Princess Kate made a striking return to state banquet duties on Tuesday night, donning a caped red dress by Sarah Burton for Givenchy at Windsor Castle.
The choice of Givenchy carried particular significance given the fashion house’s connection to Meghan Markle. Givenchy famously designed the Duchess of Sussex’s wedding gown for her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle.
Kate’s decision to wear the French luxury brand represents a notable fashion moment. The Princess of Wales has historically favoured British designers for major royal occasions.
The red Givenchy dress potentially sent a subtle message, with Kate choosing to wear the same fashion house that created one of Meghan’s most memorable royal looks.
Princess Kate’s Givenchy dress appears to send message to Meghan Markle.
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The timing of this fashion choice, at a high-profile state banquet, added weight to its potential significance within royal circles.
Sarah Burton’s appointment to Givenchy represented a significant shift in the fashion industry landscape. The designer spent close to three decades at Alexander McQueen before departing the British house in September 2024.
Burton was subsequently appointed by Givenchy to replace Matthew M Williams as the French fashion house’s creative director. Her move from Alexander McQueen to Givenchy marked a notable transition between two prestigious luxury brands.
The red dress worn by Kate at the state banquet represented the first occasion the Princess of Wales had worn a new Burton design since the designer’s career switch. This marked a continuation of their professional relationship, which previously saw Burton create Kate’s wedding gown in 2011 during her tenure at Alexander McQueen.
Princess Kate wore a red Givenchy dress with the Lover’s Knot tiara.
PA
The Princess of Wales joined the Royal Family for the formal dinner honouring French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte during their state visit to the UK.
Kate paired the elegant gown with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, marking her first tiara appearance since December 2023.
The Windsor Castle event represented a significant moment in her gradual return to public duties following her cancer treatment.
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the banquet, with Prince William also in attendance. The royal couple shared a photograph on social media ahead of the evening, writing: “Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor.”
Meghan Markle wore a Givenchy wedding dress in 2018.
PA
Sarah Burton designed Kate’s wedding dress for her 2011 nuptials.
PA
Kate’s return to tiara-wearing duties followed an extended absence from such formal occasions during her cancer treatment throughout 2024. The Princess of Wales announced in January that she is in remission but continues balancing public duties with her recovery process.
Her last tiara appearance was at the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2023, where she wore the same Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara with a pink Jenny Packham gown.
Although Kate participated in the Qatar state visit in December 2024, she did not attend the accompanying state banquet.
Speaking during her recent Colchester Hospital visit on 2nd July, Kate described the post-treatment phase as particularly challenging. “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said.