The Queen hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham

In the evening of December 04, 2018, Queen Elizabeth II hosted an evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace in London. Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Queen's annual Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace. (The Queen wore her Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. The Duchess of Cornwall selected the Greville tiara. The Duchess wore her signature Lover's Knot tiara.)
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Lover's Knot tiara with a pale blue, fitted bespoke Jenny Packham gown

53 Comments

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  1. Anonymous5/12/18 00:32

    The duchess looks FABULOUS.

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  2. Anonymous5/12/18 00:44

    The queen and the duchess of Cornwall look lovely. But Kate looks breathtakingly regal. Stops you on your tracks.

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  3. Anonymous5/12/18 00:47

    Her Majesty looks as bright as ever; I like the lace overlay. Kate's dress is pretty;she still looks too skinny;the eye makeup is so unbecoming.

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    1. I swear if I could I would have an airplane fly a banner over Kensington that said lighter eye shadow Kate! This dark color makes her look hollowed-eye and tired. She’s such a beautiful woman it’s insane she doesn’t have access to a good makeup artist.

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    2. She IS too skinny, a good 10 pounds would suit her very well. I agree about the eye make-up, too dark, it makes her look tired - shades of green/blue would have been better

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    3. Anonymous5/12/18 11:28

      Gabriella, totally agree!

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    4. If it was the 70s, green and blue eye shadow might be fine. Not for today. Her make-up is appropriate for evening.

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    5. agree with Southerbelle

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  4. Stuning outfit. I understand that this tiara was princess diana's Most iconic tiara and Her favorite but its geting a bit exausting to see Kate wearing it at every single event for years now. I dont know why she keeps chosing this one. Im sure she has some other tiaras to choose from.
    A bit incomprehensible that Meghan and harry skeeped the event. They went toba Christmas carol service in the evening instead. I mean... C'mon.
    Regarless eveyone looks wonderful !! Specially HM.

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    1. The service where Meghan and Harry were was for the Henry van Straubenzee-Foundation,
      Henry van Straubenzee was a friend of Harry and William who died on a car accident, as far as i remember 2002. It's said it was also a remembrance service.

      So I guess, William had to go on duty as future king, Harry went to the event and I'm sure, he was there for William, too.

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    2. I'm not sure that she has a choice--except for the one she's actually offered. This one may be on permanent loan to her (as it was to Diana) and she may only be able to ask for something different if the circumstances allow it (like when wearing the Lotus tiara for the Chinese visit because of the symbolism). Sophie Wessex has the same limited availability. I think Kate will get a broader selection of tiaras available to her when Charles becomes king and she becomes the Princess of Wales.
      I don't think Harry and Meghan skipped the event. It is more likely that they weren't invited/expected. Not because of them, but because for the past few years, it's been mostly the Queen, Charles and Camilla and William and Kate. It's been reported that because it is a reception for ambassadors, Charles only wants there those on the direct line of succession: Charles and WIlliam. The next one in line is George and he's too young to attend.

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    3. Harry and Meghan attended an event for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund. Carols were sung but it was much more than a concert. Meghan gave a reading which, according to a guest attending, was beautifully done. This is an important event for Harry and William as they have been patrons of this fund, named after a friend who died, since 2007. You might as well ask why William and Catherine did not attend. The boys spread their coverage of key events.

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    4. Anonymous5/12/18 05:14

      As long as Catherine doesn't feel exhausted choosing this tiara (which is clearly a favourite), she can do whatever she wants and as often as she wants despite what anyone else might think.

      Harry and Meghan may not have been invited to this occasion, or had their prior commitment booked well in advance. Besides this looks like an occasion for senior Royals. When there are several events happening on the same night that Royalty has been invited to or must attend, there is a form and order of attendance.

      All the ladies look appropriately regal and royal. And very happy.

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    5. I doubt if Harry and Meghan would ever be going to this event - it is not one where all the family turns out - only the most senior.

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    6. I read that the Queen did not invite Harry & Meghan.

