Princess Charlene recreates bridal look from 14 years ago - in 'sculptural' Armani gown

Taking the look from red carpet glamour to regal elegance was the addition of a tiara. Charlene chose the 'Diamond Foam Tiara' by Lorenz Baumer, which is extra special as she donned it on 2 July 2011 for a dinner at the Monaco Opera House following her and Albert's religious wedding ceremony.

Charlene wears her wedding tiara

Having reported on Charlene's fashion, both past and present, for two years at HELLO!, I feel the Armani dress from Wednesday evening was truly a tribute to her bridal look from 14 years ago. Charlene wore a white Armani gown twice on the day - firstly to the ceremony at the Prince's Palace, before swapping into a tiered party dress also by the same high-end Italian fashion designer for the reception.

Meanwhile, the glimmering tiara from Wednesday night was a wedding gift from her husband. It featured a diamond aigrette-style aesthetic, which sat, unusually, on the side of her head. The smattering of diamonds on the headband frame was made to look like a wave – a touching nod to her past as an Olympic swimmer (the royal swam competitively from 1996 until her retirement in 2007 due to a shoulder injury).

According to The Court Jeweller, the piece was designed by Lorenz Baumer, who is a renowned German-French jeweller who owns an eponymous atelier on Place Vendôme in Paris, one of the city's most famous and beautiful neoclassical squares.

A perfect evening look

On the occasion of the Monaco National Day Gala, the princess paired her Armani gown and bridal tiara with a flapper-girl style hairstyle, which was elevated by the statement headpiece. Her blonde locks were swept up into a bun with a strand pulled out and styled into a beautiful wave to frame her face. 

She also added to the glamour with taupe satin heels with a pointed toe and a glossy red lip. The extravagance of the look mirrored the importance of the event. The National Day of Monaco falls on 19 November each year – the day of Prince Albert's formal investiture ceremony marking his official ascension to the throne in 2005. The day celebrates the sovereign and the people of Monaco.

An expert verdict

I will certainly be taking inspiration from Charlene's white look this party season, as will Gabrielle Mai, a global fashion stylist with seven years of experience in the fashion industry. "This is Princess Charlene at her most glamorous. The Armani gown is proof of beautiful craftsmanship," she tells us. "The column silhouette, soft shimmer and long sleeves create a clean, almost sculptural line that lets the fabric and fit do all the talking. It's refined, minimal and extremely elegant, the kind of eveningwear Charlene wears best.

"The decision to pair it with her flapper-inspired tiara, the same diamond headpiece she wore on her wedding day, adds beautiful emotional depth," the stylist adds. "Its 1920s styling, with its delicate bandeau shape and vintage glamour, contrasts gently with the modern simplicity of the dress. The result is a look that feels both serene and deeply personal."

A family outing

Earlier in the day, Charlene kicked off the celebrations by walking in the military parade alongside her husband and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, both 10. The royal matriarch looked breathtaking in an icy white Giorgio Armani suit. 

The structured ensemble was teamed with a pussybow at the neck, which was tucked in for a more refined finish. She also wore a net-adorned hat and white stilettos – the most elegant way to rock white in winter.