Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh makes touching nod to Kate Middleton as she dons Lotus Flower Tiara - last worn by the Princess of Wales in 2022 - during glitzy state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan

The Duchess of Edinburgh was the vision of regal elegance as she donned the Lotus Flower Tiara - originally made for the Queen Mother 1923 - at last night's glitzy state banquet.

Sophie, 59, channelled sophistication in the historic piece of jewellery, which was also a known favourite of Princes Margaret's throughout the 1960s.

And she also appeared to pay a touching nod to her nephew Prince William 's wife Kate Middleton , who is currently undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis, and was the last one to wear it for a 2022 Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace .

The Princess of Wales also sported it in 2015, at her first state banquet to welcome the Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The delicate diamond tiara has fan motifs crowned by floating diamond arches and is also known as the Papyrus Tiara; it was created by British jeweller Garrard from one of the Duchess Elizabeth of York's own necklaces.

Serena Stanhope also wore it in 1993 - when she married David Armstrong-Jones , Viscount Linley, who is Margaret's son.

It's the first time Sophie has worn the ornate Lotus Flower tiara. In 1999, for her wedding day, she completed her look with the Anthemion tiara, her first wear from Queen Elizabeth II 's collection.

She is also known to be fond of an aquamarine tiara, which she has worn on many occasions throughout the years - recently sporting it in November, to welcome the President and First Lady of South Korea at a state banquet.

Yesterday's event also saw the Duchess wearing a glamorous £4,890 emerald gown from Suzannah London.

The Couture ‘Crystalline’ Silk Dress featured a V-neck, short sleeves, and a cinched waist for an elegant silhouette.

The product description on the website says it includes 'structured silk boned bodice with layers of silk chiffon over the entire gown' and 'crystalline pleat draped sleeves add a 1950s touch to this beautiful piece'.

She carried a Silver Maud Clutch from Anya Hindmarch, and to finish off the look, opted for a very glitzy necklace and stunning drop earrings.

The wife of Prince Edward styled her blonde tresses back and opted for a summery, bronzed make-up look.

Yesterday, she joined others royals including King Charles and Queen Camilla as they welcomed the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK, marking the start of a three-day state visit.

The much-anticipated trip – which had been postponed from 2020 as a result of the Covid pandemic – almost didn't happen again due to next week's General Election , which has seen a number of royal engagements cancelled.

But after behind-the-scenes negotiations to pare down some more political elements of the visit, it got the go-ahead – with pomp, pageantry, and jokes about Pokemon characters.

And last night at a glittering state banquet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Camilla showed off the King's new Family Order for the first time – painted on plastic instead of ivory. The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, normally features a portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and suspended from a silk bow.

Charles, 75, ditched ivory in favour of having his portrait painted – in oil by miniaturist Elizabeth Meek – on synthetic polymin. Camilla wore her new Family Order, along with the one she was given by the late Queen Elizabeth, on a cream silk crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare.

Also in attendance was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, who, unintentionally, sat on the right leg of the banquet table, with Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, 61, on the left.

Mr Sunak did not take part in the official royal procession as he has done in previous years, though his wife, Akshata Murty, did.

Last night's banquet rounded off the first day of the visit which started with the Prince of Wales – without his wife, Kate, who is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy – escorting the emperor and empress to Horse Guards Parade to meet Charles and Camilla, 76, at the Royal Pavilion.

Standing before them was Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the magnificent Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign's Escort – involving more than 1,250 soldiers, 250 Army musicians and 240 horses.

Dignitaries also included Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.