The mother of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis looked stunning in Burberry as she greeted the Federal President of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales waits to greet Germany's President ahead of a welcoming ceremony in Windsor, on December 3, 2025, the first day of a three day state visit by the German President.

he Princess of Wales looked nothing short of stunning on Wednesday, 3rd December, as she and Prince William officially welcomed the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife, Ms Büdenbender, at Heathrow airport, before the foursome started their journey to Windsor, where King Charles and Queen Camila were waiting for a ceremonial welcome at the castle.

Kate, 43, looked dazzling in her new outfit for the occasion, wearing an almost indigo blue coat dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (the designer behind her iconic wedding dress), which covered her black dress by Burberry.  The royal switched up her trademark bouncy curls for a super sleek and straight hairstyle – her mane simply shone in the sun!

The royal topped her modern ‘do with a blue hat, and blinged up with a sparkling pair of earrings, which belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

William and Kate greeted the President and the First Lady

Diana’s earrings

It’s interesting that Kate chose to wear her late mother-in-law’s jewellery for this important moment. Maxwell Stone from Seven Stone commented: “The Princess of Wales was wearing a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings. Previously owned by Princess Diana, they feature two cabochon sapphire drops, surrounded by diamond halos.’

Kate speaking with Elke Budenbender© Getty Images
The Princess with the First Lady

 Princess Diana wore the cluster style earrings on multiple occasions – most notably on the cover of Vogue in 1994 and to the 1996 Met Gala. Until Kate publicly debuted them at the 2022 Trooping the Colour parade, the sentimental earrings had been unseen since the sad passing of the late Princess. I’d estimate them to be worth £30,000.”

Prince William and the Princess of Wales wait to greet the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender © Getty Images
Kate’s hair was super straight

Respected judge and First Lady Elke looked equally elegant in a simple black shift dress, a matching tailored coat, high heels and accessorised with an eye-catching diamond necklace.

The Princess of Wales pays homage to Germany through fashion

Princess Kate and Prince William walk the red carpet at the Royal Variety Performance© Getty

Kate’s dress was by Talbot Runhof

Last month, Kate almost stopped traffic in her emerald green velvet off-the-shoulder gown by Talbot Runhof to the Royal Variety Performance on November 19, 2025.

Catherine, Princess of Wales waves holding bouquet

Kate had never worn Talbot Runhof

Although the sumptuous design was a past-seaon purchase, many royal fashion fans remarked that perhaps it was a nod to an official state visit, as Talbot Runhof is a German design she has never worn publicly before.

Kate wearing green velvet dress and sparkly earrings© Getty Images

The royal’s dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline

As a fashion editor specialising in royal style, I adored this red carpet look. Excitingly, I was working on the evening of the Royal Variety Performance, and I was immensely looking forward to seeing what Kate would wear. The Princess has stepped out in a lot of suits in 2025, so the anticipation of a possible formal number at the Royal Albert Hall was at the top of my wish list!

Prince William and the Princess of Wales at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Variety Performance© Shutterstock

The dress was a daring look for Kate

The royal mother-of-three came through with the Talbot Runhof dress. Of course, she hadn’t worn the designer before, which is always exciting, and I have to say, it was definitely a different look for her. Not only was it pretty body-conscious in cut, but it had an off-the-shoulder neckline, which is a subtly ‘sexy’ look. The glamorous jewel green tone nodded to the Yule Tide season, and it really suited her English Rose complexion, too.

Princess Kate’s last state visit

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, greets their guests on the Windsor Estate, in Windsor, on September 17, 2025, at the start of a second State Visit of US President Donald Trump. (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The royal wore an Emilia Wickstead coat dress to meet Donald Trump in September

2025 has been a busy year for State visits. The last was in September, for the State Visit of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. When she welcomed the American couple to the UK, Kate wore memorably wore a charming cranberry coat dress by one of her go-to designers, Emilia Wickstead, with a coordinating Jane Taylor hat, adorned with a satin bow, and a historical heirloom – Queen Alexandra’s Three-Feather Brooch.