Kate Middleton dazzled in the Queen Mother's tiara as she took pride of place on the top table next to Chinese president Xi Jinping and the Queen at the state banquet held in his honor.

The Duchess of Cambridge attended a state banquet for the Chinese president at Buckingham Palace on October 20 sparkling from head to toe. With a formal dress code that called for a gown and tiara, Kate wore her third ever tiara since becoming Duchess.

All eyes were on the 33-year-old who wore the delicate Papyrus tiara, also known as the Lotus Flower, which was once owned by the Queen Mother and a favorite of Princess Margaret.

The priceless headpiece and matching diamond-drop earrings accessorized a brocade high-necked bespoke Jenny Packham dress in a fitting shade of red, the color of China's flag.

With pearl and diamond details, Kate wore the tiara with her hair pulled back into a low knot style and her new bangs parted to the side. To fit with her over-the-top look, Kate wore her makeup with defined brows and a much heavier brown eyeshadow and liner look.

Kate joined husband Prince William and Queen Elizabeth in hosting the Chinese president and his wife. It was the first time that Kate has attended a palace state dinner, which comes at the start of a four-day state visit by the Chinese leader and seen as being key to cementing economic ties between the two countries.

The white-tie dinner marked two memorable firsts - an attendance by the Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a major development in their role as members of the monarchy.

Prince Harry also appeared to be attending the event in a black puffa jacket and unshaven face, though his father the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall said they would not be attending.