Kate Middleton Wears a Givenchy by Sarah Burton Gown for the French State Banquet at Windsor Castle.
King Charles calls for 'allyship' with France in charming toast to a 'new entente' - as he hosts Macrons for a glitzy state Windsor Castle banquet attended by Elton John, Mick Jagger and footballer Mary Earps.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have kicked off President Macron's three-day state visit to the UK with a glitzy state banquet at Windsor Castle this evening.
Making a glamorous entrance, The Prince and Princess of Wales were among the British Royal Family members in attendance, with Kate looking elegant as ever in a dark red silk creponne gathered evening gown, with caped back detailing, designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy.
And she displayed the Rosette of Grand Officier l’ordre nationale du merité and - for the first time - the Royal Family Order of King Charles III with the Order of Elizabeth II and the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, with a GCVO sash and star.
She accessorised it with a Lily of the Valley embroidered evening clutch and opted for a Lover’s Knot Tiara - a known favourite of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The mother-of-three, 43, who wore her chestnut tresses down in styles waves, was accompanied by her husband Prince William, 43, who was dapper in a tuxedo, adorned with a series of Orders and medals.
Also on the guest list were stars including Sir Elton John, accompanied by his husband David Furnish, Sir Mick Jagger, actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, footballer Mary Earps, singer Mika and television’s Fred Sirieix.
The last state banquet attended by the princess was in November 2023, marking the South Korean State Visit. Little more than a month later she underwent major abdominal surgery after which she was diagnosed with cancer and had preventative chemotherapy.
She did not take part in the Japanese State Visit in June 2024, and only attended the arrival ceremony of when the Qataris visited last December.
Other members of The Firm came out in full force, with the Princess Royal, 74, arriving alongside Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, 70, looking elegant as ever in a white dress adorned with lace, and teamed with matching evening gloves.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also pictured at the banquet. Sophie, 60, was sophisticated in a structured ivory frock as she walked with her husband Prince Edward, 60.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla herself wore an ivory silk and crepe embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare, and a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching necklace, earrings - adorned with a bracelet from Queen Elizabeth II’s sapphire suite. Her Majesty was also wearing the Legion d'Honeur French sash, the Garter Star and His Majesty The King’s family order.
Elsewhere, Brigitte Macron opted for a sapphire blue gown, with cape shoulder detailing, this evening.
In a charming speech, peppered with French, King Charles referenced how Windsor Castle had been built by ‘my ancestor - and your sometime countryman - William, Duke of Normandy’, with a tactful reference to the fact that he had just taken over the country by conquest.
He went on to describe France as one of the UK’s ‘strongest allies’ facing a ‘a multitude of…complex threats, emanating from multiple directions’ together.
‘These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time,’ said in a reference to the castle.
‘Instead the answer lies in partnership, and we - France and Britain - must help to lead the way.‘
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email thuongvietland@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you.
0 Comments