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Royal Ladies Reunite at State Banquet for President and First Lady of Korea
The Royal Ladies graced the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace with their presence as they warmly welcomed the President and First Lady of Korea.
Dressed in stunning evening gowns and adorned with elegant tiaras, they added a touch of glamour to the occasion.
Notably, the K-pop girl band Blackpink joined the distinguished guests in the ballroom and even received special recognition from the King during his speech.
Queen Camilla caught the attention of fans with her breathtaking appearance in a red Fiona Clear Eldridge gown.
To commemorate the event, she also wore the late Queen's ruby and diamond Burmese tiara.
This exquisite tiara, valued at around £5 million, features rubies that were gifted to the late Queen on her wedding day in 1947.
Princess Diana, known for her impeccable sense of style, mesmerized the world once again with her choice of attire.
She looked absolutely stunning in a pristine white gown complemented by striking jewelry.
Adding an element of surprise to the occasion, Princess Catherine donned the Strathmore Rose tiara, which previously belonged to the late Queen Mother.
The Duchess of Edinburgh opted to recycle her coronation gown, a bespoke cream Susanna Crabbe dress.
This gown had previously been worn during the historic ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May.
Speaking exclusively to People, Crabbe expressed her desire to create something unique and iconic while ensuring Sophie felt amazing and confident in the dress.
Known for her classic and feminine designs, Crabbe incorporated subtle British touches into her creation, drawing inspiration from London-based ceramic artist Rachel Dane for the floral embroidery.
The State Banquet commenced with a speech by the King, which included references to Korean culture and K-pop.
Among the audience were members of the world's biggest girl band, Blackpink.
The four members, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rose, arrived at Buckingham Palace in glamorous gowns, adhering to the white-tie dress code.
A video shared on X showcased the pop stars exchanging sweet glances during the King's speech.
Blackpink has been making history with their achievements.
They became the first Korean band to headline a major UK music festival, BST Hyde Park, in July.
Prior to that, they made waves by becoming the first Asian and all-female group to headline Coachella in the US.
These accomplishments have solidified their status as global icons.
The banquet also included thoughtful gifts for the President and First Lady.
As a dedicated fan of Sir Winston Churchill, the President was delighted to receive an official gift from the King and Queen—a hand-bound copy of Sir Winston's memoir, The Tide Book, with a personalized dedication label.
The Queen presented Mrs. Kim with a pashmina hand-embroidered with the mugunghwa, South Korea's national flower, and the names of the First Lady's dogs.
The embroidery was skillfully done by artisans from the Royal School of Needlework.
During his speech, the King lightened the atmosphere by mentioning the iconic “Gangnam Style,” which elicited a chuckle from President Yoon.
Both leaders paid tribute to the 140 years of diplomatic relations between their countries and celebrated the cultural ties that bind them.
The President also acknowledged other Korean exports, including the popular Netflix series Squid Game.
Prince Charles diplomatically addressed his previous visit to South Korea with Princess Diana in November 1992.
Although the couple's unhappiness during the trip earned them the nickname “the Glums,” he emphasized the enduring friendship between the nations.
He also honored the 81,000 British soldiers who fought in the Korean War, specifically highlighting the bravery of Sergeant William Speakman, who survived the Battle of the Maryang Mountain, and Private James Logan, who tragically lost his life during the Battle of the Imjin River.
The State Banquet served as a testament to the strong bonds between the United Kingdom and Korea.
