 8, 2025
Kate, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and confirmed she was free from the disease at the start of this year, last made an appearance at a grand royal dinner 20 months ago in November 2023 in honour of the South Korean president.
Her gathered evening gown featured caped back detailing.
The princess, with her hair down, was also wearing her favourite Lover's Knot tiara – a piece much loved by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Kate and her husband William were pictured smiling and gazing at each other as they arrived together, walking side by side before the banquet at the castle.
She carried a lily of the valley embroidered evening clutch and wore the Rosette of Grand Officier l'ordre nationale du merite, the Royal Family Orders of Charles III and Elizabeth II, the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and GCVO sash and star.
Kate was earlier shown smiling in the gardens of Windsor with William before the event, with Kensington Palace's social media declaring: 'Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor.'
The prince was dressed in white tie, with the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George, miniature medals and a series of chest orders.
Last week, the princess opened up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a 'brave face' during a visit to Colchester Hospital.
She was seated next to President Macron and the pair chatted ahead of the start of the King's toast, while on her other side was art historian Christophe Leribault, chairman of the Musee D'Orsay.
✨ Final preparations are taking place ahead of this evening's State Banquet in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/timKDXAi8i
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 8, 2025
Kate studied history of art at university.
Camilla, meanwhile, was dressed in an ivory silk and crepe embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare, and a sapphire and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings and bracelet, all part of Queen Elizabeth II's sapphire suite.
The Queen was also wearing the Legion d'Honneur French sash, Garter Star and the King's family order.
Mrs Macron wore a vivid blue caped evening gown with gold epaulettes-style detail on the shoulder.
It was both William and Kate's first time at a Windsor Castle banquet, with the last one being staged there 11 years ago for the Irish President Michael D Higgins in 2014.
Earlier, Kate carried out royal duties as the first French state visit to the UK for 17 years began, accompanying the Macrons to Windsor with William, taking part in the carriage ride, the ceremonial welcome, the royal luncheon and Royal Collection exhibition.
The princess had already embraced French fashion, choosing Christian Dior for her daytime engagements.
Her blush pink Dior jacket was the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection, and Kate paired it with a tulle skirt.
L'Entente Cordiale in the Kitchens!🇬🇧🇫🇷
Chef @Raymond_Blanc OBE, an ambassador for the @KingsFdn, was invited to join the chefs at Windsor Castle to create the First Course and Dessert for this evening's State Banquet menu. pic.twitter.com/gEw9oDYVBR
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 8, 2025
It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Dior himself.
Kate's sleek hat was by Jess Collett.
The princess was charmed with a kiss to the hand by Mr Macron as she and William met the French leader as he disembarked from his plane at RAF Northolt.
Mr Macron took the princess's hand and leaned forward to deliver an air kiss towards it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
Estoril Congress Centre is set to become a cultural space – first initiative is an exhibition
It had already been announced, but now it's official: the Estoril Congress Centre is becoming the Estoril Centre for Culture and Congresses (CCCE). The aim is to broaden the venue's scope, turning it into a space also dedicated to the performing and visual arts – including dance, theatre, music, art and cinema. This turning point is marked with the opening of an exhibition, Première 30, which runs from July 10th to August 31st with free entry. The show brings together works by 17 emerging artists from Portugal and France, and is part of the Première programme, founded 30 years ago by the Centre d'Art Contemporain - Meymac in France, with the goal of promoting new visual artists on the international stage. The French art centre invites newly graduated artists from partner schools each year to take part in a group exhibition. For this 30th edition, young Portuguese artists were also invited, specifically from the Escola Superior de Artes e Design in Caldas da Rainha – Polytechnic of Leiria, and the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Lisbon. Curated by Caroline Bissière, Jean-Paul Blanchet and Luísa Soares de Oliveira, Première 30 showcases works across a wide range of media – from painting to installation, video to sculpture – highlighting the diversity of expression among these emerging artists. With this transformation, the new CCCE becomes part of the Vila das Artes project, a cultural and artistic network in Estoril that also includes the Estoril Arts Academy (Cruzeiro Building), the Museum of Portuguese Music – Casa Verdades de Faria, the Mirita Casimiro Theatre and the Senhora da Boa Nova Auditorium.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Have your say on whether the Royal Family would be as popular without Kate
