Princess Kate once again stole the spotlight with a dazzling, glamorous appearance during the State Banquet at Windsor Castle. Yet the true highlight of her look was the magnificent tiara—an exquisite piece carrying a meaningful message. The banquet was held in honor of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, invited by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Still, the unquestionable star of the night was Princess Kate, who effortlessly outshone every guest in attendance. A sparkling gown and a breathtaking tiara Kate wore a dreamy Jenny Packham gown in a noble smoky blue, shimmering from every angle. The asymmetrical neckline and elegant cape sleeves transformed the dress into a genuine show-stopper. But the gown wasn’t the only highlight of her look. All eyes were fixed on the extraordinary tiara, worn by the 43-year-old princess for the very first time that evening. A diadem with special meaning The striking piece is one of the most symbolic jewels from the Royal Family’s historic collection.
The Oriental Circlet Tiara dates back to 1853 and was crafted for Queen Victoria. According to jeweler Garrard, the design was created by Prince Albert himself—a beautiful tribute to the honored guests of the night. Princess Kate and Prince William delighted royal fans on Instagram by sharing a festive portrait from the banquet. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, was himself German—making Kate’s choice of tiara especially meaningful for the occasion. The tiara is adorned with 2,600 diamonds. Originally, opals were also set into the design, but Queen Alexandra later replaced those stones with Indian rubies.
Last used nearly 20 years ago The tiara has a distinguished history. Both the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II wore it in the past. The late monarch used it only once, in 2006 during a visit to Malta. On Wednesday, Kate became the first royal to wear it again in almost two decades. She paired it with earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s estate, along with the Royal Family Order and the Royal Victorian Order sash.
The State Banquet was also attended by Princess Anne, German supermodel Claudia Schiffer, composer Hans Zimmer, and “Let’s Dance” judge Motsi Mabuse. A grand table in St. George’s Hall Inside St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, a long table was set with fine porcelain, silver cutlery, and towering candelabras. The autumn floral arrangements came directly from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
