Kate Middleton joined Prince William and the rest of the Royal family — sans Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — at a state banquet honoring visiting Dutch royals on Tuesday
During the event, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles and Dutch monarchs Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander wore traditional sashes known as orders
Kate, however, was not wearing one.According to People Magazine, there’s a good reason the Duchess of Cambridge wasn’t donning a blue sash over her Alexander McQueen gown
The sash represents the Royal Victorian Order of Queen Elizabeth II, which Kate doesn’t have
An order is given by the Queen to members of the Royal family as an acknowledgement of their service
While Kate, 36, hasn’t had that honor bestowed upon her, she has been given another special recognition which she was proudly wearing pinned to her chest
The mother-of-three was spotted wearing a yellow badge known as the Royal Family Order
Majesty Magazine reported that it’s the second time Kate’s worn the special honor
She also wore it at the Diplomatic Corps reception in December.As for why Kate hasn’t been given her blue sash, there’s some speculation that it’s because she’s not as close with the Queen as other Royal women
It may also be because she’s not yet completed as many Royal engagements as others in the family
Want to know more about Kate Middleton’s state banquet look and the Royal Family Order? Here’s what you need to know
State banquet Buckingham Palace 2018The Royal family hosted a state banquet at Buckingham Palace to honor King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who were visiting from the Netherlands
The women were expected to wear ball gowns and tiaras, per Royal protocol, and all members of the family were expected to wear either the Royal Victorian Order of Queen Elizabeth II or the Royal Family Order
Men wore tailcoats and full military honors.Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were not invited to the upscale event
The elder of Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children stayed at Anmer Hall with their nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borralo, while the youngest is thought to have been with his grandmother Carole Middleton, according to Hello Magazine
Prior to the dinner, the Queen delivered remarks about the United Kingdom’s partnership with the Netherlands
‘I recalled the state visit of your grandmother Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1972, when I spoke of how our nations’ close understanding and relationship would become increasingly important as new configuration of Europe was emerging,’ she said
‘As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other, that are our greatest asset, and demonstrate that even through change, our enduring alliance remains strong, and as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future
’For his part, King Willem-Alexander said: ‘At present, a lot of attention is focused on the “technical” side of Brexit
‘That’s understandable and necessary. But in the midst of all the complexity we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us
‘The greater narrative of freedom, openness and cooperation. Of growth and a prosperity whose fruits are enjoyed by all
’The Queen was joined at the state banquet by Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, Prince William and Kate
The Royal family’s official Twitter account revealed that 280 slides of chocolate orange torte and several other types of Royal-themed pastries were served during the banquet
Kate Middleton state dinner dressKate Middleton wore a light blue Alexander McQueen gown to Tuesday evening’s state dinner at Buckingham Palace
The taffeta gown showed off her shape with a mermaid silhouette.Her dress was a bespoke item from the fashion house
The Duchess paired the look with pearl earrings and a matching necklace. On her head she wore the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, which was a favorite of Princess Diana’s
While her accessories were beloved by fans, Kate received some harsh criticism over her gown
Some fans thought she looked unkempt in the dress, which had a wrinkly appearance to it, while others thought it was ugly and said it looked like an '8os prom dress'
What is a Royal Family Order?A Royal Family Order is an honor bestowed upon female members of the British Royal Family by Queen Elizabeth II
It’s worn on formal occasions.The emblem depicts the Queen in her youth, wearing formal evening attire and the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter
Kate was first seen wearing the Royal Family Order in December during the Diplomatic Corps reception
Other members of the Royal family wear the Royal Victorian Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Kate has not had this honor bestowed upon her, which is why you won’t see her wearing a blue sash like the rest of the family
The Royal Victorian Order is a blue sash given to members of the monarchy by the Queen to acknowledge their service
REVEALED: THE ROYAL ORDER WORN BY KATE The Duchess of Cambridge has been pictured wearing the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II, pictured, for the first timeTuesday night marked the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has been pictured wearing the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
The honour is bestowed by Her Majesty to female members of the royal family and is worn on white tie occasions such as state banquets and the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace
The order, which is also worn by the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex, features a jewel encased image of the Queen pinned on a chartreuse yellow ribbon and worn on the left shoulder
The miniature portrait, painted on glass, depicts the Queen as a young woman in evening dress wearing the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter
The image isbordered by diamonds and surmounted by a Tudor Crown in diamonds and red enamel
Its reverse, in silver-gilt, is patterned with rays and depicts the royal cypher and St
Edward's Crown in gold. The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, did not wear the order at the last state banquet she attended, during the visit of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain in June 2017
However it is believed she received the order in December 2017 and would therefore have worn it to the Diplomatic Reception that month, although no full-length images of the duchess at the event have emerged
The royal wore it proudly for the state banquet this week.