Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh made a striking appearance at the State Banquet hosted at Buckingham Palace on the evening of June 25 in honor of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Duchess, adorned in a stunning green short-sleeved dress by Susanna, accessorized with exquisite jewels including the lotus flower tiara and a diamond necklace borrowed from Queen Camilla, caught the attention of royal enthusiasts.

Observers keenly noted a significant connection between the Duchess and Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, through the choice of tiara worn by Sophie.

Princess Catherine had previously worn the lotus flower tiara in December 2022 during a reception at Buckingham Palace alongside Prince William, complementing her attire with a red sequined gown designed by Jenny Packham.

This tiara holds sentimental value, having been passed down from Princess Margaret, the beloved sister of the late Queen Elizabeth II, by the late Queen Mother.

Despite the absence of Princess Catherine at the state banquet due to her ongoing cancer treatment, she recently made a public appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade earlier this month.

However, it was clarified that this appearance did not signify a return to her royal duties as she focuses on her recovery in private.

The banquet, presided over by King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, saw the attendance of Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, among other members of the royal family.

The State Banquet marked the commencement of a three-day official visit to the UK by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, commencing with a grand ceremonial welcome featuring military pageantry.

The event was a significant diplomatic affair, symbolizing the strong ties between the UK and Japan, with royal representatives from both countries in attendance.

The presence of King Charles, despite his health challenges, underscored the importance of the occasion and the commitment to fulfilling royal duties.