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    7. I don’t think she really *chooses* the tiara. She uses whatever is loaned to her by the Queen. Diana also only had access to this tiara. Lucky for her, her family owned one as well so she could alternate. And the diplomatic reception has only ever been attended by the Queen, her heir and the heir to the heir and their respective spouses. Harry is way down the line hence why he and Meghan skipped it.

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    8. I don't believe Harry and Meghan would be expected to attend this reception. William & Kate have only been attending the last few years and it is a reception for the 'senior' royals, or those in direct line to the throne. Also the carol service that Harry & Meghan attended has also been attended by William & Kate in the past. I think William & Harry take turns in attending the carol service, which is a charity event and is in honour of a mutual friend that passed away at a young age.

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    9. Anonymous5/12/18 11:35

      Interesting point Raquel. I do not think that Kate has much of a free choice in the Queen's vault. And if she did, I am not sure she would chose to wear the Lover's knot, and always be compared with Diana. Having said that, I believe that her hair is the perfect backdrop for this tiara, and it has rarely been worn better. All the ladies looked like brides... All equally beautiful with their own special styles. (I think that Camilla nails it!)

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    10. Catherine looks here wonderful. That Lover´s Knot tiara was never Diana´s, just a loan as it may be now to Catherine. It was also not any favorite od Diana, she had it only three times, butt in some very popular photos and articles. Diana said the tiara gave her headache.

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    11. The Henry van Straubenzee-Foundation event is not important for the country, just personal. This is definitely more important. I would considered Harry and Meghan senior members. The rst of people in line like princess anee, eugenie, andrew... i would considered minor royals. However, if the queen did not invited, that justifies it. It would be nice to see meghan and harry too, but the show m,ust go on right? : )

      I would like to see Kate in a diferent one for change. But this is the best looking one for me.

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  5. Anonymous5/12/18 01:46

    Catherine looks great! The dress is exquisite and so regal. I do not think she looks too skinny. She is just back to her post baby weight. Her updo is so very royal and with the beautiful tiara that was so special to Diana, what a wonderful choice. She could wear it to every formal engagement like this and I would not ever tire of seeing it. The Queen also looks very lovely tonight. I especially like the layers of her dress.

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  6. They aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall look so fab!!

    The Queen!! Did you see? Golden Shoes, golden handbag <3
    Her dress is fantastic!

    Camilla - wonderful! elegant, so nice!

    Kate - great, great, great! she looks like an iceprincess, beautiful!
    And that wonderful Tiara again!
    But I also would love to see different other tiaras on her

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    Replies
    1. I agree with you Anna. And I also thought Catherine looked like an iceprincess when I first saw her...

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  7. My goodness -- Catherine looks every bit a future queen. This tiara suits her extremely well.

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  8. Anonymous5/12/18 06:29

    Royalty fan

    Agree with, Anna B. they aaaaaaaaaaaall look so stunning! Queen's dress is stunning, yes, with all the lace, Camilla has THAT stunning "jacket" dress on again, [absolutely beautiful, with all the embroidery] and she's getting her money's worth out of it. And, then of course Kate, I just love the dress, with the neckline, is it a bateu [spelling!!] AND her hair, another stunning style, on the one photo, of her from the side. I very much miss photos of duchess of Gloucester, Anne, Sophie

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  9. Nice dress on the queen, she looks beautiful.
    But Kate...! Wow! Stunning, wonderful, gorgeous. The dress is awesome and her hair with the tiara beautiful. I love her new dress, she looks like straight coming out of a fairy tale!
    Like Anonymous said: Breathtaking!!

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  10. Anonymous5/12/18 06:36

    Kate looks fantastic I agree with that but definitely not regal because of her posture. It ruins her look once again in my opinion. I know it's getting old but I can't help myself this is the first thing I always notice.

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    1. Can you please explain what you mean about her posture? I've read quite a lot about it, also on other occasions but I'm afraid I do not see what you/ others see.
      Would anyone please explain? I would really appreciate that!
      Thanks a lot!

