Kate Middleton and Prince William Look Their Best at a State Banquet at Windsor Castle
Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William looked their best at a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
The Princess of Wales, 43, stepped out in a glittering dress and a larger-than-life tiara at a state banquet in honor of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier‘s visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 3. For the event, she looked ethereal in a blue Jenny Packham dress featuring an asymmetrical neckline, all-over sequins, a pleated skirt and a glamorous cape that fell into a delicate train.
Kate added even more sparkle to her ensemble with Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, which was designed by Prince Albert in 1853. The piece originally featured 2,600 diamonds and opals, which were later replaced with rubies. She also wore diamond earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II and a blue sash and star.
Kate tied her look together with a full face of glam. The base of her makeup featured hydrated skin, bronzed and blushed cheeks. She completed her beat with manicured eyebrows, long lashes and pink lips. Kate’s brunette hair was parted partially to the side and styled in big, bouncy curls.
Kate Middleton Reigns Supreme in Most Regal Look Yet With Gold Gown and Show-Stopping Tiara at State Banquet
William, 43, for his part, looked sharp in a black blazer with a red collar and cuffs, a white dress shirt and dark pants.
The couple beamed for the camera as they walked into the banquet.
The official Prince and Princess of Wales account took to social media to share another pic of the duo posing together ahead of the event.
Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images
“Looking forward to a special banquet tonight in Windsor 🇩🇪🇬🇧,” they captioned the post. Fans praised their looks in the comments section.
“Absolutely stunning!…😍✨ Wow! 🥰❤️👏🏼,” one wrote. Another added, “They looks [sic] stunning!!!! 😍😍What [a] perfect blue dress!!! 👏👏👏.” A third praised, “Love seeing a rare tiara worn! 👑.”
This isn’t the first breathtaking look Kate has donned for a state banquet. In September, she stunned in a gold frock while welcoming President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.
Her couture silk dress by British designer Phillipa Lepley featured a white strapless bodice and skirt that peeked through a semi-sheer gold Chantilly lace evening coat, which was complete with a high neck, shoulder pads and long sleeves.
She made her look even more dramatic with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, which features 19 diamond arches and dangling pearls. Kate wrapped a blue sash around herself and held a silk clutch adorned with more pearls.
Kate Middleton Was ‘Aware’ of the Spotlight in Couture Gown and Tiara at Banquet: ‘She Looked Magnificent’
She looked gorgeous with soft makeup, including contoured cheeks, brown eyeshadow, a touch of mascara and lined lips. Kate’s mane was styled in loose curls.
William looked just as elegant as Kate in a black blazer, a white dress shirt and black pants.
In previous years, Kate has worn more radiant looks, including a red gown with a scoop neck, pleated skirt and cape, as well as a white A-line dress finished with a ruffled skirt. She’s also worn drop-waist numbers, cherry red looks and more.
In the grand halls of Windsor Castle, where history whispers through every stone arch and gilded chandelier, the British royal family once again captivated the world with an evening of unparalleled elegance and diplomacy. On December 3, 2025, King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a lavish state banquet to honor German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender during their official state visit to the United Kingdom. Amid the sparkle of crystal glassware and the soft glow of candlelight, it was Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales—affectionately known as Kate Middleton—who truly stole the show, looking their absolute best in a display of regal poise and timeless glamour.
The event, held in the opulent St. George’s Hall, marked a poignant moment in the royal calendar, blending centuries-old traditions with contemporary international relations. With 160 distinguished guests in attendance, the banquet underscored the enduring bond between the UK and Germany, forged through shared history and mutual respect. As the strains of classical music filled the air and toasts were raised to friendship and future collaboration, the Prince and Princess of Wales emerged as the evening’s undisputed stars, their appearances a masterclass in royal sophistication.
Catherine, 43, made her entrance like a vision from a fairy tale, debuting one of the most anticipated accessories in the royal jewel vault: Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara. This rare and magnificent piece, commissioned in 1853 from the renowned Garrard jeweler, features a delicate floral design with diamond-set leaves and scrolls, evoking the exotic allure of the Orient that inspired its creation. The tiara, which measures an impressive 7 inches in height—making it the tallest Catherine has ever worn—had been reserved for only a handful of occasions in royal history. Queen Elizabeth II donned it just once, during a state visit in 2005 or 2006, while the Queen Mother favored it for its lightweight yet commanding presence. For Catherine, it was a third tiara moment of 2025, following her appearances in the Lover’s Knot and another heirloom earlier in the year, signaling her growing mastery of the royal wardrobe’s most treasured gems.
Paired with the tiara was a breathtaking Jenny Packham gown in shimmering ivory silk, its ethereal fabric catching the light with every graceful movement. The floor-length design featured subtle crystal embellishments along the bodice and a flowing train that whispered across the historic floorboards. Catherine’s hair, styled in loose waves cascading down her back, framed her face with effortless elegance, a departure from her usual updos that allowed the tiara’s intricate details to shine. Her makeup was understated yet luminous—soft pink lips, a touch of highlighter on her cheekbones, and eyes lined with a subtle smoky shadow—enhancing her natural radiance. She accessorized with the signature sapphire drop earrings from the royal collection, a nod to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and a delicate diamond necklace that complemented the gown’s sparkle.
