The most awkward guest at the state banquet wasn't Trump

Things were bound to be tense at the royal banquet that marked the first evening of President Trump’s state visit, but there is one whispered rivalry that no one expected to rear its head.

Kate’s friend, or former-friend if you believe the rumours, Rose Cholmondeley has been conspicuously absent from royal events of late.

Yet who should waltz into the year’s most high-profile royal banquet but the woman the magazines have dubbed Kate’s ‘rural rival’.

The former model was photographed arriving to the banquet, dazzling in a plunging white gown.

Interestingly she wore the same colour as Kate, who attended the white-tie event in a feathery Alexander McQueen gown, complimented by her famous Lover’s Knot tiara.

The pair were not photographed together on the night, with Rose arriving after the Duchess and seated at a seperate table.

Rose entered the ballroom after her husband David, the Marquess of Cholmondely, who was front and centre of the evening’s events, arriving ahead of Ivanka Trump.

The Marquess, and by extension his wife, has a unique position of proximity to the royal family thanks to his title, and has regularly been spotted as part of official events.

He is also a firm friend of the Middletons, pictured out and about with Kate’s mother and siblings.

It was once believed that Rose and David were close friends of William and Kate, and made up part of the ‘Turnip Toff’ set the young royals ran with.

The couples were spotted together on a number of occasions and appeared to enjoy each other’s company, going far beyond mere acquaintances thanks to their respective royal duties.

In March however, The Sun published a piece detailing a falling out between Kate and Rose.

According to the story, the Duchess of Cambridge ordered her husband to ‘phase out’ Rose, whom she allegedly refers to as her ‘rural rival.’

As the wife of David, Rose’s rank may permit her invitations to royal events, but it doesn’t guarantee a warm reception.

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