A regal pose: Princess Kate and Prince William release new portrait snapped ahead of the King’s state banquet

A stunning new portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales has been released following the Nigerian State Banquet held on Wednesday to mark the occasion.

The couple invited young British-Nigerian photographer Christianah Ebenezer to take a special photo ahead of the event in Windsor.

This photo features Catherine, 44, in a flowing green evening gown by Andrew Gn and a Lovers’ Knot Tiara with diamond earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth.

At the same time, King III. He also bears the Royal Family Order of Charles and the GCVO Sash and Star.

Behind the couple is a ‘gorgeous’ backdrop of free-flowing flowers and cascading leaves, well-suited to the princess’ determination to highlight the healing power of Nature as part of her recovery, especially since being diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, William, 43, is very dapper in his white tie and Windsor tailcoat, along with his Most Noble Garter Sash and ‘Little George’ insignia.

He also wore ‘Miniature Medals’, particularly the Order of the Bath, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and his father’s Coronation Medal.

William’s ‘Orders of the Breast’ were the Most Noble Order of the Earliest Garter and the Most Noble Order of the Thistle. His Order of the Neck was that of the Grand Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

Kensington Palace described the portrait as ‘gorgeous’ and said it was the first time the royal couple had worked with Christianah, although it had previously taken the Duchess of Edinburgh’s 60th birthday portraits last year.

The Princess of Wales wears her favorite Lovers’ Knot Tiara and Queen Elizabeth II. She dazzled in her green evening dress by Andrew Gn with earrings belonging to Elizabeth.

King and president lead parade to St George’s Hall for banquet

Although Sophie was close to the princess, she is not believed to have recommended her, but Catherine was aware of their highly acclaimed collaboration.

The Princess of Wales is a particularly keen photographer and a Royal Patron of the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Photographic Society.

Christianah was born in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to London as a child and has been described as ‘the perfect choice for the occasion’ and ‘an incredible up-and-coming talent’.

He said: ‘It was a real honor to collaborate on this work. Blending our collective creativity with classic portraiture and nature elements, the team worked seamlessly to capture this moment ahead of the Nigerian State Banquet; I was deeply touched to see this moment come together so beautifully.’

London-born Christianah says she finds inspiration in ‘classical portraiture and cinema’ and her images are saturated with color and texture. He attributes his inspiration partly to his Christian faith.

The photographer has been named both a Forbes 30 Under 30 Arts and Culture Leader and a British Fashion Council New Wave Creator.

In 2024, two of his portraits were exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.

The King and Queen today bid an official farewell to the Nigerian President and First Lady following a hugely successful two-day State Visit, highlighted by a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

On Wednesday night the King hosted a state banquet in the couple’s honour, attended by senior royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Catherine smiled triumphantly as she took her seat next to the Nigerian president.

King Charles and Queen Camilla did their best for their guests from West Africa

The Princess arrived at the banquet alongside her husband, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh

While the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also present, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, took their place among the British royal family for the most important moments of their two-day visit.

Princess Catherine looked incredibly gorgeous in a flowing green evening gown and smiled warmly as she sat between the president and his entourage as she showed guests the best of British hospitality.

The rest of the royals present added to the dazzling display, with the Prince of Wales wearing a white tie with a Windsor tail and the Most Noble Garter Sash with a ‘Little George’ badge.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, both Queen Elizabeth II. She wore Fiona Clare’s cream-embroidered gown with a sapphire and diamond tiara and matching earrings, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II and was given to her as a wedding gift by her late father, George VI.

The king also wore dazzling insignia studded with diamonds as he led the procession to the banquet hall and stood to make a speech.

Notable Nigerians include author Sir Ben Okri, artist Yinka Shonibare, former footballer Eniola Aluko, singer Tiwa Savage, presenter Ade Adepitan, former athlete Christine Ohuruogu and Diana Awards chief Tessy Ojo.

The King began his speech by wishing his guests ‘peace, abundance and abundant joy’ in such a holy month.

He highlighted that in January, Nigeria became the UK’s largest export market in Africa.

King Charles III, Queen Camilla (left), Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu (right) arrive to attend the banquet

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, speaking with Princess Kate and King George III. He claps in his seat between Charles

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey speaks to Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey during the banquet

He also praised the UK’s large Nigerian diaspora, which he described as ‘a living bridge of over half a million people that connects our nations and helps make our cultures richer, our common security stronger and our economies more prosperous’.

The King acknowledged that there were ‘chapters of our common history that I know have left some painful scars’, but ‘history is not just a record of what has been done to us; “This is a lesson in how we can move forward together to continue building a future for all that is grounded in growth and hope and worthy of those who have endured the pain of the past,” he said.

He concluded with chants: ‘Naija No Dey Last Bearer’ – Nigerians Never Come Last.

Arrangements were made, including allocating space for prayer and iftar for guests who are Muslims and fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

In fact, for the first time in living memory, the royal family was serving canapés for guests to break their fast at the pre-banquet reception, aware that after the speeches people would not eat until 9 p.m.

The president, who is the first Nigerian leader to be honored with an official visit after 37 years, was served orange juice as his toast, and a special non-alcoholic cocktail was also prepared in honor of this day.

Based on a traditional African cocktail known as the Chapman, the royal Scarlet Flower featured Zobo (a traditional West African soft drink), English rose soda and homemade hibiscus and ginger syrup, lemon and a hint of spice.

English sparkling wine was used on drinkers’ toasts, and meat was not on the menu.

This morning the president and first lady left Windsor Castle at 10.30am for Westminster Abbey, where the President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Later, the Nigerian President went to Building No. 10 to have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister.