In her time in the royal circle the Duchess of Cambridge has thrown out the princess rulebook, wearing skinny jeans and high street clothes you and I can actually afford. You're more likely to see Kate in a jumper from Gap than a tiara.
But on Tuesday night she went all out princess for a banquet in honour of China's president, Xi Jinping, at Buckingham Palace. Yes this involved a tiara.
K Middy wore a red bespoke gown by her favourite designer Jenny Packham. If you Google image 'princess dress,' this is the sort of thing you'd hope to find. It features cap sleeves, delicate lace detailing on the bodice, a satin belt at the waist and a full she-shall-go-to-the-ball skirt.
Now we come to the diamonds. Kate wore the Lotus Flower tiara loaned from the Queen, chandelier earrings and a diamond bracelet on each wrist. Why wear one when you can wear two, eh?
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[Getty]
This is the third time K Middy has worn a tiara in public. Kate wore a Cartier 'Halo' tiara on her wedding day loaned to her by the Queen and she then wore the Lotus Flower tiara in 2013 to a reception for diplomats at Buckingham Palace.
Kate always dresses for her occasion, and this time she wore the colour of China's flag and the lotus flower traditionally represents faithfulness in China.
This white tie event marked the start of a four-day visit to the UK by the Chinese president, and was Kate's first ever state banquet. It looks to us like she handled all that champagne-clinking like a natural.
Kate Middleton Look Book
1 of 214Kate Middleton leaving the Eight Over Eight Bar and Restaurant, Kings Road, London, 19 December 2008
2 of 214Kate Middleton at The Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco at the Renaissance Rooms in Vauxhall to Raise Money for Charity, London, 17 September 2008
3 of 214Kate Middleton leaving Whiskey Mist after attending the Nelson Mandela concert in Hyde Park, 27 June 2008
4 of 214Kate Middleton at Prince Williams De Brou Test Match at the Beaufort Polo Club, Gloucestershire, 21 June 2008
5 of 214Kate Middleton at Prince Williams Graduation and presentation of 'Wings' at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, 11 April 2008
6 of 214Kate Middleton at The Boodles Boxing Ball, in aid of Starlight Children's Foundation, Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, 7 June 2008
7 of 214Kate Middleton at the 'Tusk' Charity Polo Match at the Beaufort Polo Club, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire, 22 June 2008
8 of 214Kate Middleton at the The Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival, 14 March 2008
9 of 214Kate Middleton at the Thomas van Straubenzee memorial event, Wilton's Music Hall, London, 3 April 2008
10 of 214Kate Middleton at the Wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman, Queen's Chapel, St James' Palace 19 July 2008
11 of 214Kate Middleton at Art for Starlight Party in aid of Starlight Children's Foundation, The Saatchi Gallery, London, 26 September 2009
12 of 214Kate Middleton at Province House in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, July 2011
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13 of 214Kate Middleton, 6 December 2011
14 of 214Kate Middleton at a cocktail soiree at the United Kingdom’s Consul-General’s residence, Los Angeles, 9 July 2011
15 of 214Kate Middleton shopping, 30 April 2011
16 of 214Kate Middleton at At Charity Polo Match, Cirencester, 7 June 2009
17 of 214Katre Middleton in Calgary, July 2011
18 of 214Kate Middleton at Harry Meade And Rosie Bradford's Wedding, 23 October 2010
19 of 214Kate Middleton at Canada Day concert in Ottawa, July 2011
20 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge at Canadian Tour, 4 July 2011
21 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge on the Canadian Tour, 5 July 2011
22 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge Canadian Tour, 5 July 2011
23 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge Canadian Tour, 8 July 2011
24 of 214Kate Middleton, December 2011
25 of 214Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge In California 9 July 2011
26 of 214Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Royal Tour at Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Canada, 8 July 2011
27 of 214Kate Middleton in Reiss dress at The Treehouse Hospice, Ipswich, 19 March 2012
28 of 214Kate Middleton at Canonbury Kirk for Zara Phillips' Wedding, 29 August 2012
29 of 214Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham dress at a Polo match, 9 July 2011
30 of 214Kate Middleton departs Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City wearing Joseph dress, July 2011
31 of 214Kate Middleton emerging gracefully from a jet wearing Roksanda Ilincic, July 2011.
