Kate Middleton makes huge decision on attending state banquet in Palace update

The Princess of Wales will join the state banquet during the French state visit tonight - marking her first one back since her cancer diagnosis. The King and Queen will host French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte in a lavish dinner at Windsor Castle as part of the leader's state visit.

It will be staged in the medieval St George’s Hall and the King will stress the vital partnership between France and the UK in the face of a “multitude of complex threats”, declaring “as friends and as allies, we face them together” in a speech. Kate, who is in remission from cancer, had not been confirmed to attend the white tie dinner, where royal ladies are expected to wear tiaras and formal gowns. However, Kensington Palace has now said the princess will be there later alongside her husband Prince William.

Last year during the Qatar state visit to the UK, Kate attended the day time events, but did not attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal Family. She last made an appearance at a grand royal dinner 20 months ago in November 2023, in honour of the South Korean president.

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It will mark the end of a busy day for the Prince and Princess of Wales who were on hand to greet Mr and Mrs Macron at RAF Northolt this morning as they touched down in the UK.

Kate carried out the royal duty just days after opening up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a “brave face” last week.

She channelled diplomatic royal dressing choosing to wear French fashion house Christian Dior for the celebratory occasion. Her earrings belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and the pearl necklace was from the late Queen’s collection.

The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection. It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Dior himself. Kate’s hat was by Jess Collett.

The president warmly shook the William's hand and held onto his arm as they chatted. Mr Macron then took the princess’s hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.

On travelling to Windsor, King Charles and Camilla warmly greeted the French leader and the first lady on a specially constructed Royal Dais near the town’s Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, with the castle in the backdrop.

The French guests were driven in a ceremonial carriage procession through streets of Windsor lined with troops from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. Crowds gathered in the town centre, decked in the French Tricolor and British Union Flags as the procession made its way to Windsor Castle. Bands from all three services played music to honour the visiting nation and celebrated centuries of combined history with the UK.

The procession finished in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards provided a large Guard of Honour with two State Colours on parade. The King then led the President from the specially constructed dias to inspect the troops in the Quadrangle as the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played ‘L’Entente Cordiale’.

Following the Inspection, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the foot guards Guard of Honour marched past The King and The French President as the Massed Band played ‘Hielan Laddie’ and ‘The British Grenadiers’. The troops exited the Quadrangle via King George IV Gate and returned to Barracks.

State banquets have moved from the Buckingham Palace ballroom to Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work at the London royal residence continues and starts to affect the state rooms.

Kate has attended a handful of engagements in recent months including Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London. But she missed Royal Ascot in June after seeking to find the right balance to public appearances following her cancer treatment.