Kate Middleton to miss royals’ glitziest night of year despite gradual return to duties
The Royal Family’s most glamorous event of the year complete with tiaras is set to take place tonight.
King Charles will host the annual white tie Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace later tonight, which sees the royals host 500 diplomats, who all come dressed in all of their finery. The King is set to be joined other members of the Firm including Queen Camilla and Prince William, however it is understood the Princess of Wales, who is often a regular attendee, will not be among them.
Last week, Kate made a series of rare public appearances to mark Remembrance weekend by attending the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. It was the first time this year she had made two appearances on two consecutive days following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment.
However, her return to duties is gradual, and she is said to instead be focusing on organising her annual Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey, which takes place in just over two weeks’ time.
The Diplomatic Corp Reception is an annual event held at Buckingham Palace near the end of the year – and usually heralds the start of the festive season. It usually takes place in December but has been moved forward this year and next month marks a state visit to the UK by the Emir of Qatar.
At the event, guests form a large greeting line so members of the Royal Family can easily chat to their guests. There is a drinks recpetion and buffet dinner before dancing in the palace ballroom, although the royals usually leave the reception before this begins.
