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The Princess of Wales signaled a fashion shake-up at the Buckingham Palace state banquet held Tuesday in honor of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeoy, according to a royal fashion expert.
Kate attended the banquet, hosted by King Charles, to mark the president's state visit to Britain, along with high-profile guests like K-pop mega-group Blackpink.
For the occasion, Kate put on a display of heightened royal style, opting for an elegant white gown, designed by one of her lesser-known favorite designers, Jenny Packham.
The decision, royal fashion expert and celebrity stylist Miranda Holder told Newsweek, may be connected with the recent news that her fail-safe designer has left the brand she had become most closely connected to, leaving Kate to look elsewhere for important event-wear.
"Kate made history last night, looking absolutely breathtaking in a floor-length Jenny Packham gown and wearing the beautiful Strathmore Rose Tiara, its first royal outing in almost a century," Holder said.
"As is usual with state occasions of this type, Kate's gown was simple and streamlined, allowing all of her sparkling royal regalia center stage," she said.
However, Holder suggested that it was "notable" that the princess opted for "an old favorite designer, Jenny Packham, rather than Alexander McQueen," a brand she has worn repeatedly throughout her 12-year marriage to Prince William.
"It may have had something to do with Sarah Burton's recent departure from the super brand," Holder continued. "It is rumored that Kate had become close with Sarah ever since she designed her stunning wedding gown, and the designer has been responsible for contributing to the lion's share of the princess's wardrobe ever since, including being responsible for that unforgettable coronation look."
Tuesday night's banquet marked the sixth one that Kate has attended as a member of the royal family and the third to which she has worn a Jenny Packham creation. Kate has worn McQueen designs to the events twice over the past eight years.
In September, Burton announced she was stepping down from McQueen. She headed the house for 13 years after the death of Lee "Alexander" McQueen in 2010.
At the time the departure was announced, fashion and royal commentators speculated on what it would mean for Kate, who has consulted Burton throughout the years to hone her celebrated aesthetic.
The designer could go on to launch her own fashion label, but no such announcement has been made. Without Burton's expert hand, Kate could be left to take a leap of faith with her style and place it in the creative hands of others.
Packham is a designer Kate has worked with since the early years of her marriage. She is perhaps best known for designing the glittering, gold caped gown worn by the princess to the 2021 premiere of the James Bond movie No Time to Die.
Of the princess's banquet dress, Holder praised its "high, almost slash neckline and structured shoulders," noting that the "embroidered cape sleeves" contributed to the streamlined and classic silhouette and aesthetic.
"The rest of the look was simple," she said. "The customary long evening gloves and satin bag allowing the pomp and ceremony of the symbolic jewels the princess was wearing to shine through."
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more