The British royals have put their best foot forward as hosts to US President Donald Trump during his historic state visit, and made some very purposeful styling choices.
From colour-coordinated outfits to sentimental jewellery, the King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, subtly incorporated nods in the outfits they wore to host Trump and First Lady Melania.
The US president and First Lady are currently in the UK undertaking a state visit, and the occasion was marked in style as they joined King Charles, 76, Queen Camilla, 77, Prince William, and Kate, both 43, at Windsor Castle.
On Wednesday night, Kate wowed in a stunning gold evening gown and a tiara belonging to Princess Diana at a lavish state banquet while Camilla donned a headpiece handed down to her from Queen Elizabeth II.
While Kate was lauded for her elegant white-tie look, Melania copped criticism for her ‘bold and busy’ canary yellow dress.
The banquet came after the Trumps were welcomed onto the Windsor estate by the Prince and Princess of Wales before joining the King and Queen on a carriage procession to the castle.
Kate and Camilla wore contrasting red and blue outfits in a classic example of flag dressing, giving a nod to the colours of the Union Jack and US flag.
They pinned sentimental brooches to their dresses in a move experts have deemed ‘deliberate and strategic’.
From colour-coordinated outfits to sentimental jewellery, the King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, subtly incorporated nods in the outfits they wore to host Trump and First Lady Melania
The US president and First Lady are currently in the UK undertaking a state visit, and the occasion was marked in style as they joined King Charles , 76, Queen Camilla , 77, Prince William, and Kate, both 43, at Windsor Castle
STATE BANQUET
Wednesday evening saw the royals don their best white-tie attire, with Kate looking stunning in a gold lace gown at the lavish state banquet for Trump and Melania.
The princess looked dazzling, sporting a Phillipa Lepley silk crepe gown underneath a hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat.
She also donned the late Queen Elizabeth II’s and the King’s Royal Family Order and a blue sash, representing that she is a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Kate also added a brooch that she was gifted by Charles for her 40th birthday.
Notably, she also wore the famous Lover’s Knot tiara, which was once owned by Princess Diana and was kept in a safe at Buckingham Palace after her 1997 death, before it was handed to Kate.
The headpiece – said to be worth around £1million – was made by Royal jewellers Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s personal design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family’s possession and passed down to Queen Elizabeth II.
The late Queen Elizabeth reportedly presented it to Princess Diana for her royal wedding day in 1981, although she respectfully declined and opted to wear her father’s Spencer Family Tiara instead because the late Princess claimed it was so heavy that it hurt her head.
‘The fact that it’s so heavy that it hurt Princess Diana’s head indicates that it’s a valuable tiara, embellished with the finest quality diamonds and pearls.’
‘Though it’s difficult to put a price on such a historic and extravagant piece, our experts estimate it to carry a value of around £1,000,000.’
Kate wore the famous Lover’s Knot tiara which was once owned by Princess Diana. The headpiece was made by Royal jewellers Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s personal design
Although Kate has four tiaras at her disposal, the pearl-embroidered Lovers’ Knot appears to be a firm favourite. Of the Princess of Wales’ 15 appearances in a tiara, she has opted to wear the Lovers’ Knot for 10 of them.
Diamond expert Maxwell Stone at Steven Stone: ‘Though an incredible piece, the tiara has its cons, and it’s claimed to have been so heavy that it hurt the late Princess of Wales’ head, giving her headaches – it’s also said to be noisy due to the swinging pearls.
The future queen has worn it to several state banquets, including when President Trump and the First Day visited the country the first time he was in office in 2019.
Prince William looked regal in the Windsor Uniform with a blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter, as well as another star denoting his position as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, and a third representing that he is a Great Master of the Order of the Bath.
He also wore four medals – one each from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, and the King’s coronation medal.
Camilla kept to her colour theme in a blue evening gown by Fiona Clare, a sapphire tiara that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, and a Diamond Bar Brooch, which previously belonged to Queen Victoria.
The Belgian sapphire tiara was acquired to complement a Victorian-era sapphire necklace and earrings that were gifted by Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, on her wedding day in 1947.
In 1963, Queen Elizabeth purchased a nineteenth-century sapphire necklace that once belonged to Princess Louise of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. As per her request, it was set on a frame and turned into a tiara.
Camilla kept to her colour theme in a blue evening gown by Fiona Clare and a sapphire tiara that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II
Camilla wore the same headpiece at her first state banquet as queen consort in 2022 for President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa.
It is rare to see royals wearing tiaras before 5pm, as the glitzy, jewelled headpieces are generally reserved for formal events, which is one of the reasons why the heirlooms are dusted off and often pictured at state banquets.
Melania turned heads in a Carolina Herrera yellow, off-the-shoulder gown with a lavender purple belt and emerald earrings.
New York-based personal stylist Liz Teich said yellow is often associated with optimism, noting that the Princess of Wales also wore a gold gown for the dinner.
‘Perhaps she was seeking something cheerful for this visit, especially as her husband’s mother is from Scotland, where the Royal Family regularly visits, as well as to stand up against the protesters of their visit,’ she said.
However, Melania’s colourful ensemble drew criticism for being too bold and busy.
‘I find the styling distracting with the addition of a pink belt and emerald chandeliers. There are too many touch-points here, and we should be looking at her first and the dress second,’ said celebrity stylist Samantha Brown.
She added that the off-the-shoulder dress was a bold choice to make amidst a sea of gold lace, royal tiaras and stately tuxedos.
