The Prince and Princess of Wales have unveiled their looks for the State Banquet at Windsor Castle today, as part of the German President’s State Visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Princess Kate donned one of the royal family’s most treasured crowns, Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, pairing the historic piece, which has a long history and a connection to Germany, with a blue gown by Jenny Packham.
On Instagram, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a photo ahead of the event, with the caption: “Looking forward to a special banquet tonight in Windsor.”
The tiara was designed in 1853 by German-born Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. It originally featured more than 2600 diamonds and opals in an Indian-inspired design with lotus flowers and Mughal arches.
After Queen Victoria’s death, the tiara was left to the Crown, with Queen Alexandra later replacing the opals with rubies from Victoria’s collection, as she believed opals were unlucky.
The piece was worn regularly by Queen Elizabeth I, later the Queen Mother, until her death in 2002, even though it technically belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen also wore it at selected events, including an official visit to Malta in 2005.
Earlier in the day, the President and First Lady were welcomed at Heathrow Airport by the Prince and Princess of Wales before meeting the King and Queen in Windsor. The official welcome included a Royal Salute, followed by a carriage procession to Windsor Castle.
After lunch in the State Dining Room, the President and First Lady viewed a display of items related to Germany from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room before preparing for the evening banquet in St George’s Hall.
Queen Camilla chose a green lace dress by Fiona Clare and wore the Girls of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tiara. The tiara, created by Garrard in 1893 for Queen Mary, was later famously worn by Queen Elizabeth II and became closely associated with her long reign.
The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Gloucester also joined the royal party for the procession.
Inside the hall, the King and President delivered speeches before guests were served a menu including an Open Tartlet of Hot Smoked Trout with Langoustines, Windsor Partridge Supreme wrapped in Puff Pastry, and Baked Alaska with blackberry, vanilla and raspberry ice-creams. Coffee and petit fours followed. A Christmas tree formed the centrepiece of the decorations, believed to be a first for a State Banquet.
This is the second State Visit and Banquet held at Windsor Castle in three months, as the Buckingham Palace continues to undergo refurbishment.
Images: Instagram
