The Princess of Wales selected a design believed to be by Emilia Wickstead for this afternoon’s state go to duties. 
On behalf of the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted President Cyril Ramaphosa at his London resort.
That is the UK’s first state go to since 2019 and the primary hosted by King Charles as monarch. 
President Ramaphosa arrived at London Stansted airport final night time. 
The Prince and Princess then accompanied the President as they traveled to Horse Guards Parade. The Princess of Wales as she arrived at Horse Guards Parade.
The Prince and Princess be part of the King, Queen Consort, and President Ramaphosa on the Royal Pavilion for the ceremonial welcome.
There was a royal salute, and the South African nationwide anthem was performed. 
On this view, you too can see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak behind the King. 
Right now’s ceremonies concerned greater than a thousand troopers, about 230 horses, seven army bands, and 9 army models from the British Military’s Family Division. 
Extra on the go to from this BBC story printed earlier than the welcoming ceremonies.
That is the diplomatic equal of getting out the poshest plates and cutlery to impress the guests.
Flags are out on the Mall, there can be a ceremonial carriage journey, honour guards and a banquet in Buckingham Palace.
There’s a critical soft-power intent behind the toasts and tiaras of the go to. Commerce with South Africa represents 30% of the UK’s total commerce with the African continent, price nearly £11bn per 12 months.
The King can also be now head of the Commonwealth and can wish to ship a constructive message about strengthening relations.
Yet another picture of the Prince and Princess on the ceremony. 
Then it was time for a carriage journey.
President Ramaphosa rode with the King and Queen Consort. 
Right here you see the Sovereign’s Escort of the Family Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals accompanying the State Carriage on the Mall. 
The Princess of Wales. 
The route took the group from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace. Under, the Prince and Princess as they arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Following a personal lunch, the King and Queen Consort, Prince and Princess of Wales, and President Ramaphosa moved to the Palace’s Image Gallery to view an exhibition of Royal Assortment gadgets associated to South Africa.
Right here you see the couple with Dr. Naledin Pandor, Minister of Worldwide Relations and Cooperation, taking a look at a chess set Nelson Mandela gave Prince Philip in 1996. 
President Ramaphosa holds {a photograph} of Nelson Mandela with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on this picture.
Now for our take a look at what Kate wore for this afternoon’s welcoming occasions. Her wealthy, plum-colored ensemble included a costume that very a lot appears to be like like an Emilia Wickstead design. 
The midi-length piece contains a fitted bodice, peak lapels, utilized waistband, and pleated skirt. We do not need affirmation that that is an Emila Wickstead design and it could be one other designer altogether. However to me, the design carries most of the Emilia Wickstead signature components seen in different coatdresses worn by the Princess. Essentially the most important distinction between right this moment’s garment and different Emilia Wickstead items is the inclusion of a completely pleated skirt, with pleats which can be stitched down. 
The Princess wore a brand new pillbox hat with a bow within the again that appears fairly much like the Sean Barrett model worn for this 12 months’s Commonwealth service in March (beneath proper). Thanks to Liz at Kate’s Closet for stating the similarity! 
She accessorized along with her Gianvito Rossi pumps. 
And Mulberry clutch, together with a pair of UFO gloves. 
The Princess wore a surprising brooch for right this moment’s occasions, Queen Alexandra’s Three Feathers Brooch. The Beau Monde explains the piece is “… composed of eighteen Spherical Reduce diamonds with small emeralds that surrounded the standard image of the Prince of Wales, three ostrich feathers surrounded by a crown with the motto ‘Ich Dien’ (I Serve). It additionally got here with a removable cabochon emerald pendant that may be hung from the underside of the Pendant.” 
And from The Court docket Jeweller’s piece about right this moment’s jewellery.
Alexandra (who was then Princess of Wales herself) obtained the brooch and its coordinating emerald drop earrings as a marriage reward from a committee of girls, the Girls of North Wales, in 1863. The Three Feathers (or Prince of Wales’s Feathers), a trio of white ostrich plumes, is without doubt one of the most vital symbols of the Prince of Wales title, and the brooch options the feathers set in a diamond body. This explicit piece may be worn with or with out the emerald drop, and it may be used both as a brooch or a pendant.
Diana, Princess of Wales favored to put on it as a pendant on a necklace (each with and with out the emerald drop). Extra not too long ago, Queen Camilla has been the wearer of the jewel. She’s all the time worn it as a brooch, and all the time with the emerald drop.
Under, Diana, Princess of Wales, sporting the brooch in 1991 throughout an official go to to Canada.
Embed from Getty Pictures
Right here you see the Duchess of Cornwall sporting the brooch and matching earrings to an October 2006 film premiere. 
Right here is yet one more picture from the afternoon engagement. 
Click on right here for tonight’s state banquet protection.
VIDEOS:
The Royal Household Channel gives two minutes of protection from the resort.
Here’s a video overlaying the welcome ceremony.
This protection consists of the carriage journey and arrival at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Household posted a video.
The State Go to Carriage Procession, made up of the President of South Africa, The King, The Queen Consort, and The Prince and Princess of Wales, arrives at Buckingham Palace. 🐎 pic.twitter.com/JMTkZ0dy3E
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) November 22, 2022
Right here you see the carriages arrive at Buckingham Palace.
[MUST WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa along with King Charles III and The Queen Consort Camilla’s carriage procession arrives at Buckingham Palace. They’re accompanied by Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. @SundayTimesZA @TimesLIVE @BDliveSA @SowetanLIVE pic.twitter.com/FTO3Azzuji
— Amanda Khoza – The Journalist (@MandaKhoza) November 22, 2022
The Royal Household shared a number of the preps for right this moment’s official welcome.
No time for horsing round right this moment! 🐎
Workers on the Royal Mews have been busy getting the horses prepared for his or her starring position in tomorrow’s State Go to Carriage Procession. pic.twitter.com/uCOOtBXCGZ
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) November 21, 2022
