Place setting at a banquet table in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, for a state banquet, with a menu and place card reading "THE KING."

INSIDE Nigeria State Banquet: Everything You Need to Know Following Tonight’s Lavish Feast

The first Nigerian State Visit to the UK in 37 years reached its glittering peak on Wednesday 18 March 2026, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for a spectacular State Banquet at Windsor Castle.

President of Nigeria's state visit to the UK

Here’s the full inside story of what really happened behind the scenes at one of the most elegant — and thoughtful — evenings the monarchy has hosted in 2026.

The Setting: St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle
A procession of dignitaries at Windsor Castle for the state visit of President Tinubu of Nigeria.

160 distinguished guests filled the historic 47-metre-long hall.
The long mahogany table was decorated with an abundance of spring flowers in pink, white and yellow tones — narcissi, hyacinths, tulips, primroses and hellebores.
White tie and tiaras were mandatory. The atmosphere was formal, warm and deliberately respectful.

Special Adjustments for Ramadan
State Visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mrs Tinubu

Because President Tinubu is observing Ramadan, the traditional welcome lunch at Windsor was completely removed — a major break from protocol. Instead:

The King held a private audience with the President in the afternoon.
A prayer room was set up inside the castle.
The President broke his fast privately after sunset before joining the evening banquet.

The Menu: A Thoughtful Blend of British & Nigerian Flavours

The three-course feast was designed to be elegant while honouring the guests’ religious observance (no alcohol for the President, fish instead of meat as the main course).

Full Menu:

Starter: Soft-boiled quail egg tartlet with watercress, kale and basil sabayon (vegetarian)
Main: Fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, beurre blanc sauce, sprouting broccoli with Hollandaise, fricassee of peas and broad beans, Jersey Royal potatoes
Dessert: Iced blackcurrant soufflé with red fruit coulis
Toasts: President Tinubu raised orange juice
After-dinner drink: A special non-alcoholic twist on the classic Nigerian mocktail Chapman (inspired by Sprite, Fanta, cucumber, grenadine and Angostura bitters)

The Royals in Attendance

King Charles III & Queen Camilla
The Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Catherine)
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and other senior members of the Royal Family

What Catherine, Princess of Wales wore Kate shone in a rich emerald-green evening gown by designer Andrew Gn — widely interpreted as a subtle diplomatic nod to the green in the Nigerian flag. She paired it with:

The Lovers’ Knot Tiara
Queen Elizabeth II’s sparkling earrings
The King Charles III Royal Family Order and GCVO sash

Her look was widely praised as one of her most elegant of the year.

The Speeches That Moved the Room

King Charles delivered a warm, personal address in which he:

Greeted guests in the Yoruba language
Spoke of the Nigerian community in Britain as a “living bridge” between the two nations
Emphasised the importance of standing together “when rain clouds gather”

The tone was sincere and emotional. At one point, cameras captured the Princess of Wales looking visibly moved, blinking back emotion as she listened — a quiet but powerful moment that many royal watchers say “said it all”.

President Tinubu also gave a speech, and the hall responded with warm applause throughout.

Why This Visit Matters

This is Nigeria’s first full State Visit to the UK since 1989 and the first time a Nigerian president has been hosted by the monarch at Windsor Castle. It marks the fourth State Banquet hosted at Windsor in under a year — a sign of how active King Charles’s reign has become on the world stage.

The evening successfully blended pomp, diplomacy, cultural sensitivity and genuine warmth — exactly what a modern State Banquet should be.