Kate Middleton stuns in white caped gown and Lover's Knot tiara at King Charles' first state banquet

Princess of Wales, 40, sported her first tiara in nearly 3 years for state banquet at Buckingham Palace

UPDATED NOV 23, 2022

Princess Kate wore a white gown by Jenny Packham paired with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara (Victoria Jones/Getty Images and @voguemagazine/Instagram)

LONDON, ENGLAND: The Princess of Wales was in the spotlight as she made her tiara debut in a white gown, at the first state banquet of King Charles' reign at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, Nov 22. Kate Middleton, 41, charmed guests in a white ball gown by her favorite designer Jenny Packham. The boat-neck dress, embellished with shimmering gemstones and pearls, was a demure yet high-fashion choice for an evening at Buckingham Palace. The banquet took place as part of the first state visit in the reign of King Charles III, welcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the UK.

The gorgeous white ensemble she wore resembled the one her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, wore on an official visit to Hong Kong in 1989. With it, Kate wore diamond and pearl earrings that once belonged to Diana, Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, a blue sash, and the Order of the Royal Family, which consists of a picture of the Queen on a yellow ribbon. Kate chose a pearl bracelet, a matching white Alexander McQueen handbag, and Gianvito Rossi heels to look effortlessly chic.

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Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales walks with invited guests to attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010. — Kate wore diamond and pearl earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana, the Cambridge Lover's Knot that was a wedding gift to Diana, and a blue sash (Victoria Jones/Getty Images)

Catherine, Princess of Wales and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa share a toast during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during the State Visit to the UK by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010. — Catherine, Princess of Wales and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa share a toast during the State Banquet (Aaron Chown/Getty Images)

While Kate and other royals went all out to welcome South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a two-day state visit, the Princess seemed to relish her role as hostess. Everyone was smiling as Ramaphosa was welcomed to the palace by the king and Camilla, the queen's consort, before a lavish dinner attended by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and senior officials from both countries.

(Left to right) Catherine, Princess of Wales, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during the State Visit to the UK by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010. — (Left to right) Catherine, Princess of Wales, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III, and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during the State Visit to the UK by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa (Aaron Chown /Getty Images)

Prince William, who has participated in three Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth, added to his uniform the Garter Star, the Thistle Star, and three small medals (gold in 2002, a diamond in 2012 and platinum in 2022). The state visit is the first hosted by the British Royal Family since former US President Donald Trump's visit in 2019 due to the sudden outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales walks with invited guests to attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010. — Prince William, who participated in three jubilees of Queen Elizabeth, added to his uniform the Garter Star, the Thistle Star and three small medals (Victoria Jones/Getty Images)

As members of the royal family arrived at the palace, all eyes turned to the Princess of Wales, who dazzled guests with her glittering gown and Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara. Queen Mary's bespoke tiara was made in 1914 by royal jeweler Garrard with pearls and diamonds from her family's estate. It was a replica of a tiara owned by Princess Augusta of Hesse, her grandmother before she married the first Duke of Cambridge, the seventh son of King George III, in 1818.

For the state banquet, Camilla wore the tiara with sapphires and diamonds that Queen Elizabeth wore in 2015 during a state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was her first tiara in the reign of King Charles. She chose a blue dress to match the headdress. Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex (who wears the aquamarine necklace tiara), the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Lady Susan Hussey, and Annabel Whitehead, a former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, were also present.

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010. — For the state banquet, Camilla wore the tiara with sapphires and diamonds that Queen Elizabeth wore in 2015 during a state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping (Victoria Jones/Getty Images)

The banquet was served in the palace ballroom and included dishes such as the ballotine of Windsor pheasant with artichokes, quince compote, and port wine sauce. Other dishes on the menu included grilled brill with wild mushrooms and truffles in sorrel sauce. For dessert, guests enjoyed iced vanilla parfait with caramelized apples. King Charles and Kate sat at the table on either side of President Ramaphosa, and Camilla and Prince William sat next to South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.

The state visit so far has been largely marked by Kate and Prince William. The couple welcomed President Ramaphosa earlier on Tuesday at the Corinthia Hotel on behalf of King Charles. They then accompanied the president to the Horse Guards Parade, where he was officially welcomed. Kate and Prince William then joined King Charles and Camilla in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.