KATE dazzled at her fourth Windsor Castle banquet in a year as she wowed alongside the Royal Family at the Nigerian State Visit – as the King hailed Afrobeats and “learn new dance steps”.
The Princess of Wales sparkled in green and the Lovers Knot Tiara at the historic State Banquet at Windsor Castle.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, walk through Windsor Castle with other members of the Royal Family.13
Kate dazzles at her fourth Windsor Castle banquet in a yearCredit: Getty
State Visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mrs Tinubu13
The Princess of Wales sparkled in green and the Lovers Knot TiaraCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Pala
Britain’s King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu pose for a photo during a state banquet at Windsor Castle.13
King Charles and Queen Camilla with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi TinubuCredit: AFP
King Charles is hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, at the glittering state banquet at St George’s Hall alongside Camilla, Kate and Wills and some 160 guests.
Guests from the Nigerian diaspora at the banquet include England rugby captain Maro Itoje, 31, Christine Ohurugu, 41, Olympic gold medallist, space scientist Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, 58, and footballer turned pundit Eni Aluko.
Kate’s outfit diplomatically matches the green on the Nigerian flag.
The dress by Andrew Gn is matched with earrings from the late Queen and the same tiara she wore at Donald Trump’s State Visit in September.
Kate, 44, is also wearing the King Charles III Royal Family Order and GCVO Sash and Star.
Before the 160 guests, who dined on a three course meal including turbot, the King made his toast.
He said: “We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature and the arts, and public service.
The King added: “Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ Party at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course.”
He said: “From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria.”
Hailing the business links with Nigeria he said it is a partnership that has “brought us both enormous benefits” and a “deep bond” had “empowered each other to believe in a more hopeful future”.
The King also gave a nod the past saying “I do not pretend that those roots are without a shadow” and “our shared history that I know have left some painful marks”.
He added: “As the Hausa saying goes, ‘when the music changes so does the dance’”.
“We can learn from Nigeria and the best of the UK and Nigeria’s partnership.
And said: “Look to the future and learn new dance steps, together.”
A procession of dignitaries at Windsor Castle for the state visit of President Tinubu of Nigeria.13
The royals and Nigerian delegation walk in procession into the State BanquetCredit: PA
President of Nigeria’s state visit to the UK13
King Charles delivers his speech in St George’s HallCredit: PA
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and first lady Oluremi Tinubu visit Britain13
England rugby player Maro Itoje and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer are among the guestsCredit: Reuters
The King shared three Nigerian idioms and hailed the African nation as being at the centre of the Commonwealth.
Prince William looked dapper in white tie with Windsor tail coat and the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George.
His miniature medals included the Order of the Bath and Gold, Diamond and Platinum Coronation medals.
He also wore Most Noble Order of the Garter and Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle and Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
The Queen, 78, wore a cream embroidered gown by Fiona Clare, a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching earrings, a diamond serpent necklace, the Garter sash and star, and King’s family order.
Kate, 44, was joined in the Royal Procession by the King, Queen, Prince William, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
It was the first State Visit for a Muslim head of state during Ramadan since 1928 and guests including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were given a prayer inside the castle room to break Iftar when they arrived, for the first time.
Other notable names at tonight’s banquet include Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage, 46, poet Sir Ben Okri, 67, poet, Nigerian-born Eni Aluko, 39, who played for England women’s football team 105 times and Paralympian and presenter Ade Adepitan, 52.
Yinka Shonibare, 63, who has been selected to design the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II in London’s St. James’s Park, is also at the banquet.
While England’s rugby skipper Maro Itoje is due to sit next to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
And in another first pre-banquet canapes are due to be served for fasting guests while the traditional cocktail served to guests are non-alcoholic.
The new cocktail called ‘Crimson Bloom’ is non-alcoholic and based on a Nigerian beverage called the Chapman Cocktail – which usually contains Fanta and Sprite but changed to include Zoba and English Rose soda.
The last time the Royal Family hosted Muslim guests for a State Visit during Ramadan was the King of Afghanistan in 1928.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, wearing coat dress from British-Nigerian designer, kicked off a day of pomp and ceremony escorting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady from their hotel to Windsor.
Charles gave the President a warm handshake before carriages arrived taking the Royals and Nigerian leaders to Windsor Castle.
Members of the public who turned out to watch the carriage procession included 200 Nigerians travelling from Europe and wearing t-shirts with King and Queen reading “Renewed Hope Ambassadors-Dispora”.
A Royal Household staff member in a red uniform lights a candle on a gold candelabrum in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.13
St George’s Hall ahead of the state banquet on WednesdayCredit: Reuters
Place setting at a banquet table in St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, for a state banquet, with a menu and place card reading “THE KING.”13
Place settings at the banquet tableCredit: PA
President of Nigeria’s state visit to the UK13
A member of the Royal Household lighting candles ahead of the glittering banquetCredit: PA
As the Carriage Procession arrived in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle The Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute, and the band played the Nigerian and British National Anthems.
The King was in the Australian State Coach was seen chatting to President Tinubu wearing his black cap which boasts personal design depicting the breaking of shackles.
Camilla was seen smiling with First Lady Tinubu following behind in the Scottish State Coach.
Kate and William had arrived on the Irish State Coach stood beside the dais while the princess was later seen sneezing during to the dust from the horses riding past.
Charles helped the President down the three steps of the Dias and inspected the first rank of the Guard of Honour with the King before they returned to the Dias, without pausing.
The Royals and Nigerian delegation disappeared into the Castle through the Sovereign’s Entrance – with the King holding the President’s hand.
The King hosted the President for a tour of items from the Royal Collection with connections to Nigeria.
Showing the President a miniature manuscript written by Nigerian-born British poet Sir Ben Okri for the Queen Mary’s Dollhouse in the castle,
Kate, in a coat dress from British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, with earrings formerly owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, said: “It’s so beautiful.”
Ahead of the State Banquet, the King and Queen gave gifts including a silver picture frame, signed photo, and a bowl and pottery.
While the Nigerian President and First Lady have the royals a statuette and jewellery box.
The King, President Tinubu and the First Lady, also attended an interfaith reception, hearing how it is “good to disagree well”, in an engagement demonstrating the “UK and Nigeria’s commitment to, and support for religious diversity”.
It was the first incoming state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in what is believed to be nearly 100 years.
And was the fourth State Visit in the last year after France, USA and Germany.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William, Prince of Wales, attend a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.13
Kate and Will seem to share private joke todayCredit: Reuters
Catherine, Princess of Wales, looks out from a carriage window.13
Kate on her way to the ceremonial welcome earlier todayCredit: Splash
King Charles III and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria during a state visit.13
King Charles with the President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed TinubuCredit: PA
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu walks with Queen Camilla, Princess Catherine, and Prince William at Windsor Castle.
