Kate Middleton and Melania Trump took different approaches to white-tie fashion for a state banquet at Windsor Castle

Donald and Melania Trump attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
The first lady wore a bright yellow Carolina Herrera dress with a statement belt.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton went full princess in a sparkly gold dress and tiara.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump’s state visit to the UK is in full swing.

After warm greetings on the grounds of Windsor Castle with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, the president and first lady attended a banquet with the royals at St George’s Hall on Wednesday evening.

Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, were also guests at the dinner, along with tech CEOs, including Tim Cook and Sam Altman.

The Trumps and the royal family were dressed to the nines for the white-tie banquet, and the first lady and the Princess of Wales arrived in arguably the most eye-catching ensembles of the night.

Kate chose a floor-length Phillipa Lepley gown for the occasion.

Prince William and Kate Middleton attend a state dinner at Windsor Castle in September 2025. Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The cream silk dress hugged her figure, and she wore a gold overlay atop the simple gown. The lacy garment had long sleeves and a high neckline, bringing glamour and texture to the look.

She paired the dress with a blue sash, medals on her lapel, and the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, which originally belonged to Queen Mary. Carrying a pearl-encrusted clutch, Kate looked every bit the princess.

Meanwhile, Melania Trump took a bolder approach to her fashion in a brightly colored gown that was hard to miss.

Designed by Carolina Herrera, the yellow dress had a sleek silhouette. The gown had an off-the-shoulder neckline and a column skirt with a slit on the side for a daring edge.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump at St George’s Hall for a state banquet. Doug Mills/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
A chunky purple belt sat on Melania Trump’s waist, and she completed the look with green, dangly earrings, adding even more color.

The vivid dress struck a markedly different tone than the outfit Melania Trump arrived in the UK wearing. Dressed in head-to-toe Dior, she paired a gray blazer and skirt with a wide-brimmed purple hat, subtly matching her husband’s tie.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump in Windsor, England. WPA Pool/Getty Images
In general, the first lady has stuck to more subdued ensembles in her husband’s second term, which has helped her maintain a low profile. It’s unclear if the bright dress for the state banquet indicates another shift for Melania Trump in her approach to first lady fashion, or if it’s just an exception to the tone she has struck in recent months.

Only time will tell if Melania Trump’s personal style is taking another turn, but it’s safe to say she and Kate both wore memorable looks for the state banquet.