Kate Middleton wears largest tiara she's ever worn ‘reserved for Britain’s queens’ at state banquet: expert

Kate Middleton looked every bit the future queen as she stepped out wearing the largest and most striking tiara she has ever worn.

On Dec. 3, the Princess of Wales joined her husband, Prince William, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla for a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle. The festivities honored German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s state visit to the U.K.

For the glamorous evening, the mother of three debuted Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, paired with a sparkling sequin cape gown by her go-to designer, Jenny Packham. 

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The jaw-dropping blue ensemble included earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, along with the Royal Family Order and the Royal Victorian Order sash and star.

"Catherine’s look was so exciting for royal watchers," royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital. "Not only was the tiara a new piece for her, but it’s also one that’s typically reserved for Britain’s queens. The Oriental Circlet Tiara is also the largest piece we’ve seen her wear to date."

"It perfectly communicates the ties the U.K. has with Germany, too, as it was a gift from German-born Prince Albert to his wife, Queen Victoria," Matta added.

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It’s believed that Kate, 43, may have chosen the tiara to pay tribute to their guests, as Albert was from Germany.

The Oriental Circlet is recognized as the most significant Victorian-era piece in the royal collection, Garrard reported. It was originally set with opals — one of Albert’s favorite gemstones — along with 2,600 diamonds. The tiara also features an Indian-inspired design incorporating lotus flowers and Mughal arches. Garrard noted that Queen Alexandra, who considered opals unlucky, later replaced them with rubies.

"The royals do everything deliberately," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "Princess Catherine's entire ensemble signaled continuity and celebrated their shared heritage while also signaling a new era. It was a brilliant historical nod to their German guests."

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"Prince Albert’s surname was Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, as he belonged to the German House of Saxe-Coburg," Fordwich said. "It was back in 1917 that the royal family changed their name to Windsor, taking the name of their English home due to anti-German sentiment during World War I."

Fordwich also noted that Kate’s dress delivered a bold public statement about the monarchy’s future.

"Traditionally, Queen Elizabeth II always wore white or cream for state banquets," said Fordwich. "This departure was a clear signal of a new era — the modern monarchy Prince William wants to project."

"It was beyond heartwarming to see Princess Catherine so glowing, having recovered so well from her cancer battle," she added.

Kate has previously worn four different tiaras for state banquets and diplomatic receptions. She wore her first tiara in 2011 — the Cartier Halo Tiara — when she married William.

Over the years, she has also worn the Lotus Flower Tiara and the Strathmore Rose Tiara. Most recently, she sported Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara during the state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump in September.

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Ahead of the banquet, the Prince and Princess of Wales posed for an official portrait taken by Alex Bramall at Frogmore House near Windsor Castle.

"Looking forward to a special banquet tonight in Windsor," they captioned the photo on social media.

Haitian gang leader learns sentence for orchestrating kidnapping of 16 American missionaries

A man described by federal prosecutors as a Haitian gang leader was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for his role in orchestrating the 2021 hostage-taking of 16 American citizens, including five children.

Joly Germine, 34, of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was also ordered by the court to pay a fine of $1,700.

The Justice Department said the victims were part of the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, and were on their way back from working at an orphanage when they were taken hostage in Oct. 2021.

"The missionary group included 12 adults and five young children, including a 6-year-old, 3-year-old, and an 8-month-old. Sixteen of the victims were U.S. citizens from Christian Aid Ministries," said D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. "This sentencing makes clear that Germine’s scheme to win freedom for himself by using Christians as pawns backfired."

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Prosecutors said in a court filing that Germine led the violent Haitian gang "400 Mawozo" while in prison, directing the group’s operations using unmonitored cell phones – allegations he and his attorneys denied.

Germine allegedly was in constant touch with other 400 Mawozo leaders, most of whom were his relatives, and wanted to secure his release from prison in exchange for the hostages. Most of them were held at gunpoint for 62 days until they escaped. 

The Haitian government transferred Germine from a Haitian jail into U.S. custody in May 2022 after an arrest warrant was issued.

"This case shows that the Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to track down anyone who kidnaps a U.S. citizen abroad," said then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the time. "We will utilize the full reach of our law enforcement authorities to hold accountable anyone responsible for undermining the safety of Americans anywhere in the world."

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Germine was sentenced last year to 35 years in federal prison for his role in a gun trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling firearms to Haiti and for laundering ransom money collected by the gang.

Ray Noecker, whose wife Cheryl and five children were held hostage, said during sentencing that the ordeal was a "life-changing experience" for his family. He told Germine he hopes he finds "God’s peace."

"True freedom is not found outside of prison walls. True freedom is found inside your own heart," Noecker said.

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