Kate Middleton made a grand entrance in a show-stopping red gown as she attended a glamorous state banquet in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening.
The Princess of Wales, 43, brought regal elegance to the royal gathering in a flowing, caped gown by Givenchy. The stunning crimson ensemble, crafted by British designer Sarah Burton, marked a striking fashion moment for Kate. Burton, who famously designed the Princess’s wedding dress during her time at Alexander McQueen, was recently appointed as the new creative director of the French fashion house — making the choice especially symbolic for the evening’s French-themed occasion.
Adding to the glamour, Kate chose a collection of meaningful royal jewels. She wore the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara — one of Princess Diana’s most cherished pieces. The iconic tiara sparkled atop her sleek, straight brunette locks, which she wore down for the occasion. Her jewelry ensemble also featured the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Greville Chandelier Earrings and Princess Diana’s elegant Nigel Milne three-strand pearl bracelet.
She completed the royal look with distinguished honors pinned to her gown: the Royal Order of Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family Order of King Charles III. Her makeup was soft and neutral, letting the jewelry and gown take center stage.
This wasn’t the first time the Princess wore Diana’s favorite tiara. She previously donned the piece at the Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023, paired with a sparkling pale pink Jenny Packham dress and the same Greville earrings. In fact, she reintroduced the tiara back into royal rotation in 2015 after it had not been seen publicly since Diana’s 1991 appearance in Brazil.
Kate has worn the Lover’s Knot Tiara for several key occasions in recent years, including the royal wedding celebrations of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif in Jordan during the summer of 2023.
Tuesday’s opulent banquet brought together several members of the Royal Family. Alongside the Princess of Wales, Prince William was also in attendance, as were King Charles and Queen Camilla. The setting of Windsor Castle, with all its grandeur, proved the perfect backdrop for such a regal evening.