The Princess of Wales attended her first state banquet in nearly two years on Tuesday July 8, 2025, as the King and Queen hosted a glittering soiree at Windsor Castle for France’s President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
Catherine, 43, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and confirmed she was free from the disease at the start of this year, last made an appearance at a grand royal dinner 20 months ago in November 2023, in honour of the South Korean president.
On Tuesday the Princess wowed in a red floor-length caped gown by Sarah Burton for Givenchy with the diamond and pearl Lover’s Knot tiara, as she and Prince William arrived at the historic St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile, the Queen looked regal in an ivory silk and crepe embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare, and a sapphire and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings, and bracelet.
The King and Queen, and Prince and Princess of Wales, joined the President and Madame Macron at the top table for the white tie and tiara event, which was also attended by famous faces including Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Sir Mick Jagger and Melanie Hamrick and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas.
Footballer Mary Earps, sculptor Anthony Gormley and authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks were among the guests, as was French TV presenter Fred Sirieix.
Other royals in attendance included the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Photo: © POOL/AFP via Getty Images
In a toast made in English and French, the King reflected on 1,000 years of “shared history and culture between our two peoples”, adding: “For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other. We have exchanged ideas, fashions and music.
“When Monet painted London’s fogs, when Jane Birkin, ‘la plus francaise des britanniques’, sang, or when Thierry Henry scored at Highbury, these were perfect combinations.”
He referenced his own family’s long ties with France – describing how the Castle was begun by his ancestor William, Duke of Normandy, in 1070.
Photo: © Getty Images
“So it is perhaps rather appropriate that my son, the Prince of Wales, who shares that earlier William’s name, has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors.”
Charles also hailed the “truly modern partnership” between both countries, saying: “As we dine here in this ancient place, redolent with our shared history, allow me to propose a toast to France and our new Entente. An Entente not only past and present, but for the future – and no longer just cordiale, but now amicale.”
See all of the best photos from the banquet…
The royals are ready
William and Catherine posted this beautiful photograph taken before they left for the state banquet.
“Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor,” the caption read.
The Prince is wearing white-tie with the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George, as well as his medals and honours on display.
Meanwhile, the Princess sported her royal family orders, the GCVO star and sash and the Rosette of Grand Officier l’ordre nationale du merité.
Smiling royals
The couple shared a sweet exchange as they made their way into St George’s Hall.
Catherine’s jewels
The Princess wore her most worn headpiece – the Lover’s Knot tiara – with the late Queen’s Greville Chandelier earrings.
The diamond and pearl tiara, originally made for Queen Mary in 1913, was gifted by the late Queen to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, when she married then Prince Charles in 1981.
Group photograph
Ahead of the festivities, the King and Queen posed for a group photograph with Mr and Mrs Macron.
The First Lady opted for a cobalt blue caped evening gown.
Happy and glorious
Mr Macron’s state visit to the UK, from July 8-10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade since that of the Irish president Michael D Higgins in 2014.
State visits, which capitalise on the royals’ soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties overseas, will be hosted at Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work continues at the London Palace and starts to affect the state rooms.
The Queen’s sapphire jewels
A closer look at the Queen’s beautiful outfit and the jewels.
The King George VI Victorian suite of sapphire jewels was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by her father, on her wedding day to Prince Philip in 1947.
Royal family order
A closer-look at King Charles royal family order, as worn by the Queen.
The badge is a miniature of the monarch, bordered by diamonds and attached to a pale blue silk ribbon.
The honour is bestowed on female members of the royal family by the monarch. It is usually worn pinned to the dress of the recipient on the left shoulder.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie looked beautiful in a white sequined evening dress with ankle-strap heels and the Aquamarine Tiara.
The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence
The Princess Royal looked elegant in an ivory embroidered satin and chiffon gown with a bolero-style jacket.
She appeared to have styled her signature bouffant into a lower chignon, paired with the Diamond Festoon tiara.
National anthem
The royals, the Presidential couple and all of the guests stood for both national anthems at the start of the banquet.
The King’s speech
The monarch referenced his and the Queen’s state visit to France two years ago in his speech at the dinner, saying: “I recall with such fond memories our Visit to France in 2023, when you so graciously hosted us, Monsieur le Président.
“Much has happened in the meantime, and France and the United Kingdom have stood ever closer since then.
“At this crucial point in our shared histories, your visit isanother occasion to celebrate our deep and enduring friendship.”
Salut!
The Princess of Wales clinked glasses with the President during the toasts.
Guests enjoyed a seasonal menu which included a starter and dessert course designed by French celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.
The starter was a selection of tender summer vegetables from the gardens of Le Manoir with sage, raw tomato and extra virgin olive oil dressing, the main course a supreme of Rhug Estate chicken with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream and for dessert, an iced blackcurrant parfait on a blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly, followed by coffee and petit fours.
Also on the drinks menu, a cocktail called L’entente, created by the Royal Household’s resident mixologist, combining British gin with lemon curd and French pastis and garnished with dried French cornflowers and English roses.
Raising a toast
The Prince of Wales was pictured raising a glass with Mrs Macron.
Inside St George’s Hall
Music from the Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra included a nod to the guests with pieces by Saint Saens, Bizet, Debussy and Daft Punk.
Dinner ended with music from Pipe Major Joe Davies of the Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Afterwards guests moved into the Music Room for a performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Table set-up
The tables were decked with hand-picked, seasonal flowers, including stocks, hydrangea, lavender, roses and herbs from the gardens at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as flowers and lavender from the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, all arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces taken from the Grand Service.
A-list attendees
Sir Mick Jagger of British rock band, The Rolling Stones and his partner Melanie Hamrick are seen greeting a friend at the State Banquet.
Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish and actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas were all also in attendance.
The French president winked at the King when Charles mentioned the cultural ties between the UK and France and how a Frenchman, William the Conqueror, began building Windsor Castle more than 900 years ago, a place his son William has now made his home.
