Prince William joins King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle in glitzy reception

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 18/11/2025

- 22:10

The Princess of Wales gave her first speech since November 2023 earlier in the day

Prince William joined King Charles and Queen Camilla as they hosted a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Windsor Castle.

The annual reception celebrated the presence of one of the largest Diplomatic Corps in the world and allowed the King and Queen to meet representatives of countries accredited to the Court of St. James.


The reception was held at Windsor Castle for the first time since 2001.

Their Majesties welcomed over 900 members of the Diplomatic Corps to Windsor Castle, just days after the King celebrated his 77th birthday.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William

Queen Camilla and King Charles welcomed members of the Diplomatic Corps at Windsor Castle alongside Prince William

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PA

The Prince of Wales made a solo appearance as the Princess of Wales missed the event for the second year in a row.

Traditionally, the event takes place at Buckingham Palace, but moved to Windsor Castle for this year’s celebration.

The King and Queen made a stunning entrance at the reception, with Charles wearing a tuxedo and Camilla in a floor-length white satin gown.

Camilla also brought back the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which features diamonds on the band with a large emerald.

The headpiece was made by Boucheron in 1919 by Dame Margaret Greville, whose jewels were later inherited by the Queen Mother and handed down to Queen Elizabeth II.

It has not been seen since 2018, when Princess Eugenie wore it on her wedding day to Jack Brooksbank.

King Charles

King Charles welcomed over 900 guests to Windsor Castle

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PA

King Charles

King Charles hosted the event at Windsor Castle for the first time since 2001

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PA

Kate was seen earlier on Tuesday at the Future Workforce Summit in London.

She made her first public speech since November 2023.

In her speech, she said: “Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here today. I do hope you will find it interesting and insightful.

"We have got some fantastic speakers, thank you, to all of you for your time, support and commitment.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Christian, who has led The Centre and built many of the relationships here today.

“Thank you, Christian, for holding the fort, particularly over the last couple of years.”

Mr Guy was appointed Director of The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood in 2023.

Princess Kate

Princess Kate made her first speech since November 2023

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GETTY

She continued: “My passion and the work of The Centre for Early Childhood stems from one essential truth: that the love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become and how we thrive as adults.

“Love is the first and most essential bond. But it is also the invisible thread, woven with time, attention and tenderness, through consistent, nurturing relationships, which creates the grounded and meaningful environments around a child.

“It is this texture, the weave of love, which forms a child’s emotional world and becomes the foundation, the very fabric of resilience and belonging."