Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales attended her first state banquet in almost two years at the Windsor Castle in honour of the French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday. King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the banquet to welcome the couple to the UK.
Kate, 43, last attended at a lavish royal banquet honouring the South Korean president in November 2023. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and announced that she was cancer-free at the beginning of this year.
The mother-of-three looked beautiful in a red gown by French fashion house Givenchy, designed by none other than its creative director Sarah Burton, who is a renowned British fashion designer. Kate’s gown was a gentle nod to the French president Macron and his wife Brigitte.
Burton was announced as the new creative director of Givenchy in September 2024, and March 2025 saw the showcase of her debut collection. In the past, Cynthia Erivo and Elle Fanning both wore one of her outfits to the 2025 Tony Awards and the Oscars, respectively.
Burton is known for the Princess of Wales’ iconic lace wedding gown that she wore for her royal wedding to Prince William in April 2011. The designer dressed Kate for milestone 40th birthday in 2022.
The flowing red silk floor-length evening gown featured a cape back detailing. Kate’s sartorial style was symbolic and a masterclass in diplomatic dressing. Red is one of France’s national colours.
She accessorised with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara, which was a favourite heirloom accessory of Princess Diana. In 1913, the House of Garrard created the diadem, which consists of diamonds and a set of 19 dangling pearls in gold and silver.
The British royal wore Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond chandelier earrings.
Her lily of the valley embroidered clutch had multiple levels of meaning: the flower is a traditional symbol of happiness, humility and motherhood, and it is given as a lucky charm and a sign of renewal on May 1, also known as La Fête du Muguet, in France. Christian Dior often included it in his creations because he considered it to be his lucky flower.
Kate completed her look with the Royal Family Order of King Charles III. The new blue sash which comes affixed with a portrait of the King was first worn by Camilla in 2024.
“The tradition of commissioning a Family Order, a badge worn by female members of the royal family personally bestowed by the sovereign, was established by King George IV over 200 years ago. Family Orders have since been instituted by Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II,” reads a statement by Buckingham Palace in 2024.
After a female royal has been a working member of the British Royal Family for several years, the monarch directly bestows the Family Order without government consultation.
Kate attended the royal banquet with William at the historic St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle.
The Queen looked magnificent in an embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare in ivory silk and crepe. She accessorised with a sapphire and diamond bracelet, necklace, earrings and tiara.
Charles and Camilla were joined by William and Kate, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The King and Queen along with Kate and William and the Macrons were seated on the top of the table.
Elton John and David Furnish, Mick Jagger and Melanie Hamrick, and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas were among those who attended the white tie and tiara event. Among the other guests were French TV host Fred Sirieix, football player Mary Earps, sculptor Anthony Gormley, and writers Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks.