Better late than never! After breaking a tradition they started last year with the French state visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales surprised royal fans with a new portrait on Thursday. The image was taken by Christianah Ebenezer, a young British-Nigerian photographer, ahead of Wednesday’s Nigerian state banquet in Windsor.
Catherine was photographed wearing her billowing green Andrew Gn gown, which was seemingly a nod to Nigeria’s flag, along with the King Charles II Royal Family order and the GCVO Sash and Star. The evening marked the Princess’ first tiara appearance of the year. For the occasion, Catherine opted for her go-to sparkling headpiece, the Lover’s Knot Tiara, as well as earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth. William, meanwhile, looked dapper dressed in white tie and his Windsor tailcoat.
© Christianah EbenezerThe Prince and Princess were photographed by Christianah Ebenezer
Christianah called it a “true honour” to photograph the future King and his wife. In a statement shared by Kensington Palace, the young photographer said: “It was a true honour to collaborate on this piece. Blending our shared creativity with elements of classic portraiture and nature, the team worked seamlessly to capture this moment ahead of the Nigerian State Banquet – something I’m deeply humbled to have seen come together so beautifully.”
While Wednesday was Christianah’s first time photographing Prince William and Catherine, it wasn’t her first experience working with a member of the British royal family. Christianah took the Duchess of Edinburgh’s 60th birthday portraits at her Bagshot Park home last year. She also has a royal follower, Lady Amelia Windsor, on Instagram. Christianah was born in Lagos, Nigeria before moving to London as a child.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, kicked off their state visit to the UK on March 18. Catherine, wearing a coat dress by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, and William greeted the couple at the Fairmont Windsor Park on behalf of the King, before the president and first lady’s ceremonial welcome on Datchet Road. In the evening the Prince and Princess joined the King, Queen, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Gloucester at the dinner held in St. George’s Hall.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesWilliam and Catherine attended the state banquet on March 18, 2026
Catherine dazzled at three state banquets last year, with each look more regal than the last. For the French state banquet, the Princess stunned in a red Givenchy by Sarah Burton gown and the Lover’s Knot tiara. She wore the same tiara again months later during the Trumps’ second state visit to the UK, pairing it a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat. In December, she changed things up for the German state banquet wearing Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara for the first time and a sparkling blue Jenny Packham gown.
© Getty ImagesThe Princess wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara to the Nigerian state banquet
“These glittering evenings have become her signature arena – not because she seeks the spotlight, but because she grasps what they truly are: diplomatic chess matches where every gesture builds bridges between nations,” royal author Robert Jobson has previously told HELLO! of Catherine. “She wields soft power with devastating effectiveness. Watch her work a room. She remembers names. Recalls previous conversations. Asks questions demonstrating genuine interest rather than polite obligation. Foreign dignitaries leave charmed, impressed, genuinely connected to Britain through her. This isn’t accidental. This is calculated excellence disguised as natural warmth – the most potent combination in diplomatic relations. She has perfected what eluded many before her: combining majesty with approachability, tradition with modernity, duty with humanity.”
“It’s a delicate balance that has defeated countless royals throughout history – too formal and you’re remote, too casual and you diminish the Crown. Kate inhabits that impossible middle ground as if born to it. She wasn’t. That makes it even more remarkable,” Robert added. “She doesn’t just represent the monarchy; she embodies its evolution. She is the jewel in the Crown.”