The Princess of Wales and US First Lady Melania Trump put on a masterclass in navigating tricky ground in towering heels while walking across the lawns of Windsor Castle.
Kate and Prince William, both 43, welcomed Donald Trump and his wife, Melania to Britain, as the US President’s historic second state visit began in the Walled Garden on the Windsor estate.
After the Wales couple welcomed the Trumps, the quartet walked a short distance with them across a grassy lawn to Victoria House, to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla outside the building as they launched the trip.
Despite the tricky terrain, Kate and Melania, 55, made traversing the spongy English turf look utterly effortless, as they walked elegantly in their stilettos.
Kate has certainly had a fair amount of practice in the art of walking on grass in heels, without sinking – a skill that’s become something of an unofficial royal requirement – while attending events like Royal Ascot.
Her shoes were not the only chic part of Kate’s ensemble: to meet the Trumps, she donned an elegant maroon Emilia Wickstead dress, paired with a £2,330 hat by Jane Taylor, and a burgundy Chanel bag that she has carried multiple times before.
Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, Kate wore her feather brooch, which once belonged to Princess Diana, studded with 18 round-cut diamonds and small emeralds surrounding the Prince of Wales feathers symbol.
The Princess of Wales (far left) joined the Prince of Wales in welcoming Donald and Melania Trump to Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning
After William and Kate welcomed the Trumps, they walked a short distance with them across a grassy lawn to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla outside Victoria House to launch the trip – with the two women expertly navigating the lawn in their high heels
Meanwhile, the First Lady looked effortlessly chic in a Christian Dior Haute Couture dark gray skirt suit that flared out at the waist and fell just below her knees.
She wore her blonde tresses in a slick bun that was largely hidden by a wide-brimmed wool hat in a brighter purple hue.
Earlier this week, a Trump spokesperson said the couple was ‘thrilled’ that Kate would be ‘front and centre’ during the state visit.
‘The inclusion of Princess Kate in so many events during the state visit is an honour.
‘The Trumps very much hoped she would be part of their visit but nothing was confirmed until this week because of the princess’s health situation.’
Kate is currently in remission from an undisclosed form of cancer as she continues her steady return to public life after receiving treatment.
It’s unsurprising that Kate picked Emilia Wickstead for today’s engagement, with the royal frequently turning to the New Zealand-born designer to dress her.
One of Kate’s favourite dresses from Emilia Wickstead is a long-sleeved, A-line frock that she was first seen wearing in 2018.
Kate paid tribute to her mother-in-law, Princess Diana by wearing her feather pendant, which contains 18 Round Cut diamonds with small emeralds that surround the Prince of Wales feathers symbol
Kate standing alongside William at the state visit in Windsor today
In addition to the deep wine-coloured Classic Flap Bag in quilted leather that she carried today, Kate also accessorised with a pair of ruby earrings
William and Kate during the carriage ride with the Trumps as well as the King and Queen, as the Prince of Wales is photographed in a light-hearted moment
Kate adjusted her long ‘bronde’ locks as she chatted with Melania and the Queen
The Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire
She was seen chatting with the First Lady and Mr Trump, who met William for a 40-minute meeting in Paris last December, as they walked together
The Princess of Wales in conversation with Melania Trump, wearing all black, while Queen Camilla opted for a sapphire blue dress by Fiona Clare
Britain’s Queen Camilla and US first lady Melania Trump sit in a carriage during a procession through Windsor Castle. Melania looked effortlessly chic in a Christian Dior Haute Couture dark gray skirt suit that flared out at the waist and fell just below her knees
Melania wore her blonde tresses in a slick bun that was largely hidden by a wide-brimmed wool hat in a brighter purple hue. She is seen here in conversation with Charles
King Charles III pictured before the Trumps arrived at Windsor for a historic state visit to the UK
Queen Camilla ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle
The Queen flashes a smile as she is driven up to Windsor Castle after ill health forced her to miss the Duchess of Kent’s funeral yesterday
While Kate debuted the design – that has been named after her – in a lilac variant, she loves the dress so much that she bought it in three other colours.
Kate also owns an Emilia Wickstead coat dress in three different colours. She has been spotted wearing variations of the outfit since 2012.
Crafted from wool, the elegant fit-and-flare silhouette is characterised by a wrap front, peak lapels and concealed closure.
Kate aptly wore the design in forest green for the 2012 St Patrick’s Day parade held in Aldershot.
Ten years later, in 2022, she opted for a pastel blue version to attend the Easter Sunday church service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
That same year, she made a sartorial entrance at a Buckingham Palace garden party, this time wearing the dress in bright coral.
Today’s variant, however, was a brand new addition to Kate’s wardrobe as the royal, who is known for repurposing her outfits, looked stunning in the pleated, calf-length coat dress.
