KateGate - Triumphant Kate Middleton Shines at French State Visit

Oh, darling, let’s just get right to the royal heart of it! Lady Jane here, your resident aficionado of all things Windsor, and goodness, have the past few days been a triumph for Catherine, Princess of Wales – or, as we commoners love to call her, Kate Middleton.

Picture this: the morning of July 8, 2025, and there’s Kate at RAF Northolt, beaming alongside Prince William. But they’re not alone! Non, non – they’re greeting none other than French President Emmanuel Macron and his fabulously chic wife, Brigitte. The French are in town for a glittering state visit, and who better to roll out the proverbial red carpet than Kate herself? And, oh, she did so in style, sporting a blush pink Christian Dior “New Look” jacket and skirt – her first ever Dior ensemble, incidentally, and a subtle wink to French fashion royalty. Topped with a Jess Collett hat, Princess Diana’s pearl earrings, and a necklace of Queen Elizabeth’s, Kate fused tribute with diplomacy in way that only she can. If sartorial diplomacy were an Olympic sport, Catherine would have more golds than Team GB[2][4].

Now, let’s not forget, all this is happening just months after her highly publicized struggle with cancer. Brave Kate skipped the Royal Ascot this year, needing rest after the Trooping of the Colour and the Order of the Garter – fully understandable, since one can only manage so many parades and pageantry post-chemotherapy. But don’t think for a moment that she’s been idle. Oh, no! She’s been drawing strength from her favorite activities: daily nature walks, photography, and, in a delightful twist, piano therapy. Not to mention, a return to ballet with Princess Charlotte – imagine the twirls![1]

William confessed, with just a hint of defeat, that Kate always beats him at tennis. Not a shock, since she’s the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and a regular at Wimbledon, where she’ll likely appear later this month, much to the delight of fans. Let’s just say, if there’s a racket involved, William doesn’t stand a chance[6].

So, here she is, dazzling at state banquets, keeping Kensington Palace humming along, and reminding the world why the future of the monarchy rests so gracefully on her shoulders. Kate Middleton: resilient, radiant, and, dare I say, giving Dior more than a run for its money in the style stakes. Stay tuned, darlings, because if the past week is any indication, the Princess of Wales is back – and she’s more captivating than ever[2][1][4].