Tuesday 22 November 2022

The First State Visit of King Charles III's Reign Begins with Pomp & Pageantry

The first State Visit of King Charles III's reign began in spectacular fashion this morning, with key roles for the new Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Prince and Princess were tasked with welcoming South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on behalf of the King at Central London's Corinthia Hotel. 

The President has been in the office since 2018. Prior to this, Ramaphosa's career saw him working as secretary general to then President Nelson Mandela and Deputy President to Jacob Zuma. He has been a lifelong anti-apartheid activist, passionate trade union leader and was credited as a leading negotiator during South Africa's transition to democracy. 

First Lady Dr Tshepho Mostsepe was unable to join her husband due to medical issues. She is a qualified medical doctor who completed her studies at Harvard (coincidentally, reports over the weekend suggest Kate will visit Harvard during the Boston trip later this month) and serves as chairperson of African Self Help Trust (ASHA Trust), focusing on Early Childhood Development and Education.

The luxurious 5 star Corinthia Hotel is located between Trafalgar Square and the Thames Embankment.

We saw William and Kate participate in the welcoming portion of a State Visit once before: in 2014 the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeted President Tony Tan Keng Yam of Singapore and his wife Mary Chee Bee Kiang at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. It was the first time William and Kate had taken a formal role in a State Visit and was seen as something of a warm-up, easing them into taking on a larger role for such events. It marked a return to engagements for Kate, who had spent much of the previous two months with her parents in Bucklebury because she was terribly unwell with Hyperemesis gravidarum when she was expecting Princess Charlotte. Kate chose an elegant Alexander McQueen coatdress for that occasion.

State Visits are formal visits to the UK by heads of state from overseas, with the aim of strengthening Britain's relationships with other countries. There are usually two incoming State Visits each year. Invitations are sent on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Below, President Ramaphosa arrived at Stansted Airport yesterday.

During Her late Majesty's seven-decade reign, she hosted 112 heads of state. It's very much a finely tuned programme filled with meticulous planning which will be unveiled in all its glory at tonight's Buckingham Palace State Banquet. Key elements which are essential to the success of such visits include the aforementioned State Dinner, exchanges of gifts, a celebrations of links between countries, a visit to legislature, a carefully scheduled number of appearances with various members of the Royal family and, of course, an opportunity for the invited guests to absorb the pomp and pageantry Britain is world famous for.

One might say it's all in the planning, quite literally so, with rehearsals taking place late at night.

Below, staff at the Royal Mews readying for today's event.

Columns of United Kingdom and South African flags flank the Mall.

Buckingham Palace shared this delightful video with highlights of royal visits over the decades.

The fruits of detailed planning were in evidence when the Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied the President to Horse Guards Parade for a ceremonial welcome by the King.

The King and Queen Consort greet the President. 

A lovely shot of Camilla, William and Kate.

The guard of honour gave a royal salute and the South African national anthem was played.

The President accompanied by the King inspected the guard of honour, found by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards.

Queen Camilla was regal in blue.

British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson said: "This will be the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty. It reflects the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The visit will offer a chance to celebrate our modern-day partnerships delivering prosperity and security for both countries, as well as to set out how we can work together bilaterally and globally to strengthen those links for the future". It will mark the State Visit for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said he is "lookin forward" to welcoming President Ramaphosa to discuss "how we can deepen the partnership between our two great nations and capitalise on shared opportunities, from trade and tourism and security and defence."

The South African National Anthem was played.

Then it was time to return to Buckingham Palace.

William and Kate then joined the carriage procession, where they were met by a second guard of honour found by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. They were joined by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation.

The King, Queen Consort and President travelled in the Irish State Coach.

A video from the procession.

Scenes along the Mall.

Gun Salutes were fired across London with a 41-Gun Salute at Green Park provided by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, commanded by Major Fran Sykes, and a 62-Gun Salute provided by His Majesty’s Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.

The King, Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed the President and Queen Consort for a private luncheon at the palace. Afterwards, the President viewed items from the Royal Collection relating to South Africa.

A full and lengthy video from Horse Guards Parade.

The Princess of Wales was effortlessly elegant in a structured plum coatdress which is believe to be an Emilia Wickstead design. It is very much a classic Kate piece with the tried and tested design elements, including peaked lapels and a pleated skirt, we've seen her choose for weighty official occasions since becoming a member of the Royal family.

The plum hue will be familiar, as Kate wore a trouser suit by the designer in the same shade during a visit to Northern Ireland last year.

Several eagle-eyed royal watchers noted similarities between Kate's pillbox hat and the hat she wore for the Commonwealth Service in March. In the image below, we also see her wearing Princess Diana's Collingwood pearl earrings.

