The Princess of Wales was sparkling at the German state banquet in her fifth-ever tiara
NEED TO KNOW
- Kate Middleton had her third tiara moment of 2025 at the German state banquet, sporting a headpiece for the first time
- Princess Kate made her debut in Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, which had a tie to their guests
- The Princess of Wales had previously worn only four different tiaras since marrying into the royal family in 2011, and tonight added a fifth to her rotation
Kate Middleton is stepping out in style for her third tiara moment of 2025, and it’s the biggest one to date!
In honor of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s state visit to the U.K., the royals and their guests celebrated with a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle on Dec. 3. The Princess of Wales, 43, joined Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla and more for the glamorous evening, which called for a white-tie dress code.
Princess Kate made her debut in Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, paired with a sparkling blue Jenny Packham dress. She accessorized with earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth along with the Royal Family Order and the Royal Victorian Order sash and star.
The royal headpiece marks Kate’s fifth different tiara ever — and her biggest yet.
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According to Garrard, the royal accessory was crafted in 1853 for Queen Victoria under the direction of her husband, Prince Albert. Princess Kate may have chosen the tiara for the German state banquet to pay tribute to their guests, as Prince Albert was from Germany.
While the tiara — which features 2,600 diamonds — was originally set with opals, Queen Alexandra later replaced the gems with rubies. The headpiece was also worn by the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth, although the late monarch wore it only once during her reign, during a 2005 trip to Malta. Princess Kate’s decision to sport the tiara to the German state banquet marks the first time it’s been worn in public since.
Since becoming part of the royal family, the Princess of Wales had previously worn four different tiaras for events such as state banquets, diplomatic receptions and royal weddings.
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Kate’s first tiara wear came when she wed Prince William in 2011, sporting the Cartier Halo Tiara for her walk down the aisle. She’s also worn the Lotus Flower Tiara, the Strathmore Rose Tiara and the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara.
Most recently, the Princess of Wales sported Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara for the state visit of United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump in September. The accessory complemented her couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown.
In July, she wore the same royal headpiece for the French state visit, marking her first tiara moment since 2023, as she largely stepped out of the public eye for most of 2024 while she underwent cancer treatment. She announced in January that she was in remission.
Princess Kate recently missed the chance for another tiara moment when she did not attend a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Windsor Castle on Nov. 18. Despite attending in previous years, she missed the white-tie event after stepping out solo earlier in the day at the Future Workforce Summit in London, where she delivered her first royal speech in years.
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Meanwhile, Queen Camilla sported one of the tiaras that are most closely associated with Queen Elizabeth: the Girls of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tiara.
Joining the royal representation at the state banquet were Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence; Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Model Claudia Schiffer, known as Lady Vaughn following her husband Matthew’s recent honor, was also in attendance, as well as film score writer Hans Zimmer and children’s book author Axel Scheffler.
From the procession, they took their places at the 45-meter-long table. The German president was flanked by King Charles and Princess Kate, while Queen Camilla and Prince William sat across the table from them.
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In addition to the usual decor in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, there was a special holiday touch for the German state banquet: an enormous, fully decorated Christmas tree!
One highlight of the state banquet was the royal procession that took place around 3:30 p.m. local time. King Charles and Queen Camilla entered with Germany’s president and first lady. Following them were Prince William with Dr. Dörte Dinger (State Secretary, Head of the Office of the Federal President), and Princess Kate with Sebastian Roloff (a member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the German-British Parliamentary Friendship Group, Economic Policy Spokesperson of the SPD Parliamentary Group).
Schiffer also took part in the procession, walking alongside German politician Dr. Johann Wadephul.
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The evening’s menu included ingredients from the royal estates, including Windsor partridge.
One of the wines, Chateau la Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol, was from 1995, the year that the German president and his wife celebrated their wedding. There is also a specialty cocktail, keeping with the tradition of creating a drink with nods to the visiting nation that started with the change of reign in 2022. The evening’s cocktail featured cherry brandy (a throwback to the first time Charles drank alcohol at school), flavored with cherry and chocolate meant to evoke Black Forest Gateau.
The banquet table for the 152 guests, which started being set up on Sunday, features 152 spoons, 320 knives and a corresponding number of forks. There are 760 glasses and 158 candles that will light the table and the room. The table was decorated with seasonal flowers and foliage from the grounds of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. Flowers that can’t be used after the event will be donated to Floral Angels, a charity for which Queen Camilla is a patron, to be taken to hospices, care homes for the elderly and local shelters.
🎄Preparations are taking place for this evening’s State Banquet!
The traditional Christmas tree in St George’s Hall is a 25-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree taken from Windsor Great Park and is dressed with thousands of twinkling lights. pic.twitter.com/7H0A7RcOxo
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 3, 2025
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Kate Middleton, ‘power behind the throne,’ supported King Charles in stripping Prince Andrew’s titles: expert
Royal experts say Princess of Wales wanted to protect the monarchy’s future
When King Charles decided to strip his disgraced brother of his royal titles, he had a key ally — Kate Middleton.
On Oct. 30, Buckingham Palace announced that “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.” The 65-year-old is now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
“Kate Middleton is obviously a power behind the throne, supporting King Charles and Prince William in saving and securing the future of the royal family and her own determined destiny to become queen,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.

