Duchess of Cambridge wears velvet McQueen and Diana's tiara at royal reception

The Duchess of Cambridge brought the sparkle as she attended the Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace yesterday evening.

The Duchess, 37, joined husband Prince William, and other royals at the annual “white tie and decorations” affair, which is one of the highlights of the royal calendar.

Looking perfectly regal in a floor-skimming, navy, velvet Alexander McQueen gown, Kate added dazzling silver drop earrings and the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, which was loaned to her by the Queen.

But perhaps the most notable accessory worn by the Duchess was the dazzling Lover's Knot Tiara, which belonged to Prince William’s late mother Princess Diana and is a favourite for Kate.

The diamond and pearl headpiece was given to Kate’s late mother-in-law as a wedding gift from the Queen in 1981 and the Duchess first wore it in December 2015 for the Diplomatic Corps reception.

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While it was easy to be captivated by the Duchess’ dazzling jewels, equally as significant, albeit less ritzy, were the other details of Kate’s ensemble, like her sash and the other badges which represent honours from the Queen.

The blue sash draped over her dress featured the pinned Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on her blue sash, which Kate received back in April from the Queen.

The Duchess also donned her Royal Family Order, a yellow ribbon with a delicate brooch containing a portrait of the monarch on glass, which is an honour she received from the Queen in 2018 for services to the sovereign.

The Duchess wore her decoration publicly for the first time in June to a state banquet honouring President Trump.

It's common for members of the royal family to display their honours at state dinners or official gatherings like today's annual event.

Like the Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall also layered their outfits with sashes and pinned ribbons to their gowns at last night’s regal event.

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The Queen opted for an elegant, embroidered, white gown designed by Angela Kelly teamed with the Vladimir tiara, and a glittering necklace featuring emerald and diamond drops.

The reception is the largest of all the royal events held at Buckingham Palace, with more than 1,000 guests from around 130 countries invited to attend, including ambassadors, high commissioners, government officials and senior members of the royal family.

Absent from the event was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are currently taking a six-week break from royal duties and are thought to be in the US with their son Archie and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.