Royals

Elegance: Duchess Kate dons Princess Diana’s signature tiara for new royal portrait

The Duchess of Cambridge dazzles in a red gown and the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in a new royal family portrait released by the palace to mark the most dazzling occasion in the royal calendar.

Kate, 34, was joined Prince William, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla to host the annual reception for the diplomatic corps in London.

The mother-of-two was breathtaking wore a previously-worn glittering red Jenny Packham gown and Princess Diana’s signature tiara.

Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara is an heirloom headpiece which the Queen inherited it from her grandmother Queen Mary, before giving it to Diana as a present on her wedding day in 1981. It was worn by Diana on many occasions but returned to the Queen when Diana and Charles divorced in 1996.

Princess Diana wearing the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara.

This week’s event was only the fourth time Kate’s been seen wearing a tiara since becoming a member of the royal family.

The new portrait of the Queen and her family at the annual event marks the first time Buckingham Palace has released photos from inside the event.

The event is seen as the main diplomatic social event of the year in London and over 1500 public figures, politicians and dignitaries were invited from 130 countries.

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