Kate Middleton stuns in scarlet Givenchy gown and Princess Diana’s tiara in dazzling return to royal duty

WINDSOR, ENGLAND: Kate Middleton made a dazzling return to full royal form Tuesday evening, July 8, at a glittering state banquet hosted in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron at Windsor Castle.

It marked her first appearance at a state banquet in over a year and a half, and her first wearing a tiara since 2023, as the Princess of Wales joined senior royals for the highly symbolic white-tie affair.

The banquet also marked the first time Windsor Castle hosted such an event in 11 years.

Kate Middleton stuns in crimson Givenchy gown and Princess Diana’s tiara at state banquet

The princess commanded attention in a dramatic deep crimson silk creponne gown designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy. The elegant silhouette featured gathered detailing and a flowing caped back, offering graceful movement as she arrived alongside Prince William at the castle’s grand entrance.

Topping off her look, the princess wore the Lover's Knot Tiara, a favorite of the late Princess Diana, paired with drop earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection. She also carried a lily of the valley-embroidered clutch for a delicate floral accent.

The look was completed with the Royal Family Orders of both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles, the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order, and the rosette of the Grand Officier of the L’Ordre Nationale du Mérite, a French honor awarded during the Macrons’ visit.

The Prince and Princess of Wales later posted a glamorous photo of themselves on social media, captioned: “Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."

Princess Kate returns to royal spotlight in tiara after year-long hiatus during cancer recovery

The princess has not worn a tiara since December 2023, when she attended the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in the same Lover’s Knot Tiara, paired then with a pink Jenny Packham gown. 

The princess' tiara hiatus was largely due to her stepping back from public duties throughout most of 2024 while undergoing cancer treatment.

In a recent public appearance on July 2, she acknowledged the challenges of the post-treatment phase, saying, “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”

Earlier in the day, the princess turned heads in a pale pink Dior ensemble and a hat by British milliner Jess Collett as she greeted the Macrons alongside Prince William at RAF Northolt.

She accessorized with Princess Diana’s earrings and a pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, all while participating in the royal carriage procession through Windsor.

British royals host glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle for Emmanuel Macron

The state banquet, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, was attended by members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne. The evening celebrated the enduring ties between France and the United Kingdom, featuring a custom Anglo-French cocktail, L’entente, and a dinner menu curated in collaboration with chef Raymond Blanc OBE.

Guests dined on Rhug Estate chicken with Norfolk asparagus, iced blackcurrant parfait, and vintage wines marking the birth years of both King Charles (1948) and President Macron (1977). After dinner, a musical performance in the Music Room by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales capped the evening.

Centerpieces included fresh flowers sourced from Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and The Savill Garden. In line with royal sustainability efforts, flowers not reused were donated to the charity Floral Angels.

The Princess of Wales' poised return to full royal duties at such a high-profile event, marked by elegance, symbolism, and grace, underscored her enduring role at the heart of Britain’s royal diplomacy, even amid her ongoing health recovery.