The French President Emmanuel Macron touched down at RAF Northolt on July 8, kick-starting a three-day state visit which makes history as the first EU head of state to make a UK state visit since Brexit.
And further history was to be made on the runway by Catherine, Princess of Wales, who joined William, Prince of Wales, in greeting the president and his wife, Brigitte Macron. The princess opted for a blush pink outfit from the French house of Dior, which is thought to be the first time she has ever worn an outfit from the brand once beloved by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Keen to keep focus on British-based designers, the Princess of Wales is far more likely to be seen wearing garments by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham, Erdem or Alessandra Rich.
Later that evening, Kate went on to marry the two nations with her dramatic, crimson evening gown. It was designed by English designer Sarah Burton for French fashion house Givenchy.
Burton previously served as creative director at Alexander McQueen from 2010 to 2023 and was responsible for Kate’s 2011 wedding dress. The much-respected designer recently left McQueen to become creative director at Givenchy, presenting the Princess of Wales with the perfect opportunity for sartorial diplomacy.
Kate’s earlier outfit, meanwhile, was a take on Christian Dior’s famous 1947 New Look, a bar jacket and full skirt which shocked French society at the time, marking an end of World War II austerity with its cinched, feminine waist and elegant skirt cut from extravagant amounts of wool crepe fabric. She finished her look with a hat by Jess Collett, earrings which were owned by Diana, and a three-strand pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.
The exact design worn by Catherine was designed by Dior’s former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original.
Elsewhere on the tarmac, Brigitte Macron opted for an all white midi-length dress with gold buckles on either side of the waist, and button detailing from the shoulder to waist.
Following a horse-drawn carriage procession through Windsor with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the couple sat for lunch at Windsor Castle with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and members of the Royal Family.
The Macrons then laid wreaths at Westminster Abbey and paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb at St. George’s Chapel, before heading to the state dinner. There were three total outfit changes by Brigitte, who switched into a nude wool crepe dress and matching coat with martingale details by Louis Vuitton for the daytime activities.
At the dinner, Brigitte Macron wore a deep blue silk crepe column gown and a matching cape embellished with hand-embroidered black and silver jewel buttons by Louis Vuitton. King Charles and Emmanuel Macron stepped up to the white tie occasion by wearing tailcoat tuxedos with decorated jackets and red sashes.
Camilla, meanwhile, wore a long-sleeved cream dress with huge sapphire jewels and the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, which she first wore at the State Banquet for President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa in November 2022.
On June 9, the second day of the French state visit, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron visited 10 Downing Street, where they were greeted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer. Victoria wore a floral maxi dress by Karen Millen, while Brigitte wore a stone-coloured skirt suit, which she paired with a Chanel handbag.
All the best looks from the French state visit:
