The Princess of Wales captivated both royal enthusiasts and style aficionados with her unexpected tiara selection at tonight’s formal banquet. Pictured below, the Princess makes her grand entrance at Buckingham Palace alongside the Prince of Wales.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also seen arriving at the event.
A video shared by the Royal Collection Trust offers a glimpse into the extensive preparations for a state dinner.
According to The Telegraph, “The floral arrangements included ferns that were carefully dug up and replanted, aligning with the King’s commitment to sustainability.”
The King and Queen were seen overseeing the final touches this afternoon.
The dinner paid tribute to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, shown here with the King and Queen.
More insights into the dinner can be found in a BBC article.
These lavish events are characterized by diplomatic exchanges over exquisite meals, served on a 19th-century dinner service comprising over 4,000 pieces.
The table settings were meticulously arranged, mirroring the precision of a military parade, with each guest provided a 46cm-wide place setting.
Interestingly, some guests managed to sneak out their nameplates as souvenirs, despite the presence of high-profile figures like the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Queen and First Lady are pictured below.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen with the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The President and King walked to the Buckingham Palace Ballroom, the venue for the dinner, which is the largest of the state rooms at the palace.
The First Lady and Queen are also featured in another moment captured during the event.
The Prince of Wales was photographed with an unidentified guest.
The Princess of Wales was seen with South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister Choo Kyung-ho.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and South Korea’s Deputy National Security Advisor Cho Taeyong were also present.
Princess Anne was photographed with Bang Moon-kyu, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
The Duchess of Gloucester was seen with Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was also in attendance.
Members of the popular South Korean band Blackpink were present, marking a K-pop first at a white-tie palace dinner.
The Times of London noted the transition of reign, with new cyphers on the glassware at the top table, while other guests used glassware bearing the late Queen’s cypher.
The Princess, President, King, and Queen stood for the national anthems, showcasing the grandeur of the event.
Speeches were a highlight of the dinner, with the King’s speech available for reading online.
King Charles began his speech by greeting in Korean, which was warmly received, and he highlighted the strong ties between South Korea and Great Britain, praising their environmental sustainability efforts and acknowledging BLACKPINK’s contributions to global sustainability awareness.
Toasts were made, adding to the ceremonial nature of the evening.
A review of the royal attire revealed the Queen in a velvet gown adorned with rubies and diamonds, while the Princess of Wales surprised many with the Strathmore Rose Tiara, a piece not seen in nearly a century.
The Duchess of Edinburgh chose a gown previously worn at the coronation, complemented by her aquamarine tiara and accessories.
The Princess Royal opted for a white ensemble, highlighted by her Diamond Festoon tiara and necklace.
The Duchess of Gloucester wore jewels from her late mother-in-law’s collection, featuring diamonds and emeralds.
The Princess of Wales was in a bespoke gown from Jenny Packham, paired with the Strathmore Rose Tiara, adding a touch of historical elegance to her look.
Further details on the Princess’s attire and the significance of her tiara choice were discussed, highlighting her intention to mirror the supportive role once held by the Queen Mother.
The evening concluded with further discussions on the royal family’s fashion choices and their symbolic meanings, reflecting the blend of tradition and contemporary influences at such state events.