Prince Andrew and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s requiem mass service at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16, 2025, in London. King Charles stripped the former Duke of York’s titles on Oct. 30, 2025. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“A smiling face to the camera, a steely resolve in private, she desires to protect the destinies of her husband Prince William and their eldest son Prince George, while doing her part in saving the royal brand,” he shared.
“She is determined to create the right image constantly. I believe there was not much love lost between her and Andrew, who allegedly spoke shamelessly about her to William, creating an angry confrontation between uncle and nephew to a point where Andrew’s fate was sealed.”

Kate Middleton and her father-in-law, King Charles, have grown closer over the years. (Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Those claims came shortly after a source who knows the king told People magazine that the monarch had been supported by William, his heir, and the Princess of Wales. A source told the outlet that they “sensed a female touch” in the palace’s statement, suspecting that Kate, along with Queen Camilla, was part of the decision to strip Andrew of his titles.
The statement concludes, “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.” It’s a direct reference to the allegations of sexual misconduct against Andrew, which he continues to deny, as well as his known connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

Andrew will no longer be styled “Prince Andrew” or “His Royal Highness.” Instead, he is now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. (Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“There would have been a push from Camilla and Catherine, and there was pressure from William, who would not want to inherit the headache,” a source told the outlet.
“It was a family decision. It was quite strong, and I was quite proud when I heard it.”

Royal experts described Prince William and Kate Middleton as a united force making key decisions behind palace doors. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Pelham Turner suspected that Kate, 43, had a hand in the wording that was used in the statement.
“Kate has blossomed, media-wise, especially after announcing her cancer,” he said. “She is a dutiful wife, mother and queen apparent in waiting. Her skills in promoting that public persona are legendary. So, like a fearsome tigress protecting her brood, the issues befalling Andrew and how that could cause a real upset in the royal evolution would find her most determined to ensure his demolition.”

Kate Middleton is seen here being embraced by her youngest son, Prince Louis, during the Platinum Pageant in London on June 5, 2022. (Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.

Queen Camilla is known for supporting victims of domestic violence. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
According to People magazine, the king also had the backing of his spouse, Queen Camilla, who has long been a patron of causes related to domestic violence, rape and assault. Camilla previously revealed she was the victim of sexual assault as a teen.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that William and Kate have taken on more royal duties to support the king, who is still seeking cancer treatment. The future of the monarchy is always on their mind, she said.

Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales (left) and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome for France’s president and his wife at Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025. (Dominique Jacovides/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
“Princess Catherine and Prince William are not going to allow the beginning of their reign to be blighted by anything that can be sorted and fixed now,” she explained. “The Andrew saga is a problem that could have clouded the monarchy’s future. Who wants to inherit the headache of controversies?”

Royal experts claimed Prince William was eager to solve “the Andrew problem.” (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“Princess Catherine was involved in discussions involving stripping Andrew of his titles,” said Chard. “She plays a pivotal role in the monarchy’s future. The monarchy has depended on strong women.
“Much-loved and admired Princess Catherine is one of these strong, popular women — a woman in control of her agenda. Solution-focused and resilient, Princess Catherine is known as a peacemaker. She even acts as the glue between her husband and father-in-law when tensions rise. Her communication skills are an asset.”

King Charles III is still seeking treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that Kate and Charles, 76, have a close bond. Their relationship deepened in 2024 when they were both diagnosed with cancer. Kate announced in January of this year that she is in remission.

Prince William, Kate Middleton’s husband, is heir to the British throne. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
“Princess Catherine is known by courtiers and others in the palace to be shaping major decisions with anything to do with the future of the monarchy,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital.
She claimed it was the mother of three who urged Charles to place Andrew as far away as possible from her new home, Forest Lodge. It has been described as the “forever home” for the Prince and Princess of Wales, where they’re expected to continue raising their children even after William ascends to the throne.

