Catherine, Princess of Wales Wore Givenchy By Sarah Burton To The State Banquet

There was plenty of anticipation around what Catherine, Princess of Wales, would wear to the State Banquet hosted at Windsor Castle in honour of President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron—and while her gown checked all the diplomatic boxes, I can’t pretend it left me entirely satisfied.

Designed by Sarah Burton, the custom gown marked a significant fashion moment: Catherine’s first look from Burton for Givenchy. Given her long-standing history with the British designer, it was the right move, but the added twist of her debuting this collaboration at a French-British event makes for a compelling fashion-political crossover.

The look itself, though? It’s mostly the colour that’s giving me pause. There’s no denying it’s a rich and regal hue, but for a summer State Banquet, it fell below my expectations. I can already see this working beautifully as a coatdress or tailored ensemble later in the year—something chic for October—but on this occasion, I had envisioned something lighter, more seasonally in step.

That said, there’s no denying the grandeur of the finishing touches. Catherine brought out the Lover’s Knot Tiara—always a royal-watchers-favourite—paired with Cartier diamond chandelier earrings. A red and gold Givenchy clutch completing the look along with the royal sashes.

In the end, while the colour choice might not have aligned with my summer expectations, the historical fashion moment—a British designer showing at a French house worn at a French state banquet—was undeniably well played.

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