Kate Middleton shone brighter than ever, her latest appearance a veritable vision in gold. The Princess of Wales dazzled in an all-gold ensemble as she arrived hand-in-hand with her husband, Prince William, at Windsor Castle on September 17. The occasion? A grand state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in honor of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Crafted by the esteemed British designer Phillippa Lepley, Kate's silk couture gown was a masterpiece of elegance. The evening coat featured intricate gold lace detailing and was adorned with hand-embroidered roses, French knots, and satin-stitched blooms that seemed to dance in the candlelight.
To crown her look, the 43-year-old royal donned the iconic Lover's Knot tiara, a cherished favorite of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. This breathtaking headpiece, with its 19 arches and 28 drop-shaped pearls, is said to have been crafted in 1914 for Queen Mary before being passed down to Queen Elizabeth II, as reported by Town & Country magazine.
Meanwhile, Prince William, also 43, exuded sophistication in a black Windsor tailcoat with striking red accents and gold buttons, paired with a crisp white shirt and tie. The heir apparent to the British throne completed his regal attire with a large blue sash and several miniature medals adorning his lapel.
The couple—parents to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—shared a snapshot of themselves in their formalwear on their joint Instagram account, captioned simply, “Ready for The State Banquet.”
Kate had last worn the Lover’s Knot tiara in July, when the royal family hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, for their own state banquet. It marked her first tiara appearance in nearly two years, though she did don the sparkling piece to welcome diplomats at a Buckingham Palace event in December 2023.
Throughout her royal journey, Kate has consistently captivated with her choice of tiaras. She wore the Cartier halo tiara for her wedding in April 2011, a moment etched in history. And in November 2023, she made headlines once again by wearing the rarely-seen Strathmore Rose tiara, which had not been worn publicly since the 1930s, adding yet another chapter to her legacy of sartorial splendor.
