New Delhi: Kate Middleton brought a touch of sunshine to Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, October 20, as she attended a state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in honour of Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The Princess of Wales, who joined her husband, Prince William, for the occasion, chose a flowing yellow gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, pairing it with a royal heirloom that has a special connection to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The evening’s standout accessory was Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara, a diamond-and-pearl headpiece that became one of Diana’s best-known royal jewels and has since become a regular choice for Kate at formal royal engagements.
For the state banquet, Kate opted for a soft, butter-yellow gown by Elie Saab, featuring a braided neckline, a keyhole detail at the front and a flowing skirt. A sheer cape added a dramatic finish to the ensemble, lending movement to the floor-length silhouette.
One detail that stood out from the evening was her gown. The outfit featured a subtle animal print pattern, leading to speculation over whether it was a nod to Oman’s critically endangered Arabian leopard, though there has been no official confirmation regarding the design choice.
Kate completed the look with diamond chandelier earrings, Queen Mary’s diamond choker bracelet and a gold embellished clutch. She also wore the Royal Victorian Order sash and star, along with King Charles III’s Royal Family Order.
The choice of yellow came after a day of diplomatic engagements in which the Princess of Wales had worn a dark green Alexander McQueen coat for the formal welcome of the Omani sultan.