The Princess of Wales was a vision of beauty when she joined Prince William at the state banquet held at Buckingham Palace in South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s honour on Tuesday evening, wearing her glittering Lover's Knot tiara and a stunning Jenny Packham bridal gown.
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But did you notice her eye-catching blue sash? Princess Kate was one of several senior royals in attendance including Princess Anne, the Countess of Wessex and King Charles to wear a sash, which was bestowed upon her by the late Queen. The accessory signifies her position as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the highest ranking of chivalry personally awarded by the late monarch for being in her service.
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The order is also represented by a Maltese cross, typically worn near the bottom of the sash. Kate was bestowed the great honour on her eighth wedding anniversary back in 2019.
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Princess Kate also sported the Royal Family Order, proudly displaying the yellow ribbon on her chest. It features a miniature portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds.
Princess Kate teamed her Jenny Packham gown with her blue sash
She was in good company at the banquet since her fellow Knights and Dames Grand Cross include Prince Edward and Queen Consort Camilla, with her fellow senior royals proudly displaying their sashes too.
Royal wives are typically given the Royal Victorian Order or the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth, and are able to collect additional orders as time goes on as their work for the family accumulates.
Princess Kate also sported the yellow Royal Family Order
Princess Kate first wore her sash in 2019 during a state hosting then US President Donald Trump during his official state visit to the UK.
Later that year, she proudly displayed it once again during the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace. She sported the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara as well as the Queen's Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – and the overall look was nothing short of spectacular.
The Princess of Wales donned her Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order sash
Meanwhile, Princess Kate looked incredible in her caped gown for the state banquet on Tuesday evening. The 40-year-old royal donned the glittering Lover's Knot tiara which went perfectly with her jaw-dropping Jenny Packham 'Elspeth' dress.
The style, which dates from 2021, could be worn as a wedding dress - it even features on the Jenny Packham bridal Instagram account.
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Kate completed her ensemble with a bracelet belonging to the late Queen and earrings belonging to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
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