Kate dazzles in dark red silk at state banquet return
Kate embraced diplomatic royal fashion by opting, in a nod to the King's guests French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte, for a floor-length evening dress created for the French fashion house by her wedding dress designer Sarah Burton.
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
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton's $9,600 Dior debut included hidden details that nodded to Princess Diana
Kate Middleton wore Dior at a public engagement for the first time on Tuesday. The ensemble celebrated France during Emmanuel Macron's visit to the UK. It also had ties to Princess Diana. "It's Dior, darling," Kate Middleton likely thought to herself as she looked at her outfit on Tuesday. Prince William and the Princess of Wales welcomed Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to the UK on Tuesday for a state visit. Kate, 43, stepped out of her fashion comfort zone for the occasion, forgoing her favorite designers, Catherine Walker and Alexander McQueen, in favor of a pink Christian Dior ensemble. Kate has never worn Dior at a public event before, and making her debut in an outfit from the French fashion house as she greeted the country's president was a savvy diplomatic move. Plus, the princess's outfit was full of hidden details that made it stand out even more. The star of Kate's outfit was a 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket from Dior's 2024 collection. The brand's Bar Jackets have been iconic since Christian Dior first designed them in 1947. Maria Grazia Chiuri created the reimagined version Kate wore on Tuesday. Chiuri became Dior's first female creative director when she took on the role in 2016, and she announced in May 2025 that she would be stepping down. Kate paired the jacket with a midi-length tulle skirt in the same shade that flared out around her calves, offering a royal spin on the balletcore trend. Although blush versions of the products aren't available on Dior's website, the jacket retails for $5,000 in three colors, while the skirt comes in white and black for $4,600. Kate kept her monochromatic look going with a bespoke hat from Jess Collett Milliner, a UK-based hat designer, and a Mulberry clutch, both of which were the same blush color as her jacket and skirt. She also added $795 Gianvito Rossi pumps to the look. Kate completed her outfit with pearl jewelry that previously belonged to other royals. Queen Elizabeth frequently wore the three-strand pearl necklace Kate sported on Tuesday, and the Princess of Wales was first spotted wearing it in September 2022 in the wake of the queen's death, as Town & Country reported. Kate paired the necklace with Princess Diana's pearl drop earrings, which she also wore to a remembrance service in 2021. Diana's earrings were a particularly appropriate accessory for her Dior ensemble, as Diana became a muse for the fashion house in the 1990s. For instance, she attended the 1996 Met Gala, which celebrated Christian Dior, in a gown custom-designed by John Galliano, fresh off her finalized divorce from then-Prince Charles. The navy slip dress made quite a statement for the royal, as it was inspired by lingerie and featured lace detailing on the neckline. Likewise, Diana was given a Dior bag in 1995 by Bernadette Chirac, the first lady of France at the time. She went on to tote several versions of the bag to royal engagements before her death. Dior renamed the bag "Lady Dior" in her honor. Kate continued Diana's legacy with her ensemble on Tuesday, stepping into her tenure as Princess of Wales even more firmly. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why Kate Middleton Curtsied 4 Times to King Charles and Queen Camilla During French State Visit
Kate Middleton is well-versed in the art of the curtsy, and she did the dip multiple times during the kick-off of the France state visit to the U.K.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cardi B Removes Stefon Diggs Photos from Her Instagram Page as She Steps Out Solo for Paris Fashion Week
All photos of Stefon Diggs are no longer publicly visible on Cardi B's Instagram page The couple went Instagram official last month This week, Cardi stepped out solo to Paris Fashion WeekWhat is Cardi B and Stefon Diggs' relationship status? More than a month after the couple went Instagram official with some PDA-filled photos on Cardi's page, all images featuring the NFL star are no longer publicly visible on the "Outside" rapper's profile on the social media platform. Reps for Cardi did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. It's unclear exactly when the photos were deleted or hidden from Cardi's Instagram grid, but the move comes as she stepped out solo to Paris Fashion Week for the Schiaparelli show at Petit Palais. The Grammy winner attended the fashion show in an eye-catching ensemble featuring an extravagant dress complete with a U-shaped neckline and fringe — as she held a live crow in a reference to the cover of her upcoming album, Am I the Drama? Before attending the fashion show, Cardi shared a selfie-style video to her Instagram Stories and expressed feeling "sooo tired." Rumors of a romance between Cardi and Diggs began circulating in October 2024, and TMZ later reported they spent time together in February 2025. The pair continued fueling dating rumors as they stepped out to various events over the following few months. They went Instagram official on June 1 with a post featuring footage from a yacht outing, including a photo of them embracing and a video of Diggs appearing to receive a lap dance from Cardi. Later that same month, she proudly rocked a manicure that featured Diggs' name, and the couple traveled to France to stay in a "real castle" rented by the football star. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Cardi — who dropped her new single "Outside" last month — spoke about her plans for the summer and seemed to coyly mention her relationship. "Outside I'm going to be shaking ass, drinking Whipshots. I'm gonna be outside, but I'm gonna be outside with a partner, so that's what I'm gonna say," she said during an event to launch the new chocolate flavor of Whipshots at Serendipity 3 in N.Y.C. Read the original article on People
