Latest news with #statebanquet
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Albanese walks diplomatic tightrope in China
The Prime Minister is about to sit down at a state banquet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, after a busy third day of his nearly week-long visit. 7.30's political editor Jacob Greber reports, and Sarah Ferguson speaks to Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor about whether Australia make a pre-commitment to join the United States in the defence of Taiwan.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Oldman quizzed Miller over marriage to Monroe: EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE
Did Prince William use the Macron state banquet to rebel against royal sartorial convention? The Prince of Wales appeared in a plain tailcoat rather than the Windsor uniform, an outfit worn by the King, Prince Edward and Sir Tim Laurence. Loved by his grandfather Prince Philip and created by George III, it is a distinctively cut, dark blue tailcoat with red facings and specially struck gilt buttons. It is only worn by royal men on state occasions at Windsor. As previously noted, William refuses to wear knee breeches, stockings and buckled court shoes at diplomatic corps receptions while his father continues to wear full fig. Alarming for Queen Camilla is Macron's gift to the King of a French Cavalry trumpet. The president was probably unaware that Charles learnt to play the trumpet as a teenager at Gordonstoun, occasionally joining the school's orchestra. Camilla must hope that after a 60-year gap, HM doesn't take it up again. She could, if necessary, adopt a precaution taken by the family when he had a brief flirtation with the bagpipes – they banished him to the bottom of the garden. Once finding himself at a New York dinner party with playwright Arthur Miller, actor Sir Gary Oldman recalls: 'I had enough vodka in me by then and said, 'I just have to ask you a question: Did you ever walk down the street, suddenly stop and pinch yourself and go: F***, I was married to Marilyn Monroe?'' Oldman adds: 'And he looked at me and went, 'Yeah!'' BBC Radio 4 Today show's Anna Foster had co-host Nick Robinson cringing when she told listeners that his wife Pippa had featured in the Mail's Wimbledon royal box coverage, looking 'absolutely radiant' sitting next to Hugh Grant. 'You've been cropped out, Nick,' she said. Doesn't turbo-tongued Robinson possess a face more suited to radio? Shamelessly attempting to bribe police officers when he was caught riding his motorbike while over the alcohol limit in Soho, Sir Stephen Fry confesses: 'I emptied my pockets and out came three audience tickets for Blackadder Goes Forth, which we were recording at the time. I offered the tickets to the three police officers who were booking me in. They said they'd be delighted to come along.' Fry clarifies: 'It didn't work as a bribe though. Still had a court appearance and lost my licence for a year. Heigh-ho. They enjoyed the show at least.' Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, with more time on his hands since losing his seat in Parliament, has been reading PG Wodehouse. 'I am taking a leaf out of his book by keeping quails in Somerset,' he tells The Spectator. 'I bought a few to get started but now want to breed some more. I must see if I can get a pig next.' Be warned Moggy. Plum, who wrote Pigs Have Wings, declared: 'God put pigs on this good green earth to be kidnapped.'
Grazia USA
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Kate Middleton Wears Princess Diana's Tiara With Givenchy For The French State Banquet
Kate Middleton was a vision of elegance this week, donning crimson and diamonds for a state banquet held in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife. The occasion saw The Princess of Wales opting for a sweeping floor-length silk gown by Sarah Burton for Givenchy. A British designer for a French label – an apt symbol for the diplomatic occasion. The red evening gown featured a belted waist and floor length cape which cascaded over Middleton's shoulders. A matching red clutch, and black pointed toe shoes complemented the piece. The most notable accessories, however, were the stunning royal heirlooms worn by the Princess. First, the Lover's Knot Tiara, famously a favourite of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. The sparkling heirloom, made up of 19 hanging pearls, has also become a favourite of Middleton's since she debuted it in 2015, becoming her most worn tiara. Along with the headpiece, she donned a Nigel Milne three-strand pearl bracelet, which once belonged to Princess Diana, as well as the Greville Chandlier Earrings, which were originally given to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift. Alongside her, Prince William wore a crisp navy tuxedo with a white bowtie. The pair also both wore their royal sashes as well as several royal badges. This dinner doesn't mark Middleton's first foray into French fashion and heirloom pieces for the French President and his wife's visit. Earlier in the same day, at their arrival, Middleton stepped out in a pale pink Dior blazer and matching mesh and tulle skirt. For this occasion, she accessorised with a Jess Collet straw hat, nude pumps, as well as her well-worn Collingwood pearl drop earrings, once again belonging to Diana, and a three-strand pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II's collection. If the first day of this three-day visit is anything to go by, we are sure to see more sartorial prowess on display by the Princess, with symbolic choices alluding to both countries, as well as the royal family.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Royal chaos as King Charles is accused of 'slap in the face' by late Queen's personal aide over THIS move at state banquet for Macrons: RICHARD EDEN'S DIARY
When Buckingham Palace announced the King had invited Raymond Blanc to join the royal chefs as they prepared for Tuesday's state banquet in honour of French president , a spokesman claimed it was an example of 'L'Entente Cordiale in the Kitchens'. One horrified former royal cook has, however, declared, 'Sacre bleu!'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Gets a Wink from French President Macron and It's the State Banquet's Most Talked-About Moment
Kate Middleton and French President Emmanuel Macron sat next to each other during the official state banquet on July 8 While Macron was serious in his official speeches during the visit, he showed off a playful side during the dinner, sharing a wink with the princess The French leader was also chivalrous, helping to pull out Kate's chair before taking a seat himselfKate Middleton and French President Emmanuel Macron clinked glasses during the state banquet at Windsor Castle. The star-studded gala dinner on July 8, held in honor of the first official French state visit in 17 years, saw Macron seated between Princess Kate and King Charles. The 47-year-old politician politely helped to pull out the Princess of Wales' chair and waited for her to sit before taking his own seat beside her. Later, cameras captured Macron winking at Princess Kate during a toast, a moment that was widely circulated on social media in one of the most buzzed-about moments of the evening. The warm gesture between Princess Kate and President Macron began the moment he and his wife disembarked their flight at RAF Northolt on Tuesday. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted them on the tarmac, and Macron met Kate with a kiss to her hand. While the gesture may have raised some eyebrows, it is not actually against royal protocol. The royal family's official website explains that there are no strict codes of conduct for meeting royals. "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms. For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way," the website states. The state banquet seating arrangements saw spouses take their places across from each other at the massive table at Windsor Castle. While King Charles, President Macron and Princess Kate were seated together on one side, Prince William, 43, sat next to Macron's wife, Brigitte, 72, who was flanked on her other side by Queen Camilla, 77. Other famous faces at the dinner included Mick Jagger, Elton John and his husband David Furnish, Kristin Scott-Thomas and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The King's speech toasted the official visit, which was also the first by a European Union political leader since Brexit, with a unique detail about the night's menu. "This evening, we have drunk English sparkling wine made by a French champagne house. This would have been scarcely believable to at least some of our predecessors," he said. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Macron echoed the need for unity between France and the U.K. in his own toast. "On either side of the channel, there is a constant reminder that we must never lower our guard," he said. Read the original article on People
