Kate Middleton Paid Tribute to Diana Last Night in the Most Adorable Way

Kate Middleton went to plenty of official state dinners at Buckingham Palace as the Duchess of Cambridge, but yesterday marked her first as Princess of Wales. And she certainly rose to the occasion.

This particular banquet was for President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, and Middleton was a sight to behold in a white, cape-style dress by Jenny Packham (a favourite designer of hers for formal occasions), complete with pretty embellishment on the shoulders and neckline. The eye-catching sparkle didn't stop there, as Middleton, who is said to have received much of Queen Elizabeth's jewellery upon her passing, paired the dress with the pearl-adorned Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara and dangling pearl earrings, both of which once belonged to Princess Diana, as well as a multi-strand pearl bracelet from Queen Elizabeth's jewellery box.

Scroll to see photos of the princess at last night's state dinner, as well as some of her previous gown looks.

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669160323665-image

(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

On Kate Middleton: Jenny Packham gown

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669160322426-image

(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303946-1669199611885-main

(Image credit: Pool / Getty Images)

Kate Middleton's Previous State Dinner Looks:

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669167561937-image

March 2022:
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/Pool/WireImage)

On Kate Middleton: Jenny Packham gown

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669167563715-image

June 2019:
(Image credit: VICTORIA JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

On Kate Middleton: Alexander McQueen gown

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669167560672-image

October 2018:
(Image credit: JOHN STILLWELL/AFP via Getty Images)

On Kate Middleton: Alexander McQueen gown

kate-middleton-south-africa-state-dinner-303937-1669167559332-image

September 2012:
(Image credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

On Kate Middleton: Alexander McQueen gown

Next Up: Princess Kate Just Wore the Expensive-Looking Winter Outfit Editors Love

Opening Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This story was originally published at an earlier date and since been updated.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.