Kate Middleton to miss royals' glitziest night of year despite gradual return to duties

The annual white tie and tiara event, the Diplomatic Corps reception, is set to take place at Buckingham Palace tonight with King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William in attendance - but the Princess of Wales is understood not to be attending

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.

Camilla, who has just recovered from a nasty chest infection, is mourning the death of her beloved Jack Russell, Beth, who had to be put down at the weekend. The Queen may not stay for the whole of the event depending on how she is feeling, having returned to shortened engagements this week after her illness.

At last year's event, Kate dazzled in a sparkling pink Jenny Packham gown and the Lover's Knot tiara with her, the King and Queen and William putting on a show of unity after the release of a controversial book.

The royals posed for a special picture that was released after last years event, which coincided with the publication of Endgame by Meghan Markle's biographer Omid Scobie, which contained several bombshell claims about the royals.

However, at last year's event, the royals seemed to brush aside any concerns with the release of the united front photo, with Camilla also wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara and also the Queen Mother’s diamond brooch, known as a stomacher, and the late Queen’s diamond bracelet. The next big event for the royals, which will see mulitple members of the family in attendance will be Kate's Christmas carol service at Wesminster Abbey on December 6.