Observers couldn’t help but draw parallels to Catherine’s earlier state banquet appearances this year. In September, during President Donald Trump’s visit, she enchanted in a Phillipa Lepley gold silk gown with hand-embroidered Chantilly lace, a choice laden with symbolism as it echoed Queen Elizabeth II’s outfit from a 2003 state dinner with George W. Bush. That “fairytale princess moment,” as royal commentator Bethan Holt described it, positioned Catherine next to the U.S. president, where her warm conversation and poised demeanor won widespread praise. Just weeks prior, in July, she had welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron in a similarly regal ensemble, toasting with a Lover’s Knot Tiara that evoked Diana’s iconic style. Each outing has showcased Catherine’s evolution from beloved duchess to future queen, her selections blending personal flair with diplomatic subtlety. “Kate delivered that fairytale princess moment again, which everyone needs and craves,” Holt noted, a sentiment echoed across social media where fans hailed her as “devastatingly gorgeous” and “our Queen in waiting.”
Prince William, 43, stood resplendent at his wife’s side, exuding the quiet authority of a future monarch. He donned the Windsor Uniform, a ceremonial attire with its distinctive scarlet collars and cuffs, adorned with an array of miniature medals that gleamed under the hall’s chandeliers. The uniform, a staple for such occasions, featured a black tailcoat with gold embroidery, paired with white tie and trousers, emphasizing his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards. A ceremonial sash in the colors of the Order of the Garter draped across his chest, while his short, neatly trimmed hair and clean-shaven face lent him a polished, approachable charm. Social media buzzed with admiration, with one fan noting, “William looks more Kingly each time he makes an appearance!”
The couple’s chemistry was palpable, a subtle undercurrent of affection that has endeared them to the public for over two decades. As they posed for photographs before entering the hall, William’s hand rested lightly on Catherine’s lower back—a rare, tender gesture in the often-stiff protocol of royal events. It evoked memories of their September PDA snapshot, where they were captured holding hands in the shadows of Windsor Castle during the Trump banquet, a “behind-the-scenes” moment shared on their Instagram that melted hearts worldwide. “Stunning Matt,” royal photographer Matt Porteous captioned a zoomed-in version of that image, earning effusive praise from peers like Millie Pilkington and Phillipa Lepley. On this December evening, their shared glances and synchronized steps spoke volumes, a testament to a partnership built on mutual support amid the scrutiny of public life.
The state banquet itself was a symphony of tradition and festivity. St. George’s Hall, with its towering vaulted ceiling and medieval tapestries, was transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an enormous Christmas tree adorned in gold and silver baubles—a festive nod to the season just weeks away. Tables groaned under the weight of the Grand Service, a silver-gilt collection commissioned by George III in the 1810s, featuring elaborate centrepieces of hand-picked seasonal flowers from Windsor Great Park’s Savill Garden. The menu, a fusion of British and German culinary delights, included starters of smoked salmon with caviar, followed by roast venison and a dessert of Black Forest gâteau, paired with fine wines from both nations’ vineyards.
King Charles delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on the “unbreakable bond” between the two countries, forged in the fires of two world wars and tempered by decades of peace. “From the rubble of conflict, we have built bridges of friendship that stand as tall as these ancient walls,” he said, raising a glass to President Steinmeier, who reciprocated with memories of his youth tuning into British Forces radio, captivated by the cultural ties that would one day bring him to Windsor as a guest of the Crown. The German president, flanked by Charles and Catherine at the top table, shared a light-hearted anecdote about his teenage fascination with British rock music, drawing laughter from the assembly that included diplomats, business leaders, and cultural figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook and biotech executive Dame Emma Walmsley—guests who mirrored the diverse roster from earlier banquets.
Earlier that day, the pomp had been on full display. The royal party welcomed the Steinmeiers with a carriage procession through Windsor’s cheering streets: Charles and the president in the Irish State Coach, Camilla and First Lady Büdenbender in the Australian, and William and Catherine bringing up the rear in the Scottish State Coach, accompanied by German State Secretary Dr. [redacted for brevity]. A Guard of Honour played the national anthems in the Quadrangle, where Charles and Steinmeier inspected the troops amid swirling bagpipes. Catherine, elegant in a repeated Alexander McQueen coat from her 2023 Christmas look and a Juliette Millinery fascinator, had greeted the first lady at Heathrow with her signature warmth, later touring German artifacts at Windsor with evident fascination.
Queen Camilla, resplendent in a Fiona Clare royal blue silk dress with a sapphire and diamond tiara, and First Lady Büdenbender in an understated yet chic gray ensemble, added their own grace to the proceedings. Yet, as always, Catherine’s chatty nature shone through; she was spotted deep in conversation with guests, her curiosity about German history drawing smiles and animated exchanges.
This banquet caps a remarkable year for the Waleses, one marked by Catherine’s triumphant return to public duties following her health challenges. From Trooping the Colour to Earthshot Prize events, she has embodied resilience and grace, her appearances not just visually stunning but symbolically potent. Royal watchers speculate that her choice of the Oriental Circlet— a tiara linked to Queen Victoria’s era of expansion and alliance—mirrors her vision for a modern monarchy: inclusive, culturally attuned, and forward-looking. William, too, has stepped up with quiet determination, his environmental advocacy and family-focused initiatives earning plaudits.
As the evening drew to a close with strains of “God Save the King,” the Prince and Princess of Wales lingered for photographs, their smiles radiant against the castle’s timeless backdrop. Social media erupted in adulation: “Catherine is so stunning!” tweeted one fan, while another declared, “Just stunning… loving Catherine’s new tiara.” HELLO! Magazine captured the sentiment perfectly: “The Princess of Wales was on dazzling form as she stole the show.”
In an era of rapid change, events like this remind us of the monarchy’s enduring allure—a blend of spectacle, service, and subtle romance. As 2025 fades into memory, William and Catherine’s Windsor triumph leaves us eager for more: more diplomacy, more dazzle, and more moments that make the world fall a little more in love with the royals.
