Princess Kate dons her favourite tiara and the late Queen’s earrings as she arrives at King’s banquet for the Nigerian President in country’s first state visit in almost 40 years

The Royal Family put on a dazzling show at a spectacular state banquet held in honor of the Nigerian President for the first time in almost 40 years.

The Princess of Wales wears her favorite Lovers’ Knot Tiara and Queen Elizabeth II. She looked incredibly gorgeous in a flowing green evening gown by Andrew Gn with Elizabethan earrings.

Also King III. Charles also displayed the Royal Family Order with the GCVO Sash and Star.

The Prince of Wales wore a white tie with a Windsor tailcoat and the Most Noble Garter Sash with ‘Little George’.

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 orders studded with a dazzling array of diamonds.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were preparing to take their place among the British royal family for the culmination of their two-day visit.

The 55-foot dining table, which runs the length of St George’s Hall, was strewn with sweetly scented spring flowers, foraged locally, bathed in the light of 143 candles.

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

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

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

The staff began setting the table on Monday morning, and the finishing touches were made just a few hours before guests were seated; This is not surprising, with 960 knives and forks and 62 pepper shakers for the 160 guests invited.

Other royals attending the ceremony included the King, Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as the Crown Princess and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

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

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 there were “chapters in our common history that I know have left some painful scars” but said “history is not just a record of what has been done to us; it is a lesson in how we move forward together to continue to build a future for all, one based on growth and hope and worthy of those who have endured the pain of the past.”

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

Charles made a speech before the dinner, which was expected to be served at an ornately decorated table at around 21:00.

A member of the Royal Household wears shoe coverings while standing at the banquet table to light candles

View of the banquet table at St George’s Hall before the arrival of guests

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

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 Crimson Bloom featured Zobu (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.

As a starter, guests would be served a soft-boiled egg tartlet with watercress, kale and basil sabayon.

The main course included turbot fillet, spinach-wrapped lobster mousse, sprouted broccoli and beurre blanc sauce with hollandaise sauce, pea and broad bean ragout, and Jersey Royal potatoes.

Desert was an icy black runny soufflé with red fruit sauce.

The wine list included: Sugrue South Downs, Cuvée Boz, Blanc de Blanc, 2020; Domaine Vincent & François Jouard, Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Vieilles Vignes, 2022; Château Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2000; and Louis Roederer, Brut Vintage, 2000.

The king’s place at the table as marked by the place card

The Prince and Princess of Wales inspected the Guard of Honor during a welcome ceremony earlier in the day

Ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle earlier in the day

King III. Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (second from right) and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu (far right) into the Grand Aisle at Windsor Castle earlier today.

Following dinner, guests will be served Dow’s 1983 Vintage Port and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980, Islay.

At the end of the feast, any flowers that cannot be reused are donated to the charity Floral Angels, based at New Covent Garden Flower Market in London and patronized by Her Majesty the Queen.

These flowers are then delivered to nursing homes, nursing homes, shelters, and many other beneficiaries in the local community.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were welcomed by Charles and Camilla at the castle earlier today.

Green and white Nigerian flags lined the streets alongside Union flags, and a large Royal Standard flew atop the Round Tower.

The Prince and Princess of Wales first met the couple at luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park, then accompanied them by car to Windsor town center to officially meet the King and Queen.

The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in the center of Windsor, near the castle. Charles and Camilla were welcomed with the national anthem played by the military band.

The King, Camilla, William, Kate and Mr and Mrs Tinubu then, in a traditional display of pomp and pageantry, traveled in a carriage procession from Windsor to the castle courtyard, where they saw the Guard of Honor for a ceremonial welcome.