Princess Kate sends message of resilience in Princess Diana's tiara

Princess Kate joined Queen Camilla and French First Lady Brigitte Macron at the French State Banquet in a striking display of sartorial diplomacy. 

The trio's coordinated colors represented both the Union Jack and the French tricolour, providing a fitting visual representation of the diplomatic ties between Britain and France during President Emmanuel Macron's state visit.

The Princess of Wales, who was attending her first state banquet after her cancer treatment, chose a caped red silk gown designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy for the evening's festivities.

She paired the dramatic ensemble with the Lover's Knot Tiara, a piece with significant royal heritage. Princess Diana had received the heirloom piece on her wedding to Charles from the late Queen Elizabeth.

The tiara was created for Queen Mary in 1914 by the House of Garrard from pearls and diamonds already owned by her family.

The State Banquet marked Kate's return to wearing a tiara, her first such appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales had not worn a tiara since December 2023, when she also donned the Lover's Knot Tiara for the annual Diplomatic Reception. 

The red Givenchy gown and historic tiara combination represented a significant moment in Kate's gradual return to full royal duties.

Kate's appearance at the State Banquet sends a message of resilience and determination. 

Last week, she spoke candidly about the challenges of post-treatment recovery, saying, "You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism, through treatment. Treatment's done and it's like, I can crack on, get back to normal again." 

She added that post-treatment life is "really, really difficult" because "you're not able to function normally at home as you were perhaps once used to."