Kate Middleton Embodies Easy Elegance in an Embroidered Gown and the Queen Mother's Tiara

Publish date: 2024-09-17

We don’t often get to see the Princess of Wales in a tiara, but a state banquet today offered the perfect opportunity for Princess Kate to pull a dazzling piece from the royal archives.

Kate and husband Prince William were among the attendees at King Charles III’s state banquet this evening at Buckingham Palace, held in honor of the arrival of Yoon Suk Yeol, president of the Republic of Korea, and Kim Keon Hee, the country’s first lady.

The special occasion opened the door for Kate to deliver a rare tiara look. The royal family’s website describes state banquets as “a very grand formal occasion held in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom,” which is why female royals often choose to wear a tiara for such events.

Kate opted for the Strathmore Rose Tiara, a floral, diamond-encrusted diadem that once belonged to the Queen Mother. Last year, an expert contacted by Express estimated the sparkler’s value at about half a million pounds.

The headpiece was an elegant complement to the rest of the princess’s ensemble, which consisted of a white gown by Jenny Packham with gold embroidered cape sleeves, white opera gloves by Paula Rowan, and diamond drop earrings.

the prince and princess of wales ahead of the state banquet at buckingham palace, london, for the state visit to the uk by president of south korea yoon suk yeol and his wife kim keon hee picture date tuesday november 21, 2023 pa photo see pa story royal korea photo credit should read yui mokpa wire

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elizabeth bowes lyon, future reine d'angleterre, pose assise sur un fauteuil photo by keystone francegamma rapho via getty imagesKeystone-France//Getty Images

The Queen Mother wears the Strathmore Rose Tiara.

Earlier in the day, Kate joined William, Charles, and Queen Camilla in welcoming the Koreans to London with a formal ceremony at London’s Horse Guards Parade ground. There, she made yet another bold fashion statement in a festive monochromatic outfit. This included a Catherine Walker cape coatdress awash in a bright candy-apple red, crimson suede pumps from Gianvito Rossi, a wide-brimmed red hat, and a rectangular red shoulder bag with a small bow, from Miu Miu.

london, england november 21 prince william, prince of wales and catherine, princess of wales attend a ceremonial welcome for the president and the first lady of the republic of korea at horse guards parade on november 21, 2023 in london, england king charles is hosting korean president yoon suk yeol and his wife kim keon hee on a state visit from november 21 23 it is the second incoming state visit hosted by the king during his reign photo by samir husseinwireimage

Samir Hussein//Getty Images

Headshot of Chelsey Sanchez

As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset. 

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