All eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she attended the State Banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.
Her appearance was much anticipated by royal watchers as Catherine did not attend the State Banquet held for the Qatari State Visit or the Japanese State Visit in 2024.
Designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy, Catherine, 43, wore a bespoke floor-length dress with dramatic split sleeves and a sweeping hemline.
On the latest episode of Palace Confidential, Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday’s Editor-at-Large, pointed out that the future Queen was wearing the Royal Family Order of Charles III for the first time.
‘She has previously worn one for Queen Elizabeth II,’ Charlotte said. ‘But this is the first time we have seen her wearing a little tiny portrait of her father-in-law on her left shoulder. It’s really, really sweet to see.’
With an eye for detail, Charlotte added that Catherine was wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara which was once a favourite of the late Princess Diana.
‘It’s a really iconic tiara coupled with these beautiful earrings that, of course, belonged to the late Queen, Charlotte said. ‘It paints Catherine as this leader of the Royal Family – a future Queen.’
Meanwhile, Richard Eden, the Daily Mail’s Diary Editor, said he noticed that her husband Prince William seemed to ‘rebel’ against the dress code.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for the State Banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025
Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday’s Editor-at-Large, speaks on Palace Confidential
Speaking on the hit YouTube show, Richard said: ‘On these occasions, obviously all the focus is on the women, quite rightly, because they look amazing.
‘But there was something really interesting with William at the State Banquet actually.
‘Most of the other men like the King, Prince Edward and Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, they were all wearing what’s known as the Windsor uniform.
‘Now this is a historic outfit that dates back to George III and it’s a sign of loyalty to the Crown.
‘It’s a black morning coat with a red trim,’ he said. ‘Generally you wear this when at Windsor but on this occasion, William didn’t.
‘People say that this is significant actually and could be seen as an act of rebellion.’
‘Not just stuck at the drycleaners?’ queried Jo Elvin, who hosts the show.
‘No,’ Richard replied, laughing. ‘From what I am told, he wants to forge his own path so he’s saying, “I don’t have to wear everything. Yes, we’ve got these traditions but I don’t always have to wear it.’
Richard Eden, the Daily Mail’s Diary Editor, points out that Prince William was not wearing the Windsor uniform
Emmanuel Macron and King Charles cheers each other during the State Banquet at Windsor
Other men including Prince Edward (front) and Vice Admiral Tim Laurence (back) wore the Windsor uniform
Prince William walks into the banquet wearing white tie but not a Windsor uniform
Addressing Palace Confidential viewers, Richard said: ‘Don’t get me wrong, he looked very elegant. He was wearing white tie with his Order of the Garter sash as well so he hardly turned up looking shabby but he didn’t wear that uniform so it was significant.’
To prove his point even further, Richard referenced the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday where both Prince William and Prince Harry donned the Windsor uniform with its distinctive red trim.
‘He does seem to have an aversion to getting dressed up,’ Jo said.
To which Charlotte replied: ‘This is not the first time. It is very on brand for William to find his own way to wear an outfit.’
Referencing the Diplomatic Corps last November, she said: ‘There was a very formal event he attended with his father and his father wore these breeches with basically tights underneath. They are quite feminine, quite old fashioned. Of course, William just wore trousers.
‘Intriguingly, most of the pictures that were released by the Palace were from the waist up, almost like they were met by disapproval.
‘My theory on this is that, like that time with Prince Harry when the Queen was still alive, maybe he wasn’t mature enough but he didn’t really have the guts to say no to the Queen.
‘But maybe with his dad, he can say: “Sorry Dad, I am not going to dress in an old-fashioned way.’
Charlotte Griffiths (left) and Richard Eden (centre) star on the hit panel show alongside host Jo Elvin (right)
Prince William and Prince Harry stand in their Windsor uniform for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016
Queen Camilla and King Charles pose with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron on Tuesday
William raises his glass to Brigitte Macron during Tuesday’s State Banquet
Macron winks at Princess Catherine during the State Banquet on day three of his State Visit
Prince William did not wear breeches during a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace in November 2024 and photos were released from the waist up
‘He never wears kilts either, does he?’ Jo questioned.
Confirming this fact, Charlotte said: ‘He hates kilts. I do think in the future when he is the King, I don’t think he will feel obliged to suddenly start wearing this lavish regalia.
‘He will pare things back as much as he can get away with.’
For more fascinating insights from the Mail’s team of unrivalled experts, watch the latest episode of Palace Confidential in full now and subscribe to the Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel.
