Overview
- King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a Dec. 3 state banquet at Windsor Castle for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender.
- The Princess of Wales wore a Berlin blue Jenny Packham gown and, for the first reported time, Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet tiara.
- Crafted by Garrard in 1853 under Prince Albert’s direction, the piece now pairs rubies with roughly 2,600 diamonds after opals were later replaced by Queen Alexandra.
- Commentary cast the tiara choice as a diplomatic nod to Germany and as a possible sign of changing access to royal jewels under Queen Camilla’s stewardship.
- Earlier, Prince William and the Princess formally received the German couple at Heathrow and joined the Windsor welcome, with official photos and posts marking the visit’s conclusion.