Princess Catherine Honors Diana at Historic State Visit

The new Princess of Wales, Catherine, made a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, Diana, during a historic state visit to London on Tuesday.

The first ever state visit in the reign of King Charles III kicked off with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the guest of honor.

Prince William and Catherine welcomed the South African leader at the Corinthia Hotel before accompanying him to Horse Guards Parade where the King and Queen Consort were waiting under a dais.

Catherine appeared prominently in a purple ensemble including a hat, gloves, and heels, while William wore a dark suit with a tie matching his wife's outfit.

At Horse Guards Parade, the Guard of Honour, comprised of the No.

7 Company Coldstream Guards and the Household Cavalry, were in attendance.

Upon their arrival, William and Catherine let the King take the lead and greet his guests.

Together, Charles and Mr. Ramaphosa viewed the Royal Salute performed by the Guard of Honour and listened to the South African Anthem.

While Camilla, who wore a blue coat and hat, looked on, King Charles accompanied the President in his inspection of the Guard of Honour.

The King and Queen Consort later departed in the Irish State Coach with the President of South Africa which brought them through the Mao to the destination of Buckingham Palace.

They were followed by Catherine and Prince William who, joined by Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa, closed the distance between Horse Guards Parade and the Palace aboard the Australian State Coach.

Despite looking very regal, the most notable parts of Catherine's look were the sentimental accessories.

For her first state visit as the Princess of Wales, Catherine nodded to her mother-in-law and predecessor Diana with key items from her jewelry collection.

The standout was the drop pearl earrings by the jeweler Collingwood.

They were given to Diana prior to joining the Royal Family and quickly became an important part of her Royal wardrobe.

The new Princess of Wales has long been a fan of this pair herself and has worn them countless times at her most special engagements.

This included the 2018 State Banquet to welcome King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to Britain, where she also paired them with the Queen Mary tiara.

Catherine also wore the earrings for her 40th birthday portrait taken by Paolo Riversi.

The Princess also wore the feather pendant as a brooch on her left lapel, which features 18 diamonds surrounded by small emeralds, a larger emerald drop, and three ostrich feathers in the center.

Diana was given the brooch for her marriage in 1981 and wore it as a diamond necklace to many state banquets, often paired with her Collingwood pearls.

It was a touching way for the Princess of Wales to step into her new role on a day when the government discussed trade and economic improvements with a South African leader.

After paying his respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, the President went on to a tour and stopped by the memorial of Nelson Mandela, the South African leader from 1994 to 1999.

After that, Mr. Ramaphosa was due at the Palace of Westminster, where he was welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker, before delivering an address in the Royal Gallery to MPs and other guests.

In the evening, Charles, Camilla, and other members of the Royal Family gave a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the President, who joined the King in making speeches at the start of the meal.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Bridge Major of Headquarters, Household Division, who delivered the military ceremonial spectacle, said, “The state visit is a historic first, our first state visit for His Majesty the King and the President of South Africa, the first state visit in London since 2019, the first processional state visit on Horse Guards since 2018 and the first for almost anyone on parade.