As she accompanied her husband Prince William to the state dinner on Tuesday night, Princess Catherine was the epitome of elegance.
King Charles welcomed Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, to Buckingham Palace with the help of important members of his family, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
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In a bridal white Jenny Packham “Elspeth” dress adorned with sequins, Catherine dazzled onlookers. With the Lover’s Knot tiara, a favorite of the late Princess Diana, she completed her stunning appearance.
Even though Catherine was the height of elegance and sophistication, she did momentarily lose her composure during her father-in-law King Charles’ speech.
The gracious monarch chose to begin his speech with six greetings from nine different African languages, including Venda, the language of President Ramaphosa.
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His VIP guest responded enthusiastically and turned to the Princess after each statement, showing how well his efforts were received.
His fervent response undoubtedly left an impression on Catherine. As President Ramaphosa took in Charles’s greetings and leaned in to say a few words, she was seen giggling away.
The King touchedly discussed his late mother’s connection to South Africa during his speech, saying: “Presidents Mandela, Mbeki, and Zuma all paid state visits to the UK during the reign of the late Queen, and I was there for each one.
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“She expressed her admiration for your nation and its people, as well as its vibrancy, natural beauty, and diversity, on each of those occasions.
“She also frequently recalled her 1995 visit to your nation as President Mandela’s guest following the historic events that brought democracy to your nation and were spearheaded by South Africa. These events received support from many nations, including the United Kingdom.
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“President Mandela informed me that he had given my mother a special name, Motlalepula, which means “to come with rain,” during one of my own trips to South Africa in 1997.
“I’ve been reassured that this was a mark of the particular affection President Mandela felt for the Queen, rather than a remark on the British habit of taking our weather with us,”
