The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine. (Photos: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales)
The princess, better known as Kate Middleton, 43, channelled her inner royal for her latest public appearance, choosing a dazzling pearl-laden tiara for the state banquet held at Windsor Castle in honour of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
The tiara comes with more than a century of history. Created in 1913 for Queen Mary by the British luxury jeweller Garrard, it became known as Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara. It was famously worn by Princess Diana on her wedding day in 1981 and remains one of Catherine’s most beloved pieces, often seen at key royal occasions. Most recently, she wore it for the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in July.
For the evening, Catherine paired the tiara with a cream lace couture gown by Phillipa Lepley, a British designer she often turns to. The look featured a Chantilly lace evening coat with delicate hand embroidery, layered over a silk crepe gown. The ensemble captured timeless elegance while keeping the focus on the dramatic sparkle of the tiara.
It has been a busy social season for the princess, with her style choices making headlines throughout. Her lighter blonde hair, revealed during a visit to the Natural History Museum, instantly grabbed the headlines. Just last week, she wore a sharp grey plaid Bella Freud suit featuring the classic Prince of Wales check, a subtle nod to her husband, William.
President Trump’s current stay marks his unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom. He and Melania are guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, where they will remain until Thursday night. His first visit, in June 2019, was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.