King, Queen and William welcome diplomats to glittering Palace reception
The King and Queen hosted a glittering diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, with Camilla stepping out in the late Queen’s aquamarine and diamond tiara for the first time.
Kate, who finished her chemotherapy treatment in the summer and is gradually returning to public duties as she recovers from cancer, is focusing on hosting her annual Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey in just over two weeks’ time.
Camilla was dressed in a blue velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare, and opted for Elizabeth II’s small aquamarine and diamond tiara as she gathered with some 900 guests at the Diplomatic Corps reception.
It is the first time Camilla has worn the rarely seen jewellery.
The piece has been favoured in the past by the Duchess of Edinburgh who as the then-Countess of Wessex wore it to the gala dinner celebrating the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg’s wedding in 2012, and at the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
His chest orders were the Garter Star and the Thistle Star, and his neck order was the Order of Bath. He also wore his miniature medals including for the Golden, Diamond and Platinum jubilees and Coronation.
The King, who wore white tie with traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes, was seen chatting warmly to his guests.
It is the first time the Queen has been pictured since Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that her beloved rescue dog Beth had been put down.
Camilla, who is also recovering from a chest infection, may not stay for the whole event depending on how she is feeling, having recently returned to shortened engagements after her seasonal illness.
The annual event celebrates the presence in London of one of the largest Diplomatic Corps in the world, and hundreds of representatives of countries accredited to the Court of St James, are welcomed to the Palace dressed in their finery for the showcase of UK’s diplomatic year.
Elizabeth II had another larger aquamarine piece – the Brazilian Aquamarine Parure Tiara – which was made to match a necklace given to her by the president of Brazil as a coronation gift in 1953,
There is some suggestion the smaller tiara was made from additional aquamarine jewellery gifted to the late Queen by the Governor of Sao Paulo.
Camilla teamed the tiara with an aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings, which are private pieces of jewellery.
Family Orders badges are worn at formal evening occasions by female members of the royal family and personally bestowed by the sovereign. They are a sign of the importance of the wearer within the royal household.
In 2023, Kate, in a floor-length pale pink dress by Jenny Packham, wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara, a diamond and pearl-encrusted headpiece made in 1914, which was often worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK, their spouses or partners, and diplomatic staff were among those who were entertained.
The evening includes a buffet supper and dancing in the Palace ballroom.