Tiara diplomacy at its best: Princess of Wales wows in regal white and gold gown as she joins King for state banquet

The Princess of Wales has worn what is arguably her most show-stopping look yet for the evening state banquet held in honour of visiting US President Donald Trump.

Catherine chose the Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, which has become her most-worn headpiece, and a white gown featuring a golden lace overlay with a high neck.

The 43-year-old revealed her outfit as she posed with the Prince of Wales before departing for the event inside Windsor Castle.

The couture gown is by British designer Phillipa Lepley and features a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown.

The coat features hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording, accented with French knots and satin-stitched blooms.

Kate's diamond chandelier earrings are from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which she has previously worn.

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The dress code for the state banquet is white tie, meaning official orders for men and women and for the women who have them, tiaras.

Pinned to the princess' outfit include the Royal Family Order of King Charles III, the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II, the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order star and sash.

She wore her long hair out in loose waves, showing her hair colour to be still on the bronde side.

Queen Camilla chose a royal blue silk marocain embroidered dress by Fiona Clare.

For her tiara, the Queen wore the sapphire and diamond tiara that was gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II by her father, King George, on her wedding day in 1947.

Queen Camilla first wore the sapphire tiara to a state banquet in November, 2022, which was her first since King Charles' accession.

Queen Camilla wore the impressive diamond Cartier festoon necklace, from the famed Greville bequeathment to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, which later passed to her daughter, Elizabeth II.

The necklace is adaptable and can be worn with five or three rows, with the Queen choosing the smaller version for the state banquet.

US First Lady Melania Trump wore a bright yellow off-the-shoulder gown by Carolina Herrera, accessorised with large diamond and emerald earrings.

She wore a blush-coloured belt.

The King and Queen posed for photos with the Trumps before making their way to the banquet hall.

The Princess Royal was seen arriving with her husband Sir Tim Laurence. Princess Anne, 75, chose a cream two-piece ensemble and a diamond and aquamarine tiara.

Once inside the dining hall, the 160-strong crowd were taken to their seats.

King Charles was seated next to the US President, while the Princess of Wales sat to Mr Trump's right.

Queen Camilla was seated across from the King and next to the First Lady, with Prince William on Melania's right.

During a speech, the King joked about a story from the 1970s which speculated on whether the then young bachelor Prince Charles was going to be romantically involved with the daughter of then-president, Richard Nixon.

"Had the media succeeded in the 1970s in their own attempt at deepening the special relationship, I myself might have been married off within the Nixon family," he told the crowd.

Addressing the monarch directly, Trump said: "This is truly one of the highest honours of my life".

"It's a singular privilege to be the first American president welcomed here and, if you think about it, it's a lot of presidents and this was the second state visit, and that's the first, and maybe that's going to be the last time.

"But this is truly one of the highest honours of my life, such respect for you and such respect for your country.

"For many decades, His Majesty the King has epitomised the fortitude, nobility and the spirit of the British monarchy and the British people."

President says Kate is 'so radiant, so healthy'

The president described the Princess of Wales as "so radiant and so healthy" during his speech.

"Melania and I are delighted to visit again with Prince William and to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine – so radiant and so healthy – it's so beautiful.

"It's really a great honour, thank you."

Earlier in the day, Trump was heard telling the princess that she is "so beautiful" after arriving at Windsor Castle.

The evening banquet followed a day of highly choreographed pomp and pageantry for the visiting president and First Lady, including a military parade and flypast.

Co-ordinated diplomatic dressing

There are two types of state visits: outward and incoming and they play an integral role in strengthening the host nation's relationships with other countries.

They are the highest level of an international visit and help to promote links between the countries including social, commercial and cultural ties.

State visits are are often the most glamorous and formal events on the royal calendar.

Royal women have long been known to use their fashion as a 'soft diplomacy' tool, carefully choosing outfits, jewels and accessories that pay tribute to their guests or the country they are visiting.

