Princess Kate Modifies Elie Saab Gown for State Banquet Honoring Sultan of Oman

The Princess of Wales opted for a modified Elie Saab gown for a state banquet held in honor of the Sultan of Oman. The royal, who was accompanied by Prince William, arrived at the reception at Windsor Castle in a flowing dress featuring a dramatic cape and braided neckline.

When originally presented on the catwalk as part of the designer's spring/summer 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection, the gown included a sheer skirt over a shorter dress and a plunging neckline. However, Kate's version was altered to be more appropriate for the formal royal event, with the skirt rendered opaque and the neckline adjusted for modesty.

For the occasion, the Princess of Wales selected the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara, a piece she has worn on numerous previous occasions, including the last royal state banquet in March. The diamond and pearl tiara, a historical royal jewel, has been passed down through generations, from Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth II, and then to Princess Diana.

The Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara was created in 1914 by royal jewelers Garrard to Queen Mary's design, incorporating pearls and diamonds from her existing collection. It was a replica of a tiara owned by Queen Mary's grandmother. The tiara features 19 open-work diamond arches and pearl drops, with a neo-classical design. Queen Mary later modified the tiara, removing some pearls. She bequeathed it to Queen Elizabeth II, who in turn presented it to Princess Diana as a wedding gift in 1981. Following Diana's death, the tiara was stored until it was given to Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, in 2015.

Kate first wore the tiara in December 2015. Since then, she has worn it approximately 15 times, including for the royal wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa in 2023 and during the state visit of former US President Donald Trump. She also wore it for the state banquet for Nigeria's President and First Lady in March.

Alongside the gown and tiara, the Princess of Wales accessorized with diamond earrings and a bracelet that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. She attended the banquet with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William. The event was held to honor Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said of Oman, marking the beginning of a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

During the banquet, King Charles emphasized the importance of the long-standing relationship between Britain and Oman, particularly in light of current conflicts in the Middle East. He highlighted Oman's role as a trusted mediator and its efforts to keep open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. The King also noted the shared environmental challenges and the potential of artificial intelligence. Oman is described as one of Britain's oldest and most trusted allies in the Arabian region.

The state banquet menu included dishes such as Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab, Windsor pheasant, and baked Alaskas. The table setting featured the Grand Service, a collection of over 4,000 silver-gilt pieces commissioned by George IV. Pomegranates from a tree planted by the late Duke of Edinburgh were used as decoration, though they were inedible. The salt on the table was marked with the King's royal cypher for the first time.

The banquet took place on the same day an interview with Prince Harry was published, in which he expressed a desire to reconcile with his family. A spokesperson for Prince Harry later clarified that his remarks were not specifically aimed at his brother, Prince William.