32 of 214Kate Middleton on a visit to the Canadian war museum in Ottawa, in grey Kensington dress by Catherine Walker, July 2011
33 of 214Kate Middleton visits Birmingham, 19 August 2011
34 of 214Kate Middleton at a North American Royal Visit, 8 July 2011
35 of 214Kate Middleton attends the Freedom of The CIty Ceremony held at the City Hall in Quebec , wearing Erdem, July 2011
36 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge Visit The Royal Marsden Hospital, 29 September 2011
37 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge Visit The Royal Marsden Hospital, 8 January 2012
38 of 214Kate Middleton on her Wedding Day, wearing Alexander Mcqueen dress, 29 April 2011
39 of 214Kate Middleton visiting the official residence of the Governer General of Canada, wearing Erdem dress, July 2011
40 of 214Kate Middleton at Sam Waley-Cohen's wedding, June 2011
41 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge Attend BAFTA Inner City Arts Event, 10 July 2011
42 of 214Kate Middleton at the Duke of Edinburgh's 90th birthday celebrations, June 2011
43 of 214Kate Middleton and Prince Charles celebrating Canada day, wearing Reiss dress, July 2011
44 of 214Kate Middleton at Christmas day church service, Sandringham, 25 December 2011
45 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander Mcqueen coat for the presentation of service medals to members of the Irish Guards, Windsor's Victoria Barracks, June 2011
46 of 214Kate Middleton touring the exhibitions for the summer opening of Buckingham Palace, July 2011
47 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Missoni, at Fortnum and Mason, London, March 2012
48 of 214Kate Middleton in Matthew Williamson dress, attending The 'African Cats' Premiere, 25 April 2012
49 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Orla Kiely, Oxford Spires Academy, Oxford, 21 February 2012
50 of 214Kate Middleton in LK Bennett, at The Queen's Jubilee Celebration, Leciester, 8 March 2012
51 of 214Kate Middleton at The Audi Polo Challenge in Ascot, 13 May 2012
52 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Jenny Packham dress, The BOA Olympic Concert, Royal Albert Hall, 11 May 2012
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53 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Emilia Wickstead, Presenting Shamrocks In Aldershot, St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 2012
54 of 214Kate Middleton in Rebecca Taylor dress, at Goldsmiths Hall, April 2012
55 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Alexander McQueen at The Queen's Jubilee River Pageant, London, 3 June 2012
56 of 214Kate Middleton wearing Hobbs, at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, 14 February 2012
57 of 214Kate Middleton Celebrating The Queen's Diamond Jubilee At St. Paul's Cathedral, 5 June 2012
58 of 214Kate Middleton wears Amanda Wakeley at The WW1 Galleries Fundraiser, Imperial War Museum, 26 April 2012
59 of 214Kate Middleton wears Roland Mouret, at The Claridges Thirty Club Dinner, London, 8 May 2012
60 of 214Kate Middleton in Emilia Wickstead at The Buckingham Palace Garden Party, 29 May 2012
61 of 214Kate Middleton at The Wedding of Emily McCorquodale and James Hutt, 9 June 2012
62 of 214Kate Middleton walking her dog in Kensington Gardens, 29 March 2012
63 of 214Kate Middleton in Orla Kiely, at Dulwich Picture Gallery, 15 March 2012
64 of 214Kate Middleton in Jesire, at The National Portrait Gallery, 8 February 2012
65 of 214Kate Middleton Playing Hockey At The New Olympic Stadium, 15 March 2012
66 of 214Kate Middleton in Missoni, at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Nottingham, 13 June 2012
67 of 214Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen at The Order of The Garter, 18 June 2012
68 of 214Kate Middleton wears an Erdem dress at The Trooping of The Colour, 16 June 2012
69 of 214Kate Middleton visiting a Primary School in Kent, 17 June 2012
70 of 214Kate Middleton at Beaufort Polo Club, Gloucestershire, June 2012
71 of 214Kate Middleton wears Stella McCartney, National Portrait Gallery's 'Road To 2012- Aiming High' Exhibition, 19 July 2012
72 of 214Kate Middleton wears Roksanda, at UK's Creative Industries Reception, 30 July 2012
73 of 214Kate Middleton in Joseph, Wimbledon 2012, 8 July 2012
74 of 214Kate Middleton in Christopher Kane, 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, 27 July 2012
75 of 214Kate Middleton wears Stella McCartney, Olympics tennis event, 2 August 2012
76 of 214Kate Middleton wears Christopher Kane, 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, 27 July 2012
77 of 214Kate Middleton wears Smythe blazer and Stuart Weitzman wedges, Olympics equestrian event, 31 July 2012
78 of 214Kate Middleotn wears Whistles, 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, 12 August 2012
79 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jenny Packham, Singapore, September 2012
80 of 214Kate Middleton wears Official Paralympic garments and J Brand jeans, Paralympic Games, 30 August 2012
