The Princess of Wales stole the spotlight this evening as she made her grand entrance at Windsor Castle for a lavish state banquet honoring the German president.

Radiating elegance, Catherine opted for a breathtaking pale blue gown by designer Jenny Packham, complementing her ensemble with the exquisite Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, which adorned her softly waved hair.

This choice of tiara was particularly meaningful, as it was initially crafted by German-born Prince Albert for his cherished wife, Queen Victoria.

The tiara is adorned with lotus motifs set within eleven Mughal-style arches, featuring an impressive 2,600 diamonds sourced from Garrard in London.

Originally, the tiara showcased opals. However, these were later replaced by Queen Alexandra, Victoria’s daughter-in-law, who considered opals to be a symbol of misfortune and opted for Indian rubies instead.

Although Victoria chose not to wear it during her long widowhood, she designated it as an ‘heirloom of the Crown’ on her death in 1901, to be ‘worn by future Queens in right of it’.

It was previously seen on the late Queen Mother, who favoured it in the early year of her husband’s reign, and came to love it so much that she kept it during her own widowhood after King George VI died.

Queen Elizabeth went on to wear it after her own mother’s death once only in 2006 – and the tiara is not believed to have been seen in public since.

The Princess was accompanied by her husband, Prince William, to the banquet at Windsor Castle. He was suave in white tie and the Windsor tail coat.

The King and Queen were equally eye-catching, Camilla sporting a green lace evening gown by Fiona Clare with the girls of Great Britain and Northern Ireland tiara, and the Order of Germany Sash.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are also all in attendance. 

Inside St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle the 45-metre dining table gleamed under the light of 158 candles and a stunning 20 foot Christmas tree glittering with 15,000 fairy lights.

Staff said it was the first time in modern royal history – possibly ever – that a State Banquet had been held with a Christmas tree as decoration.

No attention to detail had been spared in the 152 place settings (smaller than the usual 160 in order to fit in the festive decoration) which included 329 knives, 320 spoons and 760 glasses.

      

The palace mixologist had been busy creating an appropriate cocktail – flavoured with chocolate and cherry brandy to taste like Black Forest Gateaux.

The red wine – a Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol 1995 – was chosen specifically because it was the year the president and his wife, who are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, were married. 

The speeches were toasted in a Breaky Bottom, Cuvee Reynolds Stone 2010 English sparkling wine.

As for the seating plan, it was equally fascinating.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had bagged himself a seat next to Lady Drummond – otherwise known as ‘Hello Boys’ Wonderbra supermodel Claudia Schiffer. 

The German-born beauty is married to English filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, who was knighted in 2025. She was also one seat away from the King.

Other notable guests included Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse – who was sat next to the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward – while several German footballers including Thomas Hitzlsperger populated the guest list.

Perhaps the decision to seat Lady Drummond close to the King and not his son, the Prince of Wales, was a deliberate piece of diplomacy on the royal household’s behalf.

William, 43, famously had a crush on the supermodel as a teenager and was apparently left mortified when his late mother Princess Diana invited her and fellow models Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell for tea at Kensington Palace as a joke. 

He later described himself as being 12 or 13 at the time, with posters of the women on his bedroom wall, and remembered how he flushed bright red and stumbled up the stairs when he saw them.

In a warm and witty speech, the King highlighted the many centuries of history between Britain and Germany and current trading links, notably in the automobile industry.

He joked to huge laughter: ‘Even the distinguished representatives of the German automotive industry here this evening, with their cars containing all the latest technology, highest safety, greatest luxury, and new green technologies, would have looked in awe at you, Herr Bundespräsident, as you travelled this afternoon in the most comfortable and lowest emissions vehicle in the world: the horse-drawn Royal Carriage! It might only be six horsepower, but sometimes a simpler vehicle is all one needs.’

He also wittily referred to the age-old enmity between England and Germany at football, what he described as a ‘shared endeavour’.

He added: ‘Of course, I use the word ‘shared’ in the broadest meaning of the word: there was, one has to admit, some element of truth in the famous description of football as a game where eleven people play eleven people, and then, in the end, the Germans win! ‘

Turning to more serious matters, the King highlighted the marriage between Queen Victoria and his German-born great, great, great, grandfather, Prince Albert, who brought so many traditions to the UK that are still followed today.

Inevitably he also referenced the two most recent world wars, but highlighted how much relations had strengthened since then, adding: ‘We have, of course, experienced the darkest times, and the most terrible consequences of conflict. But perhaps now, so many decades later, the acknowledgment of past suffering has become the basis for an honest friendship, renewed and redoubled. 

‘Looking ahead, Herr Bundespräsident, we have a responsibility to our citizens, and to our European neighbours as well as the wider world, to speak about the shared values of the United Kingdom and Germany, and our shared vision for the future of our modern world.

‘And more broadly, of course, the United Kingdom and Germany together stand with Ukraine and bolster Europe against the threat of further Russian aggression.’

Charles added that it was crucial for both countries to move forwards with a ‘shared determination to face the future together – with honesty and in deep friendship.’

The German president replied with an equally warm address in which he referred to his own love of British music and listening to the British Forces Broadcasting Service as a teenager.

He also said that even those things that divided us – football, beer, lawns and our sense of humour – also demonstrated that the two countries actually shared the same passions.

He added: ‘Your Majesty, it is not least you and your family we have to thank for this work of reconciliation. The Windsors have consistently forged new ties and thereby promoted German-British relations. Just as you still do today. We want to place our partnership on a new footing. ‘

Inside the historic St George’s Hall, guests will be treated to an opulent menu prepared for the occasion. 

The first course offered a refined combination of hot-smoked trout, langoustines, quail eggs and shellfish sauce. 

This was followed by Suprêmes de Perdreau de Windsor en Croute – Windsor partridge supreme wrapped in puff pastry, alongside confit cabbage and a rich port sauce.

Diners were also served Ecrasé de Carottes et Rutabaga (crushed carrots and swede) and a Panaché de Légumes d’Hiver, before finishing with Omelette Norvégienne – a spectacular baked Alaska filled with blackberry, vanilla and raspberry ice creams. 

Café et Mignardises, or coffee and petit fours, closed the sumptuous meal.

The tables glowed beneath towering silver-gilt centrepieces from the Grand Service, filled with hand-picked seasonal flowers gathered from Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.

This morning, Kate stunned in an all-blue outfit: an Alexander McQueen bespoke coat by Sarah Burton worn over a Burberry dress, paired with a sleek new hairstyle that immediately caught the attention of fans. 

Her usually softly waved hair had been straightened into a glossy, smooth style beneath her Juliette Botterill bow-and-arrow hat.

Prince William and Princess Catherine personally greeted the German president and his wife on behalf of the King upon their arrival in London, before accompanying them to Windsor Castle. 

The official welcome set the tone for a visit intended to underline the strength of Anglo-German relations at a critical moment.

Tomorrow, President Steinmeier and Ms Büdenbender will pay a private visit to St George’s Chapel to lay flowers on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Later, alongside Charles and Camilla, they will attend a reception celebrating The Big Help Out and highlighting the transformative role of volunteering in communities across the UK.