Kate Middleton stepped back into royal glamour on July 8, wearing a tiara for the first time since 2023. The Princess of Wales, 43, attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron’s official visit to the U.K.
According to People, the evening marked the first state banquet at Windsor Castle in 11 years. Princess Kate joined Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla for the formal affair. And all were dressed royally for the occasion.
Princess of Wales Stuns in Red & Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
Kate chose a caped, deep red gown by Sarah Burton for Givenchy — the designer behind her iconic 2011 wedding dress. She paired the striking look with her favorite headpiece: Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a royal heirloom she’s worn on multiple occasions.
The Prince and Princess of Wales later shared a poised portrait of the two together on social media, writing: “Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor.”
Look Back at Kate’s Tiara History & Hiatus
(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Kate last wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara in December 2023 at the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace, paired with a pink Jenny Packham gown — a repeat of her look from the Jordan royal wedding earlier that year.
Her most recent state banquet appearance before this week was in November 2023 during the South Korean president’s visit, where she opted for the rarely seen Strathmore Rose Tiara, not worn publicly since the 1930s.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has worn four different tiaras from the royal collection. However, her tiara appearances paused throughout most of 2024 while she focused on recovering from cancer.
Kate’s Return Comes After Time Away From the Spotlight
(Photo by AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Though she didn’t wear a tiara during the Qatar state visit in December, Kate still welcomed the Amir of Qatar and his wife alongside Prince William. However, she did not attend that evening’s state banquet. The Princess of Wales announced earlier this year that she is in remission and gradually returning to public life while navigating recovery.
During her recent July 2 visit to Colchester Hospital, she opened up about the emotional weight of life after treatment. People reported Kate saying: “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”
(Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)Earlier in the day, Kate and William welcomed President Macron and Brigitte Macron at RAF Northolt before heading to Windsor.
The group met up with King Charles and Queen Camilla for a formal welcome, followed by a horse-drawn carriage procession to Windsor Castle.
Comments
Kate Middleton Wears Tiara for First Time Since 2023 at Windsor Banquet [PHOTOS]