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British Royals

Kensington Palace issues happy update on Kate’s appearance at French State Banquet

The Princess of Wales (Kate) wears pale pink Dior as she stands in front of red, white and blue flowers at the official welcome at the start of the State Visit to the UK by President Macron of France

The Princess of Wales is slated to attend her first state banquet in over a year when she joins King Charles and Queen Camilla in honouring French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron this evening at Windsor Castle.

Kate hasn’t attended a state banquet since November 2023 due to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent preventative chemotherapy treatments. She missed the state banquets for the Japanese State Visit last June and in December for the Qatari State Visit, though she did attend the welcoming ceremony for the latter visit.

Catherine, The Princess of Wales (Kate)
Catherine, The Princess of Wales Stephen Lock/ i-Images

Kensington Palace confirmed the news that Kate will join the Royal Family this evening after a successful morning that saw the future queen dressed in Dior to welcome the French president and his wife.

Kate and Prince William welcomed the French couple to the United Kingdom at RAF Northolt earlier today, then joined alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla for a carriage procession through Windsor before arriving at Windsor Castle for lunch and a tour of French artifacts on display from the Royal Collection.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS is now available.