She paired the dress with a blue sash, medals on her lapel, and the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, which originally belonged to Queen Mary. Carrying a pearl-encrusted clutch, Kate looked every bit the princess.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump took a bolder approach to her fashion in a brightly colored gown that was hard to miss.
Designed by Carolina Herrera, the yellow dress had a sleek silhouette. The gown had an off-the-shoulder neckline and a column skirt with a slit on the side for a daring edge.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump at St George’s Hall for a state banquet. Doug Mills/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
A chunky purple belt sat on Melania Trump’s waist, and she completed the look with green, dangly earrings, adding even more color.
The vivid dress struck a markedly different tone than the outfit Melania Trump arrived in the UK wearing. Dressed in head-to-toe Dior, she paired a gray blazer and skirt with a wide-brimmed purple hat, subtly matching her husband’s tie.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump in Windsor, England. WPA Pool/Getty Images
In general, the first lady has stuck to more subdued ensembles in her husband’s second term, which has helped her maintain a low profile. It’s unclear if the bright dress for the state banquet indicates another shift for Melania Trump in her approach to first lady fashion, or if it’s just an exception to the tone she has struck in recent months.
Only time will tell if Melania Trump’s personal style is taking another turn, but it’s safe to say she and Kate both wore memorable looks for the state banquet.