Princess Kate knew ‘all eyes were on her’ during crucial appearance

Princess Kate and Melania Trump twin in matching Ralph Lauren outfits for first joint engagement |

GB NEWS

Marcus Donaldson

By Marcus Donaldson


Published: 23/09/2025

- 23:44

The Prince and Princess of Wales were the first to welcome Mr and Mrs Trump to Windsor

Princess Kate understood the central role she would inevitably play during US President Donald Trump’s State Visit, a royal expert has observed.

The Princess of Wales drew attention despite the US leader and King Charles being the two-day event’s main figures, as heads of state in their respective countries.


Kate and Prince William were on hand to first welcome President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Windsor Castle and - with the Princess of Wales remaining a mainstay throughout the visit.

However, the intense attention on the Princess would not have come as a shock to her, royal expert Ingrid Seward explained.

Kate Middleton, Prince William

Princess Kate was said to understand that 'all eyes were on her' during President Donald Trump's State Visit

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"She would be very aware that the most important person there was the King, but she can't help that all eyes are on her," Ms Seward explained.

The expert felt the attention was more than warranted, as Kate quickly becoming a highlight of the State Banquet on the evening of September 17.

"She lightened the whole evening. She lit up the table with the megawatt smile. There was a lot of pressure on her because all eyes were on her," the royal biographer told People.

Ms Seward glowed that the Princess "looked magnificent".

She continued: "She looked golden, and it's definitely the best I've ever seen her look at a State Banquet."

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Donald Trump, Melania Trump

Kate and William were the first royals to welcome the US delegation to Windsor

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The princess donned a golden Phillipa Lepley silk gown with hand-embroidered Chantilly lace evening coat for the occasion, creating what Seward described as her finest state banquet appearance.

As well as courting media attention, Kate was also seen to have ensnared the visiting US President – which Ms Seward felt demonstrated her value to the Royal Family.

Seated beside President Trump during dinner, the princess entertained the American leader - with photographs capturing them laughing together.

"She obviously amused him," Seward observed.

Kate Middleton, Prince William

Ms Seward glowed about Kate's presence at the State Banquet

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The expert gushed that Kate was “just a doyenne of perfect manners".

"He must have made her laugh," Ms Seward added.

Following the formal farewell on September 18, the Princess undertook her first joint engagement with Melania Trump, visiting young children participating in the UK's Scouts Squirrels programme.

The outing connected to Catherine's position as joint president of the Scouts, with both women appearing comfortable in each other's company.

"She chatted to Kate quite a lot. Everybody wants to talk to Kate," Ms Seward noted about their evident rapport.

Kate Middleton, Donald Trump

Kate captured the attention of the US leader during the feast

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To that end, the expert believed Kate demonstrated she was the Royal Family’s Far from “weapon, and not a secret one”.

The royal biographer enthused that Kate had demonstrated she had all the "traits of being a remarkable future queen”.

Ms Seward concluded her enthusiastic analysis but praising the Princess of Wales's: "beautiful smile, which captivates everyone. It's just magical."