With the recent news about the senior members of the royal family, the Windsors have been hosting fewer foreign guests. However, they made an exception for the Emperor of Japan and his wife and organized a breathtaking banquet at Buckingham Palace. On June 25, 2024, Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Edward, and the Duchess of Sophie attended the state banquet, while Prince William was absent. The attention of royal family fans was not only drawn to the decorations of the Throne Room but also to the stunning tiaras worn by the aristocrats. Let's examine each look in detail and choose the best one.
The women of the British royal family often choose outfits that either match the flag of their guests' country or incorporate their national colors. Queen Camilla did an excellent job with this on the recent Japanese banquet. She wore a white dress with a slight A-line silhouette and delicate embroidery on the sleeves and hem. The dress perfectly complemented the Burmese tiara, which was adorned with rubies. The tiara is priceless to the Windsors as it was one of Queen Elizabeth II's favorites. She received the rubies as a gift from the people of Burma on her wedding day in 1947. According to Burmese beliefs, each ruby protects a person from illness and allows them to live a long life.
Duchess Sophie usually opts for the aquamarine tiara or the diamond tiara from the Crown collection. However, for the banquet with the Japanese imperial couple, she chose the most precious jewels from the British vault. The centerpiece of her look was the Lotus Flower tiara. This tiara, originally a necklace, held great sentimental value for Queen Elizabeth II as it had belonged to her mother. The tiara was made by Garrard jewelers from diamonds set in a platinum corset, with the central flower detaching to become a brooch. Sophie completed her ensemble with a diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet.
The Empress Masako of Japan looked equally stunning at the banquet in Buckingham Palace. She wore a light beige dress with short sleeves and a round lace neckline embellished with sequins and embroidery. Her outfit was perfectly complemented by one of the most significant jewels of the Japanese imperial family — the Chrysanthemum tiara. This tiara, created in 1915 for Empress Teimei, is made of diamonds set in a platinum corset and features a detachable central flower that can be worn as a brooch. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of the ruling family of Japan, making it an appropriate choice for Empress Masako.
Now, it's time to vote for your favorite look from the banquet at Buckingham Palace. Are you more captivated by the royal elegance of Queen Camilla, the sophistication of Duchess Sophie, or the regal beauty of Empress Masako?
