Annual Diplomatic Reception
Senior members of the Royal Family which included The Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance at the Annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace. The white-tie event is a favorite among Royal Watchers as it is one of the few events that warrants tiaras and gowns for the women and formal tux's for the men.
The reception is held annually to celebrate the work of U.K. based diplomats, ambassadors and government officials. While it is a private event, photos are released from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace to give the public a glimpse of the evening. Typically members of the media manage to get a few photos of the guests arriving to Buckingham Palace ahead of the event.
The Queen wore a white lace embellished gown with an emerald necklace, drop earrings and the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara. The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a similar look, re-wearing a white silk embellished gown and the Greville honeycomb tiara. She accessorized with a pearl choker and her normal honors; a blue sash symbolizing her appointment to the Royal Victorian Order and her Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II badge. The Duchess of Cambridge was also wearing both of these honors with her bespoke Alexander McQueen velvet dress. Catherine wore Queen Mary's Lovers Knot Tiara, sometimes called the Cambridge Lovers knot, and dazzled with a new diamond ring that has not yet been identified.
The Royal Family will be slowing down public engagements ahead of the holidays but most members are expected to be at Sandringham for Christmas. xx