Kate Middleton Joins The Queen For A Christmas Lunch At Buckingham Palace

It's the one party everyone wants an invite to – the Queen is hosting her Christmas lunch today and the whole royal family is attending

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is sporting her most festive coat today, as she stepped out for lunch with the Queen. The entire royal family has descended on Buckingham Palace this afternoon for Queen Elizabeth's annual Christmas lunch, and Duchess Kate's opted for what looks like her trusty red Giorgio Armani coat.

While most of us would have splashed out on an entire new outfit for such an occasion, it looks like this royal's pulled out an old favourite she wore to a public event in Dumfries, Scotland, back in April. 

Kate Middleton arrived in the passenger seat of her car, with Prince William driving. Kate wore her hair in its signature bouncy blow-dry with loose curls, while Wills wore a navy blue suit, a blue shirt and his glasses. Prince George was no doubt left at Kensington Palace with his nanny… we can't imagine there being room at this banquet for a highchair, after all.

The royal pair were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, Peter and Autumn Phillips, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester, Lady Helen Taylor, Lady Louise Windsor, Princess Beatrice, Princess Michael of Kent and Viscount David Linley.

Prince Harry missed out on the event as he's still in Antarctica following his charity trek to the South Pole. And Cressida Bonas is in for a treat, as the redheaded Prince is sporting one seriously hot beard. REALLY.

Kate Middleton's visit to the Palace comes as Us Weekly claims this afternoon that Pippa Middleton is engaged to her boyfriend Nico Jackson. We'll bring you more news as soon as we hear… 

Got a tablet? You can now download Marie Claire magazine straight to your iPad, Kindle (just search the store for 'marie claire magazine'), Nook or Google Nexus.