The state banquet at Windsor Castle marked the most striking moment of President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom. The event, hosted in St. George’s Hall, brought together 160 dignitaries and leaders at one of the most spectacular tables in royal history — the Waterloo Table, which stretches nearly half the length of a football field.
Royal watchers note that the banquet is one of the few occasions when the royal family publicly displays its most dazzling jewelry. “They absolutely drip with jewels,” said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. “It’s the one time they can really show off their jewelry.”
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and senior members of the royal family joined the president and first lady Melania Trump at the lavish dinner. Kate, Princess of Wales, wore a hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat by British designer Phillipa Lepley, adding to the night’s display of grandeur.
Preparation for such a banquet is a massive undertaking. It takes five days to set the table, which features more than 4,000 individual pieces, including silverware that is over two centuries old. Men traditionally wear white tie and tailcoats, while women attend in couture gowns and jewelry that have been passed down through generations.
The banquet was designed to project unity and strength between the two nations, blending centuries-old royal tradition with modern diplomatic engagement. Observers say the evening was a reminder of Britain’s capacity for royal pageantry, even amid political tension.
