From red carpet appearances to state dinners, A-list celebrities and royals always show up to these events dressed to the nines. And when they flaunt a white getup, they provide the best bridal fashion inspiration. On November 22, 2022, Kate Middleton channeled a blushing bride for the first state banquet at Buckingham Palace during King Charles III’s reign. For the occasion, which welcomed President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa to the U.K., the princess of Wales rocked a white Jenny Packham gown with beaded detailing on the shoulders and billowing sleeves.
The princess paired her bridal-inspired ensemble with a very special accessory: Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara. The show-stopping diadem has become a staple in Kate’s wardrobe, but it hasn’t made an appearance on her head since 2019 when she wore it to the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace, People notes. She also sported the accessory at another Diplomatic Reception in 2016 and at a 2018 banquet in honor of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.
The glittering crown first entered the royal family in 1913 after the jewelry company Garrard designed it for the queen to replicate a tiara that Mary’s grandmother, Princess of Augusta of Hesse, owned, according to the Court Jeweller. Queen Elizabeth inherited the diamond and pearl diadem in 1953, and she wore it for many years throughout her reign. Then, in 1981, Elizabeth passed down the diamond accessory to Princess Diana. Since the former princess frequently wore the item as a royal, the crown became a recognizable item. After Diana and King Charles filed for divorce, she returned the crown to Elizabeth, Vogue reports.
At the state banquet, Kate also decked out her wedding-worthy dress with other significant pieces that have an important history in the royal family. She wore pearl and diamond drop earrings that once belonged to Diana and a triple-stranded pearl and diamond bracelet from Elizabeth’s jewelry collection. The princess rounded off her look with the Royal Family Order and the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order star and sash, according to People.
Queen Consort Camilla also showed up to the state banquet in a dazzling crown, which is the first one she’s worn in her new royal role, People says. She dressed up her blue gown by Bruce Oldfield Couture with the Belgian Sapphire tiara, which once belonged to Elizabeth. The former queen wore the sapphire and diamond diadem to Singapore in 1989 and for China’s state visit to the U.K. in 2015.
The Queen Consort completed her outfit with the tiara’s matching diamond and sapphire earrings and necklace, which was a wedding gift to Diana from King George in 1947. According to People, the jewels date back to the mid-1800s. The blue Order of the Garter sash and the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order star and sash also made an appearance on Camilla’s ensemble. Camilla will be crowned beside King Charles on May 6, 2023, and we predict the momentous occasion will bring many more royal accessories and wedding-worthy looks.
