Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh makes touching nod to Kate Middleton as she dons Lotus Flower Tiara – last worn by the Princess of Wales in 2022 – during glitzy state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan

The Duchess of Edinburgh exuded regal elegance as she wore the Lotus Flower Tiara, originally created for the Queen Mother in 1923, to the chic state banquet last night.

Sophie, 59, brought sophistication to this historic piece of jewelry, which was also a noted favorite of Prince Margaret in the 1960s.

And she also appeared to give a touching nod to her cousin Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton, who is currently undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis and was the last to wear it at a 2022 Diplomatic Corps reception in Buckingham Palace.

The Princess of Wales also wore it in 2015, at her first state banquet to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The delicate diamond tiara features fan motifs topped by floating diamond arches and is also known as the Papyrus Tiara; it was made by British jeweler Garrard from one of the necklaces of Duchess Elizabeth of York herself.

Serena Stanhope also wore it in 1993, when she married David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, Margaret’s son.

It is the first time that Sophie wears the elegant tiara with lotus flower. In 1999, for her wedding day, she completed her look with the Anthemion tiara, her first piece from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.

She is also known to love an aquamarine tiara, which she has worn on many occasions over the years – most recently in November, to welcome the President and First Lady of South Korea to a state banquet.

At yesterday’s event, the Duchess also wore a glamorous £4,890 emerald green dress from Suzannah London.

The Couture ‘Crystalline’ silk dress has a V-neck, short sleeves and a fitted waist for an elegant silhouette.

The product description on the website states that it features ‘structured silk bodice with boning and layers of silk chiffon throughout the dress’ and ‘draped sleeves with crystalline pleats give this beautiful piece a 1950s touch’.

She wore a silver Maud clutch from Anya Hindmarch and to complete the look, she opted for a very glitzy necklace and beautiful earrings.

Prince Edward’s wife styled her blonde locks back and opted for a summery, bronzed makeup look.

Yesterday she joined other royals, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, as they welcomed the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Britain, marking the start of a three-day state visit.

Sophie, 59, brought sophistication to this historic piece of jewelry, which was also a noted favorite of Prince Margaret in the 1960s.

It was last worn by the Princess of Wales, for a 2022 Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace

At yesterday’s event, the Duchess also wore a glamorous £4,890 emerald green dress from Suzannah London. The Couture ‘Crystalline’ silk dress has a V-neck, short sleeves and a fitted waist for an elegant silhouette

The highly anticipated trip – which had been postponed until 2020 due to the Covid pandemic – was almost canceled due to next week’s general election, with a number of royal engagements cancelled.

But after behind-the-scenes negotiations to limit some of the more political elements of the visit, it was given the green light – complete with pomp and circumstance and jokes about Pokemon characters.

And last night at a glittering state banquet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Camilla showed off the king’s new family order for the first time – painted on plastic instead of ivory. The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, normally shows a portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and hung from a silk bow.

Serena Stanhope also wore it in 1993 – when she married David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, Margaret’s son

Princess Margaret was known to be a big fan of the tiara. Pictured wearing it in 1959, in Portugal

The delicate diamond tiara features fan motifs topped by floating diamond arches and is also known as the Papyrus Tiara; it was made by British jeweler Garrard from one of the Duchess Elizabeth of York’s own necklaces. Pictured in 1923

The King and Queen posed in full regalia for a state banquet with the Emperor and Empress of Japan

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Charles, 75, ditched ivory and had his portrait – in oil by miniaturist Elizabeth Meek – painted on synthetic polymin. Camilla wore her new Family Order, along with the one given to her by the late Queen Elizabeth, over a cream silk crepe dress with embroidery by Fiona Clare.

Also present were Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, who inadvertently sat on the right leg of the party table, with Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, 61, on the left.

Mr Sunak did not take part in the official royal procession, as he has done in previous years, although his wife, Akshata Murty, did.

Last night’s banquet concluded the first day of the visit, which began with the Prince of Wales – without his wife Kate, who continues to undergo preventative chemotherapy – escorting the Emperor and Empress to the Horse Guards Parade to celebrate Charles and Camilla, 76 , to be met at the Royal Pavilion.

Before them stood the Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the magnificent Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign’s Escort – numbering more than 1,250 soldiers, 250 army musicians and 240 horses.

The dignitaries also included Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.