Kate Middleton turned to a historic diamond brooch with deep ties to the Princess of Wales title for her daytime duties before dazzling in a bright yellow Elie Saab gown at Tuesday night’s state banquet.
The Princess of Wales, 43, welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said of Oman to the United Kingdom earlier that day wearing a bespoke hunter green Alexander McQueen coat layered over a black lace turtleneck. She topped the look with a matching fascinator and carried a quilted leather Chanel flap bag.
For that arrival ceremony, Middleton selected the Queen Alexandra Three Feathers Brooch, a piece crafted in 1863 by royal jeweler Garrard from gold originally mined in Merionethshire in North Wales. The diamond, ruby and emerald design centers on three ostrich feathers bearing the motto “Ich dien,” German for “I serve,” encircled by larger diamonds with a detachable emerald drop at its base. The princess chose to wear the drop attached, echoing the green of her ensemble in a nod to one of Oman’s national colors.
The brooch entered the royal collection as a wedding gift to Queen Alexandra from the Ladies of North Wales, a committee of women who raised funds for its purchase. By tradition, it passes to the wife of the Prince of Wales regardless of generation or title, meaning it has since graced Queen Mary of Teck, Princess Diana, Queen Camilla and now Middleton exclusively since she took ownership in 2022. Diana had notably worn the convertible piece as a necklace on occasion.
Hours later, Middleton transformed her look entirely for the state banquet held at Windsor Castle. She emerged in a pleated bright yellow keyhole gown from Elie Saab’s spring/summer 2025 collection, priced at approximately $6,500, featuring a braided neckline and transparent cape overlay.
She reached for one of her most frequently worn tiaras for the occasion: Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a pearl-laden piece long associated with Princess Diana, who was said to have favored it before her final wearing in 1991. Middleton first brought it back into rotation in 2015 and has made it something of a signature ever since.
The evening’s jewelry stack continued with the Greville diamond chandelier earrings and Queen Mary’s diamond choker bracelet. She finished with an Anya Hindmarch gold glitter clutch and Aquazzura gold sequined pumps.
As required by protocol for state dinners, Middleton also wore her badge, sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order.
The Queen Alexandra Three Feathers Brooch has become a particular favorite of Middleton’s since coming into her possession three years ago, with multiple public appearances on record. While she has built a reputation for mixing accessible contemporary pieces into her wardrobe, the state visit offered a concentrated display of her access to the deeper royal jewelry archives.
The Sultan of Oman’s visit marked a significant diplomatic engagement for the royal family, with the daytime welcome and evening banquet forming the ceremonial bookends of his arrival in the United Kingdom.
The princess is expected to continue her gradual return to public duties following her cancer treatment, with future state visits and ceremonial appearances on the royal calendar.