Who Was The Mystery Guest Kate Greeted At The State Banquet?
Despite being absent from the welcoming party for the US president, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton attended the banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen in honour of the president’s visit.
She was there along with the other 170 important guests, making her grand entrance with Steve Mnuchin, the US Secretary of the Treasury. The pair entered the exquisite ballroom, and before taking their seats, Kate stopped to greet one guest a shook hands with her, which didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
The mystery woman turned out to be Louise Linton, Mr Mnuchin’s wife. Louise, a 38-year-old actress from Scotland, looked stunning in a burgundy gown. She took to Instagram the following morning to share a photo from the white-tie affair and wrote: “Wonderful to be home in Britain! An honour to attend the State Dinner at Buckingham Palace. It was a beautiful evening. #statedinner #buckinghampalace.”
Kate, 37, also looked absolutely stunning at the event, which was held in honour of the US President Trump. The Duchess once again went with her favourite designer Alexander McQueen, going for an elegant ruffled gown and debuting her sash and star of the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order- an honour she was given by the Queen in April on the day of her and William’s eight wedding anniversary. The dark blue sash edged in pink perfectly contrasted the white gown.
She finished off her look with her favourite tiara, the diamond and pearl Lover’s Knot, a favourite to the late Princess Diana as well. She wore her sapphire and diamond earrings, which were loaned by the Queen to her. She also wore her Royal Family Order, a portrait of the Queen on a yellow ribbon.
At the banquet, around 170 people were in attendance, from high ranking politicians, royals and other important figures. Both the Queen and the President of the US gave speeches at the start of the sit-down dinner.
“Your Majesty, Melania and I are profoundly honoured to be your guests for this historic state visit,” the President said. “Thank you for your warm welcome, for this beautiful weather, your gracious hospitality, and Your Majesty’s nearly seven decades of treasured friendship with the United States of America.”
He concluded his speech by praising the monarch, saying: “From the Second World War to today, Her Majesty has stood as a constant symbol of these priceless traditions. She has embodied the spirit of dignity, duty, and patriotism that beats proudly in every British heart. On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations and to the long-cherished and truly remarkable reign of Her Majesty, the Queen. Thank you.”