It’s also no surprise to fashion experts that butter yellow was one of the most popular trends of the summer season, but between the gloomy English weather and the approaching autumn season, Brown said that the dress ‘feels like a summery choice, and not quite right for the season’.
‘Melania typically makes strong, informed wardrobe choices, this dress doesn’t rank with her best looks,’ she added.
Melania turned heads in a Carolina Herrera yellow, off-the-shoulder gown with a lavender purple belt and emerald earrings
WINDSOR CASTLE ARRIVAL
On Wednesday, to greet the Trumps, the royal couples donned red and blue ensembles to seemingly represent both the Union Jack and the US flag.
British royals have been known to dress in the colours of the flag of countries they are hosting or visiting as a display of support and solidarity.
Kate oozed elegance in a deep red Emilia Wickstead dress in the Walled Garden on the Windsor estate after the politician and his wife arrived by helicopter, with the President telling the Princess: ‘You’re so beautiful’.
Kate paired her elegant coat dress with a £2,330 hat by Jane Taylor and a burgundy Chanel bag that she’s been seen with on numerous occasions.
The Prince of Wales opted for a simple yet classic suit with a long-line coat, but made sure to pick a tie that matched Kate’s dress.
Similarly, King Charles coordinated with the Queen Consort’s sapphire number with a blue-patterned tie from the Greek brand Thalassa Collection.
The thoughtful selection could be a subtle salute to his father, Prince Phillip’s Greek heritage.
Charles is a big fan of the label, having sported its ties on many occasions, including when posing for royal portraits.
Kate oozed elegance in a deep red Emilia Wickstead dress. British royals have been known to dress in the colours of the flag of countries they are hosting or visiting as a display of support and solidarity
The Prince of Wales opted for a simple yet classic suit with a long-line coat, but made sure to pick a tie that matched Kate’s dress
Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales both teamed their outfits with family heirlooms.
Kate wore her feather brooch, studded with 18 round-cut diamonds and small emeralds surrounding the Prince of Wales feathers symbol, which once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Managing Director at Berganza Antique and Vintage Jewellers, Justin Daughters, said her choice was a ‘meaningful statement of modern royal style’.
‘Princess Kate chose the iconic Prince of Wales Feather Brooch, a diamond and emerald masterpiece crafted by Garrard in 1863,’ he explained.
‘Originally gifted by King Edward VII to Queen Alexandra, this brooch has been worn by successive Princesses of Wales, including Princess Diana.
‘Its appearance today reinforces the enduring continuity of royal heritage and the deep personal connections these heirlooms embody.’
Camilla’s brooch dates back to 1840 when Prince Albert secretly commissioned it from jeweller Garrards as a present for his bride-to-be, Queen Victoria, to give to her the night before their wedding.
Victoria designated it to be a heirloom of the Crown, which means that it has been passed down to every Queen Regnant and Consort since.
‘Queen Camilla’s choice to wear the Queen Victoria Sapphire Brooch was a very deliberate and strategic one, perfectly suited for a high-stakes State Visit,’ Justin explained.
Queen Camilla teamed her blue dress and coat with a sentimental brooch experts have said was a ‘meaningful statement of modern royal style’
King Charles coordinated with the Queen Consort’s sapphire number with a blue-patterned tie from Greek brand Thalassa Collection. The thoughtful selection could be a subtle salute to his father, Prince Phillip’s Greek heritage
Justin added that Camilla’s choice of brooch was ‘the ultimate expression of royal dignity’.
‘Queen Camilla’s choice to wear the Queen Victoria Sapphire Brooch was a very deliberate and strategic one, perfectly suited for a high-stakes State Visit,’ he explained.
‘The Royal Family’s jewellery is not just a personal accessory; it is a tool of soft power and a subtle form of communication.
‘By wearing a piece so profoundly connected to a monarch as revered as Queen Victoria, a brooch she wore on her own wedding day, Camilla is sending a powerful message of permanence, tradition and gravitas.’
Justin added that brooches have long carried deep symbolic meaning within the royal jewellery tradition.
‘The choices made by Camilla and Kate [on Wednesday] beautifully illustrate how tradition and personal style remain intimately connected,’ he said.
First Lady Melania opted for a wide-brimmed hat for the meet, which a body language expert has claimed to be a clear signal that she ‘desires to hide’.
She looked effortlessly chic in a Christian Dior Haute Couture dark grey skirt suit that flared out at the waist and fell just below her knees.
First Lady Melania opted for a wide-brimmed hat for the meet, which a body language expert has claimed to be a clear signal that she ‘desires to hide’
Melania complemented her ensemble with an extraordinarily large, wide-brimmed purple wool hat – also by Dior – which, for the most part, kept her eyes hidden.
Body language expert Judi James believes she wore this captivating accessory in a bid to keep a low profile – and not to overshadow her husband’s big moment.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, Judi said: ‘I’m fascinated to work out why Melania is wearing a similar-shaped hat to the one she wore to the inauguration, which forms the shape of a large lid that completely hides her face.
‘For a woman known for her beauty, this shape of hat suggests a desire to hide.
‘Royal women will tend to adore the flying saucer style too, but will always wear the hat at an acute angle to ensure their faces are totally on display.
‘Melania’s body language so far suggests a more assertive and confident approach to this royal visit than the last one but she also seems to be keen to project a more mysterious aura here on the arrival, as though she is there to support and even help choreograph her husband rather than being the star herself.’
