Royal watchers quickly noticed her unexpectedly daring style choice, an ensemble that quietly but unmistakably pushed against long-standing royal fashion norms.
Moving Away From Tradition
Both Queen Camilla and Princess Kate made a striking and intentional departure from historic royal protocol. Former royal butler Grant Harrold explained that their vibrant, colorful gowns at the banquet reflected how the monarchy’s fashion is evolving. He noted that Kate’s lilac Jenny Packham dress and Camilla’s teal Fiona Clare gown marked a confident shift away from the soft creams and whites preferred by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to The Express, Harrold said, “This is very interesting, if you look at images of Queen Elizabeth II and state banquets she attended, royal ladies always wore cream or off white dresses. You would never in a million years wear the colors we are now seeing the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla wearing.”
He added that the change carries a deeper significance. “It’s a real statement, and it’s very much saying ‘this is a different era, this is a modern family with a different take on things’. It’s very jazzy and trendy… making a clear break from Queen Elizabeth’s very traditional and rigid stance.”
Harrold also remarked, “Behind closed doors, I don’t know whether it’s Camilla, Kate’s, or the King’s idea… It is fascinating that this is now the dress code.”
For the banquet, Kate wore Queen Victoria’s oriental circlet tiara — a piece she had never worn before — paired with earrings once owned by Queen Elizabeth. Many royal fans described it as her “dreamiest look to date.” Her glittering blue-caped Jenny Packham gown, adorned with the royal family order, blended heritage with a refined contemporary feel.
Kate’s Evolving Relationship With Royal Jewels
The Princess of Wales’s recent approach to royal jewels has also emphasized her growing presence within the Firm. In 2023, she made history by wearing the Strathmore Rose Tiara, becoming the first royal to don it in a century. The diamond floral tiara was originally gifted to the Queen Mother in 1923, and it had not been seen on a royal since 1930. Kate revived the heirloom during the state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, once again balancing deep symbolism with modern elegance.
This refreshed royal aesthetic appeared again in a newly released portrait shared by the Waleses ahead of the Windsor state banquet. The photo, posted earlier this week, showed Prince William and Princess Kate standing before a lit Christmas tree. The caption read, “Looking forward to a special banquet tonight in Windsor,” accompanied by the UK and German flag emojis.
