Princess Kate dons her favorite tiara and the late Queen’s earrings as she arrives at King’s banquet for the Nigerian President in nation’s first state go to in nearly 40 years

Princess Kate dazzled in her favourite tiara and the late Queen’s earrings as she arrived at the King’s banquet for the Nigerian president – the first for almost 40 years.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were set to take their seats among the British royals for the crescendo of their two-day visit.

Running the length of St George’s Hall, a 155-foot dining table had been laden with sweet-smelling spring flowers gathered locally, bathed with the light of 143 candles.

Staff began laying the table out on Monday morning, and the finishing touches were made only a few hours before guests were due to sit down – little wonder with 960 knives and forks and 62 pepper pots for the 160 invited.

As well as the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, other royals attending included the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Notable Nigerians include author Sir Ben Okri, artist Yinka Shonibare, footballer Eniloa Aluko, singer Tiwa Savage, presenter Ade Adepitan, athlete Christine Ohuruogu and Diana Awards chief Tessie Ojo.

Adjustments had been made for those guests who are Muslim and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, including setting aside an area for prayer and Iftar.

Indeed, for the first time in living memory, the royal household was serving canapés at the pre-banquet reception for guests to break their fast, mindful of the fact that, after the speeches, people would not be eating until 9pm.

The Princess of Wales wore a green evening gown by Andrew Gn, with her favourite Lover’s Knot Tiara and earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

She also sported her King Charles III Royal Family Order with the GCVO Sash and Star.

The Prince of Wales, meanwhile, wore white tie with the Windsor tail coat and his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the ‘Lesser George’.

His Miniature Medals were: Order of the Bath; his Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee and Coronation medals.

William’s Chest Orders are the Most Noble Order of the Garter Most Ancient and the Most Noble Order of the Thistle. His Neck Order was that of the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

The King also wore white tie with the Windsor family tailcoat. His decorations were the sash of The Order of the Garter with lesser George attached.

His Majesty was also wearing the Three Stars of Order, The Garter, The Thistle and The Bath. His neck decoration was the Sovereign’s badge of The Order of the Bath.

Queen Camilla wore a cream embroidered gown by Fiona Clare with a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching earrings, both belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.

Known as the George VI Victorian Suite, or the Belgian Sapphire Suite, it is part of a collection which was given to Queen Elizabeth as a wedding present by King George VI and was a sentimental favourite of hers.

Her Majesty also sported a diamond serpent necklace of her own and the Garter sash and star, and King’s family order.

While the President – the first Nigerian leader to be honoured with a state visit in 37 years – had been given orange juice for his toast, a special non-alcoholic cocktail was also made in honour of the occasion.

Based on a traditional African cocktail known as The Chapman, the royal Crimson Bloom contained Zobu (a traditional west African soft drink), English rose soda and homemade hibiscus and ginger syrup, with lemon and a hint of spice.

English sparkling wine was used for the toasts for those who were drinking alcohol, and the menu did not include meat.

To start, guests were to be served a soft-boiled egg tartlet with watercress and kale and a basil sabayon to start.

For the main, there was fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, beurre blanc sauce with sprouting broccoli and hollandaise sauce, fricasse of peas and broad beans and Jersey Royal potatoes.

Desert was an iced black current soufflé with red fruit coulis.

The wine list included: Sugrue South Downs, Cuvée Boz, Blanc de Blanc, 2020; Domaine Vincent & François Jouard, Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Vieilles Vignes, 2022; Château Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2000; and Louis Roederer, Brut Vintage, 2000.

After dinner, guests will be served Dow’s 1983 Vintage Port and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980, Islay.

At the conclusion of the Banquet, the flowers that cannot be reused are donated to Floral Angels, a charity based at the New Covent Garden Flower Market in London whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen. 

These flowers are then delivered to hospices, elderly care homes, shelters, and many other deserving beneficiaries within the local community.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were welcomed to the castle by Charles and Camilla earlier today.

Green and white Nigerian flags lined the streets, alongside Union flags, and an oversized Royal Standard flew from the top of the Round Tower.

The Prince and Princess of Wales first met the couple at luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park, before escorting them by car to Windsor town centre to formally meet the King and Queen.

The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, near the castle. Charles and Camilla were met with the national anthem, played by a military band.

The King, Camilla, William, Kate and Mr and Mrs Tinubu then travelled in a carriage procession in a show of traditional pomp and pageantry through Windsor to the castle’s quadrangle to see the Guard of Honour for the ceremonial welcome.