Royal family recap: Princess Kate wears Givenchy gown, King Frederick greets Duchess Sophie with a kiss, and more

That's all from me here in London!

The lovely Beatriz Colon will be keeping you updated live from NYC this evening.

Exciting news just in as Kensington Palace confirm that the Princess of Wales will attend the French state banquet to be hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle. 

It's expected to be Kate's first tiara moment in two years since attending the last white-tie soiree for President Yoon of the Republic of Korea in 2023. 

Earlier today, the Princess accompanied President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Windsor with Prince William, taking part in the carriage ride, the ceremonial welcome, the royal luncheon and Royal Collection exhibition.

Over at Wimbledon, the King's cousin, Lady Sarah Chatto, was among the notable figures in the royal box on day nine of the tennis championship.

The late Princess Margaret's daughter, 61, was joined by her husband, Daniel Chatto, 68, ahead of their 31^st wedding anniversary next week. See photos of the pair here. 

The Princess of Wales typically chooses the pearl and diamond Lover's Knot tiara - once synonymous with her late mother-in-law, Diana - for white-tie events.

She last wore the headpiece for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023. 

© Getty Images

But for the South Korean state banquet in 2023, she surprised us with a jewel from the vaults - the Strathmore Rose tiara, which had not been seen for nearly a century.

© Getty

Kate also wore the Cartier Halo tiara on her wedding day and she has been loaned the Lotus Flower tiara on several occasions.

See her best tiara moments in this gallery.

French champagne and a special gin-infused cocktail called L’entente will be served at the state banquet in honour of president of France.

The King has also turned to his friend and King's Foundation ambassador, French chef Raymond Blanc, to put together the menu in culinary collaboration with the Royal Household, designing the first course and the dessert.

The menu, which was written in French as is the custom for state banquets, begins with a selection of tender summer vegetables from the Gardens of Le Manoir with Sage, Raw Tomato and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing.

The next course is Supreme of Rhug Estate Chicken with Norfolk Asparagus and Tarragon Cream, followed by Iced Blackcurrant Parfait on a Blackcurrant-soaked Sponge with Elderflower Jelly for dessert.

Meanwhile, the specially-created cocktail combines British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, garnished with dried French cornflowers and English roses. 

Sounds  très délicieux, in our opinion! 

The royal family's Instagram account has posted a snap of Chef Raymond Blanc preparing dishes in the kitchen at Windsor Castle ahead of the state banquet. 

Before the royals arrive to take their seats, take a look at the spectacular set-up inside St George's Hall at Windsor Castle.

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Delicate seasonal flowers including roses, sweet peas and herbs in a colour scheme of pale pinks, purples and white decorated the table, handpicked from the gardens at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, along with flowers and lavender from The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, all arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces taken from the Grand Service.

The impressive St George's Hall is the largest room in the castle at 55.5 metres long (180ft) and nine metres wide (29.5ft), and the 50 metre (164ft) table stretches its full length.

The Princess of Wales has revealed her look for the State Banquet this evening in Windsor, a stunning, deep red gown designed by Sarah Burton of Givenchy, who designed her 2011 wedding dress when she was the creative director of Alexander McQueen. 

She accessorized the dark red silk gown with a lily of the valley embroidered evening clutch, and the Lover's Knot Tiara, which was commissioned by Queen Mary of Teck, and previously worn by Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana.

Click here for the full gallery.

This banquet marks the first that Princess Catherine attends in two years. Watch a video of her arrival with King Charles and Queen Camilla below:

The Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and confirmed she was free from the disease at the start of this year.

Tonight's state banquet marks her first in nearly two years as the King and Queen hosted a glittering soiree at Windsor Castle for France's President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

© Getty Images

Our full gallery is here

There had been speculation around which tiara Princess Kate would wear, and it was her beloved Lover's Knot Tiara that was chosen for the occasion.

The tiara was was commissioned by Queen Mary of Teck, and previously worn by Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana.

© Getty Images

There were also some A-list guests at the State Banquet!

Sir Mick Jagger and fiancee Melanie Hamrick were among the guests, as well as Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish, actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks and sculptor Sir Antony Gormley.  

© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

See the full gallery here.

In his speech, King Charles spoke of the deepening co-operation between the UK and France that will protect against "profound challenges" faced by both countries including terrorism, organized crime and “irregular migration” across the English Channel.

The King also spoke of the growing environmental threat, claiming that the "very future of our planet hangs in the balance".

© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

It was a busy day for Duchess Sophie as she attended the state banquet but also spent time at Wimbledon on Monday where she was greeted with a kiss from King Frederik

The Danish monarch, 57, was pictured greeting Sophie, 60, with a kiss as the Duchess arrived to take her seat in the royal box on Centre Court

© Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

See the full story here.