Two Kings of Europe Host State Banquets from Middle East Monarchs

Their Majesties King Charles III of the United Kingdom and King Philippe of the Belgians hosted a state reception from the visiting monarchs from the Arab world on the same day. On December 3, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a state banquet in Buckingham Palace for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher.

Early in the day, William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, helped welcome the Qatari royal at their London residence then traveled together to the Horse Guards Parade for the official welcome ceremony where King Charles III awaits.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Emir of Qatar and his wife at their London home

It was the first time that Catherine attended a state visit ceremony since stepping back from royal duty this year due to her cancer diagnosis. For the occasion. she wore the four-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clash of Queen Elizabeth II. Kate, however, did not attend the state reception later in the evening.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, and The Emir of Qatar and his wife

Meanwhile, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians hosted a state banquet for the visiting Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and the Omani delegates, at the Royal Palace of Laeken.

Royal Tiaras at the State Banquet

State receptions show royal ladies in their sparkling tiaras so on December 3, royal fans are treated to a display of royal sparkers from two state banquets.

1. The Wolfer Tiara

Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wore Queen Fabiola's Wolfer Tiara which surprised us because she mostly wore the Nine Provinces Tiara during the state banquet. The Wolfer Tiara is one of the smallest head toppers in the Belgian royal jewelry collection and Queen Mathilde never usually wears this one during state banquets.

Queen Mathilde in Wolfer Tiara

2. Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara

Just as we predicted that Queen Camilla might wear a different tiara during this state banquet, she indeed wore something that she had not worn before, the Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara originally owned by Queen Alexandra, the consort of King Edward VII. It is one of the favorites of Queen Elizabeth II.

This Kokoshnik Tiara was a gift to Queen Alexandra, then the Princess of Wales, for her 25th wedding anniversary and it was designed in a Kokoshnik form, which is a traditional head dress of Russian women.

Queen Camilla wears for the first time the Kokoshnik Tiara of Queen Alexandra

3. Aquamarine Pine flower Tiara

Anne, the Princess Royal attended the state banquet and wore the Aquamarine Pine Flower Tiara. Originally owned by her grandmother, the Queen Mother. It was given to her as a wedding gift in 1973. Princess Anne is the sole wearer of this tiara since it was gifted to her. She also wore the Royal Order of King Charles III.

The Princess Royal wears her Aquamarine Pine Flower Tiara

4. Aquamarine Necklace Tiara

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, wore her favorite tiara in her collection, a convertible piece simply called the Aquamarine Tiara which can also be worn as a necklace. This has been Sophie's favorite tiara which she debuted in 2005. The Duchess of Edinburgh also wore the royal family order of King Charles III for the first time.

Duchess of Edinburgh state banquet Qatar

The Duchess of Edinburgh in her Aquamarine convertible tiara

5. The Honeysuckle Tiara

Originally owned by Queen Mary, the consort of King George V, this tiara came into the Gloucesters when in 1935, upon the wedding of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, the third son of Queen Mary and George V, and Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Queen Mary gave it to the bride as her wedding gift.

Duchess of Gloucester state banquet Qatar

The Duchess of Gloucester wearing the Honeysuckle Tiara

Lady Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, eventually bequeathed the tiara to her son, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, to be worn by his wife in royal events. It has been the favorite head piece of Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester. For this latest state banquet, she wore the royal family order of King Charles III.