Say what you will about the British royal family, but they’re experts at passing down show-stopping jewels. Kate Middleton proved this yesterday when she attended the state banquet at Buckingham Palace wearing the much-loved tiara of her mother-in-law, Princess Diana: the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara.
Middleton’s regal look was her first tiara-adorned public moment since she became the Princess of Wales; and, according to People, it was also the first time the royal wore a tiara in nearly three years, since December 2019. The banquet, which was part of the first state visit of King Charles III’s reign, was held to welcome the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, to the UK.
See also: The best winter coats Kate Middleton has ever worn.
What makes Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara special?
If she was going to wear a tiara, the Lover’s Knot tiara does seem like an ideal choice. While Kate has worn the tiara many times since 2015, it was also worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II and was also said to be a favourite of Princess Diana — whose style Middleton often channels.
The diamond-encrusted headpiece, which the Court Jeweller reports was commissioned by Queen Mary in 1913 or 1914, features pearls hanging from diamond knots. While this tiara is over a century old, it was actually a replica of a headpiece owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, the Duchess of Cambridge. It also has a reported net worth of $1 million.
As Middleton moves forward in her new role as Princess of Wales, we’re sure we’ll see even more heirloom jewels and regal style moments in the months and years to come.
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