State banquets are basically the Olympics of getting dressed up. You’ve got the heavy-hitter tiaras, the sashes that look like they belong in a history book, and the kind of high-stakes diplomacy that happens over watercress panna cotta. When Donald and Melania Trump touched down in the UK for their state visit in September 2025, everyone was looking for that one specific shot: the Princess of Wales versus the First Lady. It wasn't just about looking pretty. It was a total clash of "I’m a future Queen" versus "I’m a high-fashion disruptor." Honestly, the Kate Middleton and Melania Trump state banquet fashion choices couldn't have been more different if they'd tried.
The Future Queen in Gold Lace
Kate didn't come to play. She arrived at Windsor Castle looking like she’d stepped right out of a gilded frame. She wore this insane gold gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley. It wasn't just a dress; it was a silk crepe base with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over it. Think about that for a second. Hand-embroidered. Every single rose on that lace was stitched by hand.
She looked radiant. Golden. Basically, she looked exactly like what people want a future Queen to look like. The neck was high, the sleeves were long, but because the lace was sheer, it didn't feel stuffy. It felt, as one fashion editor put it, a little "flirty" but still totally regal.
The Tiara That Gives You a Headache
You can't talk about Kate’s look without the jewelry. She went with her old reliable: the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara. It’s got 19 diamond arches and all these swinging pearl drops. It’s also famously heavy. Like, "gives you a migraine after an hour" heavy. Princess Diana used to complain about the weight of it all the time. But Kate wears it like it’s a baseball cap. It’s a power move. She paired it with the Queen Mother’s Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings and her Royal Victorian Order sash. She was literally dripping in history.
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Melania’s Lemon-Yellow Rebellion
Then you have Melania. While Kate was leaning into the "British tradition" vibe, Melania went full "Manhattan Runway." She walked into that banquet in a sunflower-yellow (or lemon-yellow, depending on the light) Carolina Herrera gown. It was off-the-shoulder, which is actually kind of a rare sight at these formal royal events. Most royals cover up a bit more.
The real talk of the night, though? That belt.
She cinched the whole thing with a chunky, bright lilac silk belt. It was bold. It was loud. Some people loved it because it was so different. Others thought it looked a bit too "2000s prom" for a white-tie dinner with a King. She finished it with matching lilac Manolo Blahnik pumps and these massive emerald drop earrings that were basically acting as her version of a crown.
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Why the Belt Mattered
Style experts have been arguing about this belt for months. Some say it "cut her in half" and ruined the lines of the Herrera gown. Others think it was a genius move to show she wasn’t just going to blend into the background. Melania has always used fashion as a suit of armor. She doesn't do the "soft royal" look. She does "strong, sharp, and slightly untouchable." By picking a bright yellow dress with a purple belt, she was carving out her own lane. She wasn't trying to be a royal; she was being a First Lady.
The Big Differences (In Prose)
If you looked at them side-by-side, the contrast was wild. Kate was all about texture—the lace, the cording, the shimmering gold that caught the candlelight. Her outfit was deeply rooted in British craftsmanship. It felt like a "thank you" to the local fashion industry. Melania, on the other hand, went for solid, vibrant color and clean, architectural lines. Her dress was American-made, which is a standard move for a First Lady on tour, but the color palette felt very "New Look" Dior, even though it was Herrera.
Kate’s silhouette was classic A-line, billowy at the bottom, very Cinderella. Melania’s was a column dress, very sleek, very "statue-esque." It’s kinda funny—Kate is the one who will one day wear a literal crown, but Melania is the one who dresses with the most "don't touch the art" energy.
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What This Tells Us About Power
Fashion is never just about the clothes at this level. It’s a language. Kate using the Lover’s Knot Tiara for the umpteenth time is a signal of continuity. She’s saying, "I am part of this long, unbroken chain of the monarchy." She’s comfortable in the weight of that history.
Melania opting for no necklace, bare shoulders, and a clashing belt is a signal of independence. She’s not part of the British system, so she doesn't have to follow their unwritten rules about "subdued elegance." She can be as bright as she wants.
Actionable Takeaways from the Banquet
- Texture vs. Color: If you want to look "expensive" but understated, go for texture like Kate’s gold lace. If you want to dominate a room, go for a single, high-saturation color like Melania’s yellow.
- The Power of the "Signature": Kate has a signature tiara. Melania has a signature statement belt. Finding your "thing" makes dressing for big events way less stressful.
- Context is King: Kate’s look worked because it fit the historic Windsor Castle vibe. Melania’s worked because it made her the center of attention in every photo. Both achieved their goal, just in different ways.
State banquets are probably the only place left where you see this kind of fashion storytelling. Whether you're Team Gold Lace or Team Lemon Yellow, you've got to admit—they both know exactly how to make sure nobody looks at anyone else.
If you’re planning your own high-stakes outfit, remember that Kate’s "regal" look relies on traditional British designers like Phillipa Lepley or Alexander McQueen. Melania leans into the sharp tailoring of Carolina Herrera or Dior. Both styles require a lot of confidence—and in Kate's case, a very strong neck to hold up those diamonds.
To dive deeper into the world of royal style, you can look into the history of the House of Garrard, who made Kate's tiara, or check out Carolina Herrera's recent runway collections to see where Melania gets her inspiration.