Kate Middleton Debuts New Tiara at the South Korean State Banquet

Kate Middleton just arrived at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace for South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife First Lady Kim Keon Hee's official state visit to the UK.

For the glamorous event hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales opted for ivory Jenny Packham gown with gold details and the Strathmore Rose tiara. This is the first time Kate has ever worn this sparkling headpiece, and it is her 15th tiara moment since marrying Prince William in 2011. According to The Court Jeweller, the archival floral piece originally belonged to the Queen Mother and hasn't been worn in public for nearly a century.

Its name is a nod to the Queen Mother, who was born as Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Her parents bought her the tiara from Catchpole and Williams, a dealer based in London, in 1923, prior to her marrying the Duke of York.

The Princess of Wales also wore Queen Elizabeth's drop earrings and the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order star and sash across her dress.

Among the other senior royals in attendance included Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who recycled the dress she wore to King Charles's coronation and paired it with her favorite aquamarine tiara.

Today's state banquet is the first one King Charles has hosted since his coronation in May. State banquets are usually the focal point of the state visit. As the royal family's website notes, "Usually on the evening of the arrival day, the visitors will be hosted at a State Banquet, which is a very grand formal occasion held in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom. Around 150 guests are usually invited on the basis of their cultural, diplomatic or economic links to the country being hosted."

Earlier today, the Prince and Princess of Wales met the President and First Lady at their hotel and traveled with them to Horse Guards Parade to greet the King and Queen for the official ceremonial welcome. Kate wore a striking red Catherine Walker cape-style coat with a dramatic bow over a dress with a matching hat, clutch, and pumps.

The last time President Yoon and King Charles were together in person was after Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022. The South Korean politician flew in for a reception for heads of state and official overseas guests held at Buckingham Palace on the eve before the Queen's state funeral.

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