Monarchies use pomp, exuberance and luxury to be able to showcase the power of the Crown in every event that takes place, and in the British Royal House they are experts in all of this. On the night of November 22, 2022, King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla hosted their first state banquet as monarchs on the occasion of the visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphos and his wife Chepo Motsepe., on the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. Without a doubt, this will be the first major international premiere of the successor of Queen Elizabeth II, so the details of such an important event were thought out to the smallest detail.

hosted a state dinner in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which has reopened its doors to an international president after not having done so since 2019.. That same year, then-President Donald Trump and his wife Melania traveled to the United Kingdom for an official visit, a trip that is remembered for leaving for posterity remarkable moments between the American politician and businessman and Queen Elizabeth II due to the lack of protocol. . However, in this first official reception of Carlos III and Queen Camilla to a foreign leader nothing could go wrong. His reign is in the process of being consolidated, and an event of this magnitude is the key to that.

Queen Camilla at the State Dinner given in honor of the President of South Africa at Buckingham

The President of South Africa has not visited the United Kingdom since 1996. The historical ties that united both nations were demonstrated by the good harmony that could be seen between King Carlos III and Cyril Ramaphosa., not only during the state banquet that took place at Buckingham Palace, but also during the rest of the trip. Hours before the celebration, British Royal Household social media shared the intense preparations for the event, from the placement of floral decorations in the Ballroom to the various delicacies that were prepared in the palace kitchens to wow guests. Definitely, Buckingham took risks at the new king’s first state dinner and was ready to prove it by all means..

As part of the exquisite menu that guests were able to taste, Grilled Brill and Stuffed Windsor Pheasant with Forest Mushrooms, which undoubtedly delighted all the visitors who gathered in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace. In addition, the dessert was a tribute to the South African nation as it was about the national flower of South Africa, the protea, made from sugar and food coloring.. However, before tasting all this, Carlos III and the President of South Africa made traditional speeches that they wanted to publicly demonstrate the friendly relations that the two countries maintain.

Duel tiaras at Buckingham Palace

The first day of the South African President’s state visit to the United Kingdom concluded with a dinner at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III and King Camilla. However, other members of the royal family also joined them. Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent did not want to miss the meeting.. Likewise, some ladies-in-waiting of the late Queen Elizabeth II were also among almost 170 guestssingling out Lady Susan Hussey, one of the guests who came to the banquet wearing a tiara, namely Waldegrave’s tiara.

Kate Middleton at a gala dinner in honor of the President of South Africa at Buckingham House.

One of the biggest surprises of the evening was hidden away by Queen Camilla, who also made her state dinner debut as the British monarch’s wife. Specifically, the expectation was the highest to know the tiara she would wear for the occasion, now that she, as queen consort, is free to use all the jewels. precious and lavish treasures of the British Crown. He rescued the Belgian sapphire tiara, one of the most frequent pieces worn by Queen Elizabeth II until the 1990s and which she last wore to a Chinese presidential dinner in 2015. Camilla completed her look with a necklace from the George VI sapphire collection and new earrings.highlighting her blue formal dress.

From my side, Kate Middleton making her debut as the new Princess of Wales at the first state dinner of his father-in-law’s reign, he chose Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiarawhich is one of his favorites. Nonetheless, wanted to wink at her predecessor, Princess Diana of Wales, with her choice of earrings; It was about the South Sea pearl earrings that once belonged to her husband’s mother, Prince William, and made her shine on such a special night for the British royal family. Also, she chose a long white formal dress with a cape, as if she were a real queencompeting with Camille.