The Princess of Wales looked radiant in a Jenny Packham design (Image: Getty)
The Princess of Wales didn’t just glitter at this week’s German State Banquet – she delivered a carefully coded fashion message that signalled exactly where she sees herself in the years ahead. Her sweeping midnight-blue Jenny Packham gown may have looked like pure couture magic, but beneath the sparkle lay a subtle diplomatic strategy, one designed to unite two nations while showcasing the confidence of a woman preparing for a future on the throne.
From colour choice to historic royal jewels, her look carried a sophistication that went far beyond aesthetics. Celebrity stylist Ciara Russell, who has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, tells the Express this wasn’t a coincidence. “Royals never choose colours by accident at a state banquet,” she says. “Midnight blue quietly says unity, respect, and diplomacy. Catherine knows exactly what she’s doing.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales looked radiant as they walked into the ballroom (Image: Getty)
Catherine wore blue twice on the first day of the state visit – a tailored coat for the official welcome, then a shimmering gown for the banquet.
This deliberate repetition created a visual narrative tied not only to Britain but to Germany. Blue appears in the Union Jack and mirrors the cornflower blue that symbolises Germany, making it a subtle but powerful gesture of harmony.
Ciara affirms the significance: “When Catherine commits to one colour story for a full day, it’s usually to create calm, stable, cohesive messaging. Blue is a trust colour.”
In other words, Catherine was sending a quiet signal of connection – without saying a word.
The Princess of Wales rocked a shimmering Jenny Packham gown (Image: Getty)
Recreate Princess Catherine’s look on the high street:
The asymmetric one-shoulder neckline and fluid cape overlay showed a bold shift in her royal wardrobe evolution. Elegant but authoritative, the gown married tradition with modern strength, positioning Catherine as a future monarch unafraid to redefine royal glamour.
Ciara notes, “This is her stepping into her future Queen energy. Powerful and confident but still respectful.” A cape in the context of a state banquet isn’t just fashion, it’s theatre, symbolism, and soft power.
While many expected Catherine to reach for her beloved Lover’s Knot, she surprised royal watchers by choosing Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet – one of the most historically significant tiaras in the Royal Collection, created by Prince Albert, a German prince.
In the context of a German state visit, the symbolism was impossible to overlook.
Princess Kate was a vision of class and elegance (Image: Getty)
The stylist explained: “From a stylist’s point of view, this was a deliberate moment. The Oriental Circlet is deeply historic and tied to monarchy and heritage. For a German state visit, choosing it feels like she’s honouring the past while showing continuity.”
Crafted by Garrard using more than 2,600 diamonds, the circlet shimmered under Windsor’s chandeliers — a rare appearance that felt intentional, diplomatic, and deeply queenly.
Catherine once again turned to Jenny Packham, her most trusted designer for high-stakes royal moments. The sequinned fabrication ensured she “interacted with the light,” elevating the visual impact of her tiara and jewels.
Ciara sums it up, “Jenny Packham understands ‘royal glamour’ better than almost anyone, ideal for events that go straight into the history books.”
The Royal Family put on a spectacular display of pomp and pageantry (Image: Getty)
With her colour palette, silhouette and heirloom jewels, Catherine communicated three unmistakable truths: she is assured, she is calculated and she is moving firmly into her future role.
Ciara puts it plainly, “She looked like someone who knows her role and embraces it. Catherine is stepping into her sueen era, gracefully but unmistakably.”
With one gown, one tiara, and one perfectly executed visual message, Princess Catherine proved that the most powerful statements aren’t spoken – they’re worn.