FASHION FIRST
Melania Trump wows in sleeveless Dior dress as she attends state banquet alongside Kate Middleton who dazzles in Diana’s tiara
MELANIA Trump was the picture of perfection at Monday’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace as she dazzled in a grey, sleeveless Dior Haute Couture dress and white gloves.
The First Lady glowed as she wore her hair up in a chic up do and posed next to President Trump and the Queen ahead of the official white tie dinner.
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Melania, 49, is undertaking a three-day state visit with her husband President Trump, 72, which will see him includes meeting with Theresa May and attending a D-Day commemeration.
Preparations for tonight's lavish State Banquet, attended by the Queen, members of the royal family and around 170 guests will have started around six months ago and taken days to set up.
Kate Middleton, 37, stunned as she drove to the palace with Prince William, 36, wearing the Lover's Knot tiara, which was one of Princess Diana's favourites, and the Queen Mother's Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings.
The headpiece was made in 1914 and given to William's late mother Diana by the Queen as a wedding gift in 1981.
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HOW KATE MIDDLETON PAID TRIBUTE TO PRINCESS DIANA AT THE STATE BANQUET
Kate Middleton paid tribute to Princess Diana at tonight’s State Banquet with President Trump as she joined Prince William and the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, which was loved by her husband's late mother.
It is one of the 37-year-old's favourite headpieces, having worn the stunning headpiece several times before.
Kate was also pictured wearing the Queen Mother's Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings as she drove to the palace with Prince William, 36.
The headpiece was made in 1914 and given to William's late mother Diana by the Queen as a wedding gift in 1981.
Despite opting not to wear it on her wedding day, Diana was a big fan of this tiara - which went back into the Queen's collection after her death.
The Duchess of Cambridge first wore the tiara in 2016, and she was pictured wearing it in October 2018 for a State Banquet held in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
She is wearing a white Alexander McQueen dress, with her royal orders pinned to the front.
Every detail for the State Banquet is inspected by the Queen, with alcohol being provided by the UK government, and a four-course meal prepared by royal chefs.
Meghan Markle, 37, will stay at home with baby Archie in Windsor rather than joining other royals.
While she may have not met with President Trump, her husband Prince Harry, 34, showed Trump's family around Buckingham Palace earlier today.
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The Queen and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were visions in white at the State Banquet.
Her Majesty, 93, wore an evening gown with crystal-centred daises by Angela Kelly, and finished the look off with a burmese ruby and diamond tiara.
She also wore matching ruby and diamond necklace and earrings for the glittering occasion, and wore a white gold and platinum watch.
Meanwhile, Camilla opted for a cream, embroidered evening gown by Bruce Oldfield, a diamond boucheron tiara and wore a pearl and rose topaz choker.
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At tonight's banquet, the Queen is sitting at the head of the table with Mr Trump on her right and Prince Charles on her left.
Other royals at the dinner include William and Kate, Prince Andrew, Edward and Sophie, Princess Anne and several of the Queen's cousins.
Prince Philip is absent because he is now retired from royal duties.
All four of the President's adult children - Ivanka, Donald Jr, Eric and Tiffany - are also attending the Buckingham Palace banquet.
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INSIDE A LAVISH STATE BANQUET AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Although a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace lasts around an hour and 20 minutes, preparations start months in advance.
According to , former butler to , plans usually begin four months in advance.
This involves polishing the 5,500 silver-gilt pieces and the 2,500 glass items.
Two days before the celebration, the napkins embroidered with the Queen’s monogram are folded into a Dutch bonnet shape.
Typically there will be around 31 floral arrangements prepared.
More than 2,000 pieces of cutlery, tableware and salvers, plus 23 centrepiece are used, and staff start laying at 8am on the day.
If you are lucky enough to be on the top table, you'll have your own salt and mustard cellar, and everyone else has one between four.
Each guests has six glasses which are used for champagne, white and red wine, dessert wine, port and water.
Everything on the table is measured to make sure it is in the correct spot - to the milimetre - and the Queen does a final inspection.
There are four courses - fish, meat, pudding and then dessert (as traditionally, dessert is just fruit).
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WHAT'S ON THE MENU FOR TRUMP'S STATE BANQUET?
The sumptuous menu for tonight's State Banquet has been revealed.
President Trump and his family will dine on a starter of steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, asparagus spears and chervil sauce.
For the main, guests will have saddle of new season Windsor lamb, with herb stuffing, spring vegetables and port sauce.
Dessert will consist of strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream - made of crisp biscuits, smooth pastry cream and fresh strawberries.
Following this, the State Banquet will include a selection of assorted fresh fruits, coffee and petit fours.
The Queen will have chosen the menu from four alternatives presented to her by royal chefs.
The President and his family were greeted with full pomp and ceremony when Air Force One landed at Stansted Airport on Monday morning for the official start of the tour.
The Queen hosted lunch for Mr Trump and wife Melania, then led them on a tour of Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
The First Couple moved on to Westminster Abbey later, to place a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Prince Charles and Camilla greeted Mr Trump and Melania at Buckingham Palace shortly after midday.
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Melania's stylish look tonight was her fourth outfit change in the last 24 hours, with the former model showcasing an array of chic ensembles before and during her UK visit.
Melania was wearing a white skirt suit dress by Dolce & Gabbana when she arrived at The Queen's main residence earlier today.
She paired the dress with a navy blue belt and heels, as well as a wide brimmed hat by Hervé Pierre - which also had a navy trim.
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The milliner posted a sketch of his hat design on Instagram earlier today, explaining that he made it bespoke to match the D&G outfit - with a midnight blue silk crepe.
Melania matched with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in white - but many noted that her look was straight out of Princess Diana's wardrobe.
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Prince Harry and William's late mother wore white skirt suits, often with a hat or blue detailing, to several royal engagements during her marriage to Charles, who also dined with the US President.
Melania's outfit went down a treat on social media, where fans tweeted: "Melania Trump's outfit today is a lovely homage to Princess Diana, down to the tilt of the hat. Sweet."
Others said: "Melania looking strikingly Diana-esque as she arrives as Buckingham Palace."
Both Melania's earlier outfits carried hidden messages - which paid tribute to Britain.
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MOST READ IN FABULOUS
She wore a £3,500 Gucci dress printed with Big Ben, Tower Bridge and London buses as she left Washington yesterday.
And she donned a £650 Burberry blouse printed with medals, in tribute to D-Day veterans, as she landed at Stansted Airport this morning.
You can read the latest on Trump's visit here.
The Queen shows President Donald Trump and Melania selected artefacts from her Royal Gift Collection on the first day of his UK state visit
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