Kate Middleton joined Prince William today to welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a state visit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales Greeted the German President and His Wife at the Airport
Earlier this morning, the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the German President and his wife, Elke Budenbender, on behalf of King Charles at Heathrow Airport, then escorted them to Windsor Castle.
Kate looked sophisticated earlier today. She was wearing an Alexander McQueen bespoke coat over a black Burberry dress, and her hair had been straightened. Royal fans were quick to lavish her with compliments.
Catherine’s locks are typically worn in cascading chestnut waves, which look sleek straightened underneath a hat.
Observers compared Kate to her young daughter, Princess Charlotte, who also tends to wear her hair straight.
A few months ago, Kate debuted her highlighted blonde hair, but now it’s back to its natural color. Kate also accessorized with Princess Diana’s sapphire earrings and an elegant pearl necklace.
Kate and William have played an essential role in key ceremonial occasions, helping the King build key relationships with presidents and dignitaries.
At Windsor, King Charles and Queen Camilla formally welcomed the President and First Lady at the Royal Dias in the town center.
Kate and William and the King and Queen joined the German President and the first lady. They traveled by a carriage procession to Windsor Castle.
King Charles and Queen Camilla Accompanied the President and First Lady to an Exhibition
Afterward, they all went to view the military Ranks and march past, then had lunch in the State Dining Room.
The King and Queen also accompanied the German President and First Lady to view an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Germany.
Some of the items included were some silver collected by King George VI, including a Meissen tea service. King Edward VII’s wife, Queen Alexandria, and Queen Mary were avid collectors.
Other items included a Mendelssohn manuscript and copies of poetry owned by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, and extracts from Queen Victoria’s journal.
The President then met with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at No.10 Downing Street. The PM’s wife visited the Judith Kerr primary school in London to meet the students.
German supermodel, Claudia Schiffer, and her filmmaker husband, Sir Matthew Vaughn, attended the state Banquet dinner tonight.
Interestingly, William famously had a massive crush on Schiffer. When William was a teenager, he was mortified when his mom, Princess Diana, invited her and other models, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell, for tea at Kensington Palace at one point.
William humorously recalled how nervous and flushed he was when he saw them. He explained how he accidentally stumbled up the stairs.
The Princess of Wales Looked Gorgeous in a Sparkling Blue Gown and Queen Victoria’s Oriente Circlet Tiara
Upon their return to the castle, the German President, the first lady, and the King and Queen attend a reception in partnership with The Big Help Out to highlight the positive impact of volunteering in the community.
The German President gave the King presents, including an old-fashioned nutcracker, six Christmas tree ornaments, an umbrella, and a special cheese platter from a village in Brodowin, Brandenburg.
The King gave the President a walking stick handmade in Scotland, a plate, and a first edition copy of Virginia Woolf’s Flush.
The Queen gave the same first-edition copy to the first lady, and the first lady reciprocated by giving her a copy of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
At the State Banquet dinner, the Princess of Wales looked gorgeous in a pale blue Jenny Packham gown. She chose to wear the Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet tiara with her hair down in gentle waves.
German-born Prince Albert designed the stunning headpiece for the Queen. It features diamonds and lotus flowers. The tiara originally had opals, but Queen Alexandria replaced them with Indian rubies.
The tiara was frequently worn by the Queen Mother, and then by her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
The State Banquet Dinner was Decorated with a Christmas Tree
Prince William accompanied the Princess to the state banquet dinner. He looked dapper in a white tie and a Windsor tailcoat. Kate appeared content to be on the arm of the Prince of Wales.
Inside St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle stood a stunning Christmas tree with thousands of glittering lights. It was the first occasion in royal modern history that a State Banquet was decorated with a Christmas tree.
At the state banquet, the King delivered a speech illustrating the centuries of history between Germany and Britain.
Tomorrow, the German President and the first lady will visit St. George’s Chapel to lay flowers on the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign as monarch lasted a historic 70 years.
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