Kate Middleton pays tribute to Diana and the Queen as King Charles hosts first state visit as monarch

Kate Middleton was the star at King Charles’ first state banquet as monarch with royal fans ecstatic over one famous detail of the Princess of Wales’ outfit.

Kate Middleton has made a touching tribute to Princess Diana during the King Charles’ first state banquet as monarch at Buckingham Palace.

A stunning Middleton sported the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, previously belonging to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

She paired the famous tiara with the Elspeth Cape Sleeve Gown by British designer Jenny Packham – one of the royal’s favourite designers, reports The Sun.

Kate Middleton wore a tiara belonging to Princess Diana. Picture: Getty Images

She was also spotted wearing pearl-drop earrings, a blue sash and a broach, adorned with a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

She smiled as she joined Prince William, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla for the event held at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Diana wearing the Lover's Knot tiara. Picture: Getty Images

Kate Middleton wears a tiara belonging to her mother-in-law. Picture: Getty Images

It’s the first event of its kind in three years, following the coronavirus pandemic, and held in honour of the visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kate Middleton with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort. Picture: Getty Images

The tiara was made by the Royal jeweller Garrard in 1914 for Queen Mary. It was a replica of an earlier tiara, worn by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse.

It was then passed to Queen Elizabeth II, who gifted the piece to Princess Diana ahead of her wedding to Charles.

All eyes were on Kate Middleton during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty Images

While she opted to wear the Spencer tiara on the day, the Lover’s Knot became one of Princess Diana’s favourite pieces.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) toasts a glass with Kate Middleton during a banquet at Buckingham Palace. Picture: AFP

Middleton has worn it at least nine times, first in 2018 to a state banquet.

Fans were pleased the princess chose to wear this tiara. One took to Instagram to write: “My favourite tiara. Love to see it again.”

Another said: “My god what a beautiful look. The Princess of Wales is absolutely wonderful, what a fantastic look.”

KATE STUNS IN BURGUNDY

Earlier, the Princess of Wales stunned in burgundy as she played a key role in welcoming South Africa’s President to the UK.

Wearing a classic coat dress by London-based Kiwi fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, Catherine and Prince William greeted Cyril Ramaphosa before travelling to Horse Guards Parade for a welcoming ceremony with King Charles and Queen Consort, Camilla.

She teamed the look with a Sean Barrett hat, $900 Mulberry bag and $1000 Gianvito Rossi pumps.

The Prince and Princess of Wales shared this photo on their social media with the caption: “A pleasure to welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa to the UK”. Picture: Instagram.

The mother of three also wore pearl earrings that were gifted to her mother-in-law Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981, and a feather brooch given to Diana by the Queen Mother for her engagement to Charles.

The occasion marked King Charles’ first state visit as monarch.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, with the senior royals during the ceremonial welcome for his State Visit to the UK at Horse Guards Parade. Picture: Getty Images.

Mr Ramaphosa was warmly heralded by the monarch and Camilla at a frosty Horse Guards Parade as he began a two-day state visit to the UK.

The monarch and Queen Consort shook hands with the president at the Royal Pavilion before a glamorous state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Catherine, Princess of Wales travels in a State Carriage to Buckingham Palace following the ceremonial welcome. Picture: Getty Images.

National figures had amassed in the royal pavilion for the pomp and pageantry of the ceremonial welcome with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak flanked by senior Cabinet members, as well as the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, and defence chiefs of staff.

The Prince and Princess of Wales travelled in a carriage to Mr Ramaphosa‘s luxury hotel in central London and accompanied him to Horse Guards Parade for the start of the ceremonial visit.

Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives for the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade. Picture: Getty Images.

The royal couple share a light moment during the ceremonial welcome. Picture: Getty Images.

In excess of 1000 soldiers and more than 230 horses waited patiently on the parade ground as did two pristine lines of Foot Guards from Number 7 Company The Coldstream Guards.

Nearby were the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment – Life Guards and Blues and Royals, commanded by Major Robert Perera of the Blues and Royals.

The last world leader to visit was former president Donald Trump in 2019 but his welcome was hosted in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, and the official visit by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2019 was staged on Horse Guards Parade.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of Headquarters Household Division, who delivered the military ceremonial spectacle, said: “The state visit is a historic first: our first state visit for His Majesty the King and the President of South Africa, the first state visit in London since 2019, the first processional state visit on Horse Guards since 2018, and the first for almost everyone on parade.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, walks with Britain’s King Charles III as they inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome for his State Visit to the UK. Picture: Getty Images.

He added: “A huge amount of work has gone into preparing for the visit and we are very proud to support such an important national occasion.

“I look forward to welcoming President Ramaphosa to London this week to discuss how we can deepen the partnership between our two great nations and capitalise on shared opportunities, from trade and tourism and security and defence.”

This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit there by a South African leader since 2010. Picture: Getty Images.

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa walks through soldiers at a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade. Picture: Getty Images.

Reservicing work at the royal residence has meant the South African leader could not stay at the London landmark.

Work for the South African state visit began during the late Queen’s reign and the King was said to have been delighted to continue with the plans.

The visit was marked by the Prime Minister announcing the UK and South Africa will join forces to “turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together”.

The next phase of the UK-South Africa Infrastructure Partnership is being launched on Tuesday local time, supporting South Africa’s economic growth through major infrastructure developments and offering increased access to UK companies to projects worth up to £5.37bn ($A9.6bn) over the next three years, said Downing Street.

Mr Sunak said: “South Africa is already the UK‘s biggest trading partner on the continent, and we have ambitious plans to turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together.