And the choice of earrings certainly wasn't the only nod to her new title. In the first substantial addition to her jewellery selected from the royal collection, Kate wore the striking Princess of Wales Feathers Brooch.

The Beaumonde reports:

'The Pendant/Brooch was composed of eighteen Round Cut diamonds with small emeralds that surrounded the traditional symbol of the Prince of Wales, three ostrich feathers surrounded by a crown with the motto ‘Ich Dien’ (I Serve).'

The stunning emerald and diamond piece was created in 1863 as a gift for Queen Alexandra from the Ladies of North Wales. The Court Jeweller reports: "The brooch can also be worn as a pendant on a necklace, which is how Princess Diana preferred to wear the piece during her tenure as Princess of Wales."

Embed from Getty Images

Below, Queen Camilla wearing the brooch in 2006 with the matching earrings (they would certainly be a fabulous choice for Kate tonight).

Embed from Getty Images

Kate carried her Mulberry Bayswater clutch in berry suede.

And completed the look with her Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in burgundy.

I'll see you tonight for the white-tie State Banquet. Are you expecting the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara for Kate or something new? I've very much enjoyed reading your suggestions in the comments over the past week.

52 comments:

  1. Loving this coat dress, beautiful colour. For this evening, I have a feeling we may see a new tiara, just because it is her first as Princess of Wales but I would be happy to see the 'Cambridge Lovers Knot' - which is my favourite and hopefully a new gown

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  2. I’m usually bored to tears by her coat dresses but this one is lovely and the colour is fabulous on her. I can’t wait for tonight’s tiara moment, crossing my fingers for a new one!

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    1. I know they’re referred to as coat dresses,but to me this looks like a dress,not a coat worn over another garment.

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    2. That's what a coat dress is - a dress that also serves as a coat. Apart from underwear (hopefully thermals!) one wouldn't wear another garment underneath a coat dress.

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  3. This is a lovely look from head to toe. I am a fan of this style hat and the outfit is a gorgeous color. How nice to debut the brooch. Thank you for this write up! Sue

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    1. Ditto Sue! I rather expect a new tiara tonight... and perhaps a dark green robe. Zora

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  4. The Princess looks so elegant. I love all the pageantry associated with these State Visits.
    Tedi

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  5. I got very excited about the PoW feathers brooch as being from the Queen's vault, but seeing it on Camilla means it's much more likely to have been given by the King and Queen, so slightly less exciting, but still a welcome sight.
    Lovely ensembles on both ladies today - a good appetiser for the main event tonight! Can't wait.

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    1. No, this brooch is held by the Crown in right of the Princess of Wales. To be worn by the Princess of Wales. That's why the Duchess of Cornwall had no problem wearing a brooch previously worn by Diana Princess of Wales. S. ☺

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    2. Yes, but handed on from Camilla, not obtained (by right or not) from the vault, is what I meant.

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    3. Technically, she was Princess of Wales on marrying Prince Charles. Since this PrOW was strongly associated with Diana, she chose to identify with Charles' other title of Duke of Cornwall.

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    4. Camilla WAS the Princess of Wales. She just used the Duchess of Cornwall title as she felt the POW title was too closely linked to Diana. But she was married to the Prince of Wales, which made her the Princess of Wales even if she didn’t use the title.

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    5. Hi Margaret , Queen Consort Camilla held the title Princess of Wales and graciously used one of her other titles , Duchess of Cornwall out of respect for Diana’s memory. She was entitled to any jewels in the state collection set aside for the Princess of Wales. There are personal jewels and those that belong to the state.

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  6. Perfect! My only tiny quibble would be to have placed the brooch slightly further out on the lapel but she looks stunning.

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  7. She looked very Kate and I loved the Autumnal colour .It suits her eyes.With her rumoured to be the next patron of the Welch football I find the brooch appropriate. I think she will dΓ©bute a new tiara next year as for the night I predict the Cambridge tiara with the Cambridge brooch and her blue velvet Alexandre Macqueen dress .

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    1. Id love to see the Cambridge pearl brooch again on the Princess.. Speaking of Cambridge.... How about the Cambridge emeralds and Grenville emerald tiara. S. ☺

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    2. Or the pearl and saphir necklace of Diana.