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    2. Catherine rounds her shoulders forward and her stomach bows out. This is a slightly hunched pose that will not help prevent hunchback as she ages. It's a rather defensive posture. She needs to tuck in her stomach in a straighter line, lift her torso and straighten her shoulders.

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    3. Thank you very much, Pine! I get it now. But she doesn't look defensive in my opinion (I'd rather say it can be but doesn't have to), just open and interested here. Leaning forward can also be seen as a sign of being interested and concentrated on what is going on. But, it's not good for the body, that's true.

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    4. You can only prevent a hunchback, like the Queen has, by avoiding bone loss due to osteoporosis.

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  11. They all look great - Shame we can't see more of Camilla's dress. Catherine looks lovely with her hair up and this marvellous tiara. Her whole face just lights up when she smiles.

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  12. Anonymous5/12/18 07:20

    I think Kate looks beautiful. Maybe it's just me, but since she has come back from maternity leave she seems to exude more confidence and seems happier overall.

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  13. Anonymous5/12/18 08:11

    Beautiful dresses and amazing jewels! Kate and Camilla's tiara are their own (or more precisely William and Charles') ... not borrowed from the Queen's r treasury. Surely the reason why they use them most??

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    Replies
    1. No, both tiaras (the Greville and the Lovers' Knot) belong to the Queen and are on (presumably long term) loan to Camilla and Kate. The Queen inherited the Greville from her mother, and the Lovers' Knot from Queen Mary.

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  14. Kate is so pretty, the dress lovely. But posture, posture, posture! Her slouching ruins it all. If she´s uncomfortable being taller than most people, she should stop wearing heels instead of awkwardly lowering herself to other people´s heights.

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    1. Yes Vanessa I was just about to write the same thing about her posture. It's atrocious and always ruins whatever she's wearing because she's slouching.
      Stand up straight or she'll get a hunch back when she's older.

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    2. Anonymous5/12/18 10:55

      Agree. Her long neck makes it worse.
      I think it cnnnot help…

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    3. I understand your points. And it doesn't sound healthy indeed. But, if she would always stand tall and straight, it would be difficult to make contact with a small person at the same level. People really appreciate it when royals try to be at the same eye or body level. And, if she would always be standing tall and straight, people might start complaining that she is cold, arrogant or not showing enough interest in the person(s) before her.
      It's difficult to do the right thing, and whatever you do as a royal, you'll always be criticized. But, I do understand your points though.
      Only wanted to say my thoughts about it :-)

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    4. I agree with you, Rosalyn.

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    5. Anonymous5/12/18 21:49

      absolutely true. I think she stopped swimming (which she used to do a lot of) and that is why her back and shoulders are slouching forward. You are right, she shouldn't wear those very high heels so she feels closer to eye-level with those talking to her (those heels are absolutely terrible for your feet anyway, as well as your skeleton overall; arguably they also had a direct impact on her posture and feet already).

      It's a good look for Kate, a lower heel and a better posture would make it an outstanding one.

      Jill

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  15. Las joyas pertenecen al Estado, la reina dispone; la reina y Camilla resplandecen; el maquillaje de Kathy es muy oscuro :le enfurece el gesto

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  16. Prachtige outfits, de Koningin, Kate, Camilla ....mooi, mooi, mooi.

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  17. The dark-haired young lady with whom QE is shaking hands in the first photo is wearing a lovely gown.

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  18. KATE IS AWESOME!!! Hello Kate, goodbye Meghan!

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  19. Anonymous5/12/18 20:33

    Agree with the expression "stops you in your tracks".

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  20. Anonymous6/12/18 00:00

    Camillas outfit is 'Wow!' worthy.

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  21. Anonymous6/12/18 00:34

    All three Royal ladies looked great WOW.

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  22. Anonymous6/12/18 14:36

    There is any reason for all three ladies wearing white dresses?
    Jill

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  23. After the Dutch State visit dinner disaster dress, Kate has redeemed herself here ! Like many have already said, she's looking more like she's ready to step up to her next role, as Princess of Wales.

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