Princess Kate's charm and presence have become a cornerstone of the Royal Family's popularity. From recent dazzling appearances at events like the State Banquet and Trooping the Colour, her influence is clear — but would the monarchy shine as brightly without her? Would the Royal Family command the same level of public attention without Kate Middleton, we wonder. As the Princess of Wales continues her cancer recovery with remarkable candour, recent royal outings have underscored just how central her presence has become to the monarchy's modern image. From the dazzling tiara sported at the glitzy state banquet at Windsor Castle for the French state visit, to the beautiful teal number sported at Trooping the Colour - it's clear that the public's fascination with the Royal Family is deeply entwined with hers. Without Kate, many royal engagements seem to lack a certain spark. There was heaps of attention lavished on her stunning Givenchy gown at the State Banquet. How many other royals command that level of intrigue? But she's far from just a fashionista. A huge part of Kate's appeal is her refreshing candidness. While some royals can often seem rather stand-offish, the princess has a refreshing vulnerability and honesty that people really warm to. What do YOU think? Would the Royal Family be as popular without Kate? Take our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section. If you can't see the poll, click here In a refreshingly open move for a member of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales recently revealed the holistic practice she incorporated into her cancer treatment during a candid chat about her illness with staff at patients at Colchester Hospital. Visiting the centre's new Wellbeing Garden, Kate delved into her own personal experience with cancer for the first time, revealing much about her illness and recovery. Her elegance, relatability, and knack to balance tradition with modernity have earned her a unique status - one that's arguably irreplaceable in the current royal line-up. This raises an important question: would the Royal Family be as popular, or as closely followed, without her? While other senior royals continue their duties admirably, Kate connects with the public in a way few others have managed. Whether attending state events or championing causes like early childhood development, she brings a sense of authenticity and modern grace to The Firm. The Royal Family's long-term relevance hinges on its ability to evolve and stay connected with the people. In many ways, do you think Kate has become the face of that evolution? Let us know your thoughts. Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp!
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
K-pop singer Taeil jailed three and a half years for rape
K-pop star Taeil, who came to fame in the band NCT, has been jailed for three and a half years after gang raping a tourist in Seoul. Taeil, 31, admitted in June that he and two other accomplices, named in South Korean reports as Lee and Hong, took turns raping a Chinese tourist after she became 'heavily intoxicated' after drinking with them. The three men met the victim last year in the Itaewon district in Seoul, and after drinking together, they then got her into a taxi to Lee's house, where the assault took place. A district judge handed the three men three and a half-year sentences each, asking them also to complete 40 hours of a treatment programme for perpetrators of sexual violence. The men have also been banned from child and youth-related institutions for five years and will be registered as sexual offenders in their neighbourhoods of residence. The verdict is just half of the seven-year sentence that was requested by the prosecutors, with the judge noting that they were first-time offenders. The law in South Korea described the attack as 'aggravated' because it the tourist was raped by a group. It was also described as a 'quasi rape' as the victim was unconscious. The Korea Herald reported the comments made in court by the judge. 'The defendants took turns committing sexual acts against the victim, who was severely intoxicated and unable to resist. The nature of the crime is particularly grave,' the judge commented. More Trending 'As a foreign tourist assaulted in an unfamiliar environment, the victim likely experienced significant psychological distress.' Taeil was a member of the South Korean boy band NCT from 2016 until 2024, when he was initially tied to the sexual offence. SM Entertainment, the singer's former agency, announced his departure from the band in October 2024, stating at the time: 'Given the gravity of the matter, we determined that he could no longer continue group activities.' The singer and his two accomplices pleaded guilty to aggravated rape into June 2025 and received the sentence on July 10. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
