Kate Middleton is not attending this evening’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace as she continues to pace herself following her cancer treatment. But at the center of the top table tonight, the King was joined by his sister Princess Anne.

The Princess Royal played a prominent role in this evening’s event, sitting to the right of the Emir, while King Charles sat on his left. Queen Camilla was seated between her husband and the Emir’s wife, with Prince William sitting to the other side of Sheikha Jawaher. Seating positions at banquets are not totally fixed, however usually the most senior royals are seated next to the visiting head of state and their spouse.

Anne looked regal in a cream silk dress and adornments including the blue sash of the Order of the Garter and Royal Family Orders. At 74, she continues to be seen as a stalwart of royal duty. She and Charles are just 21 months apart in age and have been close throughout their lives. At his coronation, Charles gave her a prominent ceremonial role of the Gold Stick in Waiting, which she reprised for his first State Opening of Parliament.

The Princess Royal missed the last State Banquet in June, held for the Emperor and Empress of Japan, after being hospitalized. She sustained head injuries following an incident involving a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire and spent five nights in hospital. It wasn’t long, however, until she was back to her duties, and she continues to carry out a busy program of engagements every year.

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Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.