The Princess of Wales was effortlessly elegant in a white gown and dazzling tiara as she arrived for tonight’s State Banquet to welcome the President and First Lady of South Korea.
Kate, 41, joined her husband Prince William, as well as the King and Queen, in welcoming Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee at the glittering festivities at Buckingham Palace in London.
Looking ethereal in a white dress by Jenny Packham, the mother-of-three added to her look with a glitzy pair of earrings belonging to Queen Elizabeth, her Family Order and her GCVO sash and star.
The royal, who was seen arriving in a car, opted for the Strathmore Rose Tiara which belonged to the Queen Mother and was a present from her parents in 1923.
It can be worn on top of the head or across the forehead as a bandeau – as the then Duchess of York chose to do in keeping with the fashion of the times. But the delicate floral design had not been worn in public for many years before tonight.
Kate also donned a yellow brooch which paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The item of jewellery showed a portrait of her husband’s grandmother as a young woman, wearing an evening dress with a ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter.
Some 170 guests are expected to gather this evening, customarily a white tie and tiara affair, in the opulent Palace ballroom.
As well as The Prince and Princess of Wales, the King and Queen will likely to be joined by other members of the royal family, while Charles and Mr Yoon will make speeches.
Foreign secretaries are also usually invited, meaning the newly appointed Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton is likely to make a return to dining at the royal residence, harking back to the days when he was prime minister.
Charles and Camilla officially welcomed South Korea’s president to Britain today.
The pair are hosting Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee for the first incoming state visit since the King’s coronation and the second of his reign.
And earlier this morning, William, 41, and Kate played a key role by greeting President Yoon and his wife at their hotel for a very regal welcome.
The Prince and Princess of Wales – who looked stunning in a red outfit – met the visitors at their London hotel this morning.
The pair travelled with Mr Yoon and Mrs Kim to a Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome, where the King and Queen were waiting.
Following the event, they travelled to Buckingham Palace to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Korea in the Picture Gallery.
Charles and Camilla took their place standing on the royal pavilion around midday and briefly greeted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, Home Secretary James Cleverly and the Defence Chiefs of Staff.
Camilla wore a blue dress and coat by Anna Valentine, hat with loose feathers by Philip Treacy and a sapphire and diamond brooch which belonged to Queen Mary.
Nearby was the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, commanded by Major Edward van der Lande.
Kate wore a striking £3,000 caped red coat by Catherine Walker and a matching hat by Jane Taylor.
She also sported a pair of Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond oval drop earrings, complementing the look with a pair of Gianvito Rossi red shoes.
A guard of honour, formed by F Company Scots Guards, gave a royal salute amid traditional pomp and pageantry – and the King and Mr Yoon inspected the troops.
Members of the Scots Guards were recently deployed to South Korea where they were training troops.
Mr Yoon walked past the two ranks of Guardsman casting his eye over the servicemen before returning to the royal pavilion with the King.
Charles, Camilla, William and Kate and their guests then travelled in a carriage procession down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen then arrived at the Grand Entrance to Buckingham Palace with President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to the sound of the South Korean and British national anthems.
Mr Yoon stepped from the black and gold Irish State Coach first, followed by the King.
In the second carriage – the Australian State Coach – Camilla, in a blue dress and coat by Anna Valentine and hat with loose feathers by Philip Treacy, accompanied Mrs Kim.
A guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in their long grey coats and bearskin hats waited in the Palace quadrangle.
William and Kate travelled in the Scottish State Coach with Choo Kyung-ho, South Korea’s deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance.
The royal party and their guests then went inside the Palace for a private lunch.
Weeks of preparation had gone into the official ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade with more than 1,000 soldiers and 230 horses gathered for the occasion. In all seven military bands and nine military units were involved.
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
