The Princess of Wales made a stunning appearance at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on September 17, hosting alongside King Charles and other members of the royal family. Kate Middleton captivated attendees in an elegant gold dress paired with a tiara, marking another significant public appearance following her cancer remission earlier this year.
The royal couple arrived at the formal event looking regal, with Prince William accompanying his wife for the ceremonial occasion. The state banquet represented one of the most prestigious events on the royal calendar, bringing together dignitaries and officials for the formal dinner at the historic castle.
Middleton’s appearance continues her gradual return to public duties following a challenging health journey that began in January 2024. The princess underwent major abdominal surgery, during which cancer was detected. She announced her diagnosis publicly on March 22, 2024, and prioritized her health throughout much of the year while working from home when possible.
The princess completed her cancer treatment by September 9, 2024, and announced in January 2025 that she was in remission. Since then, she has been making carefully planned returns to royal engagements, with the state banquet marking another milestone in her recovery journey.
Recent months have shown Middleton embracing subtle style changes alongside her return to public life. She debuted a dramatic hair transformation in late August, transitioning from her trademark rich brown locks to a golden blonde shade while visiting Scotland with Prince William. The couple was photographed leaving a church service in Crathie, Aberdeenshire, where royal watchers first noticed her lighter hair styled in her classic silky waves.
The hair change represented what royal stylists called one of the boldest transformations of her royal career. Former royal stylist Neville Tucker suggested the shift could spark a wave of similar transformations across the United Kingdom and beyond, noting how the warmer tones gave the princess a softer, sun-kissed appearance.
In September, Middleton made her first joint official engagement with Prince William since their summer break, visiting the Natural History Museum on September 4. The princess, who serves as the institution’s patron, kept her new blonde locks for the appearance, meeting children participating in learning programs in the museum’s gardens.
The Natural History Museum visit came the day after the new term began for the couple’s three children, who all attend Lambrook School near Ascot in Berkshire. During the engagement, William and Middleton learned about the attraction’s gardens, which serve as teaching, research and recreational resources.
Middleton has previously spoken about the importance of children spending time in nature, having helped create the Back To Nature play garden exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. She also urged society to reconnect with nature in a voiceover for social media videos celebrating the seasons released earlier this year.
Throughout her recovery period, royal biographer Robert Jobson noted that Middleton was approaching her return to public duties methodically. He indicated that she was doing things slowly and when ready, not being governed by photo opportunities but focusing on proper recovery as the priority.
A source familiar with the princess described her transformation following the cancer journey, noting that experiencing such a significant health challenge inevitably changes a person. The individual indicated that “you can’t go through something like that and come out the other side unchanged.”
The state banquet appearance follows other recent public engagements where Middleton has demonstrated her renewed energy and commitment to royal duties. In June, she attended Trooping the Colour, marking her first appearance at the annual birthday parade for the monarch since announcing her remission. The event was particularly significant as she had never missed the ceremony in her 14-plus years as a working royal.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith observed that during these appearances, it would have been difficult to tell that either King Charles or the princess had been ill and undergoing treatment. Both members of the royal family had faced cancer diagnoses in 2024, with the King continuing weekly treatment.
The princess has maintained her commitment to family throughout her recovery, with experts noting that her children remain her top priority. This balance between family life and royal responsibilities has shaped her approach to returning to public engagements, ensuring she can spend quality time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis while gradually resuming her official duties.
As Middleton continues her return to full royal duties, the state banquet represents another significant step in her journey back to public life. The elegant appearance in gold at Windsor Castle demonstrated both her recovery and her continued dedication to representing the monarchy at its most formal occasions.
