The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in the Lover’s Knot Tiara, as she arrived at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception.
Kate, 37, joined husband Prince William, 37, as they greeted guests at the annual white tie affair, which is one of the highlights of the royal calendar.
They also joined the Queen, 93, Prince Charles, 71, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 72, for the Diplomatic Reception, to greet some of the 1,000 guests in attendance for the lavish event.
The duchess wore a floor length navy velvet Alexander McQueen gown for the occasion, which she paired with sparkling silver drop earrings and one of the Queen’s silver necklaces.
In a sentimental nod to Prince William’s mother Princess Diana, she finished her outfit with the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara – a piece given to the late royal on her wedding day and much beloved by Kate.
The white tie Diplomatic Reception is the main social event of the year in London for the diplomatic community and reflects the Queen’s importance in terms of the UK’s international relations.
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Kate selected the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara for the occasion, which had been a wedding gift for Princess Diana, while the Queen loaned her a glittering silver necklace
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The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in the Lover’s Knot Tiara, as she arrived at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception
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The duchess wore a floor length navy velvet Alexander McQueen gown for the occasion, which she paired with sparkling silver drop earrings and one of the Queen’s silver necklaces, as she spoke to guests
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The Queen joined Kate and William, wearing a white gown for the event, with white netting detail, by Angela Kelly, as she greeted guests
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Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall smiled while she spoke with an attendee at the evening reception in her white gown
The Queen joined Kate and William, wearing a white gown for the event, with white netting detail, by Angela Kelly. She teamed her gown with white gloves, an emerald necklace and the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, with pearl drops, as she greeted guests.
As Kate arrived at the Palace she was dressed in a navy blue velvet Alexander McQueen dress. The brand is one of the Duchesses’ favourites, and she regularly chooses the British designer’s gowns for formal occasions, most recently the Royal Variety Performance in November.
The mother-of-three accessorised with the striking Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – a piece loaned to her by the Queen.
It was given to the Queen as a gift when she married in November 1947. Kate last borrowed the diamond stunner to attend a black tie Portrait Gala in 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
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The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a dark navy velvet Alexander McQueen gown for the occasion at Buckingham Palace this evening
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Meanwhile Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wore a stunning cream gown by Bruce Oldfield for the event
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The monarch could be seen beaming as she took the hand of attendees at the reception at Buckingham Palace tonight
The duchess was wearing the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on her blue sash, which she wore for the first time in June at The Queen’s State Banquet. The honour was given to her by the Queen in April for her services to the sovereign.
She also sported the Queen’s Royal Order, which features a jewel encased image of the Queen pinned on a chartreuse yellow ribbon and worn on the left shoulder.
The miniature portrait, painted on glass, depicts the Queen as a young woman in evening dress wearing the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter.
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The royal appeared in high spirits as she chatted to attendees of the evening event at Buckingham Palace, which is widely considered a highlight in the royal calendar
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Queen Elizabeth looks delighted to be talking to guests at an evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace in London
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The Duchess of Cambridge at the evening reception in her lavish floor length gown looked delighted to speak to guests
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The royal was welcomed into the evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace in London
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Prince William appeared to share a joke with one guest while they chatted during the reception at Buckingham Palace this evening
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The Queen appeared charmed while she spoke with guests at the evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace
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The Queen selected her elegant Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara for the occasion, customising the piece with added emeralds
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Kate Middleton, 37, joined husband Prince William, 37, as they drove to the annual white tie affair at Buckingham Palace, which is one of the highlights of the royal calendar. While the Monarch appeared in high spirits after arriving at the evening event at Buckingham Palace this evening (left)
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The Duchess of Cambridge paired sparkling silver drop earrings and a lavish necklace with the stunning Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara – a piece that she has worn on a number of previous occasions
REVEALED: THE ROYAL ORDER WORN BY KATE
The Duchess of Cambridge first wore the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II in October 2018.
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The Duchess of Cambridge wore The Royal Order pinned to her blue velvet dress at the Buckingham Palace this evening
The honour is bestowed by Her Majesty to female members of the royal family and is worn on white tie occasions such as state banquets and the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace.
The order, which is also worn by the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex, features a jewel encased image of the Queen pinned on a chartreuse yellow ribbon and worn on the left shoulder.
The miniature portrait, painted on glass, depicts the Queen as a young woman in evening dress wearing the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter.
The image is bordered by diamonds and surmounted by a Tudor Crown in diamonds and red enamel. Its reverse, in silver-gilt, is patterned with rays and depicts the royal cypher and St. Edward’s Crown in gold.
Kate’s differs from others as it is made from glass, instead of ivory, to reflect her husband’s work on animal conservation.
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Prince Charles, 71, and Duchess of Cornwall, 72, also made their way to join The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace
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Prince William appeared relaxed as he and Kate made their way to the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace this evening
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The Duchess of Cambridge selected a stunning navy gown for the occasion, which she paired with the Queen’s necklace and a pair of glittering diamond earrings
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The Cambridges appeared relaxed ahead of the annual white tie dinner, which is widely considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar
