Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.Photo:YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Camillais sparkling in another stunning royal headpiece!
The Queen, 76, stepped out on Tuesday evening for the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeo and Kim Keon Hee’s state visit to the U.K. She joinedKing Charles,Prince William,Kate Middletonand other members of the royal family at the glamorous event.
Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The accessory was closely associated with Queen Elizabeth, King Charles' mother who died in Sept. 2022. She wore the Diamond Diadem for the first time in public at her first State Opening of Parliament in 1952 (before she was formally crowned at her coronation). At her coronation in June 1953, Queen Elizabeth wore the headpiece on her way to Westminster Abbey for the crowning ceremony.
Queen Camilla and King Charles at the Buckingham Palace state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.Yui Mok/POOL/AFP/getty
Yui Mok/POOL/AFP/getty
Queen Elizabeth also wore the diadem on the way to most State Openings of Parliament (though she swapped it for the Imperial State Crown for the service) and in photographs including those used for British and Commonwealth coinage, banknotes and postage stamps.
Since Queen Elizabeth’s death, Queen Camilla hassported a number of accessoriesclosely related to the late monarch.
Last month, Queen Camilla visited Mansion House with King Charles totake part in longstanding traditionsmarking a new monarch’s first visit to the City of London (the historic square mile that joins 32 boroughs to make up Greater London) in their coronation year. The outing marked a royal first as shemade her debut in the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Queen Elizabeth wore the accessory numerous times throughout her 70 years on the throne, including in depictions of her on some British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins.
The Buckingham Palace state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Camilla also sportedher first tiara of King Charles' reignfor the 2022 state banquet hosting the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, a sapphire and diamond tiara thatQueen Elizabethwore for a 2015 state visit with President of China Xi Jinping.
King Charles was also decked out in accordance with the white tie dress code for the state banquet, wearing his decorations, medals, the Garter Star and the Thistle Stars along with the neck order, the sovereign’s badge of the Order of the Bath.
He also wore a gift from the Korean president he received earlier in the day: the Grand Order of the Mugunghwa. The order comprises of a star, neck decoration, sash and badge.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Charles gave a speech starting with a line delivered in Korean welcoming their guests to Britain, which was met with applause.
In addition to praising the nation’s efforts on sustainability — with a special shout out to K-pop bandBLACKPINK, who attended the banquet — the monarch referenced Korea’s influence on pop culture rivaling the U.K.’s! “Korea has matched Danny Boyle with Bong Joon-ho, James Bond withSquid Gameand the Beatles' ‘Let It Be’ with BTS’s ‘Dynamite,’ " he said. “Our cultures share a remarkable ability to captivate imaginations across the world, transforming a so-called soft power into a shared superpower.”
There was also a new addition to the state banquet reflecting King Charles' reign — at the head table, the glasses at each place setting featured the King’s cypher etched on for the first time. The others still have the late Queen Elizabeth’s symbol.
State banquet at Buckingham Palace on Nov. 21, 2023.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty
Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty
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“She is the yin to his yang,” a close palace insidertold PEOPLEof the King and Queen’s relationship. “She is the type to say, ‘It’ll all be fine; let’s crack on and get on with things.’ "
State visit begins on Nov. 21, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal biographer Christopher Wilson, who studied the couple in the bookA Greater Love, added that Queen Camilla soothes King Charles in a way no one else can.
“Her presence reassures him,” Wilson said. “Despite all the trappings of majesty, it’s cold and lonely at the top, and it’s easy to see the comfort she provides him.”
Queen Camilla walks with Kim Keon Hee, first lady of South Korea, at the Buckingham Palace state banquet on Nov. 21, 2023.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty
source: people.com
