THEhe Christmas atmosphere has already enveloped Windsor Castle, but in the evening it was she who shone brighter than the three thousand lights on the decorated fir tree in St George’s Hall: the Princess of Wales. On the occasion of State visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Kate Middleton has returned to reaffirm her central role in the monarchygiving subjects and fans an appearance of pure royal pomp. If in the morning he welcomed the guests in a sober burgundy coat, for the evening state banquet he played the card of “fashion diplomacy” at the highest levels, showing off a priceless jewel that we had never seen on his head.
The debut of the “Oriental Circlet” Tiara
For the first time, Kate left her beloved in the jewelry box Lover’s Knot to wear the Oriental Circlet Tiaraa piece of history that intertwines love, art and superstition. The jewel was designed in 1853 by Prince Albertwife of Queen Victoria and of German origins: a non-random choice, but a refined tribute to the guests of the evening.
Kate Middleton wears the tiara for the toast with German President Steinmeier (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
The tiara has a fascinating history: it was originally set with opalsAlberto’s favorite stones, but Queen Alexandra – believing they brought bad luck – had them replaced with precious Burmese rubies. Inspired by lotus flowers and Mughal architecture, this crown was the Queen Mother’s favorite for decades, while Elizabeth II wore it only once in her entire reign, in Malta in 2005. See Kate Middleton with this tiara, light and floral but imposing in calibermarks a new chapter in her public image: regal, aware and respectful of the historic legacy of the Windsors.
Kate Middleton, sparkling look for the banquet
To support the importance of jewels (matched with the diamond earrings of the late Elizabeth II), the princess chose her trusted stylist. Kate was ethereal in a cobalt blue evening dress by Jenny Packhamfeaturing a sequin-studded fabric with a refined degradé effect on the skirt and an asymmetrical neckline.
Kate Middleton with Prince William at the banquet in Windsor (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
To complete the outfit, very high profile coordinated accessories: the clutch Bespoke Maud in black satin by Anya Hindmarch and the sparkling Rania pumps in silver silk organza signed Gianvito Rossi. The sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order, symbols of his rank and service to the Crown, could not be missing, pinned to his chest. An image of strength and beauty that comes after difficult months, and shortly precedes his long-awaited Christmas concert in Westminster.
The menu, Carlo’s irony and perfect German
If Kate caught the eye, King Charles III conquered the scene with his oratory artdemonstrating unexpected linguistic fluency. During the toast at the imperial mahogany table – set for 160 guests – the sovereign spoke in Germana language he masters thanks to his father Filippo’s origins. Carlo remembered the «besonere freundschaft» (the special friendship) between the two nations, without hiding the dark moments of past wars, but inviting us to look at current common values.
The Windsor Hall festively decorated for Christmas and the State Banquet (Photo by Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)
There was no shortage of the typical British humour. Speaking of football, the king cited the famous adage according to which football is that game where “eleven people play against eleven and, in the end, the Germans win”. Amid laughter and busy conversations about Brexit and Ukraine, guests enjoyed an exceptional menu that combined local flavors and French sophistication: smoked trout canapés, scampi, Windsor partridge (Suprêmes de Perdreau) and, to conclude on a sweet note, a classic Norwegian omelette. An evening in which the Windsor “Firm”, despite the absences and internal controversies, showed the world its most sparkling and compact face.
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