Much has already been written about the charm offensive put on by David Cameron et al during the Buckingham Palace state banquet for the president of China. But as keen Stylewatchers already know, there isn’t much that much speaks louder than clothes at a fancy do.
Let’s take the Queen first. Amid the red carpets and the gilt columns she still stands out in a look which could only be described as Turbo Royal. She’s pushing her signature monarch vibe: so keen she is to look on brand that she is wearing the exact sash her Tussard’s waxwork wears and the gown that’s most reminiscent of her national portrait wardrobe. Her pearl-encrusted dress has a touch of the Balmain for H&Ms about it but it’s safe to assume that that is merely a happy accident, this look is pure Windsor for the UK.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge continues the sartorial charm offensive in a bespoke red (red for China – geddit?) Jenny Packham dress. What else would we expect from the queen of literal dressing? Just to underline the “we are royal” theme, she’s wearing a fancy tiara and chandelier earrings. Even Jeremy Corbyn had to ditch his retired postman look and play nice with the white tie dress code prompting some commentators to suggest he looked hot. Judging by his post-party look, though, Corbyn isn’t about to go full Downton on us any time soon.
As for the president’s wife Peng Liyuan, she went for what amounts to best guest practice in terms of her wardrobe: aesthetically complimenting the Queen in a bit of sombre navy and a Samantha Cameron-approved skinny belt. Whatever the trade and nuclear deals to emerge from the visit, the fashion deal is already clear: this was one almighty fashion suck-up.
