Elton John, Mick Jagger and First Dates star join royals for French state dinner
Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John were the top names on the guest list for the French state banquet held by the King at Windsor Castle. The Rolling Stones' lead singer was accompanied by his fiancée Melanie Hamrick, while the Crocodile Rock crooner Sir Elton was joined by his husband David Furnish for the lavish Royal festivity.
Sir Elton, renowned for hosting his own annual white-tie and tiara charity ball, was among the 160 guests who congregated at the King's Royal white-tie event in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. Both musicians have residences in France and Sir Elton also owns a home in nearby Old Windsor.
Sir Elton is famously known for performing Candle In The Wind, reworded as Goodbye England's Rose, at the funeral of the King's first wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and he shares a close bond with the Duke of Sussex – Charles's youngest son with whom the King has a strained relationship.
Other distinguished attendees who graced the sparkling banquet with Charles, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales included actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks, sculptor Sir Antony Gormley and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
At the regal banquet, King Charles found himself between President Macron and French culture minister Rachida Dati, while Princess Kate graced her first state dinner in almost two years beside the French leader and art historian Christophe Leribault of the Musee D'Orsay.
Queen Consort Camilla was spotted across the table, flanked by Mrs Macron and French armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu. Adjacent to First Lady Brigitte Macron was the Prince of Wales, William.
Rock legend Sir Mick Jagger, identified at his setting by the formal white place card "Sir Michael Jagger", enjoyed the company of Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Alice Rufo, a top official from the French ministry for the armed forces.
Vision-impaired Sir Elton John broke tradition, sitting next to his husband instead of being separated as is customary at such events, with the Duchess of Gloucester on his other side. The iconic singer has been suffering with severe vision issues after contracting an eye infection. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer found himself alongside football star Mary Earps.
Adding a touch of television charm, 'First Dates' maître d' Fred Sirieix attended, and French pop sensation Mika was seated by the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Before the event, William and Kate gave a sneak peek of their outfits by posting a photo of themselves on social media with the caption: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."
Kate also wore her Royal Family order from King Charles for the first time and brought a lily of the valley embroided evening clutch. She was seated next to President Macron and the pair chatted ahead of the start of the King's toast, while on her other side was art historian Christophe Leribault, chairman of the Musee D'Orsay. Kate studied history of art at university.
Other royals joining the dinner tonight were Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as well as Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Queen Camilla wore an ivory silk and crepe evening gown by Fiona Clare and a diamond and sapphire tiara that belonged to the late Queen. She also wore the Legion d'Honeur French sash, Garter Star and the King's family order.
The menu, which was created by French chef Raymond Blanc, began with a selection of tender summer vegetables from the Gardens of Le Manoir with Sage, Raw Tomato and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing.
The next course was Supreme of Rhug Estate Chicken with Norfolk Asparagus and Tarragon Cream, followed by Iced Blackcurrant Parfait on a Blackcurrant-soaked Sponge with Elderflower Jelly for dessert. Buckingham Palace described the collaboration as being "in the spirit of the Entente Cordial".
In a tradition started by the King, a cocktail was also created specially for the occasion, this time called L'entente. It combines British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, garnished with dried French cornflowers and English roses.
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