Tiaras and white tie at Queen’s Diplomatic reception

The Queen hosted a reception for the diplomatic corps yesterday evening, and was joined by Prince Charles and Camilla, and William and Kate at the white tie event.

Taking place at Buckingham Palace, we saw The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive, followed by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Unusually, we got a group image from inside the Palace.

The annual event takes place on a Tuesday early in December. The Diplomatic Corps reception honours diplomats who work in the UK, and is an annual feature in the Royal calendar. The Royals make a point of speaking with every diplomat at the white-tie event.

You’ll notice in the image of the Royals gathered together, the men wear breeches. These are adorned with the Garter of the Order of the Garter.

Camilla wore the honeycomb style Boucheron tiara, while The Queen chose her sapphire tiara for the occasion, part of a parure with stones from George VI in.

Kate seems to be loaning the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara from The Queen now, for such events which require dazzling jewels. The tiara features 19 pearl drops and was created by Garrard at the request of Queen Mary in 1914. It was a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales and was loaned to her long-term by The Queen, in 1981 as a wedding gift.

The Duchess also wore a pair of The Queen’s earrings.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves Kensington Palace with her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to attend the diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. (Andrew Parsons / i-Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves Kensington Palace with her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to attend the diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. (Andrew Parsons / i-Images)

Over 1000 guests attend, with the event taking place in numerous state rooms, including the Ball Room, where State Banquets are held. In 2015, however, the State Dining Room was closed due to a collapsed ceiling, and it will be repaired urgently in the renovations in the next decade, which are to cost £369 million.

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