Catherine, Princess of Wales meets members of the public during a walkabout on October 6, 2022, in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. William and Kate became the Prince and Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II that year. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“Her active involvement has resulted in a far more assertive, pragmatic form of leadership with her distinct voice and priorities recognized as rather pivotal,” said Fordwich. “She’s motivated by a tremendous dedication to protecting her children’s future while ensuring stability for the monarchy. The moves regarding Andrew are intended to minimize ongoing distractions and the ghastly reputational risks.”

On Jan. 14, 2025, the Princess of Wales announced that she was officially in remission from cancer. (Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out to Fox News Digital that this may not have been the first time we’ve seen Kate’s pen in action.
“Catherine has been credited with the famous ‘some recollections may vary,’ Queen Elizabeth’s retort, which outlasted the distortions and complaints from the 2021 Oprah interview with the Sussexes,” he said.

The famous line “some recollections may vary,” reportedly came from Kate Middleton, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed. (Tom Jenkins – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“My view is that obviously William had substantial input with Catherine’s strong support. And Queen Camilla, who helps victims of domestic violence, would undoubtedly have given her backing to the tougher wording, which stressed the royal family’s commitment to victims of abuse.”

People magazine reported that King Charles used his Royal Prerogative, which allows him to manage certain royal titles and honors without involving Parliament. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Chard said that behind palace doors, Kate has been praised by palace aides for her transformation as a revered senior royal.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales have a successful relationship,” said Chard. “They have a pretty equal partnership in every way, communicate well, and have a deep understanding of one another.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit to the newly renovated gardens at the Natural History Museum on Sept. 4, 2025, in London. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
“Princess Catherine, with William’s help, has really grown into her royal duties and role over the years. The royal family’s statement emphasized their commitment to victims of abuse, reflecting Prince Catherine and Queen Camilla’s advocacy work. This unified front highlights a strong stance on accountability.”

Royal experts claimed ex-Prince Andrew was jealous of Kate Middleton’s growing influence. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Multiple royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that Andrew — once known as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite son — became increasingly jealous of Kate’s growing influence as a relatable royal who prioritizes family.
“The feud between Prince William and Prince Andrew started primarily due to Andrew’s jealousy and resulting disparaging remarks regarding Kate Middleton,” said Fordwich.

Royal experts claimed to Fox News Digital that Prince Andrew (left) was jealous of Kate Middleton’s (right) growing influence as a beloved royal family member, sparking tensions with Prince William (center). (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“Prince William was infuriated,” she claimed. “Being fiercely protective, he instituted a zero-tolerance policy toward any wayward behavior or scandals involving Prince Andrew.”

From left: Then-Prince Andrew, Kate Middleton and Camilla stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping The Colour ceremony on June 13, 2015, in London. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Before Andrew announced on Oct. 17 that he was relinquishing his Duke of York title, Richard Kay, editor-at-large of the U.K.’s Daily Mail, reported in 2024 that William and Andrew were at odds over Kate.
“Differences between the monarch and heir do remain, especially when it comes to the Prince Andrew scandal,” he wrote at the time. “William has long held a grudge against Andrew for being unwelcoming when he first introduced then–Kate Middleton to the royal family and feels that his father has been too soft on him.”

Ex-Prince Andrew was pushed out of his palatial Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
In August, Andrew was the subject of an unauthorized biography by British author Andrew Lownie titled “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.”

“Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York” by Andrew Lownie is available now. (Westminster Press)
One of the claims the book makes is that at one point, Andrew was “rude” to Kate, known as the prized jewel of the royal family. The alleged incident, Lownie wrote, led to a feud between the ex-duke and his nephew that has lasted for years.
“Like a lot of us know, William felt Andrew was a danger to the reputation of the monarchy,” Lownie told Fox News Digital at the time of his book’s publication.

Ex-Prince Andrew continues to maintain his innocence. (Chris Radburn/File Photo)
“My source said Andrew was rude to Kate. And I think he was probably rude because he’s a real snob. He may have felt that Kate wasn’t aristocratic enough to marry William. While I can only speculate, no one has a harsh word to say about Kate Middleton. She’s been the savior of the royal family.”

Prince William is said to be fiercely protective of Kate Middleton. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
“Andrew gets jealous of people. He may even be jealous of William’s popularity. But I do know that when William comes to the throne, Andrew will be dust.”



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