Kate Middleton attends Buckingham Palace reception ahead of the Coronation

She was surrounded by glamorous royals from around the world – and yet Britain’s Princess of Wales still commanded attention at this evening’s reception at Buckingham Palace. 

Mother-of-three Kate, 41, donned a new £360 Self-Portrait wrap midi dress to attend the lavish event in London today, hosted by King Charles on the eve of his coronation.

Joining foreign royals, world leaders and dignitaries including Queen Letizia of Spain at the glittering reception, the princess completed her ensemble with the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond earrings.

Enhancing her features with a smattering of glamorous makeup, Kate kept her hair in tight curls, with a statement side parting as she chatted to guests, including Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and US First Lady Jill Biden.

Kate appeared relaxed and at ease as she shared jokes with those invited, while King Charles was seen deep in conversation with the First Lady of Ukraine, President Zelensky’s wife Olena Zelenska.

The Princess of Wales appeared in her element as she greeted overseas guests ahead of the service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday

Prince William was also on hand to greet guests as final preparations get underway for tomorrow’s ceremony.

Some 100 heads of state will be in London for the event, with international representatives from 203 countries due to attend.

Other European royals enjoying the King’s reception included Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

Jill Biden, who was pictured alongside Kate and Mrs Zelenska of Ukraine, is representing her husband, US President Joe Biden, along with her granddaughter Finnegan Biden.

Earlier today, the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales thrilled royal fans at The Mall as they made a surprise appearance to greet well-wishers less than 24 hours before the coronation.

The road leading to Buckingham Palace was cleared and royal fans eagerly lined the route, having likely figured out that they may well catch a glimpse of the new King due to the security and media presence.

People cheered and could be heard shouting ‘God Save the King’ as the senior figures of the monarchy arrived to shake hands with well-wishers. 

Royal superfans were left blown away by the visit, which came just hours after a downpour soaked thousands of people camped out at The Mall, with one person telling Sky News: ‘This is the happiest moment in my life.’

The Queen Mother pictured wearing her sapphire and diamond earrings in 1986 in London

The Princess of Wales speaks (right) with Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at Buckingham Palace on Friday night

 The Princess of Wales talks with the first Lady of the United States, Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan Biden

The Princess of Wales appeared happy and relaxed less than 24 hours before the Coronation

The King went to one side of The Mall while William and Kate went to another to greet well-wishers. One woman told Charles ‘Love you Charlie’ while others passed on their congratulations to him.

Kate and William posed for selfies with fans, while Kate even appeared to join one person in a video call before also speaking on another fan’s phone before handing it back. 

This morning the King took part in a final coronation rehearsal at Westminster Abbey, where a 2,300-strong congregation, and a television audience likely to be in the tens of millions, will watch him being crowned on Saturday. 

As excitement ramps for Britain’s first coronation in 70 years, Charles and Kate joined a lunch for VIPs at Buckingham Palace.

His Majesty was joined by working royals at a special event for prime ministers and governors general at the Palace from midday, just after the heavens opened on London.

King Charles III (right) greets Prince Albert of Monaco as royals from across the world congregated in London ahead of the Coronation

The King also appeared charmed by Denmark’s royals, as the three shared a joke ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony

The Prince of Wales speaks to Queen Suthida and King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand during Friday’s reception

Britain’s King Charles III (L) speaks with Spain’s King Felipe VI (R) and Spain’s Queen Letizia (C)

Jill Biden is seen laughing with the Princess of Wales as she represents her husband Joe Biden at the reception

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were at the event. Completing the royal contingent were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. But there was no invite for Prince Andrew, who was seen driving around Windsor this lunchtime. 

There were 42 attendees in total, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australia’s republican Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins. 

Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and Prince William had been at Westminster Abbey this morning for final rehearsals ahead of the Coronation tomorrow, around the time Prince Harry may have landed in the UK. 

His Majesty and his wife waved to crowds as he was driven down The Mall to the church for further preparations, before a run of diplomatic duties including hosting a Buckingham Palace lunch for VIPs. 

But the monarch looked shocked by the heavy rain as he passed thousands of people who are camped out along the route from the Abbey to the Palace including the packed Mall, dubbed Chaztonbury due to the huge numbers camped out there.

Meanwhile Prince Harry may have already landed in the UK for his 24-hour visit for the Coronation – leaving his wife and two children at home.

The Duke of Sussex is intending to fly back to California straight after the historic ceremony ends tomorrow afternoon so he can make it back to see Archie on his fourth birthday.

This morning a private jet from Van Nuys airport in California landed at Farnborough, the airport closest to Windsor Castle. Van Nuys is just an hour from Harry and Meghan’s Montecito mansion, but it is not yet known if he was on board.

Some 100 heads of state are descending on London for the coronation on Saturday, with representatives from 203 countries due to attend. 

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko were among those checking in at their London hotel this morning.

The final preparations come as broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, a friend of Charles who wrote his authorised biography, said the monarch would find the Homage of the People ‘abhorrent’.

For the first time, those watching the coronation ceremony will be invited to make their own homage to Charles, replacing the traditional homage of peers, but some commentators have criticised the new element as divisive.

Mr Dimbleby told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I can think of nothing that he would find more abhorrent. He’s never wanted to be revered, he’s never wanted – so as far as I know – to have anyone pay homage to him except in mock terms as a joke.

‘He wants, I think, to feel that people will share in the event and I don’t quite know how this might have happened.’

Meanwhile, those travelling across the UK on public transport are being reminded to ‘mind the gap’ by the King.

Charles and Camilla have recorded an announcement which is being played between Friday and Monday at every railway station across the UK and all London Underground stations, industry body the Rail Delivery Group said.

In the message, the King begins by telling passengers: ‘My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful coronation weekend.’

Camilla then says: ‘Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.’

The message concludes with Charles adding: ‘And remember, please mind the gap.’

It was recorded at Highgrove earlier this year by the audio team from Transport for London.