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  8. Lovely post as always Charlotte! The sun was indeed shining in London today, perfect for the coach parade. I thought it all was very respectful, very warm, focus on the President and the welcome he is receiving. I especially enjoyed the short video of everyone viewing the collection at Buckingham. As soon as I saw the brooch I wondered what it was, not recognizing it from the way that Diana usually wore it. I hope Catherine wears a different tiara tonight just because there aren't many tiara occasions and it would be nice to see a different one. We are going on a last-minute trip over the Christmas holidays to London, hope the weather is good but, if not, I am looking forward to museums and a trip to Windsor and to a stately home to see the Christmas decorations. Valerie in Arizona

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    1. I do hope you will forgive me for mentioning this, Valerie. It is in response to your writing "Buckingham", rather than "Buckingham Palace". I have noticed that quite a lot if American people do this. Here, we always give the palace its full name, as Buckingham is a different place. Referring to Windsor, Sandringham, Holyrood and Balmoral without any further definition is normal usage, though, because there is no ambiguity. Cecilia

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  9. The Prince looks very handsome in the darker suit, I like the tie looks good matching what the Princess is wearing. The Princess looks beautiful as always. I love the colour on her. Now finally to the brooch. Delighted to see her wearing this today. I'd of really liked to have seen the emarald drop against a lighter colour. The earrings to match are beautiful and the emeralds really catch the light. There is also a much larger Welch emerald brooch and big emearld bracelet gifted to Princess Alexandra as wedding gifts. As well as other jewellery gifted to previous Princess of Wales. I'm sure she will wear them all in time. Tonight will be interesting to see what jewels are worn. I just don't know is it too soon after the late Queen passing. I would love to see different jewelery tonight. Way too many to list. I'd expect the Princess is already wearing her tiara choice for tonight now. We will know soon enough. S. ☺

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    1. The matching earring that Camilla wore are stunning. Wish Kate would wear them in future engagements.

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  10. Charlotte, do you know what time the state banquet is tonight? Forgot to mention, Lovely shade of blue on the Queen. She really stands out. Looking for a better picture of her brooch choice today. S. ☺

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    1. Hello! My guess is somewhere around 7 ish :)

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    2. Thanks Charlotte. S. ☺

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    3. I have to say I’m disappointed it’s another new outfit she has so many coat dresses and feel she should have reworn one of them . So many people in the uk are really struggling financially and she should be refraining from continual new outfits . It’s not as if she undertakes many engagements. In addition I appreciate mental health and children are her favoured charities but there are so many animal charities really struggling with all the pets handed into them . She should widen her support

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    4. Both Camilla and Catharine looks beautiful in their jewel tones, makes for a great photo.

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    5. If there is an occasion that calls for a new very elegant dress it is a state visit. She is honouring her guest.

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  11. It's certainly fun to see a formal welcome to a visiting head of state. Those of us who enjoy the spectacle of monarchy as sheer entertainment can't but get a kick out of these events. However, while they may seem dated and a waste of money and time to some, they do serve a purpose. The visitors, after all, appreciate being treated as special by the monarch and his/her family, and political/diplomatic bonds can be established or increased. No one should underestimate how much spectacle and ceremony (and tradition) can matter.

    On to fashion: this Wickstead look epitomizes some of the concerns I've developed around the Princess's wardrobe. I think I've commented here that I always like Wickstead on the runway but have had some problems with her off of it. Fit is one issue, and I say that having tried on Wickstead dresses myself.

    This coat dress fits beautifully, but it's really just a longer version of a couple of shorter dresses the Princess has worn and for that reason, I am a little bored by it. The deep berry/plum shade is gorgeous, and it works well on the Princess (as did the trouser suit in a similar shade), but the design of the coat dress leaves me unimpressed. I would have liked to see something more original and interesting.

    I suppose I'm feeling a little worried that the Princess is really developing too many "uniform" looks, and that these are starting to look a bit staid. Don't get me wrong: as I said the other day, she needs uniforms, but we've seen so many fitted, full-skirted coatdresses and small hats on her that yet another one is a bit yawn-inducing. There are other royal women who are rather more creative in their style of dress, and I'd love to see the Princess experiment a little more. But perhaps that's asking too much when she's trying to be both a princess and a mother of young children.

    I'm of two minds about brooches. They are not nearly as popular today as they were when my mother and grandmother were young, and the only people I can think of in recent years who have worn them regularly were the late Queen and the late Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State in the US from 1997-2001. Both died this year, of course, but both often wore brooches for symbolic reasons, to send some sort of message. However, they were members of a generation older even than my own, so when I see the Princess wearing a brooch, as here, I think she's starting to look a bit -- advanced in years. I know that's unfair, and she does have something of an obligation to represent certain concepts in her public appearances, but a brooch worn with a fitted coatdress and a small hat just strikes me as a somewhat, er, overly mature look. I'll be interested to see what others think.

    I remind myself that she's past 40 now, not a young woman, and her role has changed, but I think you can be more creative in your dress without compromising your stature as Princess of Wales.

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    1. Baroness Hale, recently retired from the Supreme Court, is a very well known brooch wearer. She goes in for insects. Cecilia

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    2. I have to agree on the design - "yes, I'll have on in every colour", which goes for the towering stilettoes as well.

