On October 20, 2026, Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended the white-tie state banquet at Windsor Castle (St George’s Hall) for Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman’s state visit—the first by an Omani ruler in 44 years. Buckingham Palace remains under renovation, so the event was held at Windsor.
Her look
She wore a bright/butter-yellow Elie Saab gown from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. It featured a pleated silhouette, braided neckline, keyhole cutout, and integrated cape. Accessories included a gold Anya Hindmarch clutch and gold sequined Aquazzura pumps, plus the sash, star, and badge of the Royal Victorian Order (and King Charles’s Family Order).
Jewelry focused on heirlooms:
- Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara (her frequent choice and a favorite of Princess Diana’s; commissioned in 1913 by Garrard as a replica of the Cambridge Lover’s Knot).
- Queen Mary Choker Bracelet (1920s Art Deco diamond bars; originally worn by Queen Mary as a choker—hence the name—and later popularized by Kate as a bracelet). It had not been seen publicly for years after Queen Mary’s death until the Queen Mother wore it in 1975 portraits; Queen Elizabeth II inherited it, and Kate first wore it in 2015 (Chinese state banquet), with further appearances in 2016–2018 before a gap until the November 2025 Royal Variety Performance and this banquet.
- Greville Chandelier Earrings (Cartier Art Deco pieces, c. 1918–1929, from Margaret Greville’s collection; bequeathed to the Queen Mother and given to then-Princess Elizabeth as a 1947 wedding gift). Kate has worn them on several formal occasions.
She was seated next to the Sultan. Earlier that day she had worn green (Alexander McQueen) for the ceremonial welcome, nodding to a color on Oman’s flag.
Here are some of the key photos from the evening:
The event involved roughly 160 guests. King Charles spoke some Arabic and praised Oman’s mediation efforts regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The InStyle piece you shared matches contemporaneous reporting from Vogue, Tatler, Town & Country, Page Six, People, and others. Let me know if you’d like more on the jewelry histories, the full menu, other royal looks from the night, or anything else.
