The Princess of Wales looked nothing short of radiant on Wednesday, 3 December, as she and Prince William officially welcomed the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife, Ms Büdenbender, at Heathrow Airport. The group then travelled to Windsor, where King Charles and Queen Camilla were waiting to offer a ceremonial welcome at the castle.
Kate, 43, dazzled in a striking new ensemble, wearing a deep indigo-blue coat dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen — the same designer behind her iconic wedding gown — layered over a black Burberry dress. She departed from her signature bouncy curls, opting instead for a sleek, straight hairstyle that gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
She completed the contemporary look with a matching blue hat and a sparkling pair of earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
It’s noteworthy that Kate chose jewellery once worn by her late mother-in-law for such a significant occasion. Maxwell Stone of Seven Stone remarked: “The Princess of Wales was wearing a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings. Previously owned by Princess Diana, they feature two cabochon sapphire drops, surrounded by diamond halos.”
“Princess Diana wore the cluster-style earrings on numerous occasions — most memorably on the cover of Vogue in 1994 and at the 1996 Met Gala. Until Kate unveiled them publicly at the 2022 Trooping the Colour parade, the sentimental pieces hadn’t been seen since the late Princess’s passing. I’d estimate their value at around £30,000.”
Respected judge and First Lady Elke looked equally elegant in a classic black shift dress paired with a matching tailored coat, high heels, and a striking diamond necklace to complete the look.
Last month, Kate nearly stopped traffic in her emerald-green, off-the-shoulder velvet gown by Talbot Runhof at the Royal Variety Performance on 19 November 2025.
Although the luxurious gown was a past-season piece, many royal fashion enthusiasts suggested it may have been a subtle nod to the upcoming state visit, as Talbot Runhof is a German label she had never worn publicly before.
As a fashion editor who specialises in royal style, I absolutely loved this red-carpet moment. I happened to be working on the night of the Royal Variety Performance, and I was eagerly waiting to see what Kate would choose. The Princess has worn many suits throughout 2025, so the possibility of a full glamour gown at the Royal Albert Hall was right at the top of my wish list!
The royal mother of three delivered with the Talbot Runhof gown. Since she had never worn the designer before, it added an extra layer of excitement — and it was certainly a departure from her usual style. The silhouette was more form-fitting than many of her recent choices, and the off-the-shoulder neckline introduced a subtly ‘sexy’ touch. The rich jewel-green shade offered a festive nod to the Yuletide season and beautifully complemented her English Rose complexion.
2025 has been a busy year for state visits. The most recent took place in September, during the State Visit of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. When welcoming the American couple to the UK, Kate memorably chose a charming cranberry coat dress by one of her favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead, paired with a coordinating Jane Taylor hat adorned with a satin bow. She completed the look with a historic heirloom — Queen Alexandra’s Three-Feather Brooch.
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