Kate Middleton joins Prince William for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace

The Duchess of diamonds! Kate Middleton dons Diana’s glittering headpiece as she joins Prince William for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace

  • Kate made her way to the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night
  • Duchess of Cambridge, 37, paired sparkling silver earrings with the stunning Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara
  • Prince Charles, 71, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 72, will also attend the lavish white tie reception tonight
  • Royals will greet some of the 1,000 guests, including ambassadors and high commissioners posted to the UK

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The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in the Lover’s Knot Tiara, as she made her way to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception.

Kate, 37, joined husband Prince William as they drove to the annual white tie affair, which is one of the highlights of the royal calendar.

They will join the Queen, 93, and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall for the Diplomatic Reception, and greet some of the 1,000 guests in attendance for the lavish event. 

The duchess paired sparkling silver drop earrings and one of the Queen’s silver necklaces, with the stunning Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara – a piece that she has worn on a number of previous occasions. 

The white tie Diplomatic Reception is the main social event of the year in London for the diplomatic community and reflects the Queen’s importance in terms of the UK’s international relations.

Kate, 37, joined husband Prince William as the drove to the annual white tie affair, which is one of the highlights of the royal calendar

The duchess paired sparkling silver drop earrings and a lavish necklace with the stunning Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara - a piece that she has worn on a number of previous occasions.

The duchess paired sparkling silver drop earrings and a lavish necklace with the stunning Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara – a piece that she has worn on a number of previous occasions.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall also made their way to join The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Diplomatic Reception

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall also made their way to join The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Diplomatic Reception

As Kate arrived at the Palace she was dressed in a dark blue number, which she teamed with the striking Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – a piece of jewellery owned by the Queen.

It was given to the Queen as a gift when she married in November 1947. Kate last borrowed the diamond stunner to attend a black tie Portrait Gala in 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The duchess also seemed to be wearing the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on her blue sash, which she wore for the first time in June at The Queen’s State Banquet. The honour was given to her by the Queen in April for her services to the sovereign. 

William looked relaxed as he sat next to his wife, dressed for the occasion in a black blazer and white shirt – pairing it with a white bow tie. 

Later on Prince Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving at the event, dressed formally for the occasion too.

The royal event is the largest reception held at Buckingham Palace, requiring hours of intricate planning by the Master of the Household and the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the commandeering of almost every member of waiting staff.

As Kate arrived at the Palace, with William, she was dressed in a dark blue number, which she teamed with the striking Nizam of Hyderabad necklace - a piece of jewellery owned by the Queen

As Kate arrived at the Palace, with William, she was dressed in a dark blue number, which she teamed with the striking Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – a piece of jewellery owned by the Queen

They will join the Queen, 93 ,and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall for the Diplomatic Reception, and greet some of the 1,000 guests in attendance for the lavish event

They will join the Queen, 93 ,and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall for the Diplomatic Reception, and greet some of the 1,000 guests in attendance for the lavish event

More than 1,000 people from around 130 countries, including members of the British government, past Prime Ministers and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York attend the gathering.

Most notable, however, are the many hundreds of ambassadors and embassy staff officially accredited to the Court of St James, often in brilliantly coloured and eye-catching national dress.   

KATE’S TIARA TRIBUTE TO HER LATE MOTHER-IN-LAW 

Diana in the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara in Hong Kong in 1989

Diana in the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara in Hong Kong in 1989

The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara is the one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge most frequently – and for very sentimental reasons.  

The tiara was made by Royal jewellers Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s personal design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family’s possession.

It was a copy of one owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who married the first Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of King George III, in 1818.

In her will Queen Mary left the tiara to to the Queen who wore it frequently, including at an evening event in 1955.

In 1981 she gave it as a wedding present to Prince William’s mother, Diana, who wore it for the first time at the state opening of parliament that November.

Diana also wore the tiara in 1985 on an official visit to Washington with Prince Charles. 

And since her death the glistening head piece has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge who was most recently spotted wearing it at the state dinner during Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI’s visit in 2017. 

 It was also seen on Kate at last year’s Diplomatic Reception. 

The Duchess of Cambridge most recently wore the Lover's Knot Tiara to the state banquet held in honour of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in October

Kate with Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar

The Duchess of Cambridge most recently wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara to the state banquet held in honour of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in October 2018, pictured. Right, Kate with Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar

The Duchess of Cambridge wore the tiara for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2016, pictured

The Duchess of Cambridge at the annual gala in 2015

Kate wore the tiara for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2016, left, and in 2015, right

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk