The Princess of Wales looked every inch the future Queen last night as she chose her most opulent tiara to date for a state banquet.
Kate, 43, looked impeccably regal in the rarely-seen Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet tiara but even more impressive than the opulent piece of jewellery was how she managed to keep it perfectly balanced on her head.
Eagle-eyed supporters spotted how the royal’s stylist had twisted strands of her hair around the back of the tiara’s band, to secure it in place.
Her tresses delicately circled around and branched out into a small ponytail, with the ends perfectly waved.
The tiara was designed by German-born Prince Albert for his beloved wife and features lotus flowers within eleven Mughal arches and 2,600 diamonds from Garrard in London.
Initially it was set with opals, but in 1903 Queen Alexandra – who deemed them unlucky – had them reset with Burmese rubies.
Fans were quick to note how the tiara was the crowning glory of Kate’s most regal look to date, along with her sweeping pale blue Jenny Packham gown.
‘It has finally happened,’ one wrote on X. ‘A tiara fit for the queen in my eyes! Princess Catherine looks absolutely majestic! Especially with this ultimate royal dress.
‘See now this is what I always pictured a princess looked like in real life as a child.’
Another added: ‘Omg Princess Catherine is wearing a NEW tiara!’ another added. ‘I’m screaming, they both look amazing. Catherine looks ethereal.’
‘It’s so lovely to see some new tiaras being taken from the vault,’ a third also said. ‘This tiara looks sensational on our stunning Princess of Wales. Catherine brings the glamour.’
The crown, made in 1853, was eventually worn frequently by the Queen Mother.
However, her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II had only publicly worn it once, in 2006 – meaning Kate’s debut with the accessory marked the first time it had been seen in nearly 20 years.
It wasn’t the only stunning jewellery Kate had opted to wear for the evening. She also showed off some dazzling diamond chandelier earrings from the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection – with her sapphire engagement ring peeking through as well.
Others also couldn’t get enough of the Princess’s glittering periwinkle blue Jenny Packham gown – fitted with a bespoke cape.
The sparkling frock, some on social media thought, could have been a sartorial nod to Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender – the European guests of honour at the dinner hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Many felt the choice of the colour was an homage to Prussian blue, a popular hue in 18th and 19th century Germany. Others also felt it was a similar shade to cornflower blue – after Germany’s national flower.
Catherine had also worn blue earlier in the day, and elsewhere, Camilla had opted for a turquoise gown for the state banquet.
The Princess of Wales also wore the star and sash of the Royal Victorian Order – and King Charles III’s Royal Order.
She carried a bespoke satin Anya Hindmarch clutch, and also wore heeled pumps from luxury Italian brand Gianvito Rossi.
Windsor Castle shimmered with festive grandeur last night as the Royal Family rolled out the red carpet for the German President and his wife to mark the first state visit in 27 years.
The diplomatic leaders were joined by a collection of celebrities including supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her filmmaker husband Sir Matthew Vaughn, as well as Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse and German footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Inside St George’s Hall, no expense was spared, as the table gleamed beneath 158 candles and a towering 20-foot Christmas tree glittering with fairy lights.
Every detail had been meticulously prepared: 152 place settings arranged with 329 knives, 320 spoons and 760 glasses, while silver-gilt centrepieces from the Grand Service were filled with hand-picked flowers gathered from Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and The Savill Garden.
Catherine was accompanied by Prince William, who himself looked suave in a white tie and the Windsor tail coat, as well as a Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George.
Queen Camilla wore a green lace Fiona Clare gown with the girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara and the Order of Germany sash.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also all in attendance.
The menu was a culinary showcase worthy of the surroundings – hot-smoked trout with langoustines and quail eggs, Windsor partridge wrapped in pastry, crushed winter vegetables, a panaché of seasonal greens and a dramatic baked Alaska.
Guests toasted the evening with Breaky Bottom, Cuvee Reynolds Stone 2010 English sparkling wine, while the red wine, a Chateau La Fleur-Petrus Pomerol 1995, was chosen because it was the year the President and his wife married.
Even the cocktail had been crafted with care, flavoured with chocolate and cherry brandy to echo Black Forest gateau.
The seating plan provoked its own interest, as Keir Starmer was placed next to German-born supermodel Claudia Schiffer – something he looked particularly pleased about.
Perhaps intentionally, the royal household did not seat her beside William, who famously harboured a teenage crush on the model – who is married to filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, who was knighted this year.
He once recalled turning bright red and stumbling away in embarrassment when his mother invited Schiffer, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell to Kensington Palace as a prank. Posters of the trio, he admitted, adorned his bedroom walls at the time.
In a warm and witty speech, the King highlighted the many centuries of history between Britain and Germany’s current trading links.
