Catherine, Princess of Wales likes a tiara. Since entering the Royal Family in 2011, if there’s a special occasion such as a state banquet, she will often be seen wearing a tiara. And she has her favourites. While her tiara enthusiasm is nothing compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s, Catherine has been particularly besotted with the Lover’s Knot Tiara, also a favourite of Princess Diana.
But she has also worn an array of other tiaras that span various time periods and styles, even bringing out pieces that had not seen publicly for decades, leading to renewed interest in their provenance and history, especially given Catherine’s stature as a style icon.
So, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic tiaras worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
And remember, you can only wear a tiara after 5PM.
Cartier Halo Tiara
Made in 1936 at the request of King George VI for the Queen Mother, the tiara features a mind-bending 739 brilliant cut diamonds and another 149 baguette cut diamonds. Before it landed on Catherine’s head for her wedding to Prince William in the summer of 2011, it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 1944 as an eighteenth birthday present. Although Princess Margaret was known to wear the tiara on occasion, it remained out of public view until the biggest royal wedding in a generation but has since disappeared back into the private collection.
Lotus Flower Tiara
Made by Garrard in 1923 for the Queen Mother, the Egyptian inspired piece was a favourite of Princess Margaret who loaned it to her daughter-in-law for her wedding to Viscount Linley in 1993. Featuring 491 brilliant cut diamonds and 99 rose cut diamonds, Catherine has since worn the tiara on two occasions – to her first ever state banquet in 2015 and then later at a diplomatic corps reception at Buckingham Palace in 2022.
Lover’s Knot Tiara
A century old piece originally commissioned by Queen Mary shortly before the onset of the First World War, this Garrard made piece made its way to Queen Elizabeth II but is best known for its association with Princess Diana – Catherine’s would-be mother-in-law. Diana wore the tiara frequently throughout her ill-fated marriage to the now King Charles III and Catherine brought it back out for a 2015 diplomatic reception, where, like her wedding, she paired the headwear with an Alexander McQueen dress. It’s fair to say this has become Catherine’s favourite tiara as she still wears it frequently more than a decade later.
Strathmore Rose Tiara
Originally a gift to the Queen Mother on her wedding day, the Strathmore Rose Tiara had been out of public view for the best part of a century before Catherine wore it to an important state dinner with the South Korean government. Queen Elizabeth II owned it for her reign but never wore it publicly with some even considering the tiara lost, though it’s more likely it’s floral style was not to her taste.
Oriental Circlet Tiara
The most recent addition to Catherine’s tiara repertoire, the Oriental Circlet was originally gifted to Queen Victoria in 1853 by her husband, Prince Albert. The large and extravagant piece features more than 2600 diamonds and is covered in rubies, though the originally stones were opals before they were replaced. Making its first public appearance in 20 years, the tiara had previously been worn by Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother with the later famously wearing it on the eve of her daughter’s coronation.
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