      Although I understand that this occasion probably warrants a new dress, though I'm not quite sure why, I will say that she could be more inventive when it comes to wearing what she's already got. That said, this is by far the best version of that Wickstead coat/dress as the colour is perfect for her.

      Love your comment, Cecilia :-), Brenda Hale. Now there's a woman to admire.

      Heidi

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    3. A member of my college, though a little older than me. :) Cecilia

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  12. Colour is great but I'm fed up with the pillow boxes! No more of them pls...

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  13. Thank you Charlotte! I absolutely love this color! She looks beautiful. Love the whole outfit. Can’t wait for tonight. I’m hoping for something new head to toe!
    Joanne in CA

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  14. HRH The Princess of Wales is such an asset to Crown & Country; there is no one quite like her! When HRH was The Duchess of Cambridge, The Cambridge Lover’s knot served her well. Now with HRH’s new ranking I would think that a tiara she has never worn would be the order of the day, perhaps one with emeralds!

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  15. Gorgeous. Catherine looks wonderful in that color. Really love the entire look. William looks great also .

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  16. Catharine looks absolutely beautiful! Love everything about her look today, the dress, its color, the hat, the brooch, her make-up, and how William's suit is darker and his tie matches her dress. Not sure if its her eye make up or that lovely plum color, but Catharine just glows. What a wonderful display of pageantry and a peek at new beginnings for the Princess of Wales.

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  17. Emmy in California22 November 2022 at 19:15

    Hi Charlotte - Lovely post as always! I agree that Catherine looked lovely and elegant in plum - perfect for the season. It will be very interesting to see which jewels and tiara she wears tonight, although my money is on the Cambridge Lovers Knot. I am also very curious as to when the ladies of the royal family will begin to be presented with and wear the Royal Family Order of King Charles III. Will it be soon or will it wait until after the coronation?

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  18. Lovely and effortless in plum. She looks more like a Queen every day. Can't wait to see what she wears this evening. She's so poised and beautiful.

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  19. Oh no! I can’t seem to move past what Cathrine wears - I try & try, but I’ve failed again. I LOVE the plum color; it looks good on Catherine, it’s a good winter color without being gloomy. Perfect for the occasion.

    I’m looking forward to tiara night. Tomorrow I’ll try harder to focus on the purpose of the event.

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  20. The Princess of Wales looks lovely, the rich plum color is splendid, she wears this color well. I love her dress, but would have liked to see her wear something different in design. The emerald brooch is divine, but the pearl earrings IMO are a mismatch withe the emerald brooch. The matching emerald earrings would have looked fabulous. Especially with the color of her outfit.

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    1. Ava, someone did suggest a pearl drop on the brooch. I think it's a very good idea. Then she could wear it with Princess Diana's earrings or emerald earrings s. ☺

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  21. Replying to the earlier conversation. Camilla was the Princess of Wales before she became Queen Consort, but she choose not to use this title out of respect for Diana. Now she should be called Queen Camilla, even if she is 'only' a Queen Consort and not a Queen Reignant. The Queen Mother was also 'only' a Queen Consort, just like Queen Alexandra. Queen Consorts are always referred as Queen and then the name without using the word Consort. Like Queen MΓ xima of the Netherlands, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Queen Sonia of Norway and other Queen Consorts. Stop calling her Queen Consort Camilla. The correct way of referring to her is Queen Camilla.

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  22. Regarding tonight's tiara - I hear it's the Cambridge Lovers Knot for Kate :)

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  23. Regarding the comments on the “boring” outfit. It’s to be expected that K would use a very go to style for this type of event. The color is lovely but the coat is too long and emphasizes her height and slimness too much. The pillar box hat should go back to the 60’s where it belongs. It looks good on no one.

    -celticgirl

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    1. I 100% agree. I am not a fan of the length of her coat nor the pillbox hat.

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    2. I don’t think Catherine or anyone should hide there height or slimness. It’s almost like body shaming to comment on that. Catherine is tall and slim and totally confident in herself which is wonderful. She looks professional, proud and happy which is lovely. Gorgeous stunning color and very regal.
      Dd

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    3. I would certainly wear an outfit making me look tall and slim!

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  24. I love this look. It's very classically royal and that's what I'm here for! The colour really suits her.

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  25. I wish that she would stop wearing pillbox hats. They age her terribly. Also, I wish she would wear hemlines that are 2-3 inches shorter. She's still relatively young and needn't dress like she's in her 60s.

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  26. Sarah from California23 November 2022 at 22:52

    Oh my goodness, Kate looks absolutely stunning! What a fantastic post with so much interesting information.
    Thank you Charlotte for this!

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  27. Gorgeous. Catherine looks wonderful in that color. Really love the entire look. William looks great also . his twinning his neck tie to the princess of wales

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