Sophie Wessex pays touching tribute to missing Kate Middleton at State Banquet
The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared to honour Kate as she made an elegant appearance at the State Banquet on Tuesday evening.
Sophie is known to have a close bond with Kate, who is continuing to receive treatment following her cancer diagnosis. And she found a touching way to pay tribute to William's wife in her absence from the Buckingham Palace event.
The 59-year-old wore a beautiful deep green couture gown from Suzannah London, teamed with a magnificent array of dazzling diamond jewels, including the Diamond Chandelier Drop Earrings and Necklace, on loan from her sister-in-law, Queen Camilla.
She also chose to wear the Lotus Flower Tiara, known to be a favourite of Kate, who was the last person to wear it, at the Diplomatic Corps reception in 2022.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh walking to the State Banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace,
The Lotus Flower Tiara was made by the House of Garrard in 1923 for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It was much loved by Princess Margaret, and remains part of the royal family's jewellery collection. The pearls and diamonds in the tiara were taken from a necklace that King George VI had gifted his wife for their wedding that same year.
Notably, it's the first time that Sophie has worn the Lotus Flower Tiara publicly. She typically wears the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara, reportedly made for her by Collins & Sons.
Since tying the knot in 1999, the popularity of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has been on a steady rise - and she is considered by many to be the royal family's 'secret weapon'.
Kate Middleton arriving in the back of a car for the Diplomatic Corps reception in 2022, wearing the Lotus Flower tiara
Former BBC Royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, has detailed the Duchess's charm and her down-to-earth nature, which she believes are key to her success. "Sophie is a natural, humble woman - clearly still very much in love with her husband - and a woman who has grown into her role without fuss or fanfare."
And Sophie's kindness extends beyond her immediate family, with reports suggesting she offered support to both Kate and Meghan Markle during pivotal moments in their royal journeys.
"Sophie has become one of the most loved members of the royal family, forging a deep and mutually affectionate relationship with both of her in-laws, the late Queen and Prince Philip," Jennie revealed, claiming Queen Elizabeth II even regarded Sophie as a "second daughter", after Princess Anne.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, loses her balance and falls on to laughing Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, as the carriages pull away at Royal Ascot in 2017
"Sophie is delightfully open about her love for her husband, she is close to Catherine and has no doubt been a great support to her in her health crisis. Even though a 17-year age gap seems a lot to bridge, the two women have a lot in common and became firm friends quite early on. Sophie knew exactly what lay in wait for Catherine as she joined the family and she knew it wouldn't always be easy.
"By nature, Sophie is a kind and generous person who has always been happy to act as sounding board, mentor, confidante... or sometimes just another girl to share a giggle with. So I have no doubt that Sophie has been someone to whom Catherine has frequently turned.
"They've often been seen enjoying a private joke in public and certainly seem more like sisters than aunt and niece by marriage. Sophie has retained a girlishness about her, while Catherine perhaps because of her very senior role in the family sometimes seems mature beyond her years."
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