Kate Middleton Was Well Aware That 'All Eyes Were on Her' During Trump State Visit
Royal biographer says Princess of Wales 'lit up the table' at Windsor banquet which highlighted her role as the monarchy’s most visible figure.
When the first couple touched down in the UK last week, the Windsors delivered on all the pomp of royal life. But the spotlight didn't shine the brightest on President Donald Trump or King Charles. It was instead on the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who knew better than anyone that 'all the eyes' would be on her as she took a significant role in the state visit.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward explained to PEOPLE that, given that the Princess is easing back into her role after cancer treatment last year, the public's fascination with her is inevitable. “She was very aware that the most important person there was the King,” Seward explained. “But she can’t help that all eyes are on her.” Going by Seward’s account, Middleton approached the two-day state visit with a sense of ease. “She was animated and happy and having a laugh,” Seward recalled of the state banquet. “She lightened the whole evening. She lit up the table with a megawatt smile. There was a lot of pressure on her because all eyes were on her.”
It was, in Seward’s view, one of Middleton’s standout moments. Dressed in a golden Phillipa Lepley coat and gown, the Princess of Wales made an impression. “She never looked as good as she did the other night. She looked magnificent. She looked golden, and it’s definitely the best I’ve ever seen her look at a state banquet,” the expert further gushed. Seward, however, dismissed the idea of Middleton as a 'secret weapon' for the royals. Her impact, she argued, is hiding in plain sight. “She is the weapon, not a secret one,” Seward said.
The event followed a well-worn playbook for the Waleses, who, since Charles’s accession to the throne in 2022, have been crucial to the UK's strategy to charm their foreign counterparts. Middleton and Prince William greeted the Trumps upon their arrival at Windsor, and accompanied them to meet the King and Queen Camilla.
Middleton, being the centre of attention, has, however, not sat well with some. A video seemingly showed the Queen pulling rank on Middleton, as she hogged Melania's attention during a chat, with Camilla feeling allegedly left out. Middleton's seating arrangements later that evening during the state dinner didn't help, as she was placed next to the President. Photographs also showed the President quite taken by the Princess, with moments of genuine laughter. “She obviously amused him,” Seward said, pointing to candid shots of Middelton giggling, sitting beside Trump. “She is just a doyenne of perfect manners. He must have made her laugh... She is definitely showing traits of being a remarkable future queen.” Seward, pointing towards Middleton's importance in the monarchy, added, “She has the most beautiful smile, which captivates everyone. It’s just magical.”
Beyond the personalities in the room, the occasion highlighted the enduring value of royal ‘soft power.’ The grandeur of the pageantry, from ceremonial welcomes to the banquet, was, in Seward’s words, a reminder of Britain’s unique ability to stage such moments. “It was really uplifting. It showed what we can really do when we push out the stops,” she said, “Despite everything that’s going on in the world, we are still the best at putting on a show of pomp and circumstance. Years ago, Charles said we must never lose that because that is what we do best — and he is absolutely right.”
