Spotlight on Kate Middleton at the State Banquet
Kate Middleton shone at last night’s state banquet with an ensemble designed to captivate and impress. However, one detail of her exquisite outfit has left some fans a little annoyed.
If you missed it, Kate was by Prince William’s side at Windsor Castle on the evening of December 3rd. They joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla in officially welcoming the German president and his wife.
Earlier, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender were met with a warm reception at Heathrow Airport by the royal couple. A grand carriage procession followed through Windsor’s streets, accompanied by a ceremonious 41-gun salute.
For these daytime events, 43-year-old Princess Kate wore a stylish navy dress from Burberry, coupled with a matching coat fashioned by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Keeping with the blue theme, Kate dazzled at the evening’s banquet, a special occasion marking the first visit by a German head of state in over 27 years.
The elaborately decorated St George’s Hall, with a magnificent 16-foot Christmas tree from Windsor Great Park, provided the perfect setting for the night.
Elegance in Cornflower Blue and a Regal Tiara
Kate’s choice for the evening was a cornflower-blue gown by Jenny Packham, accented with a spectacular piece of royal jewel history: Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet tiara.
This choice ignited discussions online, as the tiara seemed to be slightly askew.
“Kate’s tiara seems crooked,” remarked one observer on Reddit.
Another noted, “The hairstyle isn’t compatible with the tiara, and its placement just seems off. It’s a stunning piece though.”
From yet another perspective: “Viewed from the back it looks fine, but sideways or head-on, it appears unbalanced. Curious as to why that is.”
Fans Weigh In: “Stunning but Off Center”
Designed over a hundred years ago by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband from Germany, the Oriental Circlet tiara is a masterpiece by Garrard in London. It is adorned with lotus flowers framed by eleven Mughal arches, sprinkled with over 2,000 diamonds.
Although encountering such a rich legacy, after her husband’s demise, Queen Victoria famously chose not to wear the tiara herself, designating it a royal heirloom for future queens.
In its varied history, it graced the head of the Queen Mother during the early reign of King George VI, and she continued its illustrious wear even in her widow years.
Even Queen Elizabeth II wore the tiara sparingly, with its only known occasion being a visit to Malta in 2005.