81 of 214Kate Middleton wears Erdem dress, Singapore, September 2012
82 of 214Kate Middleton wears Day Birger et Mikkelson, 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, August 2012
83 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jenny Packham, Singapore, 13 September 2012
84 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen, Singapore, September 2012
85 of 214Kate Middleton in Raoul, Singapore, September 2012
86 of 214Kate Middleton in Prabal Gurung, Singapore, September 2012
87 of 214Kate Middleton wears Beulah London, Kuala Lumpur, 14 September 2012
88 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alice Temperley, Kuala Lumpur, September 2012
89 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen, Kuala Lumpur, September 2012
90 of 214Kate Middleton wears a batik dress, Solomon Islands, 16 September 2012
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91 of 214Kate Middleton at the Solomon Islands, 18 September 2012
92 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jonathan Saunders, Solomon Islands, 16 September 2012
93 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jaeger, Solomon Islands, 17 September 2012
94 of 214Kate Middleton wears Mulberry green dress, The Natural History Museum, 27 November 2012
95 of 214Kate Middleton wears MaxMara coat and brown Aquatalia boots, visit to Cambridge, 28 November 2012
96 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen tartan dress, St Andrew's School, 30 November 2012
97 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alice Temperley dress, Royal Reception for Team GB at Buckingham Palace, 23 October 2012
98 of 214Kate Middleton in Newcastle, 10 October 2012
99 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alice Temperley dress, St Andrews University Anniversary Dinner, 8 November 2012
100 of 214Kate Middleton wears Reiss coat, meeting the England football squad, 9 October 2012
101 of 214Kate Middleton wears Paule Ka Suit, The Middle Temple Treasury, 8 October 2012
102 of 214Kate Middleton wears MaxMara Studio Line, West London, 19 February 2013
103 of 214Kate Middleton wears Pink coat by Joseph and hat from Lock & Co at Cheltenham Races, 15 March 2013
104 of 214Kate Middleton in Emilia Wickstead at St Patrick’s Day Parade, 17 March 2013
105 of 214Kate Middleton wears Emilia Wickstead Coat, St Patrick's Day, 17 March 2013
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106 of 214Kate Middleton wears Topshop 'Contrast Collar Dress' And Goat 'Redgrave' Coat, Child Bereavement UK HQ, 19 March 2013
107 of 214Kate Middleton wears Red Armani coat, Scotland, 5 April 2013
108 of 214Kate Middleton wears Mint Mulberry coat, Scouts Parade, 21 April 2013
109 of 214Kate Middleton wears Erdem dress at The Willows School, Manchester, 23 April 2013
110 of 214Kate Middleton wears Topshop at Warner Bros. Studios, 26 April 2013
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111 of 214Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen at Trooping Of The Colour at Horse Guard's Parade, 15 June 2013
112 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jarmon coat, 29 April 2013
113 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jenny Packham at The Queen's 60th Anniversary Coronation, 4 June 2013
114 of 214Kate Middleton wears Hobbs dress at Royal Princess cruise ship naming ceremony, Southampton, 13 June 2013
115 of 214Kate Middleton in Smythe blazer, J Brand Jeans and Russell and Bromley wedges at the SportsAid Athlete Workshop at the Olympic Park, London, 18 October 2013
116 of 214Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham at Tusk Conservation Awards, London, 12 September 2013
117 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen at Prince George's christening, 23 October 2013
118 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge at the Ring of Fire marathon at Breakwater country park in Holyhead, Anglesey, 30 August 2013
119 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in a Temperley London dress at the Sports Aid Ball, 28 November 2013
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120 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Red L.K.Bennett coat for Poppy Day, 30 October 2013
121 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears an Orla Kiely dress for 'Only Connect' charity visit, 19 November 2013
122 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in a Roland Mouret dress at the Nelson Mandela premiere, 5 December 2013
123 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in an Orla Kiely skirt and Max Mara jacket at a Place2Be charity event, 20 November 2013
124 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Jenny Packham for The 100 Women In Hedge Funds Gala Dinner, 24 October 2013
125 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jenny Packham at the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait Gala, 11 February 2014
126 of 214Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen at Buckingham Palace Actors' Reception, 17 February 2014
