On the eve of the visit, a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in honour of the official visit of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, to the United Kingdom.

As protocol dictates, the event was attended by heads of state, members of the royal family, and other distinguished guests: Prince William with his wife Catherine, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The banquet was hosted by King Charles III, who greeted the guests in Yoruba and delivered a speech highlighting the importance of relations with the Nigerian community: «I do not seek to find words that could erase the past, for no words are capable of doing so», he noted. At the same time, the King expressed hope for a brighter future, «worthy of those who have endured the sufferings of the past».

Queen Camilla attended the banquet in an elegant embroidered gown by Fiona Clare, complementing her look with the Belgian Sapphire Tiara and earrings from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth.

The Princess of Wales chose an emerald gown by Andrew Gn – a shade that symbolically echoes the colours of Nigeria’s national flag. Featuring voluminous sleeves, a high neckline, and a pleated skirt, the dress was paired with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, also a favourite of the late Princess Diana. Prince William, like the other gentlemen, adhered to royal dress code, appearing in a classic black tailcoat with a white bow tie.

Princess Anne appeared in a long coat she first wore back in 1969. The piece had been subtly updated, lending the look a sense of freshness and modernity. She accessorised with a tiara worn by her daughter Zara at her 2011 wedding, as well as Queen Mary’s pearl and diamond choker.

It is worth noting that the Prince and Princess of Wales were the first to welcome President Tinubu and his wife upon their arrival in the United Kingdom. The couple accompanied the guests to Windsor, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla were already awaiting them. The guests were then given a tour of the castle, with special attention paid to items from the Royal Collection connected to Nigeria.

Photo: Instagram @princeandprincessofwales, @theroyalfamily