The Duchess of Cambridge’s Chinese State Banquet Royal Jewels

The Duchess of Cambridge’s first state banquet appearance came four years after her marriage—but it was very much worth the wait. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the royal jewels that Kate wore for the Chinese state banquet in 2015.

The banquet, held at Buckingham Palace on October 20, 2015, was held in honor of President Xi Jinping of China on the first night of his four-day state visit to Britain. The Queen wore the Belgian Sapphire Tiara with the George VI Sapphires as she hosted the Chinese presidential couple for the dinner.

For the dinner, Kate wore a bespoke red gown by Jenny Packham, accessorized with royal heirloom diamonds and pearls. The Lotus Flower Tiara was the most eye-catching of these royal jewels. The diamond and pearl tiara was made for the Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) in 1923 by Garrard. The gemstones for the tiara were mined from a necklace that had been given to her by her husband as a wedding present six months earlier. The tiara was loaned to Kate by the Queen. Kate had previously worn the tiara in December 2013 for the annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.

Kate’s earrings were also loaned by the Queen. These diamond chandelier earrings feature small stones framing a large pear-shaped diamond drop. Kate has worn them often throughout her marriage, starting with an appearance in Los Angeles in 2011.

Kate also wore diamond bracelets with royal provenance on each wrist. On her left wrist, she wore the Edinburgh Wedding Bracelet. The dazzling diamond and platinum bracelet was Prince Philip’s wedding gift to the Queen in 1947, and it was made using diamonds from a tiara that belonged to his mother. On her right wrist, Kate wore a geometric diamond bracelet made from a choker necklace that belonged to Queen Mary. The bracelet was also previously worn by the Queen Mother.