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It has been a busy day for the royal family, as King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender for their state visit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also deeply involved in the proceedings, and the couple looked glamorous as they stepped out for the final event of the day — the State Banquet. Earlier, Kate stunned in a Burberry dress paired with a royal-blue coat by her wedding-dress designer, Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, along with a Prince of Wales feather brooch and earrings once belonging to the late Princess Diana.
A mix of British and German celebrities and political figures were among the 152 guests, including German supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her husband Sir Matthew Vaughn, Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse (who resides in Germany), former Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, and beloved children’s book illustrator Axel Scheffler.
Taking pride of place in the magnificent hall — with its vast vaulted ceilings and the coats of arms of every Knight of the Garter since 1348 — stood a 25-metre-high Nordmann Fir Christmas tree adorned with 15,000 sparkling lights.
Scroll down for the best photos from the State Banquet…
Official photos
The King, dressed in white tie, led the royal procession into the dining room alongside the President, followed by the Queen and the First Lady. Camilla wore a green lace gown by Fiona Clare, paired with the Girls of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tiara, diamond earrings, an emerald and diamond necklace, and the Order of Germany sash.
The Prince and Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales was in dazzling form as she stole the show at the glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening.
Kate wore a Jenny Packham gown and Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara — a piece she had never worn before. She completed the look with earrings from the late Queen, the Royal Family Order, and the GCVO Sash and Star at the dinner, hosted by the King and Queen in the magnificent St George’s Hall in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender, who had arrived earlier in the day.
Other rоyal guests
Also seated at the 46-metre mahogany dining table were the Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. They were joined by the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Wellington, and various German and British politicians and dignitaries.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne looked splendid in a white dress as she walked beside the Duchess of Gloucester, who wore a striking red ensemble.
Getting ready
Royal staff spent five days preparing the table, arranging pieces from the Grand Service — a silver-gilt dinner service dating back to 1811. The collection includes dinner plates, tureens, dessert stands and candelabra, all inspired by Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Oriental design elements.
Seasonal flowers and foliage, hand-picked from Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, along with blooms from The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, were displayed in silver-gilt centrepieces also taken from the Grand Service.
