The star-studded evening also welcomed Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, legendary composer Hans Zimmer, Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, and German footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger — who once played for Prince William’s beloved Aston Villa.
Guests feasted on a lavish, French-written menu: smoked trout tartlets, Windsor partridge in puff pastry, winter vegetables, and a dramatic baked Alaska finale. Four wines accompanied the meal, topped off with a Black Forest gâteau–inspired cocktail.
In a historic first, a towering six-metre Christmas tree stood at the end of the banquet table, forcing the palace to shorten the table by two metres and limit seating to 152 guests.
A magical night for most — but for William? Definitely a reminder of the one that got away… at least at the dinner table.