127 of 214Kate Middleton in L.K. Bennett at The Art Room, 14 February 2014
128 of 214Kate Middleton in Hobbs coat at St Patrick's Day Parade, 17 March 2014
129 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Wellington, New Zealand, 7 April 2014
130 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Jenny Packham at State Dinner, New Zealand, 10 April 2014
131 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Tory Burch in Wellington, New Zealand, 9 April 2014
132 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen visit Blenheim, New Zealand, 10 April 2014
133 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Zara and J Brand at Auckland harbour, New Zealand, 11 April 2014
134 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Emilia Wickstead at Dunedin, 13 April 2014
135 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Erdem at Avanti Drome in Hamilton, New Zealand, 12 April 2014
136 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Zara when wine tasting in New Zealand, 13 April 2014
137 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Jonathan Saunders at rugby in Dunedin, New Zealand, 13 April 2014
138 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Diane Von Furstenberg in Blue Mountains, Australia, 17 April 2014
139 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Rebecca Taylor leaving New Zealand, 16 April 2014
140 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Roksanda Ilincic, arriving in Sydney, Australia, 16 April 2014
141 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Christchurch, New Zealand, 14 April 2014
142 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in L.K. Bennett at Amberley Air Base, 19 April 2014
143 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen at Easter service, Australia, 20 April 2014
144 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Zimmerman at Manley Beach, 20 April 2014
145 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Roksanda Ilincic in Uluru, 22 April 2014
146 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, 20 April 2014
147 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Catherine Walker in Canberra, 24 April 2014
148 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen at Adelaide, 23 April 2014
149 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Lela Rose in Canberra, 24 April 2014
150 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge in Hobbs at Ayers Rock, 22 April 2014
151 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears Jonathan Saunders in Scotland, 29 May 2014
152 of 214Kate Middleton at the Ben Ainslie Racing America's Cup Launch Event, 10 June 2014
153 of 214Kate Middleton and Prince George of Cambridge at the Royal Charity Polo, 15 June 2014
154 of 214Kate Middleton wears Alexander McQueen at a service during the D-Day 70 Commemorations, 6 June 2014
155 of 214Kate Middleton wears Emilia Wickstead coat at the ANZAC Day commemorative service, 25 April 2014
156 of 214Kate Middleton visits an M-PACT Plus Counselling programme, 1 July 2014
157 of 214Kate Middleton at the mens singles final of the Wimbledon Championships, 6 July 2014
158 of 214The Duchess of Cambridge wears emerald Erdem coat dress at The Tour De France Grand Depart, 5 July 2014
159 of 214Kate Middleton at The 20th Commonwealth Games, 28 July 2014
160 of 214Kate Middleton at The 20th Commonwealth Games, 29th July 2014
161 of 214Kate Middleton at St Symphorien Miltary Cemetery, 4 August 2014
162 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge visits Tower Of London's Ceramic Poppy Field, 5 August 2014
163 of 214Kate Middleton with The President Of The Republic Of Singapore, UK, 21 October 2014
164 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge attends The Wildlife Photographer of The Year 2014 Awards, October 2014
165 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge attends Action On Addiction Dinner, 23 October 2014
166 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge visiting The Valero Pembroke Refinery, 8 November 2014
167 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge wears DVF dress at The Royal Variety Performance, 13 November 2014
168 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge attends The Place2Be Wellbeing Schools Awards Reception, 19 November 2014
169 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge attends East Anglia's Children's Hospices Appeal Launch, 25 November 2014
170 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge arrives In New York, 7 December 2014
171 of 214The Duchess Of Cambridge visit Northside Center For Child Development, 8 December 2014
172 of 214Kate Middleton wears Jenny Packham dress at St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner, 9 December 2014
173 of 214Duchess Of Cambridge in New York, December 2014
174 of 214Kate Middleton visits 23rd Poplar Beaver Scout Colony, 16 December 2014
175 of 214Kate Middleton attends Church On Christmas Day, 25 December 2014
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