Home · Entertainment · Oct 23 archive
Kate Middleton Wears Diana's Favorite Tiara at State Banquet
Confirmed
In Short: Princess Kate Middleton wore Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, a favorite of Princess Diana, for a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
At a state banquet at Windsor Castle on October 20, Princess Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, a piece that has become her go-to for royal events.
The tiara, which features 19 arches and 28 drop-shaped pearls, was crafted in 1913 by Garrard to replicate an ancestral jewel known as the Cambridge’s Lover's Knot Tiara. It was originally commissioned by Queen Mary to replicate a piece belonging to Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, who was named the Duchess of Cambridge in 1818, a title Kate also holds.
Kate paired the tiara with a flowing, sunshine-yellow gown by Elie Saab, which featured a braided collar, keyhole cutout, and chiffon cape. The gown, which had a floor-grazing train and a see-through tulle veil, complemented the tiara and added a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
The tiara, worth an estimated $135 million, has been frequently worn by Princess Diana, who was loaned it by her mother-in-law, Queen Mary, in 1981. Diana was photographed wearing it only twice, alongside the Spencer tiara, which is now owned by her brother, Charles Spencer.
The tiara has become Kate's signature piece of royal jewelry, a choice that royal commentator Amanda Matta described as her 'old faithful.' Matta noted, 'It has truly become her signature piece of royal jewelry, and it speaks to her constancy as a part of the modern monarchy.'
Royal commentator Christopher Andersen told Fox News Digital that Kate's modern approach, family values, and 'soft power' make her a vital asset to the royal family and the UK. He added, 'When you find a tiara you love, you stick with it.'
The tiara was also worn by Princess Diana as part of her royal wardrobe, and it has become a favorite of Kate's since she first wore it in 2015. 'It’s a very romantic piece, tying in nicely with the sentimentality of William and Kate’s royal love story,' noted a royal expert.
The banquet was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla to welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. Kate sat opposite the Sultan, while Prince William sat between Sultan Haitham and Crown Prince Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said.
Kate's choice of the Lover's Knot tiara for the state banquet is part of her ongoing effort to maintain an elegant look while also paying homage to Diana. 'It’s very much a tribute to Diana,' said a royal expert, adding, 'It’s a huge amount of pressure for Kate to always deliver this fashion moment at these big state events, but it’s all part of the package.'
Background
Princess Kate Middleton wore Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, a favorite of Princess Diana, for a state banquet at Windsor Castle.
What's confirmed
- "It's a very romantic piece, tying in nicely with the sentimentality of William and Kate's royal love story." Since Kate married Prince William in 2011, she has worn five different royal tiaras, with the Lover's Knot appearing to be her favorite.
- Mary modeled it after a tiara owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge.
- The princess announced in January 2025 that she was in remission.
- “It’s a very romantic piece, tying in nicely with the sentimentality of William and Kate’s royal love story.” The tiara was made for Queen Mary in 1913 by jeweller Garrard, using pearls and diamonds already owned by the royal family.
- 20, the Princess of Wales joined her husband, Prince William, to help King Charles and Queen Camilla host Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman for his state visit to the U.K.
- The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, attended a royal state banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, October 20.
What's still developing
- The original tiara is believed to be held in a private collection.
- Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty The Princess of Wales usually wears tiaras a few times each year for occasions such as state banquets, diplomatic receptions and occasionally, royal weddings.
- Meanwhile, Princess Anne wore the Meander Tiara — which originally belonged to her paternal grandmother, Princess Alice — while the Duchess of Gloucester donned the Honeysuckle Tiara.
- Looking ahead, Holt said that the Princess of Wales knows her style needs to constantly evolve, but the royal takes a slow and steady approach.
- The Sultan sat between King Charles and Princess Kate, while Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq bin Taimur Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, was seated on the King’s left.
- Kate showed the Americans how it is done in a white gown by Alexander McQueen, the same designer who created her iconic wedding dress, during a state banquet with Steven Mnuchin in 2019.
- “Kate will know how much William misses his mother, so I think she makes a conscious effort to incorporate elements of her during her time as Princess of Wales." “There are obviously many comparisons between the two royal women, and this is a way Kate can ensure people continue to talk about and remember Diana,” he continued.
- But there may be a sentimental reason as to why the Lover's Knot takes the crown in Kate's eyes.
- "I believe Kate wears this to keep her late mother-in-law’s memory alive,” he told InStyle in March.
- "However, I believe there is a stronger, more emotional reason why we’ve seen her wearing it so often since she joined the royal family. It’s very much a tribute to Diana."
- The pleasing, subtle shade is one of the most popular colours of the season, and Kate elevated it with royal jewels.
- The piece comes with a drop emerald, which Kate occasionally removes from the brooch when she wears it; Diana also removed or added the emerald to the brooch “depending on her outfit, wearing it as either a pendant or a brooch,” Tatler reported.