The annual Diplomatic Reception that took place at Buckingham Palace is usually left to the imagination, yet this year we were given a rare glimpse inside.
Buckingham Palace agreed that an image of the senior royals taken before dinner would be released.
In the photo of the six most senior royals, the Duchess of Cambridge stands out in a red Jenny Packham gown and diamond earrings. The Duchess also opted for the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara.
The tiara is famous as Diana, Princess of Wale’s favourite. It was a wedding gift from Her Majesty to Diana in 1981 when she wed Prince Charles. The Duchess of Cambridge last wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara at last years reception to honour Britain’s diplomatic community.
Her Majesty The Queen stunned in a sapphire necklace and earring, sapphire and diamond tiara and dress by Anglea Kelly along with a Garter sash. The Duke of Edinburgh proudly displayed Knight of the Garter, The Order of the Garter and Garter sash.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white beaded gown by Bruce Oldfield, pearl choker, diamond earring finished with the Boucheron tiara. Prince Charles had on the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath as well as his diplomatic medals.
As a Knight of the Garter, Prince William was wearing The Order of the Garter, with Garter sash.
The men are all wearing the rarely seen knee breaches with the Garter of the Order of the Garter insignia.
Many were hoping that the Duchess of Cambridge would be wearing The Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II (the yellow ribbon seen on the Duchess of Cornwall and The Queen). The Royal Family Order is presented to female members of the Royal Family. It is not announced when The Queen decides to honour a member of the family with one so seeing the Duchess of Cambridge at a formal event wearing it is the only way we will know it happened.
The Diplomatic Reception welcomes over 1000 guests to Buckingham Palace to honour them each year.
not to mention the boys in their Bermuda shorts..
You have to wonder why Her Majesty has yet to give one to The Duchess of Cambridge. She awarded Diana shortly after her marriage to Charles. It has been almost six years since Kate became the third lady of the land. Quite odd.
Perhaps Catherine owns the Lovers’ Knot now – it could have been a gift from William.
Perhaps, the Queen doesn’t feel that she’s earned that mark of respect. Sure is telling.
Even the duchess of Cornwall has one and she has been surrounded by negative actions that have been publicly seen. They all have at some point. However HRH Duchess of Cambridge seems to be forced as the black sheep and don’t forget that we the public definitely notice. She has also given the royal family their heir and sadly put, spare.
I think it tacky that the Duchess of Cambridge wore a tiara that belonged to Princess Diana when she married Prince Charles. That was a GIFT from Queen Elizabeth. If it were me, I’d feel horribly uncomfortable. Does she not have a tiara that is hers that she could have worn instead?
Why is it tacky? It would have been tacky for Camille to have worn it. If it was a gift to Diana from the Queen, then Diana’s son(s) would have inherited it, and if William wanted his bride to wear it, or possibly gifted it to her, then where is the affront?
Tiaras are not retired on the death of their owner, and roya jewels are worn by successive generations. What is more perfectly natural than Diana’s oldest son’s wife wearing the Cambridge tiara ?
Egregious typo in the title. “Last night’s” – with an apostrophe(!) – not “last nights”.