On Wednesday the Queen and Princess of Wales exemplified coordinated diplomatic dressing, their outfits and accessories reflecting the US flag for the beginning of the state visit.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were on hand to welcome the US President and his wife when Marine One landed in the Walled Garden on the Windsor estate.

The two couples then walked to Victoria House where the King and Queen were outside to welcome them.

The First Lady chose a couture dark grey-coloured Dior ensemble, featuring the iconic Dior Bar peplum jacket, believed to be worth at least $7300.

Her wide-brimmed purple hat matched the president's tie. Melania, who has an impressive collection of very expensive jewels, kept her accessories simple and wore a pair of large diamond studs – likely the elegant Asscher cut.

The Princess of Wales wore a similar shade of plum for the Trumps' arrival at Windsor.

Kate chose a new Emilia Wickstead coatdress and a hat by Jane Taylor. Her Chanel bag was in the same shade.

Pinned to her dress was the diamond Prince of Wales feather brooch, a jewel worn only by women who carry the title Princess of Wales.

The Prince of Wales Feathers brooch was originally given to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, by the Queen Mother on her wedding day.

Made of diamonds, it features the emblem of the Prince of Wales, which dates back to the 14th Century and the time of Edward, The Black Prince.

The insignia comprises three feathers rising through a coronet of alternate crosses and fleur-de-lys.

During Diana's time, she sometimes wore the brooch with an emerald drop pendant and also as a necklace.

The brooch later passed to Camilla, who wore it on occasion, while Kate has brought out the jewel several times since inheriting the title.

Kate's diamond and red ruby earrings were also a nod to the American flag.

Much like the Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla chose another colour closely associated with the US flag, blue.

The Queen, who is recovering from sinusitis, wore Fiona Clare sapphire blue wool dress and matching coat, with a hat by Philip Treacy and sapphire and diamond brooch.

The brooch originally belonged to Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia and it was later purchased at auction by Queen Mary, who eventually passed to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

After the formal arrival, the royals joined the Trumps for a carriage procession through the Windsor estate towards Windsor Castle.

The president rode with the King in the Irish State Coach, while the Queen and First Lady were together in the Scottish State Coach.

View gallery

Donald Trump's interactions with the royals

Behind them were the Prince and Princess of Wales inside the semi-state Landau with Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK, and his wife, Harriet.

Personalised gifts with a royal touch

The rest of the afternoon included lunch in the State Dining Room and afterwards, the US contingent were invited to view a display of items from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room, celebrating the UK's bond with the US.

The room is used for important events and in 2018, it was where the wedding portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken.

There was a formal exchange of gifts and the First Lady was given a personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag, a brand often worn by royal women.

Melania and Mr Trump gifted Queen Camilla a Tiffany & Co Vintage 18K gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch, which incorporates both the Queen's birthstone – rubies – and the First Lady's birthstone (diamonds).

The Princess of Wales had removed her hat, and pinned to her hair was a large black bow she has worn previously.

The First Lady chose to keep her hat on.

Afterwards, the president and First Lady visited St George's Chapel to privately lay a wreath on the tomb of the late Queen.

They were also given a short tour of the chapel.

When the US President and his wife landed in the UK on Tuesday night, Melania wore a Burberry trench coat, one of Britain's most recognisable brands, with a glimpse of its signature lining visible when the wind picked up.

On Thursday, the Princess of Wales and First Lady will carry out their first solo engagement.

Kate will be joined by Mrs Trump at Frogmore Gardens to meet Scouts working towards their "Go Wild" nature badge.

The princess is joint president of the Scout Association, a title she's held since 2020.

Both Kate and Melania are intensely private women, with huge interest in their global platforms.

Their joint engagement will be a rare public appearance for both. Kate is still limiting her official diary as she recovers from chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis last year.

As for Melania, she has largely kept out of the spotlight during her husband's second term in office.

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