This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. While attending a state dinner at Buckingham Palace last night, Kate Middleton stunned in another evening look. Her ensemble included a number of surprises, including an Alexander McQueen gown, the famous Lover's Knot tiara (which was previously worn by Princess Diana), and a diamond and pearl necklace first owned by Queen Alexandra in the 19th century. But her most impressive accessory was pinned to her dress: the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II. JOHN STILLWELL Getty Images The honor is given by the Queen at her discretion to members of the royal family as a reward for their service. The badge usually includes a small portrait of the monarch painted on ivory, surrounded by diamonds, and placed over a ribbon, and is only worn at formal events, like yesterday's state dinner. According to Debrett's, an etiquette authority, it's common to wear decorations of order at royal or state occasions, including those in the presence of the Queen. Kate was noticeably wearing her order with a yellow ribbon on the left strap of her gown last night. Her iteration includes glass instead of ivory, according to Majesty managing editor Joe Little. Royal Central speculates the change may be a result of Prince William's fight to end the ivory trade. WPA Pool Getty Images Two of the Queen's daughters-in-law have received the Royal Victorian Order, which are awards "made personally by The Queen, for services to the Sovereign," according to the Palace. Sophie, Countess of Wessex (wife of Prince Edward) was appointed in in 2010 and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (wife of Prince Charles) followed in 2012. The honor is denoted by a deep blue sash, which Camilla was wearing at the banquet yesterday. WPA Pool Getty Images Kate doesn't have a sash (yet), but it's likely she's working her way there. Royal wives are usually awarded with the Royal Victorian Order, and can later add as many orders as their service to the family may warrant, People reports. This is reportedly not the first time Kate has worn her royal order. Majesty's Joe Little says the Duchess of Cambridge wore the badge to the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2017, but there are no public photos of from that event. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Unlike other examples of the family order, the Duchess of Cambridge’s is made of glass rather than ivory. — Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) October 23, 2018 Middleton's receiving of the royal order is somewhat historic. She's only the second granddaughter-in-law to receive an a royal order from a living sovereign, royal expert and historian Marlene Koenig of Royal Musings blog points out. The last was Princess Mary of Teck, who married Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince George, Duke of York in 1893. The sovereign gave her the royal order shortly after the wedding, Koenig explains. Congrats, Kate! This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>We all love an old-fashioned fairytale. It’s why so many of us tuned in with awe to the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011 in order to witness the first ‘commoner’ to become queen-in-waiting marry her prince. Seven years on, the Duchess of Cambridge continues to live the fairytale—we need to look no further for proof than the magnificent ice-blue gown and glittering diamonds she wore to a state dinner last night. Her attire prompted even Vogue to describe her as having a ‘Cinderella Fashion Moment’, with her sleeveless, ruched Alexander McQueen dress ‘resembling the silhouette of a classic Disney princess gown.’ She paired the shimmering garment with a tiara that was made iconic by another princess before her: Diana, Princess of Wales, who loved the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara above all the others available to her during her time as a royal. The tiara has appeared on Kate’s head a few times over the years, usually at state banquets at Buckingham Palace like the event last night. It features 19 pearls hanging from a series of diamond-encrusted arches each topped with lover’s knot design. Almost more striking than the tiara was Kate’s huge diamond and peal necklace, which turns out to have been in the royal family for over 100 years. It was a wedding gift from Queen Victoria’s son, the future King Edward VII, to his wife Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863. It consists of eight pearls connected by diamond festoons, and featuring drop pearls that hang elegantly from the main body of the necklace. Harper’s Bazaar explains that Kate’s choice of the necklace was particularly appropriate for last night’s dinner to honor the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, as it was previously worn by the Queen Mother at a state banquet in a similar welcome to Dutch royals in 1982. However, as it happens the diamonds and pearls weren’t the most striking element of the duchess’s outfit. That distinction goes to the yellow silk bow pinned to her left shoulder, which features a miniature portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II painted on a glass surface surrounded by jewels. This is the Elizabeth II Family Order, which the monarch bestows on female members of the royal family and is worn to grand state events at Buckingham Palace. It’s thought that the queen bestowed the order on Kate in December last year. It’s good to see the duchess receiving some appreciation round here!<doc-sep>Kate Middleton paid homage to her husband's late mother, Princess Diana, on Tuesday night at a state dinner. The Duchess of Cambridge donned one of Princess Diana's tiaras, known as the Lover's Knot tiara as she and Prince William attended a formal event with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of Holland. The Duchess has worn the Lover's Knot tiara on multiple occasions to other royal functions. Her matching pearl earrings also belonged to Princess Diana. People reports that the Lover's Knot tiara is over 100-years-old and belongs to Queen Elizabeth II, although it was originally commissioned in 1914 for Queen Elizabeth's mom, Queen Mary. According to People, she donned jewelry from fellow royal ancestors, including Queen Alexandra's wedding necklace. It was reportedly one of her favorites. Kate Middleton wore a stunning light blue Alexander McQueen gown to the function.<doc-sep>
Kate Middleton has arrived to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace, covered in luxe jewels. She was first spotted arriving to the venue by car, and although her dress was barely visible, her bling was clearly on display. Kate's in the Lovers Knot tiara tonight! https://t.co/xEoRQu1N7Q pic.twitter.com/Fp1MpJ6WVY — Duchess Kate Blog (@HRHDuchesskate) October 23, 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Lover's Knot tiara, a favorite of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, teardrop pearl earrings, and a diamond and pearl necklace. According to royal commentator Victoria Howard, Middleton's necklace was once worn by the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II's mom. However, the piece was originally owned by Queen Alexandra in 1863. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge heads to the State Banquet for the King and Queen of Holland. pic.twitter.com/wIYGCdGVsc — Mark Stewart (@RegalEyes) October 23, 2018 Kate is wearing a sleeveless figure-fitting blue gown by her go-to designer, Alexander McQueen. Royal watchers point out that she's wearing a royal family order of the Queen, a badge featuring the sovereign's portrait on a yellow ribbon. WPA Pool Getty Images Tonight's formal affair celebrates the visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who are staying at Buckingham Palace during the trip. Earlier today, the couple toured the picture gallery with the Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. One of the last times we saw Middleton at a formal state dinner was in Oslo in February, when she and William were guests of Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja. She wore a caped blush pink Alexander McQueen gown with silver beaded embroidery at the collar. At the Royal Palace in Oslo on February 1 Chris Jackson Getty Images Last July, while attending a state dinner for the King and Queen of Spain, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a light pink Marchesa dress with the same Lover's Knot tiara. She was seen wearing the same tiara during a Christmas Party hosted by the Queen last December. Mark Cuthbert Getty Images On the other side of the world, Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle attended a state dinner in Fiji, where she wore a caped blue gown by Safiyaa. Pool/Samir Hussein Getty Images This post has been updated.