2016 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Red Carpet Round-Up: Helen Mirren Pays Tribute To Prince [Photos]

The 2016 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was the talk of social media on Saturday night. The red carpet was populated by members of the White House press corps as well as their guests, many of whom were Hollywood celebrities in addition to well-known Beltway figures. The dinner has been hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association, a non-profit association of journalists who cover the White House, since 1920. Only association members can purchase tickets to the event, and they may invite guests.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is an opportunity for members of the press to celebrate their achievements and receive awards for journalism. It is also an opportunity to award journalism scholarships to gifted students, who lined up onstage and received hugs from First Lady Michelle Obama as their names were individually called. Most consider the presentation of scholarships to be the purpose and the highlight of the evening.

The 2016 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner red carpet is not out of step with the red carpets seen at many charity events or charity galas, but it is walked by some of the most prominent public figures in the country. The most notable look this year probably belongs to Helen Mirren, who wore a beautiful purple Dolce and Gabbana gown as a tribute to Prince, who died on April 21.

Helen Mirren also sported a purple temporary tattoo beneath her right collarbone in the shape of the “Love Symbol,” the unpronounceable symbol to which Prince changed his legal name during a contract dispute with Warner Bros. During this time, Prince was known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince because Warner Bros. would not allow him to release any recordings under his real name. Mirren cleverly matched her gown to her tattoo.

Jada Pinkett Smith, who attended the 2016 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with her husband, actor Will Smith, wore a gorgeous royal blue one-shoulder gown by Romona Keveza. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, a British actress of both stage and screen, wore a floral-printed gown by Lela Rose. Mbatha-Raw’s gown had sheer black detailing over the bust.

Emma Watson’s 2016 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner look was unconventional yet feminine. She wore a flirty white jacquard dress with a red floral print over navy blue pants, a look designed by Osman London. The dress was slit up the front to show off the trousers underneath, and stopped just above the ankle, leaving room to also show off the navy, pointed-toe pumps she wore to match.

Kendall Jenner, international fashion model and daughter of 1976 Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Kris Jenner, wore a basic black, strapless Vivienne Westwood to the 2016 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. She also wore a 50-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond stud choker, according to People.

Emily Ratajkowski, a London-born British-American model and actress, wore a shimmering, hunter green Monique Lhuillier gown with embroidered blue, pink, and burgundy flowers. She carried a burgundy clutch to match some of the embroidered flowers on her gown, which was semi-sheer.

Vivica A. Fox stunned in a silver column Jenny Packham dress with a glittering silver clutch to match. Fox is an American actress; Jenny Packham is a London-based British fashion label that rose to prominence in the United States over the last several years because Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton, has had an affinity for Jenny Packham’s designs for some time and often wears them to high-profile events.

Kerry Washington, star of ABC’s primetime smash hit drama Scandal, wore a one-shoulder black cocktail dress with ruffles that stopped at the knee, designed by Victoria Beckham. Washington’s choice to opt for a cocktail dress instead of an ankle-length gown is perfectly acceptable for a black tie function such as the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was held in a ballroom at the Washington, D.C. Hilton. The dinner is usually held on the final Saturday in April.

[Image courtesy of Larry Busacca/Getty Images]