Yahoo Lifestyle Inside Duchess Catherine's first state banquet
Chinese president Xi Jinping and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan attended the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
They joined over 170 guests for a sit down dinner in the palace's grand ballroom which was hosted by the Queen and Prince Philip.
The event marked the start of a four-day state visit by the president to strengthen economic ties between China and the United Kingdom.
It was the Duchess of Cambridge's first state banquet and to mark the occasion, Catherine wore a red Jenny Packham floor-length gown and a stunning Lotus Flower Tiara which was previously owned by the Queen's mother.
Duchess Catherine wore a Lotus Flower Tiara. Photo: SplashNews.
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This was the second time Duchess Catherine has worn the tiara - the first being when she married Prince William in 2011 and wore a Cartier Halo tiara.
Guests at the event included Prime minister David Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other politicians and dignitaries.
The dress code was white-tie and the delectable menu boasted West Coast turbot and Balmoral venison.
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Ahead of the meal, the Queen gave a speech addressing the ties between the two countries.
The state banquet held in Buckingham Palace. Photo: SplashNews.
'We have much reason to celebrate the dynamic, growing economic relationship between our countries,' Queen Elizabeth stated.
'Your visit to the United Kingdom marks a milestone in this unprecedented year of co-operation and friendship between the United Kingdom and China, as we celebrate the ties between our two countries and prepare to take to hem to ambitious new heights.'
Duchess Catherine and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Photo: SplashNews.
Earlier in the day, the Queen exchanged gifts with the Chinese president and gave Xi Jinping a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets, plus a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh.
In return, the Queen was gifted two of his wife Madame Peng Liyuan's albums, a large work of embroidery, a large porcelain dish, a woodcarving and a stamp booklet.
President Xi Jinping and his wife will head home on Friday.
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