For many of us, the best thing about State Visits is that we get to see the Royal Family in all of their finery – including historic tiaras and heirloom jewels, that rarely get a chance to shine. The modern royals tend to only wear their most sparkling pieces for very formal occasions, such as Coronations and weddings, but a State Visit is another such occasion when they also wear official dress.
For the official visit of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, The Princess of Wales was in full regal attire. The Princess opted for a floor-length gown, traditional sash and multiple jewellery pieces, each boasting a rich royal past. On occasions like this, no item is accidental – each detail is carefully chosen for its history or meaning. Here, we break down Kate’s full look from the evening to explain the story and secret details behind each element…
The Lover’s Knot Tiara
WPA Pool
WPA Pool
Of course, the most obvious and dazzling accessory worn by The Princess of Wales on the night was her sparkling tiara. Kate chose a piece that is not only a favourite of hers, but also of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana – The Lover’s Knot Tiara. The diadem is also known as The Cambridge Tiara or Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, which is especially fitting given Kate’s former title was The Duchess of Cambridge (before she took on Princess Diana’s former title, Princess of Wales, after King Charles took the throne).
The tiara is constructed from platinum and features diamond arches hung with 19 pear-shaped pearls. It was originally created for Queen Mary in the early 1900s, before Queen Elizabeth II later inherited it. Princess Diana was gifted the piece to wear at formal events, and it quickly became associated with the Princess, who wore it frequently.
Anwar Hussein
However, while the tiara may look beautiful, it is known to be exceptionally heavy and, as a consequence, can be uncomfortable to wear. Princess Diana is even said to have experienced headaches while wearing the piece, which is estimated to be worth millions.
The sapphire earrings
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The Prince of Wales’ tiara wasn’t the only heirloom jewellery she chose for the State Visit, as she also wore a pair of dangling, sapphire-studded earrings. The pair in question also have a family connection, as they once belonged to The Queen Mother – The King’s grandmother, who he was exceptionally close to.
Anwar Hussein
King Charles and The Queen Mother wearing the earrings, celebrating his 50th.
Zak Hussein
The Queen Mother was pictured wearing them on a number of occasions, including for her grandson’s 50th birthday in 1998. Kate has also worn these earrings before, for example at a Gala at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum back in 2015.
The blue sash
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You may have noticed that, for especially formal and official occasions, members of the Royal Family wear sashes over their gowns and suits. This was the case for Kate at the most recent State Dinner, where she wore a blue sash trimmed with red and white stripes, and a brooch attached to a yellow ribbon.
This represents her position within the Royal Victorian Order, an honour given to her by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of service. The practice was begun, as the name suggests, by Queen Victoria, to honour those of her choosing for serving the monarch. Different coloured sashes refer to different types of honours, and are worn by most senior members of the Royal Family today on select occasions.
The green gown
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The Princess of Wales chose a deep green, flowing gown for the evening, with billowing sleeves, a high neckline and floor-length skirt. While the formal dress was a stunning choice, it was also chosen to pay special tribute to the Nigerian State Visit. As the primary colour of the nation’s flag is green, The Princess wore the co-ordinating shade as a welcoming nod to the visiting President and First Lady.
The Jenny Packham clutch bag
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To finish her ensemble, Kate brought a touch of sparkle to the lower half of her look with a glittering clutch bag. The bag is by UK designer Jenny Packham, who is a favourite with the Royal Family, and Kate in particular.
Justin Goff Photos
The Princess of Wales wearing Jenny Packham at the No Time to Die premiere.
The Princess has worn her pieces on a number of occasions, including for the premiere of the James Bond film No Time to Die, with a breathtaking golden gown.
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