Kate Middleton has admitted that she was “fully aware” of the immense pressure during Trump’s official visit to the UK, especially during the moments when “all eyes were on her.” According to a source close to her, Kate faced a lot of scrutiny, and not a little bit of implicit criticism from the public about how she handled this political event. But what really got people curious was a particular conversation between Kate and Donald Trump right at the dinner party, which may have completely changed the way she behaved during this visit. And what Kate actually said during the event was just 8 words that surprised everyone at the party.
Kate Middleton was cognizant of the prominent role she played during President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about the Princess of Wales’ impact during the trip, which ran from Sept. 17 to Sept. 18, royal biographer Ingrid Seward says that the future queen was “very aware” of the spotlight on her.
Princess Kate, 43, has gradually resumed duties after undergoing treatment for cancer in 2024 (she shared in January that she is in remission), and Seward says that she was “animated and happy and having a laugh” at the state banquet.
“She lightened the whole evening. She lit up the table with the megawatt smile. There was a lot of pressure on her because all eyes were on her,” says the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. “She would be very aware that the most important person there was the King, but she can’t help that all eyes are on her.”
“She never looked as good as she did the other night. She looked magnificent. She looked golden, and it’s definitely the best I’ve ever seen her look at a state banquet,” Seward adds about Kate’s princess moment in a golden Phillipa Lepley evening coat with gown.
As they have for other state visits since King Charles’ accession to throne in 2022, Princess Kate and Prince William played a major role in helping to host the U.S. president and his wife, first lady Melania Trump.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were the first members of the royal family to welcome the Trumps in Windsor on Sept. 17, accompanied them to meet the King and Queen Camilla, attended the lunch at Windsor Castle and state banquet that night, where Kate sat next to the president.
“She obviously amused him,” Seward says about the photo of Princess Kate giggling alongside Trump. “She is just a doyenne of perfect manners. He must have made her laugh.”
“She is definitely showing traits of being a remarkable future queen,” Seward says, adding, “She has the most beautiful smile, which captivates everyone. It’s just magical.”
