She stuns with her look for her debut as a princess: here's the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton, designed by designer Jenny Packham, for the gala, and the jewelry chosen to pay homage to Lady Di and Queen Elizabeth. Text by Marianna Strano
A white Jenny Packham dress embellished with a tiara and jewels belonging to her late mother-in-law, Lady Di, and Queen Elizabeth II: Kate Middleton, at her first official gala as Princess of Wales, enchants everyone and shows off a look truly worthy of a leading bride.
The princess attended the state banquet hosted by the new sovereign Charles III, who welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace on November 22. She was accompanied, of course, by her husband and future King William, her father-in-law Charles, and Queen Camilla.
The latter certainly didn't go unnoticed, with her choice of a distinctive and symbolic look: to the blue lace dress by Bruce Oldfield, already worn last year during a photoshoot for "Vogue," Camilla paired it with the sapphire tiara that belonged to the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen's Belgian Sapphire Tiara was a favorite of the sovereign, and the Queen Consort's choice certainly attracted media attention.
Kate Middleton, the first gala as a princess in all-white with her wedding dress
But it was definitely Kate who "stole the show." Despite being a diplomatic occasion, the gala at Buckingham Palace marked William and Kate's first official event as Prince and Princess of Wales
And the princess certainly didn't disappoint in terms of her look. It's impossible not to notice Kate Middleton's class and elegance. For this important occasion, she chose a white "Elspeth" dress by Jenny Packham, the renowned ready-to-wear and wedding dress designer who has already dressed the Princess of Wales on at least eight different occasions.
An all-white gown worthy of a simple yet refined bride, with a bateau neckline and sparkling sequins that enhance—but not weigh down—the shoulders.
Kate's jewelry and tribute to Lady Diana
The dress was stunning, but the jewelry even more so. In fact, at her first gala as a princess, Kate Middleton wore—in addition to the stunning white "bridal-effect" Jenny Packham dress—jewels belonging to the late Lady Diana.
Among these, the Cambridge Lover's Knot, the tiara that belonged to Queen Mary and was said to be Lady Diana's favorite, featuring 19 oriental pearls (each set with a central diamond). Kate Middleton then wore the Collingwood pearl earrings, particularly beloved by the former Princess of Wales.
Kate and her tribute to Queen Elizabeth
Finally, at her first gala as Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton did not forget to pay a small tribute to Queen Elizabeth. She wore a pearl bracelet that belonged to the sovereign, who passed away last September.
A "debut" worthy of a bride, or rather, a future queen. And a look definitely approved by Royal Family fans, who appreciated the symbolism and the memory—in the choice of dress and jewelry—of two figures particularly beloved by the English people (as well as unforgettable style icons): Lady Diana and Queen Elizabeth II.
